Concept understanding — Properties of Definite Integrals
Twelve working properties, all provable from the Second Fundamental Theorem, that let a definite integral be simplified — often to 0 or to a much easier integral — without direct evaluation. Throughout, f,g are continuous on the relevant interval and α,β are constants.
Dummy-variable invariance: ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(u)du — the integration variable's name never matters.
Limit reversal: ∫baf(x)dx=−∫abf(x)dx.
Additivity: ∫abf(x)dx=∫acf(x)dx+∫cbf(x)dx for a<c<b.
Substitution x=g(u): ∫abf(x)dx=∫cdf(g(u))g′(u)du where g(c)=a,g(d)=b — the tool for evaluating by substitution.
The a+b−x trick: ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(a+b−x)dx; taking a=0 gives the very common special case ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx.
The 2a−x split: ∫02af(x)dx=∫0a[f(x)+f(2a−x)]dx.
Even-function shortcut: if f(−x)=f(x) (even), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dx.
Odd-function shortcut: if f(−x)=−f(x) (odd), then ∫−aaf(x)dx=0.
Half-period doubling: if f(2a−x)=f(x), then ∫02af(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dx (follows from Property 7).
Half-period cancellation: if f(2a−x)=−f(x), then ∫02af(x)dx=0 (also from Property 7).
The xf(x) symmetry trick: if f(a−x)=f(x), then ∫0axf(x)dx=2a∫0af(x)dx — removes the extra factor of x from the integrand.
Tip
Properties 6, 7 and 12 are proved by substituting x→a+b−x (or x→2a−x), adding the new integral to the original, and solving for the value I — the same "add the reflected copy" trick used across almost every worked example in this section (e.g. ∫0π1+sinxxsinxdx: replace x→π−x, add, and the x cancels out of half the terms).
Each part is evaluated by finding a closed-form antiderivative — via partial fractions, completing the square, an algebraic substitution, the ex[f+f′] shortcut, or a direct-verification substitution — and applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
✓Final answer
41ln35;
8π;
2π−1;
eπ/2;
218;
21.
Each part is evaluated by finding a closed-form antiderivative — via partial fractions, completing the square, an algebraic substitution, the ex[f+f′] shortcut, or a direct-verification substitution — and applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
Step 1. (i) Partial fractions.x2−41=(x−2)(x+2)1=41(x−21−x+21), so ∫x2−4dx=41lnx+2x−2+C.
Step 2. (i) Evaluate at the limits. At x=4: 4+24−2=31. At x=3: 3+23−2=51.
Step 8. (iv) Recognize the ex[f(x)+f′(x)] form. With f(x)=tan2x, f′(x)=21sec22x, the integrand is exactly ex[f(x)+f′(x)], whose antiderivative is exf(x):
Step 9. (v) Substitute u=cosθ. Then du=−sinθdθ and sin2θ=1−u2; the limits θ=0→u=1 and θ=π/2→u=0, and the two sign flips (from −du and from reversing the limits) cancel:
Definite integration via partial fractions, completing the square, algebraic/trig substitution, and the e^x[f+f'] rule
Dropping a sign when reversing the limits of integration after a substitution such as u = cosθ
Missing the negative sign in ∫x/√(1−x²)dx = −√(1−x²), which flips the sign of that piece in part (iii)
Not recognizing the e^x[f(x)+f'(x)] pattern in part (iv) and instead attempting integration by parts twice
In part (vi), reaching for partial fractions or a trig substitution instead of noticing the derivative of x/(1+x²) already matches the integrand exactly
The variable of integration in a definite integral is a dummy variable, so ∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(t)dt.
A definite integral ∫abf(x)dx depends only on the function f and the limits a,b; its value is a fixed number. The symbol used for the variable of integration (x, t, u, …) is merely a placeholder that is "integrated out," so renaming it changes nothing:
∫abf(x)dx=∫abf(t)dt.
This is the standard dummy-variable property of definite integrals.
✓Final answer
True.
CBSE 2022Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The value of ∫01x(1−x)99dx is :
(a) 100101
(b) 110001
(c) 100011
(d) 101001
›Reveal solutionSolution
By the Beta-function formula ∫01xm(1−x)ndx=(m+n+1)!m!n!, the integral equals 101001.
We need I=∫01x(1−x)99dx, which is of the standard form ∫01xm(1−x)ndx with m=1, n=99.
This is the Beta function B(m+1,n+1)=B(2,100), and for non-negative integers, B(m+1,n+1)=(m+n+1)!m!n!.
Since 101!=101×100×99!, this simplifies to I=101×100×99!99!=101×1001.
Computing the product, 101×100=10100.
So I=101001.
✓Final answer
∫01x(1−x)99dx=101001 — option (d).
CBSE 2021Set I1 markMCQ
Q.∫abφ(x)dx+∫baφ(x)dx=
(a) 2∫abφ(x)dx
(b) 2∫baφ(x)dx
(c) 0
(d) 1
›Reveal solutionSolution
∫baφ=−∫abφ, so the sum cancels to 0.
A basic property of definite integrals is ∫baφ(x)dx=−∫abφ(x)dx.
Therefore
∫abφ(x)dx+∫baφ(x)dx=∫abφ(x)dx−∫abφ(x)dx=0.
✓Final answer
The correct option is (c) 0.
CBSE 2019Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.If f(x) = -f(-x), then the value of the definite integral from -a to a of f(x) dx is equal to
(a) 2a
(b) a
(c) a/2
(d) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
f(x)=−f(−x) means f is an odd function, and the definite integral of an odd function over a symmetric interval is always zero.
The condition f(x)=−f(−x) (equivalently f(−x)=−f(x)) is exactly the definition of an odd function.
For any odd function, ∫−aaf(x)dx=0, since the contributions from [−a,0] and [0,a] exactly cancel (the graph is symmetric about the origin).
✓Final answer
(d) 0
CBSE 2019Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The value of ∫0π/21+tanxcotxtanx−cotxdx is :
(a) 4π
(b) π
(c) 2π
(d) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using f(π/2−x)=−f(x), the integral ∫0π/21+tanxcotxtanx−cotxdx equals 0.
Since tanx⋅cotx=1 (wherever both are defined), the denominator 1+tanxcotx=1+1=2 throughout the interval.
So the integrand simplifies to f(x)=2tanx−cotx.
Apply the substitution x→2π−x: tan(2π−x)=cotx and cot(2π−x)=tanx.
So f(2π−x)=2cotx−tanx=−f(x).
By the standard property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx, adding the integral to itself with a=π/2 gives 2I=∫0π/2[f(x)+f(π/2−x)]dx=∫0π/20dx=0.
Hence I=0.
✓Final answer
The value of the integral is 0 — option (d).
CBSE 2017Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.The value of ∫0π/21+sinxcosxsinx−cosxdx is :
(a) 2π
(b) 0
(c) 4π
(d) π
›Reveal solutionSolution
Apply the King's-rule substitution x→2π−x on [0,π/2]; since sin and cos swap under this substitution, the integrand becomes exactly its own negative, forcing the definite integral to be 0.
Let I=∫0π/21+sinxcosxsinx−cosxdx.
Use the standard property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=π/2: replace x by 2π−x.
Since sin(2π−x)=cosx and cos(2π−x)=sinx, and sinxcosx is symmetric under this swap:
I=∫0π/21+cosxsinxcosx−sinxdx
Notice the new integrand is exactly the negative of the original: 1+sinxcosxcosx−sinx=−1+sinxcosxsinx−cosx.
So I=−I, which gives 2I=0, i.e. I=0.
This matches option (b).
✓Final answer
The value of the integral is 0.
CBSE 2016Set ANNUAL1 markMCQ
Q.∫02af(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dx if :
(a) f(2a−x)=f(x)
(b) f(a−x)=f(x)
(c) f(x)=−f(x)
(d) f(−x)=f(x)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The stated splitting property requires the symmetry condition f(2a−x)=f(x).
In general, ∫02af(x)dx=∫0af(x)dx+∫a2af(x)dx.
In the second integral substitute x=2a−t, dx=−dt; limits x=a→t=a, x=2a→t=0: ∫a2af(x)dx=∫0af(2a−t)dt.
So ∫02af(x)dx=∫0a[f(x)+f(2a−x)]dx.
This equals 2∫0af(x)dx exactly when f(2a−x)=f(x) for all x∈[0,a], i.e. the graph is symmetric about the vertical line x=a.
Options (b), (c), (d) describe different symmetries (about x=a/2, an odd function under negation, and an even function about the origin respectively) that do not produce this particular splitting.
✓Final answer
The required condition is f(2a−x)=f(x), option (a).