Q.By using the properties of definite integrals, evaluate the integral ∫0π/21+sinxcosxsinx−cosxdx
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Definite Integral Symmetry: The Shortcut That Saves You Work
Asked to find the area under f(x)=x3 from x=−2 to x=2? You could integrate directly — but there's a much faster way if you notice the symmetry of the graph.
The Intuition: What Does "Symmetry" Mean Here?
A function can be symmetric about the y-axis (like x2 or cosx) or about the origin (like x3 or sinx). When you integrate over a symmetric interval — from −a to a — these symmetries create a predictable cancellation or doubling.
Even functions (symmetric about the y-axis): f(−x)=f(x) — think x2, x4, cosx, ∣x∣. The left side mirrors the right, so the area from −a to 0 equals the area from 0 to a. The total is double the area on one side.
Odd functions (symmetric about the origin): f(−x)=−f(x) — think x3, x5, sinx, tanx. The left side is the negative mirror of the right, so every positive area on the right is cancelled by an equal negative area on the left. The total is zero.
This only works when the limits are symmetric about zero — from −a to a. For [0,a] or [1,3], symmetry doesn't help directly.
The Precise Statement
Let f be continuous on [−a,a].
- If f is even (f(−x)=f(x)), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dx
- If f is odd (f(−x)=−f(x)), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=0
∫−aaf(x)dx={2∫0af(x)dx0if f is evenif f is odd
Why Does This Work? (A Quick Proof)
Split at zero:
∫−aaf(x)dx=∫−a0f(x)dx+∫0af(x)dx
For the first term substitute u=−x (dx=−du; x=−a→u=a, x=0→u=0):
∫−a0f(x)dx=∫0af(−u)du
Now use symmetry:
- If f is even, f(−u)=f(u), so this becomes ∫0af(u)du; adding the second term gives 2∫0af(x)dx.
- If f is odd, f(−u)=−f(u), so this becomes −∫0af(u)du; adding the second term gives 0.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't assume symmetry without checking. A "balanced"-looking function need not be even or odd — e.g. f(x)=x2+x is neither, so these formulas don't apply. Always verify f(−x)=f(x) or f(−x)=−f(x) for all x.
The interval must be [−a,a]. If the limits are [−2,3], symmetry doesn't apply directly — split the integral or shift variables.
Examples to Cement the Idea
Example 1: ∫−33x4dx — x4 is even, so
∫−33x4dx=2∫03x4dx=2[5x5]03=2⋅5243=5486 …
Concept: Definite Integral Symmetry — use the substitution x→2π−x to exploit symmetry about the midpoint.
Let I=∫0π/21+sinxcosxsinx−cosxdx.
Substitute x=2π−t. Then sinx=cost, cosx=sint, dx=−dt, and the limits swap: …
The integral evaluates to 0 because the integrand is an odd function about the midpoint x=π/4 of the interval, causing symmetric cancellation.
The key insight here is symmetry — but not the usual symmetry about x=0. The interval is [0,π/2], and the integrand involves both sinx and cosx, which swap roles when x is replaced by π/2−x. That substitution is the classic trick for integrals over [0,π/2] with mixed sine and cosine terms.
Let’s see why this works.
- Set up the substitution. Let I=∫0π/21+sinxcosxsinx−cosxdx. Use the substitution x→π/2−x. Then dx becomes −dx, and the limits swap: when x=0, the new variable is π/2; when x=π/2, it’s 0. So:
I=∫π/201+sin(π/2−x)cos(π/2−x)sin(π/2−x)−cos(π/2−x)(−dx)=∫0π/21+cosxsinxcosx−sinxdx.
- Notice the relationship. The denominator is unchanged because sin(π/2−x)cos(π/2−x)=cosxsinx=sinxcosx. The numerator becomes cosx−sinx=−(sinx−cosx). So we have:
I=∫0π/21+sinxcosx−(sinx−cosx)dx=−I.
- Solve the equation. From I=−I, we get 2I=0, so I=0. …
Method: Reflection giving I=−I — forced-zero integrals
If reflecting the integrand reproduces its negative, then I=−I, which forces I=0 — a fast route for integrands anti-symmetric about the interval's midpoint.
Steps
Step 1: Reflect x→a−x (here 2π−x).
Apply I=∫0af(a−x)dx and use co-function identities (sin↔cos).
Step 2: Check whether the reflected integrand is −f(x). …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Reaching for the t=tan(x/2) Weierstrass substitution.
Why it's wrong: it produces a messy rational integral, when reflection x→2π−x shows the integrand equals its own negative and the answer is 0. Correct approach: reflect and observe I=−I.
Mistake 2: Not noticing the denominator is reflection-symmetric. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 28 on this concept.
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04224 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫0π/2cos11x+sin11xcos11xdx is equal to (A) π (B) 23π (C) 2π (D) 4π (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=π/2; adding gives twice the value =π/2.
Let I=∫0π/2cos11x+sin11xcos11xdx.
Replacing x→2π−x swaps sine and cosine: I=∫0π/2sin11x+cos11xsin11xdx. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06054 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫0π/2sin2024x+cos2024xcos2024xdx is equal to (A) 4π (B) 2π (C) 2π (D) π (E) 3π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply x→2π−x and add to get 2I=2π.
Let I=∫0π/2sin2024x+cos2024xcos2024xdx. Using x→2π−x swaps sine and cosine:
I=∫0π/2sin2024x+cos2024xsin2024xdx. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06084 marksMCQQ.∫−2π2π1+cos2xtanx+sinxdx is equal to (A) 0 (B) 2 (C) 2 (D) 22 (E) −22
›Reveal solutionSolution
Numerator tanx+sinx is odd and denominator 1+cos2x is even, so the whole integrand is odd; integrating an odd function over a symmetric interval gives 0.
Let g(x)=1+cos2xtanx+sinx. Replace x by −x:
- tan(−x)=−tanx and sin(−x)=−sinx, so the numerator changes sign.
- cos(−x)=cosx, so 1+cos2x is unchanged. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04204 marksMCQQ.∫π/6π/3sinx+cosxsinxdx is equal to (A) 0 (B) 6π (C) 3π (D) 12π (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx with a+b=2π, which swaps sin and cos.
Let I=∫π/6π/3sinx+cosxsinxdx. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04184 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫02πx(2π−x)sin2xdx is equal to (A) π (B) 2π (C) 4π (D) 8π (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The substitution x→2π−x flips the sign of sin2x while leaving x(2π−x) unchanged, so the integrand is antisymmetric about x=π and the integral vanishes. …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06054 marksMCQQ.∫−π/2π/21+2−xcos2xdx is equal to (A) 3π (B) 4π (C) 1 (D) 21 (E) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The 1+2−x1 factor with an even numerator halves the plain integral of cos2x: I=21∫−π/2π/2cos2xdx=4π.
Let I=∫−π/2π/21+2−xcos2xdx. Replace x→−x (limits symmetric, cos2 even):
I=∫−π/2π/21+2xcos2xdx.
Adding the two forms: …
- KEAM 2021Set eng-2021-P2-B14 marksMCQQ.The value of ∫π/83π/8sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx is equal to (A) 4π (B) 8π (C) 16π (D) 2π (E) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫π/83π/8sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx=8π.
Concept and Intuition
The king property ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx with a+b=π/2 pairs the integrand with its cosine-counterpart, and the two add to 1.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let I=∫π/83π/8sin4x+cos4xsin4xdx.
- Replace x→2π−x: I=∫π/83π/8cos4x+sin4xcos4xdx. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04274 marksMCQQ.∫−π/2π/2(x5+x3+x)cosxdx= (A) 4π (B) π (C) 32π (D) 2π (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integrand is an odd function on a symmetric interval, so the integral is 0.
Let g(x)=(x5+x3+x)cosx. Here x5+x3+x is odd and cosx is even, so
g(−x)=(−x5−x3−x)cosx=−g(x),
i.e. g is odd. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04254 marksMCQQ.∫02x4+(2−x)4x4dx= (A) 1 (B) 2 (C) 4 (D) 8 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply the king property x→2−x; adding the two forms integrates to 2, giving I=1.
Let I=∫02x4+(2−x)4x4dx. Replacing x→2−x,
I=∫02(2−x)4+x4(2−x)4dx.
Adding the two expressions, …
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06094 marksMCQQ.∫−π/2π/2sin9xcos2xdx= (A) 32 (B) 1 (C) 111 (D) 67π (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
sin9x is odd and cos2x is even, so the product is odd; integrating an odd function over [−2π,2π] gives 0.
Let g(x)=sin9xcos2x. Then g(−x)=sin9(−x)cos2(−x)=−sin9xcos2x=−g(x), so g is odd. …
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.Given that ∫01tan−1(t)dt=4π−21log2. Then ∫01tan−1(1−t)dt= (A) 2π−21log2 (B) 4π−21log3 (C) 4π+21log2 (D) 4π+21log2 (E) 4π−21log2
›Reveal solutionSolution
[!TLDR]
The substitution u=1−t turns the required integral into the given one, so both equal 4π−21log2 — option (E).
Concept
The definite-integral property ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx (a standard NCERT/CBSE result) lets us replace the variable by its reflection about the midpoint of the interval.
Solution
Let u=1−t, so du=−dt. The limits swap: t=0⇒u=1 and t=1⇒u=0. Then
∫01tan−1(1−t)dt=∫10tan−1(u)(−du)=∫01tan−1(u)du. …
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQQ.If I=∫−11(1−x4x4)cos−1(1+x22x)dx, then 2I is equal to (A) π∫−111−x4x4dx (B) 2π∫−111−x4x4dx (C) ∫−111−x4x4dx (D) π∫−111+x4x4dx (E) −π∫−111−x4x4dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The weight x4/(1−x4) is even, and cos−11+x22x satisfies g(x)+g(−x)=π; combining I with its x→−x copy gives 2I=π∫−111−x4x4dx.
Let f(x)=1−x4x4, which is even, and g(x)=cos−1(1+x22x).
Since 1+x22(−x)=−1+x22x and cos−1(−a)=π−cos−1(a),
g(−x)=π−g(x)⇒g(x)+g(−x)=π. …
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