Q.Integrate the following function: 1−4x2
Concept understanding — U Substitution
U Substitution: The Reverse Chain Rule
The chain rule differentiates composite functions: the derivative of sin(x2) is cos(x2)⋅2x — differentiate the outer function, then multiply by the derivative of the inside. Integration asks the reverse: given cos(x2)⋅2x, find the original function. That's what u substitution does — it reverses the chain rule.
The Core Intuition
When an integral looks like "a function times the derivative of its inside," substitute the inside with u and the derivative of the inside with du. Consider:
∫2xcos(x2)dx
Here 2x is the derivative of x2, and x2 is the inside of cos(x2). Let u=x2, so du=2xdx:
∫cos(u)du=sin(u)+C=sin(x2)+C
Check: the derivative of sin(x2) is cos(x2)⋅2x.
The Precise Statement
∫f(g(x))⋅g′(x)dx=∫f(u)duwhere u=g(x),du=g′(x)dx
Valid provided g is differentiable and the resulting integral in u is simpler.
The Step-by-Step Method
- Identify a function g(x) whose derivative g′(x) also appears (possibly up to a constant factor).
- Set u=g(x), compute du=g′(x)dx.
- Rewrite the entire integral in u and du — every x and dx must be replaced.
- Integrate with respect to u.
- Substitute back u=g(x).
You cannot mix variables. If any x remains after substitution, you chose the wrong u (or must solve for x in terms of u — rare).
A Second Example (with a constant factor)
Evaluate ∫xx2+1dx. Let u=x2+1, so xdx=21du:
∫u⋅21du=21⋅32u3/2+C=31(x2+1)3/2+C
When Does It Work?
When the integrand is something times the derivative of something inside. Common patterns:
- x⋅f(x2) — derivative of x2 is 2x, so u=x2
- eg(x)⋅g′(x) — derivative of g(x) appears
- g(x)g′(x) — leads to log∣g(x)∣
If stuck, differentiate a candidate "inside" function in your head. If its derivative (up to a constant) appears, that's your u.
The Definite Integral Case
Either change the limits (when x=a, u=g(a); when x=b, u=g(b); then integrate in u), or integrate in u, substitute back, and use the original limits. Changing limits is cleaner:
∫x=0x=12xcos(x2)dx=∫u=0u=1cos(u)du=sin(1)−sin(0)=sin(1)
Common Mistake to Avoid
Don't confuse du with Δu. du is a differential — the exact relationship du=g′(x)dx that holds inside the integral. Treat it algebraically: multiply, divide, and substitute freely.
U-substitution, taught in the CBSE Class 12 Integrals chapter as the method of substitution, is one of the very first integration techniques students learn after the standard formulas, and "integration by substitution class 12 examples" is a heavily searched revision topic. It remains equally essential for solving integral calculus problems in JEE Main and JEE Advanced.
The key idea is U Substitution using a trigonometric substitution, specifically x=21sinθ, to simplify the square root.
Step 1: Let x=21sinθ, so dx=21cosθdθ. Then 1−4x2=1−sin2θ=cos2θ, and 1−4x2=∣cosθ∣. For the principal branch, take cosθ≥0.
Step 2: Substitute into the integral:
∫1−4x2dx=∫cosθ⋅21cosθdθ=21∫cos2θdθ.
Step 3: Use cos2θ=21+cos2θ:
21∫21+cos2θdθ=41(θ+21sin2θ)+C.
Step 4: Back-substitute: θ=arcsin(2x), and sin2θ=2sinθcosθ=2(2x)1−4x2=4x1−4x2. Thus:
41arcsin(2x)+41⋅21⋅4x1−4x2+C=41arcsin(2x)+2x1−4x2+C.
The integral is 41arcsin(2x)+2x1−4x2+C.
The key idea is to rewrite the integrand as 1−(2x)2 and use the trigonometric substitution 2x=sinθ, which converts the integral into a standard form. The final result is 41sin−1(2x)+2x1−4x2+C.
Why U Substitution (and a Trigonometric One) Works
When you see 1−4x2, your first instinct might be to try a simple u=1−4x2. That would give du=−8xdx, but there’s no x outside the square root to pair with it — so that path dead-ends.
The deeper structure here is 1−(2x)2. That’s a perfect match for the Pythagorean identity: 1−sin2θ=cos2θ. If we set 2x=sinθ, the square root becomes 1−sin2θ=∣cosθ∣, and for the principal range we can take cosθ≥0. This substitution turns an algebraic mess into a clean trigonometric integral.
Whenever you see a2−x2, think x=asinθ. Here a=1 and the variable is 2x, so substitute 2x=sinθ.
Step-by-Step Solution
1. Set up the substitution.
Let 2x=sinθ. Then x=21sinθ, so dx=21cosθdθ.
2. Rewrite the integrand.
The square root becomes:
1−4x2=1−(2x)2=1−sin2θ=cos2θ=∣cosθ∣.
We restrict θ to [−π/2,π/2] so that cosθ≥0, and we can drop the absolute value: 1−4x2=cosθ.
3. Transform the integral.
The original integral is ∫1−4x2dx. Substituting everything:
∫1−4x2dx=∫cosθ⋅(21cosθdθ)=21∫cos2θdθ.
4. Integrate cos2θ.
Use the double-angle identity: cos2θ=21+cos2θ.
Then:
21∫cos2θdθ=21∫21+cos2θdθ=41∫(1+cos2θ)dθ.
Integrate term by term:
41(θ+21sin2θ)+C=41θ+81sin2θ+C.
5. Convert back to x.
We have θ=sin−1(2x). For sin2θ, use sin2θ=2sinθcosθ.
We know sinθ=2x and cosθ=1−4x2 (from step 2).
So sin2θ=2⋅(2x)⋅1−4x2=4x1−4x2.
Thus:
41θ+81sin2θ+C=41sin−1(2x)+81⋅4x1−4x2+C.
Simplify:
41sin−1(2x)+2x1−4x2+C.
A common mistake is to forget the factor from dx when substituting. Here dx=21cosθdθ, not just dθ. Always include the differential.
The integral evaluates to 41sin−1(2x)+2x1−4x2+C.
Method: Scale to the standard ∫a2−u2 form
For 1−k2x2 (a difference of squares with a coefficient on x2), substitute u=kx to reach the textbook a2−u2 integral.
Steps
Step 1: Identify the difference-of-squares form. 1−4x2=1−(2x)2, so u=2x, a=1.
Step 2: Substitute u=2x, du=2dx, i.e. dx=2du:
∫1−4x2dx=21∫1−u2du.
Step 3: Apply the standard result.
∫a2−u2du=2ua2−u2+2a2sin−1au+C.
Step 4: Back-substitute u=2x and multiply by 21.
Simplify and add C; the arcsine appears because the form is a2−u2.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Forgetting the 21 from du=2dx.
Why it's wrong: without it the whole answer is doubled. Correct approach: dx=2du scales the integral by 21.
Mistake 2: Writing 1−4x2=1−4x2.
Why it's wrong: the root of a difference is not the difference of roots. Correct approach: keep it as 1−(2x)2 and substitute.
Mistake 3: Using a logarithm instead of sin−1.
Why it's wrong: a 1−u2 (i.e. a2−u2) form gives arcsine. Correct approach: the answer has 41sin−1(2x), not a log.
Showing the 12 most recent of 32 on this concept.
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06064 marksMCQQ.∫4x2+74xcos4x2+7dx= (A) 21sin4x2+7+C (B) 27sin4x2+7+C (C) sin4x2+7+C (D) 41sin4x2+7+C (E) 47sin4x2+7+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
With u=4x2+7 the integrand is exactly cosudu, giving sin4x2+7+C.
Let u=4x2+7. Then dxdu=24x2+78x=4x2+74x, so du=4x2+74xdx.
The integral becomes ∫cosudu=sinu+C=sin4x2+7+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04294 marksMCQQ.∫cosx2sin2xdx= (A) 21tanx+C (B) tanx+C (C) 2tanx+C (D) 4tanx+C (E) 3tanx+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Writing 2sin2x=4sinxcosx reduces the integrand to 21sec2x(tanx)−1/2; with u=tanx this integrates to tanx+C.
Use sin2x=2sinxcosx, so 2sin2x=4sinxcosx and 2sin2x=2sinxcosx. Then
cosx2sin2x1=2cosxsinxcosx1=2cos2xtanx1=2tanxsec2x.
Let u=tanx, du=sec2xdx:
21∫u−1/2du=21⋅2u1/2=u=tanx+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
- KEAM 2024Set eng-2024-06094 marksMCQQ.∫x2(x4+1)3/4dx= (A) −(x4+1)1/4+C (B) (x4+1)1/4+C (C) −(x4x4+1)1/4+C (D) (x4x4+1)+C (E) (x4x4+1)3/4+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor x4 out of the radical; with u=1+x−4, du=−4x−5dx, the integral becomes −u1/4=−(x4x4+1)1/4+C.
Write (x4+1)3/4=x3(1+x−4)3/4, so
∫x2(x4+1)3/4dx=∫x5(1+x−4)3/4dx.
Let u=1+x−4, then du=−4x−5dx, i.e. x−5dx=−41du:
∫−41u−3/4du=−u1/4+C=−(1+x−4)1/4+C=−(x4x4+1)1/4+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.∫1−x2sin−1xdx= (A) 21(sin−1x)2+C (B) −(sin−1x)1−x2+C (C) (sin−1x)1−x2+x+C (D) (sin−1x)1−x2−x+C (E) (sin−1x)2+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=sin^{-1}x turns the integral into u du = (1/2)(sin^{-1}x)^2 + C.
Concept and Intuition
The factor 1/sqrt(1-x^2) is exactly the derivative of sin^{-1}x, so the substitution u = sin^{-1}x collapses the integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u = sin^{-1}x, then du = dx/sqrt(1-x^2).
- The integral becomes integral of u du.
- That equals u^2/2 + C = (1/2)(sin^{-1}x)^2 + C.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting the factor 1/2 from integrating u.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — (1/2)(sin^{-1}x)^2 + C.
ANSWER: A
- KEAM 2022Set eng-2022-P2-B14 marksMCQQ.∫x311−x21dx= (A) 6−1(1−x21)23+C (B) 31(1−x21)23+C (C) 3−1(1−x21)23+C (D) 34(1−x21)23+C (E) 3−4(1−x21)23+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral equals 31(1−x21)3/2+C.
Concept and Intuition
The derivative of 1−x21 is x32, which matches the x31 factor outside the root, so a substitution linearizes the integral.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u=1−x21.
- du=x32dx⇒x3dx=2du.
- ∫x311−x21dx=∫u2du=21⋅3/2u3/2.
- =21⋅32u3/2=31u3/2=31(1−x21)3/2+C.
Common Mistakes
- Getting the sign or factor of du wrong (it is +x32).
- Forgetting to halve after substituting.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 31(1−x21)23+C.
ANSWER: B
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04194 marksMCQQ.∫1+x2sin(cot−1x)dx is equal to (A) −cos(cot−1x)+C (B) cos(cot−1x)+C (C) 1+x2cos(cot−1x)+C (D) 2cos(cot−1x)+C (E) 1+x2−cos(cot−1x)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=cot−1x so du=−1+x2dx.
Let u=cot−1x⇒du=−1+x2dx, i.e. 1+x2dx=−du.
∫1+x2sin(cot−1x)dx=∫sinu(−du)=−(−cosu)+C=cosu+C.
Back-substituting, =cos(cot−1x)+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04264 marksMCQQ.∫0π/21+sinx1dx= (A) 2 (B) 21 (C) 41 (D) 1 (E) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Rationalise the denominator, integrate sec2x−secxtanx.
Multiply numerator and denominator by 1−sinx:
1+sinx1=1−sin2x1−sinx=cos2x1−sinx=sec2x−secxtanx.
Antiderivative is tanx−secx=cosxsinx−1. Evaluating from 0 to 2π: at x→2π the value →0; at x=0 it is 0−1=−1. Thus the integral =0−(−1)=1.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
- KEAM 2026Set eng-2026-04174 marksMCQQ.∫xx+1dx= (A) 34(x+1)23+C (B) 32(x+1)23+C (C) 34(x+1)43+C (D) 31(x+1)23+C (E) 43(x+1)23+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=x+1.
With u=x+1, du=2x1dx, i.e. xdx=2du. Then
∫xx+1dx=∫u⋅2du=2⋅32u3/2+C=34(x+1)3/2+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04274 marksMCQQ.∫2−sin2θcosθdθ= (A) 21log2+sinθ2−sinθ+C (B) 21log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C (C) log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C (D) 21log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C (E) 221log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitution u=sinθ gives ∫2−u2du=221log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C.
Let u=sinθ, so du=cosθdθ. The integral becomes
∫2−u2du=∫(2)2−u2du.
Using the standard result ∫a2−u2du=2a1loga−ua+u+C with a=2:
=221log2−u2+u+C=221log2−sinθ2+sinθ+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E).
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.∫ex(x2−2)cos(ex(x2−2x))dx= (A) sin(ex(x2−2x))+C (B) sin(ex(x2−2))+C (C) x2exsin(ex(x2−2))+C (D) exsin(ex(x2−2))+C (E) exsin(x2ex−2xex)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Since d/dx[e^x(x^2-2x)] = e^x(x^2-2), the integral is sin(e^x(x^2-2x)) + C.
Concept and Intuition
Look for the outer function's argument, g(x) = e^x(x^2-2x), and check whether the rest of the integrand is exactly g'(x); if so the integral is a direct substitution.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let g(x) = e^x(x^2 - 2x).
- g'(x) = e^x(x^2-2x) + e^x(2x-2) = e^x(x^2 - 2), which is exactly the prefactor.
- So the integrand is cos(g)*g' dx, and integral cos(g) dg = sin(g) + C.
- Result: sin(e^x(x^2-2x)) + C.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the argument (x^2-2x) with the prefactor (x^2-2).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — sin(e^x(x^2-2x)) + C.
ANSWER: A
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04234 marksMCQQ.∫x7(x8+1)−3/4dx= (A) 21(1+x81)1/4+C (B) 4(1+x81)1/4+C (C) (x8+1)1/4+C (D) 4(x8+1)1/4+C (E) 21(x8+1)1/4+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=x^8+1 gives (1/2)(x^8+1)^{1/4} + C.
Concept and Intuition
The presence of x^7 alongside x^8 signals the substitution u = x^8 + 1, whose differential absorbs x^7 dx.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Let u = x^8 + 1, then du = 8 x^7 dx, so x^7 dx = du/8.
- Integral = (1/8) integral of u^{-3/4} du.
- = (1/8) * u^{1/4}/(1/4) = (1/8)4u^{1/4} = (1/2)u^{1/4}.
- = (1/2)(x^8+1)^{1/4} + C.
Common Mistakes
- Dropping the 1/8 from du and getting 4(x^8+1)^{1/4} instead.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (E) — (1/2)(x^8+1)^{1/4} + C.
ANSWER: E
- KEAM 2025Set eng-2025-04254 marksMCQQ.∫2x+5sec2(2x+5)dx= (A) 2tan(2x+5)+C (B) 21tan(2x+5)+C (C) tan(2x+5)+C (D) tan(2x+5)+C (E) 2tan(2x+5)+C
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=2x+5; the differential cancels the 2x+51 factor.
Let u=2x+5. Then
du=22x+51⋅2dx=2x+5dx.
So the integral becomes
∫sec2udu=tanu+C=tan(2x+5)+C.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D).
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