Q.By using the properties of definite integrals, evaluate the integral ∫02πcos5xdx
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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 …
Use symmetry over the full period. First, since cos5(2π−x)=cos5x,
∫02πcos5xdx=2∫0πcos5xdx.
Next, cos5(π−x)=(−cosx)5=−cos5x, so on [0,π] the function is odd about x=2π and …
Over a full period the positive and negative loops of an odd power of cosine cancel exactly, so ∫02πcos5xdx=0.
The idea
We use two definite-integral properties:
∫02af(x)dx=2∫0af(x)dxif f(2a−x)=f(x),
∫0af(x)dx=0if f(a−x)=−f(x).
1. Fold [0,2π] onto [0,π]
With a=π, check f(2π−x)=cos5(2π−x)=cos5x=f(x). So
∫02πcos5xdx=2∫0πcos5xdx.
2. Show the half-integral is zero …
Method: Fold a full-period integral, then use half-interval sign symmetry
For an odd power of cos (or sin) over a full period, combine two reflection properties: first fold [0,2a] onto [0,a], then show the half-integral vanishes by a sign flip.
Steps
Step 1: Fold using f(2a−x)=f(x).
If cosn(2π−x)=cosnx, then ∫02π=2∫0π.
Step 2: Test the half-interval for anti-symmetry.
Check f(a−x)=−f(x): since cos(π−x)=−cosx, an odd power gives cosn(π−x)=−cosnx. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Assuming an integral over a full period is automatically zero.
Why it's wrong: ∫02πcos2xdx=π=0 — only odd powers cancel; even powers have positive net area. Correct approach: it is the odd power (and the sign flip cos(π−x)=−cosx) that forces 0 here.
Mistake 2: Mishandling the folding property. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 22 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-FN1 markMCQQ.∫−2π2πsin4xcos6xdx= (A) 1283π (B) 329π (C) 649π (D) 643π
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral of an even power of sine and cosine over a full period can be reduced using symmetry and the Beta function; the value is 643π, which corresponds to option (D).
The key insight: the integrand sin4xcos6x is an even function (since both sine and cosine are raised to even powers, the product is symmetric about x=0). Also, over [−2π,2π], the function repeats its pattern four times (period π for the product of even powers). So we can simplify the integral to a multiple of an integral over [0,π/2], where the classic Beta-function reduction applies.
- Use symmetry and periodicity. The function f(x)=sin4xcos6x has period π (because sin2x and cos2x have period π, and even powers preserve that). Over [−2π,2π], which is 4 periods of length π, we have
∫−2π2πf(x)dx=4∫0πf(x)dx.
Also, f(x) is even, so ∫0πf(x)dx=2∫0π/2f(x)dx. Thus
∫−2π2πf(x)dx=8∫0π/2sin4xcos6xdx.
- Reduce to a Beta integral. Recall the Beta function identity:
∫0π/2sin2a−1xcos2b−1xdx=21B(a,b)=2Γ(a+b)Γ(a)Γ(b).
Here we have sin4x=sin2⋅2.5−1x? Let's match carefully: we want exponents 2a−1=4 and 2b−1=6, so
2a−1=4⟹a=25,2b−1=6⟹b=27.
Then
∫0π/2sin4xcos6xdx=21B(25,27).
- Evaluate the Beta function using Gamma values.
B(25,27)=Γ(6)Γ(5/2)Γ(7/2).
Recall Γ(n)=(n−1)! for integers, and Γ(1/2)=π.
Γ(5/2)=23⋅21⋅π=43π,
Γ(7/2)=25⋅23⋅21⋅π=815π,
Γ(6)=5!=120.
So
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.∫−π/15π/151+e5xcos5xdx= (A) 51 (B) 103 (C) 151 (D) 101
›Reveal solutionSolution
The symmetry trick ∫−aa1+ecxf(x)dx=∫0af(x)dx (for even f) reduces this to ∫0π/15cos5xdx=103.
Use the king-property symmetry. Let
I=∫−π/15π/151+e5xcos5xdx.
Replacing x→−x (limits symmetric) and using cos(−5x)=cos5x:
I=∫−π/15π/151+e5xcos5xe5xdx.
Adding the two forms, since 1+e5x1+1+e5xe5x=1:
2I=∫−π/15π/15cos5xdx=2∫0π/15cos5xdx.
Evaluate. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.253∫025π∣cosx−cos3x∣dx= (A) 8 (B) 4 (C) 1 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
∣cosx−cos3x∣=∣cosx∣∣sinx∣, whose integral over one period π is 34; over 25π it is 3100, and 253⋅3100=4.
Simplifying the integrand.
cosx−cos3x=cosx(1−cos2x)=cosxsin2x.
Since sin2x≥0,
∣cosx−cos3x∣=∣cosx∣sin2x=∣cosx∣∣sinx∣.
Periodicity.
Both ∣cosx∣ and ∣sinx∣ have period π, so the integrand has period π. The interval [0,25π] contains exactly 25 periods.
Integral over one period [0,π].
On [0,π], sinx≥0. Split where cosx changes sign at 2π:
∫0π∣cosx∣sinxdx=∫0π/2cosxsinxdx+∫π/2π−cosxsinxdx. …
- TG EAPCET 2021Set eng-2021-08-06-FN1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫0πxf(sinx)dx=
(A) 2π∫0π/4f(sinx)dx (B) π∫0π/4f(sinx)dx (C) 2π∫0π/2f(sinx)dx (D) π∫0π/2f(sinx)dx›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the property ∫0af(x)dx=∫0af(a−x)dx with a=π to rewrite the integral, then add the two forms. The result is π∫0πf(sinx)dx, which simplifies to π∫0π/2f(sinx)dx because f(sinx) is symmetric about π/2. The correct option is (D).
The key idea here is a classic trick for integrals of the form ∫0axg(x)dx: replace x by a−x and add the two expressions. This often cancels the x factor and leaves a simpler integral.
Let I=∫0πxf(sinx)dx. The function f(sinx) depends on x only through sinx, which has the property sin(π−x)=sinx. That symmetry is what we will exploit.
- Apply the substitution x→π−x. Let t=π−x. Then dx=−dt, and when x=0, t=π; when x=π, t=0. So
I=∫0πxf(sinx)dx=∫π0(π−t)f(sin(π−t))(−dt)=∫0π(π−t)f(sint)dt.
Since the dummy variable doesn’t matter, rename t back to x:
I=∫0π(π−x)f(sinx)dx.
- Add the two expressions for I. We now have two forms:
I=∫0πxf(sinx)dxandI=∫0π(π−x)f(sinx)dx.
Adding them:
2I=∫0π[x+(π−x)]f(sinx)dx=∫0ππf(sinx)dx.
Hence
I=2π∫0πf(sinx)dx.
- Simplify the limits using symmetry. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-FN1 markMCQQ.0∫π(sin3x+cos2x)2dx= (A) 1615π+158 (B) 1611π+158 (C) 1615π+154 (D) 1611π+154
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integral simplifies by expanding the square, using symmetry and reduction formulas; the final value is 1611π+158, which corresponds to option (B).
We start with
I=∫0π(sin3x+cos2x)2dx.
The key idea: expand the square, then use symmetry and standard trigonometric integrals. The presence of both odd and even powers suggests splitting the interval or using reduction formulas.
- Expand the square
(sin3x+cos2x)2=sin6x+2sin3xcos2x+cos4x.
So
I=∫0πsin6xdx+2∫0πsin3xcos2xdx+∫0πcos4xdx.
- Use symmetry for the middle integral The function sin3xcos2x is odd about x=π/2? Check: sin(π−x)=sinx, cos(π−x)=−cosx, so sin3(π−x)cos2(π−x)=sin3xcos2x. Actually it's symmetric, not odd. But better: note that sin3xcos2x is an odd function with respect to x=π/2? Let's test: replace x by π−x, the product is unchanged. So it's symmetric. However, we can compute directly using substitution u=cosx:
∫0πsin3xcos2xdx=∫0πsinx(1−cos2x)cos2xdx.
Let u=cosx, du=−sinxdx, limits: x=0→u=1, x=π→u=−1. Then
∫0πsin3xcos2xdx=∫1−1(1−u2)u2(−du)=∫−11(u2−u4)du.
The integrand is even, so
=2∫01(u2−u4)du=2[3u3−5u5]01=2(31−51)=2⋅152=154.
Thus
2∫0πsin3xcos2xdx=158.
- Compute ∫0πsin6xdx Use the reduction formula or known result:
∫0πsin2nxdx=π⋅(2n)!!(2n−1)!!.
For n=3, sin6x has even power, so
∫0πsin6xdx=π⋅6!!5!!=π⋅6⋅4⋅25⋅3⋅1=π⋅4815=165π.
(Check: 5!!=15, 6!!=48, yes.)
- Compute ∫0πcos4xdx Since cos4x is symmetric about π/2, we can also use ∫0πcos4xdx=2∫0π/2cos4xdx. Use the reduction formula for ∫0π/2cos2nxdx=(2n)!!(2n−1)!!⋅2π. …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.∫−2π2πsin2xcos2x(sinx+cosx)dx= (A) 32 (B) 103 (C) 154 (D) 185
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integrand is an odd function over a symmetric interval, so the integral evaluates to zero; none of the given positive options match, but the correct answer is 0, which is not listed — the intended answer is (C) only if the problem had a misprint, but strictly the integral is zero.
The key insight is symmetry. When integrating over [−π/2,π/2], check if the function is odd or even. An odd function integrated over a symmetric interval always gives zero. Here, sin2xcos2x is even, but (sinx+cosx) is a sum of an odd and an even part. The product of an even function with an odd function is odd, and that part integrates to zero. The even part (from cosx) also integrates to zero because of the specific powers? Let’s check carefully.
- Separate the integrand:
sin2xcos2x(sinx+cosx)=sin2xcos2xsinx+sin2xcos2xcosx.
-
Analyze parity:
- sin2xcos2x is even because sin2x and cos2x are both even.
- sinx is odd, so sin2xcos2x⋅sinx is odd.
- cosx is even, so sin2xcos2x⋅cosx is even.
-
Integrate the odd part:
For any odd function f(x), ∫−aaf(x)dx=0.
Thus,
∫−π/2π/2sin2xcos2xsinxdx=0.
- Integrate the even part: The even part is sin2xcos3x. Over a symmetric interval, we can double the integral from 0 to π/2: ∫−π/2π/2sin2xcos3xdx=2∫0π/2sin2xcos3xdx. …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.∫02x3(2−x)4dx= (A) 105128 (B) 3516 (C) 105256 (D) 3532
›Reveal solutionSolution
Substitute u=2−x and expand; the integral evaluates to 3532.
Setup. Let u=2−x, so x=2−u and dx=−du. The limits map x:0→2 into u:2→0:
∫02x3(2−x)4dx=∫02(2−u)3u4du.
Expand (2−u)3=8−12u+6u2−u3, so the integrand becomes
8u4−12u5+6u6−u7.
Integrate term-by-term from 0 to 2:
[58u5−2u6+76u7−81u8]02.
At u=2: 58(32)−2(64)+76(128)−81(256)=5256−128+7768−32. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.If m,l,r,s,n are integers such that, 9>m>l>s>n>r>2 and
[!FORMULA] ∫−ππsinrxcossxdx=4∫−ππsinlxcosrxdx,∫027πsinrxcossxdx=4∫0πsinlxcosrxdx and
[!FORMULA] ∫−2π27πsinlxcosmxdx=0,
then (A) (s−2)(l−2)=mr (B) (s−2)(l+2)=rm+5 (C) (s−2)(s+2)=ln−3 (D) (l−2)(l+2)=ms−5›Reveal solutionSolution
The chain of inequalities leaves only six integer sets, and the symmetry conditions on the trigonometric integrals fix the parities. Checking the four printed relations, only (s−2)(s+2)=log−3 survives — option (C).
The concept first
Two symmetry facts do all the work.
- An odd power of sine kills a symmetric integral. sinx is odd, cosx is even, so sinpxcosqx is an odd function when p is odd, and therefore ∫−ππsinpxcosqxdx=0.
- An odd power of cosine kills the [0,π] integral. Under x↦π−x, sinx is unchanged but cosx↦−cosx; so ∫0πsinpxcosqxdx=0 when q is odd.
Combining: on [−π,π] the integral is non-zero only if both exponents are even, and then
∫−ππsinpxcosqxdx=2∫0πsinpxcosqxdx=4∫0π/2sinpxcosqxdx.
That is exactly the shape of the given equations — the factor 4 is a symmetry statement, not an accident. The condition that the third integral (taken over a whole number of periods) is 0 forces one of l,m to be odd.
Step 1 — List the candidate sets
All five integers lie strictly between 2 and 9, i.e. in {3,4,5,6,7,8}, and are strictly increasing in the order r<n<s<l<m. So we just drop one member of that six-element set:
(r,n,s,l,m)∈{(4,5,6,7,8),(3,5,6,7,8),(3,4,6,7,8),(3,4,5,7,8),(3,4,5,6,8),(3,4,5,6,7)}.
Step 2 — Apply the parity conditions …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.∫−22x4(4−x2)7dx= (A) 4π (B) 16π (C) 28π (D) 1283π
›Reveal solutionSolution
With the even integrand and the substitution x=2sinθ, the integral reduces to a Beta function. For the value to be a multiple of π the intended power is (4−x2)7/2; evaluating gives 28π. Answer: (C).
Concept
An integral of the form ∫−22x4(4−x2)mdx with m a half-integer becomes a Beta/Gamma expression under x=2sinθ, producing a rational multiple of π. The choices here (4π, π/16, 28π, 3π/128) are all multiples of π, which is only possible when the exponent is 27 (a half-integer), so the integrand is read as x4(4−x2)7/2.
NoteA strict polynomial power (4−x2)7 would integrate to a rational number with no π, inconsistent with every option. The exponent is therefore taken as 27, which the printed options require; the solution below uses that reading and lands on the exam key.
Solution
1. Use symmetry. The integrand is even, so
I=∫−22x4(4−x2)7/2dx=2∫02x4(4−x2)7/2dx.
2. Substitute x=2sinθ, dx=2cosθdθ, with 4−x2=4cos2θ:
x4=16sin4θ,(4−x2)7/2=(4cos2θ)7/2=128cos7θ.
Therefore
I=2∫0π/216sin4θ⋅128cos7θ⋅2cosθdθ=8192∫0π/2sin4θcos8θdθ.
3. Beta function. Using ∫0π/2sin2p−1θcos2q−1θdθ=21B(p,q) with p=25, q=29: …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-AN1 markMCQQ.∫03[sin(3πx)−cos(3πx)]dx= (A) π−6 (B) 0 (C) π−3 (D) π6
›Reveal solutionSolution
Integrating over one full period-related span [0,3]: the sin term contributes π6 and the cos term contributes 0, so the integral is π6 (option D).
∫03[sin(3πx)−cos(3πx)]dx.
Sine part:
∫03sin(3πx)dx=[−π3cos(3πx)]03=−π3(cosπ−cos0)=−π3(−1−1)=π6.
Cosine part: …
- TG EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-02-AN1 markMCQQ.Let m,n,p,q be four positive integers. If ∫02πsinmxcosnxdx=4∫02πsinmxcosnxdx, ∫02πsinpxcosqxdx=0, ∫0πsinrxcosqxdx=0, a=m+n+p and b=m+n+q, then (A) a is even number and b is odd number (B) a is odd number and b is even number (C) Both a and b are even numbers (D) Both a and b are odd numbers
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both a and b are odd numbers — option (D).
Analyse each condition by symmetry.
- ∫02πsinmxcosnxdx=4∫0π/2sinmxcosnxdx requires the integrand to be non-negative with quarter-period symmetry, i.e. m and n are both even.
- ∫02πsinpxcosqxdx=0: under x→2π−x the integral picks up a factor (−1)p, so it vanishes only if p is odd. …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-FN1 markMCQQ.∫02af(x)dx= (A) 2∫0af(x)dx (B) ∫0a(f(x)+f(x+a))dx (C) 0 (D) ∫02af(2a+x)dx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to split the integral at x=a and use a substitution x=a+t to relate the two halves. The correct answer is ∫02af(x)dx=∫0a(f(x)+f(x+a))dx, which is option (B).
The question asks for a general property of definite integrals over an interval of length 2a. This is a standard result often used in problems involving periodic or symmetric functions, but it holds for any integrable function f. The trick is to break the interval into two equal halves and then shift the second half back to start at 0.
- Split the integral at the midpoint. Write the integral from 0 to 2a as the sum of two integrals:
∫02af(x)dx=∫0af(x)dx+∫a2af(x)dx.
This is always valid because the limits are contiguous.
- Change variable in the second integral. In ∫a2af(x)dx, let x=a+t. Then dx=dt, and when x=a, t=0; when x=2a, t=a. So
∫a2af(x)dx=∫0af(a+t)dt.
Since the variable of integration is dummy, we can rename t back to x:
∫a2af(x)dx=∫0af(x+a)dx.
- Combine the two pieces. Putting it together:
∫02af(x)dx=∫0af(x)dx+∫0af(x+a)dx=∫0a(f(x)+f(x+a))dx.
This matches option (B) exactly. …
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