Question:medium

$\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{\sin x-\cos x}{1-\sin x \cos x} d x=$

Show Hint

Anytime you evaluate an integral of the form $\int_0^{\frac{\pi}{2}} \frac{f(\sin x) - f(\cos x)}{g(\sin x, \cos x)} dx$ where $g(x)$ is symmetric (meaning $g(\sin x, \cos x) = g(\cos x, \sin x)$), the answer will ALWAYS be exactly $0$ due to the King's Property cancellation!
Updated On: Jun 8, 2026
  • $\frac{\pi}{4}$
  • $2\pi$
  • $0$
  • $\frac{\pi}{2}$
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Look at the integral.
We want $I=\int_0^{\pi/2}\frac{\sin x-\cos x}{1-\sin x\cos x}\,dx$. The tricky part is the numerator, which is a difference of sine and cosine.
Step 2: Notice a symmetry.
The limits run from $0$ to $\pi/2$. Whenever the limits are $0$ to $\pi/2$, swapping $x$ with $\pi/2-x$ turns sine into cosine and cosine into sine. So this swap is worth a try.
Step 3: Use the replacement property.
The rule is $\int_0^a f(x)\,dx=\int_0^a f(a-x)\,dx$. Here $a=\pi/2$, so replace every $x$ by $\pi/2-x$.
Step 4: Simplify the new form.
Since $\sin(\pi/2-x)=\cos x$ and $\cos(\pi/2-x)=\sin x$, we get $I=\int_0^{\pi/2}\frac{\cos x-\sin x}{1-\cos x\sin x}\,dx$. The bottom is unchanged, and the top has just flipped sign.
Step 5: Add the two forms.
The new integral is exactly $-I$, because the numerator is the negative of the original. So we have $I=-I$.
Step 6: Solve for I.
From $I=-I$ we get $2I=0$, hence $I=0$. So the answer is option (C).
\[ \boxed{\,I=0\,} \]
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