Question:medium

Evaluate the integral \[ \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{3\sin x+4\cos x}{\sin x+\cos x}\,dx \]

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When the numerator resembles the derivative of the denominator, rewrite the integrand strategically. This often converts the integral into a logarithmic form.
Updated On: May 20, 2026
  • \(\dfrac{7\pi}{4}\)
  • \(7\pi\)
  • \(\dfrac{7\pi}{2}\)
  • \(\dfrac{\pi}{4}\)
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The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Understanding the Concept: Whenever an integral contains a rational expression involving trigonometric functions, it is often helpful to rewrite the numerator in terms of the denominator. This simplifies the expression considerably and makes integration straightforward. We are given: \[ I=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{3\sin x+4\cos x}{\sin x+\cos x}\,dx \] Our goal is to simplify the integrand before integrating.
Step 1: Express the numerator suitably. Observe that: \[ 3\sin x+4\cos x \] can be rewritten as: \[ \frac72(\sin x+\cos x)+\frac12(\cos x-\sin x) \] Let us verify: \[ \frac72\sin x+\frac72\cos x+\frac12\cos x-\frac12\sin x \] \[ =\left(\frac72-\frac12\right)\sin x+\left(\frac72+\frac12\right)\cos x \] \[ =3\sin x+4\cos x \] Hence, \[ I=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{ \frac72(\sin x+\cos x)+\frac12(\cos x-\sin x) }{ \sin x+\cos x }\,dx \] Splitting the fraction, \[ I=\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \left[ \frac72+\frac12\cdot \frac{\cos x-\sin x}{\sin x+\cos x} \right]dx \]
Step 2: Separate the integral. \[ I= \frac72\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}dx + \frac12 \int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{\cos x-\sin x}{\sin x+\cos x}\,dx \]
Step 3: Evaluate the first integral. \[ \frac72\int_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}}dx = \frac72\left[\frac{\pi}{2}\right] \] \[ =\frac{7\pi}{4} \]
Step 4: Evaluate the second integral. Notice that: \[ \frac{d}{dx}(\sin x+\cos x)=\cos x-\sin x \] Thus, \[ \int \frac{\cos x-\sin x}{\sin x+\cos x}\,dx = \ln|\sin x+\cos x| \] Therefore, \[ \frac12 \left[ \ln|\sin x+\cos x| \right]_{0}^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \] Substituting limits: At \(x=\frac{\pi}{2}\), \[ \sin\frac{\pi}{2}+\cos\frac{\pi}{2}=1+0=1 \] At \(x=0\), \[ \sin0+\cos0=0+1=1 \] Hence, \[ \ln1-\ln1=0 \] So the second integral contributes: \[ 0 \]
Step 5: Final answer. Thus, \[ I=\frac{7\pi}{4} \] Hence, \[ \boxed{\frac{7\pi}{4}} \]
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