Question:medium

Evaluate \( \int_{0}^{\pi/4} \frac{\cos^2 x}{\cos^2 x + 4 \sin^2 x} \, dx \):

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Substituting \( \tan x = t \) in integrals involving trigonometric functions can help simplify the expression and convert it into a rational function.
Updated On: Mar 28, 2026
  • \( \frac{\pi}{4} + \frac{2}{3} \tan^{-1} 2 \)
  • \( -\frac{\pi}{3} + \frac{2}{3} \tan^{-1} 3 \)
  • \( -\frac{\pi}{12} + \frac{2}{3} \tan^{-1} 2 \)
  • \( \frac{\pi}{6} - \frac{2}{3} \tan^{-1} 4 \)
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

The objective is to evaluate the integral: \[ I = \int_{0}^{\pi/4} \frac{\cos^2 x}{\cos^2 x + 4\sin^2 x} \, dx. \] Step 1: Substitution. Let \( \tan x = t \). Differentiating with respect to \( x \), we get \( \sec^2 x \, dx = dt \). The limits of integration are transformed as follows: When \( x = 0 \), \( t = \tan(0) = 0 \). When \( x = \frac{\pi}{4} \), \( t = \tan(\frac{\pi}{4}) = 1 \). We can rewrite \( \cos^2 x \) and \( \sin^2 x \) in terms of \( t \). Since \( \sec^2 x = 1 + \tan^2 x = 1 + t^2 \), we have \( \cos^2 x = \frac{1}{1+t^2} \) and \( \sin^2 x = \frac{\tan^2 x}{\sec^2 x} = \frac{t^2}{1+t^2} \). Substituting these into the integral: \[ I = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\frac{1}{1+t^2}}{\frac{1}{1+t^2} + 4 \cdot \frac{t^2}{1+t^2}} \, dt. \] Simplifying the expression inside the integral: \[ I = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{\frac{1}{1+t^2}}{\frac{1 + 4t^2}{1+t^2}} \, dt = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{1 + 4t^2} \, dt. \] Step 2: Further simplification. The integral is now: \[ I = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{1 + 4t^2} \, dt. \] Step 3: Integration. This integral can be evaluated using the arctangent formula. We can rewrite the denominator: \[ I = \int_{0}^{1} \frac{1}{1 + (2t)^2} \, dt. \] Let \( u = 2t \). Then \( du = 2 \, dt \), so \( dt = \frac{1}{2} \, du \). The limits of integration change: When \( t = 0 \), \( u = 2(0) = 0 \). When \( t = 1 \), \( u = 2(1) = 2 \). Substituting these into the integral: \[ I = \int_{0}^{2} \frac{1}{1 + u^2} \cdot \frac{1}{2} \, du = \frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{2} \frac{1}{1 + u^2} \, du. \] The integral of \( \frac{1}{1+u^2} \) is \( \tan^{-1}(u) \). \[ I = \frac{1}{2} \left[ \tan^{-1}(u) \right]_{0}^{2}. \] Step 4: Evaluate the definite integral. Substituting the limits of integration: \[ I = \frac{1}{2} \left( \tan^{-1}(2) - \tan^{-1}(0) \right). \] Since \( \tan^{-1}(0) = 0 \): \[ I = \frac{1}{2} \tan^{-1}(2). \] Step 5: Final result. The simplified value of the integral is: \[ I = \frac{1}{2} \tan^{-1}(2). \] Final Answer: \[ \boxed{\frac{1}{2} \tan^{-1} 2}. \]
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