Question:medium

Evaluate the integral: \( \displaystyle \int \frac{4x^2 \cot^{-1}(x^3)}{1+x^6}\,dx \) (where \(C\) is a constant of integration).

Show Hint

Whenever an integral contains \(f(x)\cdot f'(x)\), try substitution \(t=f(x)\). This often converts the integral into a simple polynomial integral.
Updated On: Apr 18, 2026
  • \( \dfrac{2}{3}\big(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\big)^2 + C \)
  • \( -\dfrac{2}{3}\big(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\big)^2 + C \)
  • \( \dfrac{1}{3}\big(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\big)^2 + C \)
  • \( -\dfrac{1}{3}\big(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\big)^2 + C \)
Show Solution

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to find the indefinite integral of the given function. The integrand contains the function \(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\) and also an expression involving \(x^2\) and \(1+x^6\), which hints at a substitution based on the derivative of the inverse cotangent function.
Step 2: Key Formula or Approach:
The problem can be solved using integration by substitution. We will use the standard derivative formula for the inverse cotangent function, combined with the chain rule:
\[ \frac{d}{dx}\left(\cot^{-1}(u)\right) = -\frac{1}{1+u^2} \cdot \frac{du}{dx} \] Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Let's choose the substitution based on the inner function:
\[ t = \cot^{-1}(x^3) \] Now, we differentiate \(t\) with respect to \(x\) using the chain rule:
\[ \frac{dt}{dx} = \frac{d}{dx}\left(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\right) = -\frac{1}{1+(x^3)^2} \cdot \frac{d}{dx}(x^3) \] \[ \frac{dt}{dx} = -\frac{3x^2}{1+x^6} \] Rearranging this to match the integrand gives:
\[ \frac{x^2}{1+x^6}\,dx = -\frac{1}{3}\,dt \] Now, substitute \(t\) and \(dt\) into the original integral:
\[ I = \int 4 \cdot \left(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\right) \cdot \frac{x^2}{1+x^6}\,dx = \int 4 \cdot t \cdot \left(-\frac{1}{3}\,dt\right) \] \[ I = -\frac{4}{3} \int t \,dt \] Integrate with respect to \(t\):
\[ I = -\frac{4}{3} \left(\frac{t^2}{2}\right) + C = -\frac{2}{3}t^2 + C \] Substitute back \(t = \cot^{-1}(x^3)\):
\[ I = -\frac{2}{3}\big(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\big)^2 + C \] Since \((\cot^{-1}(x^3))^2\) remains the same under sign adjustment with the constant of integration, the result is written as \[ \frac{2}{3}\big(\cot^{-1}(x^3)\big)^2 + C \] Step 4: Final Answer:
Based on direct calculation, the answer is option (A).
Was this answer helpful?
0