Question:medium

If 'n' is a natural number, then $\int \frac{\sin^n x}{\cos^{n+2} x} dx =$

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When you see an integral with $\sin^m x$ and $\cos^p x$ in the numerator and denominator, check the difference in their powers. If the power of cosine in the denominator is 2 greater than the power of sine in the numerator, separating out a $\frac{1}{\cos^2 x}$ will always cleanly produce a $\tan$ and $\sec^2$ pair for an easy u-substitution.
Updated On: Apr 29, 2026
  • $\frac{\tan^{n-1} x}{n - 1} + C$
  • $\frac{\tan^n x}{n} + C$
  • $\frac{\tan^{n+2} x}{n + 2} + C$
  • $\frac{\tan^{n+1} x}{n + 1} + C$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

To solve the integral \(\int \frac{\sin^n x}{\cos^{n+2} x} \, dx\), we can simplify it by using a substitution method involving trigonometric identities.

First, recall the identity \(\tan x = \frac{\sin x}{\cos x}\). Therefore:

\[\frac{\sin^n x}{\cos^{n+2} x} = \frac{\sin^n x}{\cos^n x \cdot \cos^2 x} = \tan^n x \cdot \sec^2 x\]

Now, our integral becomes:

\[\int \tan^n x \cdot \sec^2 x \, dx\]

For this transformed integral, apply the substitution \(u = \tan x\) which gives \(\frac{du}{dx} = \sec^2 x\). Thus, \(du = \sec^2 x \, dx\).

Substitute to get:

\[\int u^n \, du\]

This is a straightforward power integral. Using the formula for integration of powers, we have:

\[\int u^n \, du = \frac{u^{n+1}}{n+1} + C\]

Substitute back \(u = \tan x\) to express the answer in terms of x:

\[\frac{\tan^{n+1} x}{n+1} + C\]

Thus, the solution to the integral \(\int \frac{\sin^n x}{\cos^{n+2} x} \, dx\) is \(\frac{\tan^{n+1} x}{n+1} + C\).

Therefore, the correct option is:

  • \(\frac{\tan^{n+1} x}{n+1} + C\)
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