Three different-looking answers to one integral

Three different-looking answers to one integral

IP 4
8 marks

Three students find \(\displaystyle\int2\sin x\cos x\,\mathrm dx\) and obtain

\(\sin^2x+C,\qquad -\cos^2x+C,\qquad -\dfrac12\cos2x+C\).

  1. Show, by differentiation, that each answer is correct.[3]
  2. Show that any two of the three expressions \(\sin^2x\), \(-\cos^2x\) and \(-\dfrac12\cos2x\) differ by a constant, and explain why this means there is no contradiction.[3]
  3. Show in the same way that \(\displaystyle\int\dfrac{1}{3x}\,\mathrm dx\) can be written as \(\dfrac13\ln x+C\) or as \(\dfrac13\ln(3x)+C\) for \(x>0\).[2]

Solution:

Solution locked

680+ questions here come with free worked solutions. A free account saves your questions and progress; this one needs tuition enrolment.

Create a free account to practise similar questions.

Answer:(a) each derivative equals \(2\sin x\cos x\) (b) the differences are \(1\) and \(\dfrac12\), constants absorbed in \(C\) (c) the two forms differ by \(\dfrac13\ln3\)

Need help? Join our IP Math tuition programme.

Learn more