MHT-CET Maths · Teaching notes
Definite Integration — MHT-CET Maths
Definite Integration in MHT-CET Maths is two chapters wearing one name. The first is a grind: evaluate the integral, which means every technique from Indefinite Integration with limits attached, and it is where the HARD questions live. The second is recognition: nearly two-thirds of the past-year questions are built so that the direct antiderivative is long or impossible, and the whole mark is won by spotting a property — an odd integrand over symmetric limits, King's substitution, a modulus or greatest-integer function that must be split — in the first fifteen seconds. Work the pages below in order: the two evaluation pages first, because the property pages assume you can finish an integral once the property has reduced it, and the property pages last, because they are where the time is saved. Every PYQ is tagged.
Every subtopic, worked example, formula and trap in one printable document — answers shown, ready to share.
Subtopic notes
Evaluating Definite Integrals — Standard Forms, Algebraic Substitution and By Parts
14 PYQsA definite integral is an antiderivative evaluated between two limits — every Indefinite Integration technique carries over, with one new discipline: when you substitute, move the limits with you.
Open note
Trigonometric Definite Integrals — tan x = t, Half-Angle Forms and Powers
11 PYQsDefinite integrals of trigonometric expressions reduce to four moves — divide by a power of cos x and put tan x = t, use a half-angle identity, spot a derivative pair, or rewrite sin x ± cos x — with the limits converted alongside.
Open note
Odd and Even Integrands — Symmetric Limits
11 PYQsOver limits symmetric about 0, an odd integrand integrates to 0 and an even one to twice the half — so the first thing to do with limits −a to a is test f(−x), before any antiderivative.
Open note
King's Property — f(a + b − x) and the f/(f + g) Family
17 PYQsReplacing x by a + b − x leaves a definite integral unchanged — and adding the two forms cancels the awkward part, turning an unintegrable-looking expression into a constant times the interval.
Open note
Modulus and Greatest-Integer Integrands — Split the Interval
15 PYQsA modulus changes formula where its inside changes sign, and [x] changes value at every integer — so the interval is split at those points and each piece is integrated with its own formula.
Open note
PYQ weightage by concept
22 concepts · 68 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
PYQ weightage by concept
22 concepts · 68 PYQs — where the marks actually sit, so you know what to drill first
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Substitution — Change the Limits, Never Substitute Back | 6 | 9% |
| By Parts with Limits — Inverse Trig Integrands and eˣ(f + f′) | 4 | 6% |
| Standard Forms with Limits — Split the Numerator, Complete the Square, Partial Fractions | 3 | 4% |
| Reduction: I_n + I_{n−2} for Powers of tan | 1 | 1% |
| The Fundamental Theorem: Evaluate the Antiderivative at the Limitsfoundation | — | — |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Divide by cos^n x and Put tan x = t | 6 | 9% |
| Half-Angle Forms: 1 + cos x and the a + b cos x Standard Result | 2 | 3% |
| Spot the Derivative Pair: csc x cot x, sin x with 1 − cos x | 2 | 3% |
| √tan x + √cot x: the sin x − cos x Substitution | 1 | 1% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The Odd/Even Test on Symmetric Limits | 4 | 6% |
| Split a Mixed Integrand into Its Odd and Even Parts | 4 | 6% |
| Even Does Not Mean Convergent: the csc⁴x Trap | 2 | 3% |
| Symmetry Under x → 1/x on [1/2, 2] | 1 | 1% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| The f/(f + g) Family: ∫ f(x)/(f(x) + f(a + b − x)) = (b − a)/2 | 7 | 10% |
| Functional Symmetry Given in the Stem: f(x) = f(1 − x), g(x) + g(a − x) = 4 | 3 | 4% |
| King's Property: ∫ f(x) = ∫ f(a + b − x) | 2 | 3% |
| The x·f(sin x) Trick on [0, π]: Pull the x Out as π/2 | 2 | 3% |
| Integrands with 1/(1 + aˣ) over Symmetric Limits | 2 | 3% |
| An Inverse-Trig Identity Before the Reflection | 1 | 1% |
| Concept | PYQs | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Greatest Integer: Piecewise Constant, So Sum the Pieces | 7 | 10% |
| Modulus: Split Where the Inside Changes Sign | 6 | 9% |
| Piecewise Constant by an Identity: tan⁻¹u + tan⁻¹(1/u) | 2 | 3% |
Formula & revision sheet
22 formulas · 24 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formula & revision sheet
22 formulas · 24 gotchas across all subtopics — the exam-eve cheat-sheet
Formulas (5)
- The Fundamental Theorem: Evaluate the Antiderivative at the Limits · Fundamental theorem and two properties
- Standard Forms with Limits — Split the Numerator, Complete the Square, Partial Fractions · Linear numerator over a quadratic
- Substitution — Change the Limits, Never Substitute Back · Substitution with limits
- By Parts with Limits — Inverse Trig Integrands and eˣ(f + f′) · By parts and the e^x(f + f′) shortcut
- Reduction: I_n + I_{n−2} for Powers of tan · tan-power reduction on [0, π/4]
Watch out for (6)
- Dropping the lower limit's sign→ The Fundamental Theorem: Evaluate the Antiderivative at the Limits
- Forgetting the half in the log piece→ Standard Forms with Limits — Split the Numerator, Complete the Square, Partial Fractions
- Substituting back and using the old limits on the new variable→ Substitution — Change the Limits, Never Substitute Back
- The option that hides in the log→ Substitution — Change the Limits, Never Substitute Back
- Not spotting f + f′→ By Parts with Limits — Inverse Trig Integrands and eˣ(f + f′)
- Answering 1/(n+1) instead of 1/(n−1)→ Reduction: I_n + I_{n−2} for Powers of tan
Formulas (4)
- Divide by cos^n x and Put tan x = t · The tan substitution
- Half-Angle Forms: 1 + cos x and the a + b cos x Standard Result · Half-angle results
- Spot the Derivative Pair: csc x cot x, sin x with 1 − cos x · Derivative pairs
- √tan x + √cot x: the sin x − cos x Substitution · The sin x − cos x substitution
Watch out for (5)
- The paper's own typo: sen^{2/3}→ Divide by cos^n x and Put tan x = t
- A positive integrand cannot give a negative answer→ Half-Angle Forms: 1 + cos x and the a + b cos x Standard Result
- π/7 versus π/√7→ Half-Angle Forms: 1 + cos x and the a + b cos x Standard Result
- Reading the negative of the integral off the option list→ Spot the Derivative Pair: csc x cot x, sin x with 1 − cos x
- Rationalising √tan + √cot term by term→ √tan x + √cot x: the sin x − cos x Substitution
Formulas (4)
Watch out for (4)
- Testing the limits instead of the function→ The Odd/Even Test on Symmetric Limits
- Discarding the constant with the odd terms→ Split a Mixed Integrand into Its Odd and Even Parts
- Applying it without the 1/x→ Symmetry Under x → 1/x on [1/2, 2]
- Marking the mathematically honest option→ Even Does Not Mean Convergent: the csc⁴x Trap
Formulas (6)
- King's Property: ∫ f(x) = ∫ f(a + b − x) · King's property
- The f/(f + g) Family: ∫ f(x)/(f(x) + f(a + b − x)) = (b − a)/2 · The f/(f + g) result
- The x·f(sin x) Trick on [0, π]: Pull the x Out as π/2 · Pulling x out
- Functional Symmetry Given in the Stem: f(x) = f(1 − x), g(x) + g(a − x) = 4 · Symmetry handed to you
- Integrands with 1/(1 + aˣ) over Symmetric Limits · The 1/(1 + aˣ) cancellation
- An Inverse-Trig Identity Before the Reflection · Unpack, then reflect
Watch out for (6)
- Reflecting about the wrong point→ King's Property: ∫ f(x) = ∫ f(a + b − x)
- Missing the disguised reflection in the denominator→ The f/(f + g) Family: ∫ f(x)/(f(x) + f(a + b − x)) = (b − a)/2
- Using the trick with cos x→ The x·f(sin x) Trick on [0, π]: Pull the x Out as π/2
- Treating R₂ as an integral of x f(x)→ Functional Symmetry Given in the Stem: f(x) = f(1 − x), g(x) + g(a − x) = 4
- Forgetting the halving→ Integrands with 1/(1 + aˣ) over Symmetric Limits
- Integrating tan⁻¹(1 − x + x²) directly→ An Inverse-Trig Identity Before the Reflection
Formulas (3)
Watch out for (3)
- Integrating the bare expression→ Modulus: Split Where the Inside Changes Sign
- Using the endpoint's floor for the whole last piece→ Greatest Integer: Piecewise Constant, So Sum the Pieces
- The key that ignores the sign of x→ Piecewise Constant by an Identity: tan⁻¹u + tan⁻¹(1/u)