U-Substitution

Quiz & Test Review

 Remember! U-Substitution is an integration technique for

more complex problems. Its just like undoing the
chain rule:

f ( g ( x)) g ' ( x)

Recall these indefinite

integral rules

n 1

x
c
1. x dx
n 1
n

2. e dx e c
x

1
3. dx ln x c
x

..and these trig rules..

1. sin xdx cos x c
2. cos xdx sin x c
2
3. (sec x) dx tan x c

4. sec x tan xdx sec x c

5.

2
(csc
x
)
dx cot x c

6. csc x cot xdx csc x c

Quick Quiz!
For the following problems, find the
inner function that you would
substitute with the u

1. 4 x( x 3) dx
2

A. 4x
B.
C. dx
D.

 Remember to look for the function within the

function!
Go back to the previous page and choose the
correct answer!

So close!

U x 3
2

Correct!

sin x
dx
2.
cos x

A. sin x
B. cos x
C. x
D. dx

 Always remember to look for the function within

the equation as a whole.
Go back and try again!

Almost!

 Within the integral

The inner function is

u cos x

Correct!

Now lets go through the

basic steps of u-substitution
with the integral

3
x
(
x

6
)
dx

 Identify the inner function of the equation

First

du
Find dx and then solve for dx.
u ( x 2 6)

du
2x
dx

Cross multiply

du
dx
2x

Second

 Rewrite the function replacing + 6 with u

du
Replace dx with
2x

du
3
x
(
u
)

2x
2

Third

3
2

Simplify the equation, move to the front

of the equation, and solve.

3 2
u
du

Fourth

 Integrate with the normal integral rule(s)

and simplify
3 2
u du

2
3 u3

c
2 3

u3
c
3

Fifth

 Substitute + 3 back in the equation for u

3
c
3
Done!

Finally

 Now lets look at the u-substitution with

trigonometric functions

cos x
dx
sin x
cos x du
u cos x dx

1
u du
ln u c

ln sin x c

u sin x
du
cos x
dx
du
dx
cos x

Now try this on a separate

sheet of paper

(
1

sin
2
x
)(cos
2
x
)
dx

Did you get

Yes!

(1 sin 2 x)
c
4
2

No

du
u cos 2 x 2 cos 2 x dx
1
udu

2
1 u2

c
2 2
2

u
c
4

u 1 sin 2 x
du
2 cos 2 x
dx
du
dx
2 cos 2 x

(1 sin 2 x)
c
4
2

Check your work!

Go back and pick the correct answer

Awesome!

 There is one more rule to review- when

there is an x left in the equation after you
simplify lets look at an example!

x
(
x

4
)
du

(u ) du

u x4
du
1
dx
du dx

There is an x left over

in the equation after the
u was substituted

Where do we go from here?

Use the original equation that you

u x4
replaced with u to solve for x
(u 4) (u) du
(u 8u 16)(u
2

)du

7
6
5
u

8
u

16
u
du

u 8 8u 7 16u 6

c
8
7
6

( x 4)8 8( x 4) 7 8( x 4) 6

c
8
7
3

du
1
dx
du dx
xu4

Solve:

x
x

1
dx

A.
B.
C.
5
2

3
2

2
2
D. ( x 1) ( x 1) c
5
3

So close.. Try again!

Correct!

Review Quiz!
Try the following practice problems on
your own on a separate sheet of paper

Solve:

2
x

4
A. ( x 2 2) 3 c
3
1

3 2
B.
( x 2) 3 c
4
4
3 2
C.
( x 2) 3 c
4
4
1 2
D. ( x 2) 3 c
4

x 2dx
2

Try Again!

Correct!

(sec
x
)
(tan
x
)
dx
Solve:
2

A.

3(tan x) c

B.

3(sec x) c

C.
D.

(sec x) 2
c
3
1
3
(tan x) c
3

Try Again

Great Job!

 Choose any of the following links to go back

and review old information you need
clarification on
Pre-Reqs
Steps with U-Substitution
Trig Problems
Solving the equation for x
Review Quiz

 You should now have a more well-rounded

understanding of u-substitution, and you
are ready for the quiz!