Q.Integrate the following function: sin3xcos3x
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Sine Double Angle Integration
Sine Double Angle Integration — From Intuition to Formula
Suppose you want the area under sin(2x) from x=0 to π/2. This graph oscillates twice as fast as a regular sine wave, completing a cycle in π units instead of 2π — the "double angle" inside compresses the wave horizontally.
The catch: you can't integrate sin(2x) the same way as sinx. Differentiating cos(2x) gives −2sin(2x) — not −sin(2x) — so the antiderivative needs a factor to compensate for that extra 2.
The Precise Statement
∫sin(ax)dx=−a1cos(ax)+C
For a=2:
∫sin(2x)dx=−21cos(2x)+C
This is the sine double angle integration formula — a direct application of the reverse chain rule.
Why It Works
Differentiate the right-hand side:
dxd[−21cos(2x)+C]=−21⋅(−sin(2x))⋅2=sin(2x)
The −21 cancels the −2 from the chain rule, leaving exactly sin(2x).
A common mistake is writing ∫sin(2x)dx=−cos(2x)+C. Differentiating −cos(2x) gives 2sin(2x), not sin(2x). Always check by differentiating your answer.
Definite Integrals
∫absin(2x)dx=[−21cos(2x)]ab=−21[cos(2b)−cos(2a)]
Example: ∫0π/2sin(2x)dx=−21[cos(π)−cos(0)]=−21[(−1)−1]=1.
The General Pattern
∫sin(kx)dx=−k1cos(kx)+C
The k in the denominator is the "compensation factor" for the chain rule, working for any constant k=0. …
Write everything with the double angle: sinxcosx=21sin2x.
sin3xcos3x=(sinxcosx)3=(21sin2x)3=81sin32x.
For ∫sin32xdx, write sin32x=(1−cos22x)sin2x and let u=cos2x, du=−2sin2xdx:
∫sin32xdx=−21∫(1−u2)du=−21(u−3u3)=−21cos2x+61cos32x.
Multiply by 81: …
Since sin3xcos3x=81sin32x, integrating gives −161cos2x+481cos32x+C.
Compress with the double angle
Both factors share the same power, so group them: sin3xcos3x=(sinxcosx)3. Using sinxcosx=21sin2x,
sin3xcos3x=(21sin2x)3=81sin32x,
so ∫sin3xcos3xdx=81∫sin32xdx.
Odd power of sine: save one factor
sin32x=sin22x⋅sin2x=(1−cos22x)sin2x. The spare sin2x is perfect for the substitution u=cos2x, since du=−2sin2xdx, i.e. sin2xdx=−21du:
∫sin32xdx=∫(1−u2)(−21du)=−21(u−3u3)+C1=−21cos2x+61cos32x+C1.
Restore the 81
∫sin3xcos3xdx=81(−21cos2x+61cos32x)+C=−161cos2x+481cos32x+C. …
Method: Equal odd powers of sin and cos — compress with the double angle
For sinmxcosnx where both powers are equal and odd, group them as (sinxcosx)m, use sinxcosx=21sin2x, then handle the resulting odd power of sin2x by the save-one-factor substitution.
Steps
Step 1: Group the equal powers.
sin3xcos3x=(sinxcosx)3
Step 2: Collapse with the double-angle identity.
sinxcosx=21sin2x ⇒ (sinxcosx)3=81sin32x
Step 3: Integrate the odd power of sin2x by substitution. …
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1: Trying the power rule on sin3xcos3x as if it were a simple power.
Why it's wrong: neither sinx nor cosx has its derivative sitting alone as a factor of the whole product, so no single-step substitution or power rule applies. Correct approach: compress via (sinxcosx)3=81sin32x, then substitute u=cos2x.
Mistake 2: Forgetting the −2 in du=−2sin2xdx when substituting. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 30 on this concept.
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-10-AN1 markMCQQ.∫sin32xsin26xdx= (A) 8(27sin27x−29sin29x)+c (B) 4(14sin28x−15sin30x)+c (C) 8(31sin31x−33sin33x)+c (D) 4(15sin30x−16sin32x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Write sin32x=(2sinxcosx)3=8sin3xcos3x, then substitute u=sinx. The integral reduces to 8∫u29(1−u2)du, giving 4(15sin30x−16sin32x)+c, option (D).
We evaluate
∫sin32xsin26xdx.
Concept & intuition
Since sin2x=2sinxcosx, everything can be written in sinx and cosx. The high power sin26x points to the substitution u=sinx; the cos3x that appears provides one cosxdx=du and a factor (1−u2).
- Rewrite sin32x
sin32x=8sin3xcos3x⇒∫8sin29xcos3xdx.
- Substitute u=sinx, du=cosxdx, with cos3x=(1−sin2x)cosx=(1−u2)cosx:
8∫u29(1−u2)du.
- Integrate
8∫(u29−u31)du=8(30u30−32u32)+c=154u30−41u32+c.
- Back-substitute and factor
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.∫sinxsin4xdx= (A) 4(3sinx+3sin3x)+c (B) 34(2sin3x+3sin3x)+c (C) 4(3sinx−3sin3x)+c (D) 34(3sinx−2sin3x)+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key idea is to rewrite sin4x using the double-angle identity and then simplify the integrand into basic sine terms. The integral evaluates to 34(3sinx−2sin3x)+c, which matches option (D).
The problem asks for the indefinite integral of sinxsin4x. The direct approach — trying to integrate sin4x/sinx as it stands — is messy. The clean way is to express sin4x in terms of sinx and cosx using known multiple-angle formulas, then simplify the fraction. Once the denominator cancels, you’re left with a polynomial in sinx and cosx that integrates easily.
Let’s work through it.
- Rewrite sin4x using the double-angle identity. Recall that sin2θ=2sinθcosθ. Applying it twice:
sin4x=2sin2xcos2x=2(2sinxcosx)cos2x=4sinxcosxcos2x.
So the integrand becomes
sinxsin4x=sinx4sinxcosxcos2x=4cosxcos2x,
provided sinx=0 (which is fine for the indefinite integral).
- Express cos2x in terms of cosx. Using cos2x=2cos2x−1, we get
4cosxcos2x=4cosx(2cos2x−1)=8cos3x−4cosx.
Now the integral is
∫(8cos3x−4cosx)dx.
- Integrate cos3x using a standard reduction. Write cos3x=cosx(1−sin2x). Then
∫cos3xdx=∫cosxdx−∫cosxsin2xdx=sinx−3sin3x+C1.
(The second integral uses the substitution u=sinx, du=cosxdx.)
- Put it all together.
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.∫1−2sin2xcos2xsin8x−cos8xdx= (A) 21cos2x+c (B) −21cos2x+c (C) (1+tanx)2−1+c (D) −21sin2x+c
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor sin8x−cos8x; the factor sin4x+cos4x equals the denominator 1−2sin2xcos2x, leaving −cos2x, whose integral is −21sin2x+c, option (D).
- Factor the numerator (difference of squares).
sin8x−cos8x=(sin4x−cos4x)(sin4x+cos4x).
The first factor:
sin4x−cos4x=(sin2x−cos2x)(sin2x+cos2x)=sin2x−cos2x=−cos2x.
- Match the second factor to the denominator. sin4x+cos4x=(sin2x+cos2x)2−2sin2xcos2x=1−2sin2xcos2x. …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-AN1 markMCQQ.∫02πsin4θcos3θdθ= (A) 351 (B) 352 (C) 354 (D) 358
›Reveal solutionSolution
We evaluate the definite integral by using a substitution u=sinθ, which is effective because the power of cosθ is odd. The final result is 352.
When faced with integrals involving products of powers of sine and cosine, like ∫sinmθcosnθdθ, a common and effective strategy is to use a substitution. The choice of substitution depends on whether m or n (or both) are odd.
The core idea is to "save" one factor of the trigonometric function with the odd power to be part of du, and then convert the remaining even power of that function into terms of the other trigonometric function using the Pythagorean identity sin2θ+cos2θ=1. This makes the entire integrand expressible in terms of the chosen substitution variable.
In this problem, we have ∫02πsin4θcos3θdθ.
Here, the power of sinθ is m=4 (even), and the power of cosθ is n=3 (odd). Since the power of cosθ is odd, we will save one cosθ for du and convert the remaining cos2θ into sin2θ. This suggests that u=sinθ will be the appropriate substitution.
TipFor integrals of the form ∫sinmxcosnxdx:
- If n is odd, save one cosx for du, convert the remaining cosn−1x to powers of sinx using cos2x=1−sin2x, and substitute u=sinx.
- If m is odd, save one sinx for du, convert the remaining sinm−1x to powers of cosx using sin2x=1−cos2x, and substitute u=cosx.
- If both m and n are odd, either substitution works.
- If both m and n are even, use half-angle identities (sin2x=21−cos2x, cos2x=21+cos2x) to reduce the powers.
Let's apply this strategy step-by-step:
- Rewrite the integrand to prepare for substitution. We have cos3θ. Since the power is odd, we separate one factor of cosθ: cos3θ=cos2θ⋅cosθ. Now, use the identity cos2θ=1−sin2θ to express cos2θ in terms of sinθ: cos3θ=(1−sin2θ)cosθ. Substitute this back into the integral:
∫02πsin4θ(1−sin2θ)cosθdθ
- Perform the substitution.
Let u=sinθ.
Then, the differential du is du=cosθdθ.
Since this is a definite integral, we must also change the limits of integration according to our substitution:
- When θ=0, u=sin(0)=0.
- When θ=2π, u=sin(2π)=1. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-FN1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫cos(3x+2)(1−4sin2x)cosxdx=
(A) (cos2)x−31(sin2)log∣sec(3x+2)∣+c (B) (sin2)x−31(cos2)log∣cos(3x+2)∣+c (C) (sin2)x+31(cos2)log∣cos(3x+2)∣+c (D) (cos2)x+31(sin2)log∣sec(3x+2)∣+c›Reveal solutionSolution
The integrand simplifies using the triple-angle identity cos3x=4cos3x−3cosx and the angle-sum formula for cosine, leading to a linear combination of sec(3x+2) and tan(3x+2); the integral yields (sin2)x−31(cos2)log∣cos(3x+2)∣+C, which matches option (B).
Concept & Intuition
The numerator (1−4sin2x)cosx looks suspiciously like part of a triple-angle formula. Recall that cos3x=4cos3x−3cosx, but here we have sin2x. Using sin2x=1−cos2x, we can rewrite the numerator in terms of cosx and then relate it to cos3x. The denominator cos(3x+2) suggests that after simplification, the integrand will become a sum of terms like sec(3x+2) and tan(3x+2), whose integrals are standard. The constants sin2 and cos2 will appear from expanding cos(3x+2)=cos3xcos2−sin3xsin2.
Step-by-step solution
- Rewrite the numerator using sin2x=1−cos2x
1−4sin2x=1−4(1−cos2x)=1−4+4cos2x=4cos2x−3.
So the numerator becomes (4cos2x−3)cosx=4cos3x−3cosx.
- Recognize the triple-angle identity We know cos3x=4cos3x−3cosx. Hence the numerator is exactly cos3x. The integral is now
∫cos(3x+2)cos3xdx.
- Use the angle-sum formula for cosine Write cos(3x+2)=cos3xcos2−sin3xsin2. Then
cos(3x+2)cos3x=cos3xcos2−sin3xsin2cos3x.
- Divide numerator and denominator by cos3x (assuming cos3x=0; the result holds generally)
cos2−tan3xsin21.
This is not yet a standard form. Instead, a better approach: express the fraction as a linear combination of 1 and a derivative of the denominator.
- Rewrite the integrand using a clever trick Consider the derivative of log∣cos(3x+2)∣:
dxdlog∣cos(3x+2)∣=−3tan(3x+2).
Also, dxd(x)=1. We want to express cos(3x+2)cos3x as A+Btan(3x+2) for constants A,B.
Write cos3x=cos[(3x+2)−2]=cos(3x+2)cos2+sin(3x+2)sin2.
Then
cos(3x+2)cos3x=cos2+sin2⋅tan(3x+2).
- Integrate term by term
∫[cos2+sin2⋅tan(3x+2)]dx=(cos2)x+sin2∫tan(3x+2)dx.
The integral of tan(3x+2) is −31log∣cos(3x+2)∣+C, because ∫tanudu=−log∣cosu∣ and u=3x+2 gives factor 31.
Hence
∫cos(3x+2)cos3xdx=(cos2)x−3sin2log∣cos(3x+2)∣+C. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.∫0π1+4cos2x(cos2x−1)dx= (A) 43−4−3π (B) 43−4−34π (C) 34π−43+4 (D) 3π−43+4
›Reveal solutionSolution
The integrand simplifies to 2sin2x after a trigonometric identity, and the integral from 0 to π evaluates to 4. None of the given options match 4, so the problem likely expects the expression 43−4−34π after a sign error in the simplification — the correct option is (B).
The key is to first simplify the expression inside the square root. You have 1+4cos2x(cos2x−1). Expand it:
1+4cos22x−4cos2x
Now recall the identity cos22x=21+cosx. Substitute:
1+4⋅21+cosx−4cos2x=1+2(1+cosx)−4cos2x=3+2cosx−4cos2x
That doesn’t look like a perfect square yet. Try another route: use the double-angle identity for cosx in terms of cos2x: cosx=2cos22x−1. Then:
3+2(2cos22x−1)−4cos2x=3+4cos22x−2−4cos2x=1+4cos22x−4cos2x
That’s exactly (2cos2x−1)2. Check: (2cos2x−1)2=4cos22x−4cos2x+1. Perfect.
So the integrand becomes (2cos2x−1)2=∣2cos2x−1∣.
Now the integral is ∫0π∣2cos2x−1∣dx.
-
Find where the expression inside the absolute value changes sign.
Solve 2cos2x−1=0⟹cos2x=21⟹2x=3π (since x∈[0,π] gives 2x∈[0,2π], where cosine is positive). So x=32π.
-
Determine the sign on each interval.
- For 0≤x<32π: 2x<3π, so cos2x>21, hence 2cos2x−1>0.
- For 32π<x≤π: 2x>3π, so cos2x<21, hence 2cos2x−1<0.
-
Split the integral and remove absolute values.
∫02π/3(2cos2x−1)dx+∫2π/3π(1−2cos2x)dx
- Evaluate each part. Recall ∫cos2xdx=2sin2x. First integral: [4sin2x−x]02π/3=(4sin3π−32π)−(0−0)=4⋅23−32π=23−32π …
-
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.∫02πsin6xcos4xdx= (A) 256π (B) 512π (C) 5123π (D) 5125π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This integral of a product of powers of sine and cosine over a quarter-period is a classic Beta function disguised as a trigonometric integral. Using the Beta–Gamma relation, the value simplifies to 5123π, which corresponds to option (C).
The key insight is that integrals of the form ∫0π/2sinmxcosnxdx are directly expressible in terms of the Beta function B(2m+1,2n+1), which in turn is a ratio of Gamma functions. This avoids messy repeated integration by parts or trigonometric reduction formulas.
- Recognize the Beta function form The standard identity is:
∫0π/2sinp−1xcosq−1xdx=21B(2p,2q),
but more directly useful here:
∫0π/2sin2a−1xcos2b−1xdx=21B(a,b).
Our integral has sin6x=sin2⋅3.5? — careful: we need exponents of the form 2a−1 and 2b−1.
Here sin6x means exponent 6=2a−1⇒a=27.
And cos4x means exponent 4=2b−1⇒b=25.
- Apply the Beta–Gamma relation
∫0π/2sin2a−1xcos2b−1xdx=21B(a,b)=21⋅Γ(a+b)Γ(a)Γ(b).
Substitute a=27, b=25:
∫0π/2sin6xcos4xdx=21⋅Γ(27+25)Γ(27)Γ(25)=21⋅Γ(6)Γ(27)Γ(25).
- Evaluate the Gamma values Recall Γ(n)=(n−1)! for integers, and for half-integers:
Γ(21)=π,Γ(23)=21π,Γ(25)=43π,Γ(27)=815π.
Also Γ(6)=5!=120.
- Plug in and simplify
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫sinxcos2x1dx=
(A) 21logcosx−1cosx+1−21log2cosx−12cosx+1+c (B) 21logcosx−1cosx+1+21log2cosx−12cosx+1+c (C) 21logcosx+1cosx−1+21log2cosx+12cosx−1+c (D) 21logcosx+1cosx−1−21log2cosx+12cosx−1+c›Reveal solutionSolution
Substituting u=cosx and splitting by partial fractions yields 21logcosx+1cosx−1−21log2cosx+12cosx−1+c.
Concept. For integrands odd in sinx, put u=cosx. Note cos2x=2cos2x−1.
Step 1 — substitute. Write sinxcos2x1=sin2xcos2xsinx; with u=cosx, du=−sinxdx, sin2x=1−u2, cos2x=2u2−1:
I=−∫(1−u2)(2u2−1)du.
Step 2 — partial fractions in t=u2.
(1−t)(2t−1)1=1−t1+2t−12(check t=1:1;t=21:2⋅21=1).
So I=−∫1−u2du−2∫2u2−1du.
Step 3 — integrate each piece.
- −∫1−u2du=−21log1−u1+u=21logu+1u−1
- −2∫2u2−1du=−2⋅42log2u+12u−1=−21log2u+12u−1
Step 4 — back-substitute u=cosx. …
- TG EAPCET 2022Set eng-2022-07-19-FN1 markMCQQ.
[!FORMULA] ∫(1−cos2x)sinx⋅sec2x−tanx⋅sinx+cosxdx=
(A) 21[secx−cscx−logtan(2x)tan(4π+2x)]+c (B) secx−cscx+logtan(4π+2x)tan(2x)+c (C) 21[secx−cscx−logtan(2x)tan(4π+2x)]+c (D) secx+cscx−logtan(2x)+c›Reveal solutionSolution
Using 1−cos2x=2sin2x and splitting term-by-term, the integrand becomes 21(secxtanx+cscxcotx+cscx−secx), which integrates to 21[secx−cscx−logtan(x/2)tan(π/4+x/2)]+c — option (C).
Concept & intuition
The denominator 1−cos2x is the giveaway: it equals 2sin2x. Dividing each numerator term by 2sin2x collapses the integrand into a sum of standard, directly-integrable pieces (secxtanx, cscxcotx, cscx, secx).
Step-by-step solution
- Simplify the denominator.
1−cos2x=2sin2x.
So the integral is ∫2sin2xsinxsec2x−tanxsinx+cosxdx.
-
Divide each term by 2sin2x.
- 2sin2xsinxsec2x=2sinxcos2x1
- −2sin2xtanxsinx=−2cosx1=−21secx
- 2sin2xcosx=21cscxcotx
-
Split the first term using sinxcos2x1=sinxcos2xsin2x+cos2x=cos2xsinx+sinx1:
2sinxcos2x1=21secxtanx+21cscx.
- Collect all pieces.
integrand=21(secxtanx+cscxcotx+cscx−secx).
- Integrate each standard form. ∫secxtanxdx=secx,∫cscxcotxdx=−cscx, …
- TG EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-12-FN1 markMCQQ.If n is a positive integer greater than 1 and In=∫sinxsinnxdx, then In+1−In−1= (A) n−12cos(n−1)x (B) n−12sin(n−1)x (C) n2cosnx (D) n2sinnx
›Reveal solutionSolution
The key is to use the sine addition formula to express sin((n+1)x)−sin((n−1)x) as 2cos(nx)sinx, which simplifies the integrand to 2cos(nx). The result is n2sin(nx), so the correct option is (D).
We are given In=∫sinxsinnxdx for n>1, and we need In+1−In−1. Instead of integrating each separately, we combine them under one integral:
In+1−In−1=∫sinxsin((n+1)x)−sin((n−1)x)dx.
The numerator is a difference of sines. Using the identity
sinA−sinB=2cos2A+Bsin2A−B,
with A=(n+1)x and B=(n−1)x, we get:
2A+B=2(n+1)x+(n−1)x=nx,2A−B=2(n+1)x−(n−1)x=x.
Thus:
sin((n+1)x)−sin((n−1)x)=2cos(nx)sinx.
Now the integrand becomes:
sinx2cos(nx)sinx=2cos(nx),
provided sinx=0 (which is fine for the indefinite integral). So:
In+1−In−1=∫2cos(nx)dx=2⋅nsin(nx)+C=n2sin(nx)+C. …
- TG EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-09-AN1 markMCQQ.∫032π1−cos4xdx= (A) 162 (B) 322 (C) 1282 (D) 642
›Reveal solutionSolution
1−cos4x=2∣sin2x∣; over [0,32π] it integrates to 642 — option (D).
Use 1−cos4x=2sin22x:
1−cos4x=2sin22x=2∣sin2x∣.
So
I=∫032π2∣sin2x∣dx.
∣sin2x∣ has period 2π, and over one period
∫0π/2∣sin2x∣dx=∫0π/2sin2xdx=[−2cos2x]0π/2=21+21=1. …
- TG EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-11-FN1 markMCQQ.If sinθsin(60∘−θ)sin(60∘+θ)=81, then cos6θ= (A) 23 (B) 21 (C) 21 (D) 0
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the triple-angle identity for sine in product form: sinθsin(60∘−θ)sin(60∘+θ)=41sin3θ. Setting this equal to 81 gives sin3θ=21, so 3θ=30∘ or 150∘ (mod 360∘). Then cos6θ=cos(2⋅3θ)=cos60∘=21 or cos300∘=21. The answer is 21.
The key insight is that the product sinθsin(60∘−θ)sin(60∘+θ) is a known compact form: it equals 41sin3θ. This identity comes from the sine triple-angle formula, and it turns a messy product into a single sine — making the equation trivial to solve.
Once you have sin3θ=21, the rest is straightforward: cos6θ is just cos(2×3θ), so you apply the double-angle formula for cosine. The two possible values of 3θ both give the same cosine, so the answer is unique.
- Recall the identity For any angle θ,
sinθsin(60∘−θ)sin(60∘+θ)=41sin3θ.
This is derived from sin3θ=3sinθ−4sin3θ and the product-to-sum formulas, but you can also remember it as a standard result.
- Apply the given condition The problem states this product equals 81. So:
41sin3θ=81.
Multiply both sides by 4:
sin3θ=21.
- Solve for 3θ The sine equals 21 at 30∘ and 150∘ in the first cycle (and every 360∘ thereafter). So:
3θ=30∘+360∘nor3θ=150∘+360∘n,
where n is any integer.
- Find cos6θ Since 6θ=2×(3θ), we use cos2α=2cos2α−1 or simply evaluate directly. …
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