Reduction Formulae

For B.Sc. first semester students

Dr. Rahul Banerjee

Assistant Professor

St. Paul’s Cathedral Mission College, Kolkata.

Mail me: [email protected]

Call me: 9231916764/8017337764

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

1. Introduction
df (x)
Let f (x) be a differentiable function and the differential coefficient of f (x) is φ(x), i.e., dx
= φ(x).
R
Then f (x) is an integral or a primitive of φ(x) and , in symbols, we write φ(x)dx = f (x). The

letter x in dx, denotes the integration is to be performed with respect to the variable x.

The process of determining an integral of a function is called integration and the function is to be

integrated is called integrand.

Note that,if f (x) is a primitive of φ(x), then f (x) + c, where c is an arbitrary constant, is also a
d(f (x)+c) R
primitive of φ(x), i.e., dx
= φ(x) and hence φ(x)dx = f (x) + c.

A formula in which a certain integral involving some parameters is connected with same integrals

of lower order is called a Reduction Formulae.

Table of Integrals

R 1
R 1
1. xn dx = n+1
xn+1 + c 2. x
dx = ln(x) + c
R 1
R 1
3. enx dx = n
enx + c 4. anx dx = ln(a)
anx + c
R R
5. sin(nx)dx = − n1 cos(nx) + c 6. cos(nx)dx = 1
n
sin(nx) + c
R 1
R
7. sec2 (nx)dx = n
tan(nx) + c 8. cosec2 (nx)dx = − n1 cot(nx) + c
R 1
R
9. sec(nx) tan(nx)dx = n
sec(nx) + c 10. cosec(nx) cot(nx)dx = − n1 cosec(nx) + c
R 1
R 1
11. sinh(nx)dx = n
cosh(nx) + c 12. cosh(nx)dx = n
sinh(nx) + c
R R
13. √ 1
a2 −x2
dx = sin−1 (x/a) + c or − cos−1 (x/a) + c 14. 1
a2 +x2
dx = 1
a
tan−1 (x/a) + c
R
15. √ 1 dx = 1
sec−1 (x/a) + c or − a1 cosec−1 (x/a) + c
x x2 −a2 a
R R
16. Integration by substitution: f (x)dx = f (g(t))g 0 (t)dt , where x = g(t)

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

R R
17. Homogeneous property: af (x)dx = a f (x)dx , where a is a constant.
R R R
18. Linear Property: (f1 (x) + f2 (x))dx = f1 (x)dx + f2 (x)dx
R R R£d R ¤
19. Integration by parts: u(x)v(x)dx = u(x) v(x)dx − dx
u(x) v(x)dx dx
R 1
R
20. [f (x)]n f 0 (x)dx = n+1
[f (x)]n+1 +c 21. ex [f (x) + f 0 (x)]dx = ex f (x) + c
R f 0 (x) R
22. f (x)
dx = ln(f (x)) + c 23. ln(ax)dx = x ln(ax) − x + c
R √
24. √ 1
x2 +a2
dx = sinh−1 (x/a) + c or ln(x + x2 + a2 ) + d where d = c − ln(a)
R √
25. √ 1
x2 −a2
dx = cosh−1 (x/a) + c or ln(x + x2 − a2 ) + d where d = c − ln(a)
R 1 1
R
26. x2 −a2
dx = 2a
ln( x−a
x+a
)+c 27. 1
a2 −x2
dx = 1
2a
ln( a+x
a−x
)+c
R√ √
x x2 +a2 a2
√
28. x2 + a2 dx = 2
+ 2
ln(x + x2 + a2 ) + c
R√ √
x x2 −a2 a2
√
29. x2 − a2 dx = 2
− 2
ln(x + x2 − a2 ) + c
R R
30. tan xdx = ln(sec x) + c 31. secxdx = ln(tan x + sec x) + c

Definite Integral:
Rb
Let F (x) is an integrand of f (x), x ∈ [a, b]. Then f (x)dx = F (b) − F (a).
a

Properties:
Rb Rb Rb Ra
1. f (x)dx = f (t)dt 2. f (x)dx = − f (x)dx
a a a b
Rb Rb Ra Ra
3. f (x)dx = f (a + b − x)dx 4. f (x)dx = [f (x) + f (−x)]dx
a a −a 0
Rna Ra
5. If f (x + a) = f (a), then f (x)dx = n f (x)dx
0 0

Definition of Definite Integral:

Let f (x) be a single valued continuous function defined on [a, b]. Divide the interval [a, b] into n

equal subintervals each of length h by the points a, a + h, a + 2h, ... a + nh, where nh = b − a. Then

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

Rb P
n−1
f (x)dx = lim [f (a) + f (a + h) + f (a + 2h) + ... + f (a + (n − 1)h)] = lim h f (a + rh) (if exists)
a h→0 h→0 r=0

or

Rb P
n
f (x)dx = lim [f (a + h) + f (a + 2h) + f (a + 3h) + ... + f (a + nh)] = lim h f (a + rh) (if exists)
a h→0 h→0 r=1
R
2. Reduction formulae for xn eax dx, n being a positive integer and a is a constant.
R R
Let In = xn eax dx = xn a1 eax − n
a
xn−1 eax dx (integrating by parts)

⇒ aIn = xn eax − nIn−1

This is the required reduction formulae.

R
3. Reduction formulae for sinn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
R
Let In = sinn x dx
R
= sinn−1 x sin x dx
R
= − sinn−1 x cos x + (n − 1) (sinn−2 x cos x)(cos x) dx (integrating by parts)
R
= − sinn−1 x cos x + (n − 1) sinn−2 x(1 − sin2 x) dx
R R
= − sinn−1 x cos x + (n − 1) sinn−2 x dx − (n − 1) sinn x dx

= − sinn−1 x cos x + (n − 1)In−2 − (n − 1)In

⇒ nIn = − sinn−1 x cos x + (n − 1)In−2

R
4. Reduction formulae for tann x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
R
Let In = tann x dx
R
= tann−2 x tan2 x dx
R
= tann−2 x(sec2 x − 1) dx
R R
= tann−2 x sec2 x dx − tann−2 x dx

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

1
= n−1
tann−1 x − In−2

⇒ (n − 1)In = tann−1 x − (n − 1)In−2

R
5. Reduction formulae for secn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
R
Let In = secn x dx
R
= secn−2 x sec2 x dx
R
= secn−2 x tan x − (n − 2) (secn−3 x tan x sec x)(tan x) dx (integrating by parts)
R
= secn−2 x tan x − (n − 2) secn−2 x(sec2 x − 1) dx
R R
= secn−2 x tan x − (n − 2) secn x dx + (n − 2) secn−2 x dx

= secn−2 x tan x − (n − 2)In + (n − 2)In−2

⇒ (n − 1)In = secn−2 x tan x + (n − 2)In−2

R
6. Reduction formulae for xn sin ax dx, n being a positive integer.
R
Let In = xn sin ax dx
R
= xn (− a1 cos ax) − n xn−1 (− a1 cos ax) dx (integrating by parts)
R
= − a1 xn cos ax + n
a
xn−1 cos ax dx
£ R ¤
= − a1 xn cos ax + n
a
xn−1 ( a1 sin ax) − (n − 1) xn−2 ( a1 sin ax)dx (integrating by parts)
n(n−1) R
= − a1 xn cos ax + n n−1
a2
x sin ax − a2
xn−2 sin ax dx
n(n−1)
= − a1 xn cos ax + n n−1
a2
x sin ax − a2
In−2

⇒ a2 In = −axn cos ax + nxn−1 sin ax − n(n − 1)In−2

π
R2
7. Reduction formulae for xn sin x dx, n being a positive integer.
0
π
R2
Let In = xn sin x dx
0

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

n
π R2
= [x (− cos x)]0 − n 2
xn−1 (− cos x) dx (integrating by parts)
0
π
R2
= n xn−1 cos x dx
0 "π #
π R2
= n [xn−1 (sin x)]0 − n(n − 1)
2
xn−2 (sin x)dx (integrating by parts)
0

= n( π2 )n−1 − n(n − 1)In−2

⇒ In + n(n − 1)In−2 = n( π2 )n−1

π
R2
Problem a: Evaluate x5 sin x dx
0
π
R2
Let In = xn sin x dx
0

∴ In = n( π2 )n−1 − n(n − 1)In−2

Putting n = 5 , we have

I5 = 5( π2 )4 − 20I3

Again putting n = 3 , we have

I3 = 3( π2 )2 − 6I1
π
R2 π
Now I1 = x sin x dx = [−x cos x + sin x]02 = 1 (integrating by parts)
0

∴ I5 = 5( π2 )4 − 20I3

= 5( π2 )4 − 20(3( π2 )2 − 6I1 )

= 5( π2 )4 − 60( π2 )2 + 120I1

= 5( π2 )4 − 60( π2 )2 + 120

5 4
= 120 − 15π 2 + 16
π
R
8. Reduction formulae for eax sinn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 2.
R
Let In = eax sinn x dx

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

R
= a1 eax sinn x − (n sinn−1 x cos x)( a1 eax ) dx (integrating by parts)
R
= a1 eax sinn x − n
a
sinn−1 x cos xeax dx
£1 R ¤
= a1 eax sinn x − n
a a
eax sinn−1 x cos x − ((n − 1) sinn−2 x cos2 x − sinn x) a1 eax dx

(integrating by parts)
R
= a1 eax sinn x − n ax
a2
e sinn−1 x cos x + n
a2
((n − 1) sinn−2 x(1 − sin2 x) − sinn x)eax dx
R
= a1 eax sinn x − n ax
a2
e sinn−1 x cos x + n
a2
((n − 1) sinn−2 x − n sinn x)eax dx
n(n−1) n2
= a1 eax sinn x − n ax
a2
e sinn−1 x cos x + a2
In−2 − I
a2 n

⇒ a2 In = aeax sinn x − neax sinn−1 x cos x + n(n − 1)In−2 − n2 In

⇒ (a2 + n2 )In = eax sinn−1 x (a sin x − n cos x) + n(n − 1)In−2

R1
9. Reduction formulae for xn tan−1 x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 2.
0
R1
Let In = xn tan−1 x dx
0
£ 1
¤1 1
R1 1
= tan−1 x n+1 xn+1 0
− n+1 1+x2
xn+1 dx (integrating by parts)
0
π 1
R1 x2 +1−1 n−1
= 4(n+1)
− n+1 1+x2
x dx
0
π 1
R1 1
= 4(n+1)
− n+1
(xn−1 − 1+x2
xn−1 ) dx
0
π 1
R1 1
R1 1
= 4(n+1)
− n+1
xn−1 dx + n+1 1+x2
xn−1 dx
0 0
π 1 1 1 1
R1
= 4(n+1) − n(n+1)
+ n+1 [xn−1 tan−1 x]0 − n+1
(n−1)xn−2 tan−1 x dx (integrating by parts)
0
π 1 1 π n−1
= 4(n+1)
− n(n+1)
+ n+1 4
− I
n+1 n−2

π 1 n−1
= 2(n+1)
− n(n+1)
− I
n+1 n−2

π 1
⇒ (n + 1)In = 2
− n
− (n − 1)In−2

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

R 1
10. Reduction formulae for (x2 +a2 )n
dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
R 1
Let In = (x2 +a2 )n
dx

1
R 2nx
= (x2 +a2 )n
x + (x2 +a2 )n+1
x dx (integrating by parts)

x
R x2 +a2 −a2
= (x2 +a2 )n
+ 2n (x2 +a2 )n+1
dx

x
R 1
R 1
= (x2 +a2 )n
+ 2n (x2 +a2 )n
dx − 2na2 (x2 +a2 )n+1
dx

x
= (x2 +a2 )n
+ 2nIn − 2na2 In+1

x
⇒ 2na2 In+1 = (x2 +a2 )n
+ (2n − 1)In

Changing n to n − 1, we have

x
2(n − 1)a2 In = (x2 +a2 )n−1
+ (2n − 3)In−1
R 1
Problem a: Evaluate (x2 +a2 )3
dx
R 1
Let In = (x2 +a2 )n
dx

x
∴ 2(n − 1)a2 In = (x2 +a2 )n−1
+ (2n − 3)In−1

Putting n = 3 , we have

x
4a2 I3 = (x2 +a2 )2
+ 3I2

x 3
⇒ I3 = 4a2 (x2 +a2 )2
+ I
4a2 2

Again putting n = 2, we have

x
2a2 I2 = (x2 +a2 )
+ I1

x 1
⇒ I2 = 2a2 (x2 +a2 )
+ I
2a2 1
h i
x 3 x 1
∴ I3 = 4a2 (x2 +a2 )2
+ 4a2 2a2 (x2 +a2 )
+ I
2a2 1

x 3x 3
= 4a2 (x2 +a2 )2
+ 8a4 (x2 +a2 )
+ I
8a4 1

x 3x 3
R 1
= 4a2 (x2 +a2 )2
+ 8a4 (x2 +a2 )
+ 8a4 (x2 +a2 )
dx

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

x 3x 3 x
= 4a2 (x2 +a2 )2
+ 8a4 (x2 +a2 )
+ 8a5
tan−1 a
+c
R 1
11. Reduction formulae for (a+b cos x)n
dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1 and a2 6= b2 .
R 1
Let In = (a+b cos x)n
dx

sin x
Let P = (a+b cos x)n−1

(a+b cos x)n−1 cos x−sin x(n−1)(a+b cos x)n−2 (−b sin x)
∴ dP = (a+b cos x)2n−2
dx
(a+b cos x) cos x+b(n−1) sin2 x
= (a+b cos x)n
dx
(a+b cos x) cos x+b(n−1)(1−cos2 x)
= (a+b cos x)n
dx
(2−n)b cos2 x+a cos x+(n−1)b
= (a+b cos x)n
dx (1)
A+B(a+b cos x)+C(a+b cos x)2
Let dP = (a+b cos x)n
dx
Cb2 cos2 x+(Bb+2Cab) cos x+A+Ba+Ca2
= (a+b cos x)n
dx (2)

Comparing the coefficients of the numerators from () and (2), we have

Cb2 = (2 − n)b Bb + 2Cab = a A + Ba + Ca2 = (n − 1)b

2 −b2
Solving C = − n−2
b
B = (2n − 3) ab A = −(n − 1) a b

From (2),

A B C
dP = (a+b cos x)n
dx + (a+b cos x)n−1
dx + (a+b cos x)n−2
dx

Integrating
R 1
R 1
R 1
P =A (a+b cos x)n
dx + B (a+b cos x)n−1
dx + C (a+b cos x)n−2
dx

sin x
⇒ (a+b cos x)n−1
= AIn + BIn−1 + CIn−2

1 sin x B C
⇒ In = A (a+b cos x)n−1
− I
A n−1
− I
A n−2

b sin x (2n−3)a n−2

= − (n−1)(a 2 −b2 ) (a+b cos x)n−1 + I
(n−1)(a2 −b2 ) n−1
− I
(n−1)(a2 −b2 ) n−2

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

Rπ sin nx
12. Reduction formulae for sin x
dx, n being a positive integer.
0
Rπ sin nx
Let In = sin x
dx
0
Rπ sin(n−2)x cos 2x+cos(n−2)x sin 2x
= sin x
dx
0
Rπ sin(n−2)x(1−2 sin2 x)+2 cos(n−2)x sin x cos x
= sin x
dx
0
Rπ sin(n−2)x+2 sin x(− sin(n−2)x sin x+cos(n−2)x cos x)
= sin x
dx
0
Rπ sin(n−2)x+2 sin x cos(n−1)x
= sin x
dx
0
Rπ sin(n−2)x Rπ
= sin x
dx + 2 cos(n − 1)x dx
0 0
£ 1
¤π
= In−2 + n−1
sin(n − 1)x 0

= In−2

∴ In = In−2

Let n be even

∴ In = In−2 = ...... = I4 = I2
Rπ sin 2x
Rπ
Now I2 = sin x
dx = 2 cos x dx = 0
0 0

∴ In = 0 when n is an even positive integer.

Let n be odd

∴ In = In−2 = ...... = I3 = I1
Rπ sin x
Rπ
Now I1 = sin x
dx = dx = π
0 0

∴ In = π when n is an odd positive integer.





0, if n is even positive integer
Hence, In =



π, if n is odd positive integer

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

Rπ 1−cos nx
Problem a: Let In = 1−cos x
dx, where n is a positive integer or zero, prove that In+2 + In =
0

2In+1
Rπ 1−cos(n+2)x Rπ 1−cos nx
In+2 + In = 1−cos x
dx + 1−cos x
dx
0 0
Rπ 2−(cos(n+2)x+cos nx)
= 1−cos x
dx
0
Rπ 2−2 cos(n+1)x cos x
= 1−cos x
dx
0
Rπ 1−cos(n+1)x+cos(n+1)x−cos(n+1)x cos x
=2 1−cos x
dx
0
Rπ 1−cos(n+1)xRπ
=2 dx + 2 cos(n + 1)x dx
1−cos x
0
h iπ 0
sin(n+1)x
= 2In+1 +2 n+1
= 2In+1
0
Rπ
Problem b: Let In = ( sin nx 2
sin x
) dx, where n is a positive integer, prove that In+1 = 2In − In−1 .
0

Hence deduce that In = nπ.

Rπ Rπ sin(n−1)x 2
In+1 + In−1 = ( sin(n+1)x
sin x
)2
dx + ( sin x ) dx
0 0
Rπ sin2 (n+1)x+sin2 (n−1)x
= sin2 x
dx
0
Rπ (sin nx cos x+cos nx sin x)2 +(sin nx cos x−cos nx sin x)2
= sin2 x
dx
0
Rπ sin2 nx cos2 x+cos2 nx sin2 x
=2 sin2 x
dx
0
Rπ sin2 nx(1−sin2 x)+(1−sin2 nx) sin2 x
=2 sin2 x
dx
0
Rπ sin2 nx−2 sin2 nx sin2 x+sin2 x
=2 sin2 x
dx
0
Rπ sin2 nx
Rπ
=2 sin2 x
dx + 2 (1 − 2 sin2 nx) dx
0 0
Rπ
= 2In + 2 cos 2nx dx
0
£ sin 2nx ¤π
= 2In + 2 2n 0
= 2In

∴ In+1 = 2In − In−1

We prove In = nπ by principle of mathematical induction.

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

For n = 1
Rπ Rπ
I1 = ( sin x 2
sin x
) dx = dx = π
0 0

∴ the result is true for n = 1.

We assume that the result is true for n = 1, 2, ..., k, i.e., In = nπ for n = 1, 2, ....., k

Now Ik+1 = 2Ik − Ik−1 = 2kπ − (k − 1)π = (k + 1)π

Hence by second principle of mathematical induction, the result In = nπ is true for al positive

integer n.
π
R2
Problem c: If In = (a cos x + b sin x)n dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1. Prove that
0
n−2 n−2
nIn = ab(a +b ) + (n − 1)(a2 + b2 )In−2 .

π
R2
In = (a cos x + b sin x)n dx
0
π
R2
= (a cos x + b sin x)n−1 (a cos x + b sin x) dx
0
π
= [(a cos x + b sin x)n−1 (a sin x − b cos x)]02
π
R2
− (n−1) [(a cos x + b sin x)n−2 (−a sin x + b cos x)(a sin x − b cos x)] dx (integrating by parts)
0
π

n−1 n−1
R2
= (a b + ab ) + (n − 1) (a cos x + b sin x)n−2 (a sin x − b cos x)2 dx
0
π
R2
= (a n−1
b + ab n−1
) + (n − 1) (a cos x + b sin x)n−2 (a2 sin2 x − 2ab sin x cos x + b2 cos2 x) dx
0
π
R2
= (a n−1
b + ab n−1
) + (n − 1) (a cos x + b sin x)n−2 (a2 (1 − cos2 x) − 2ab sin x cos x + b2 (1 − sin2 x))
0

dx
π

n−1 n−1
R2
= (a b + ab ) + (n − 1) (a cos x + b sin x)n−2 [(a2 + b2 ) − (a cos x + b sin x)2 ] dx
0
π π

n−1 n−1 2 2
R2 n−2
R2
= (a b + ab ) + (n − 1)(a + b ) (a cos x + b sin x) dx − (n − 1) (a cos x + b sin x)n dx
0 0

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

= ab(an−2 + bn−2 ) + (n − 1)(a2 + b2 )In−2 − (n − 1)In

⇒ nIn = ab(an−2 + bn−2 ) + (n − 1)(a2 + b2 )In−2 .

R1
Problem d: If In = (1 − x2 )n dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1. Prove that (2n + 1)In
0

= 2nIn−1 . Hence find In .

R1
In = (1 − x2 )n dx
0
1 R1
= [(1 − x2 )n x]0 − n(1 − x2 )n−1 (−2x)x dx
0
R1
= 2n (1 − x2 )n−1 x2 dx
0
R1
= −2n (1 − x2 )n−1 (1 − x2 − 1) dx
0
R1 R1
= −2n (1 − x2 )n dx + 2n (1 − x2 )n−1 dx
0 0

= −2nIn + 2nIn−1

⇒ (2n + 1)In = 2nIn−1

2n
⇒ In = I
2n+1 n−1

Putting n = n − 1, n − 2, .....2 we have

2(n−1)
In−1 = I
2n−1 n−2

2(n−2)
In−2 = I
2n−3 n−3

............................

............................

2.2
I2 = 5 1
I
R1 1 2
Now I1 = (1 − x2 ) dx = 1 − 3
= 3
0
2n 2(n−1) 2(n−2) 2.2 2
∴ In = 2n+1 2n−1 2n−3
........ 5 3

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Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

n.(n−1).(n−2).....2.1
= 2n (2n+1).(2n−1).(2n−3)......5.3
2n.(2n−2).(2n−4).....4.2
= 2n n! (2n+1).2n.(2n−1).(2n−2).(2n−3)......5.4.3.2.1

n.(n−1).(n−2).....2.1
= 22n n! (2n+1)!

22n (n!)2
= (2n+1)!
R
13. Reduction formulae for sinm x cosn x dx, m, n being positive integers, greater than 1.
R
Let Im,n = sinm x cosn x dx
R
= cosn−1 x(sinm x cos x) dx
m+1 R m+1
= cosn−1 x sinm+1 x − (−(n − 1) cosn−2 x sin x) sinm+1 x dx
m+1 R
= cosn−1 x sinm+1 x + n−1
m+1
cosn−2 x sinm x sin2 x dx
m+1 R
= cosn−1 x sinm+1 x + n−1
m+1
cosn−2 x sinm x(1 − cos2 x) dx
m+1 R R
= cosn−1 x sinm+1 x + n−1
m+1
cosn−2 x sinm x dx − n−1
m+1
cosn x sinm x dx
m+1
= cosn−1 x sinm+1 x + n−1
I
m+1 m,n−2
− n−1
I
m+1 m,n

⇒ (m + 1)Im,n = cosn−1 x sinm+1 x + (n − 1)Im,n−2 − (n − 1)Im,n

⇒ (m + n)Im,n = cosn−1 x sinm+1 x + (n − 1)Im,n−2

R
Note:- If we consider Im,n = sinm−1 x(cosn x sin x) dx, the reduction formulae becomes

(m + n)Im,n = − cosn+1 x sinm−1 x + (m − 1)Im−2,n

R1
14. Reduction formulae for xm (1 − x)n dx, m, n being positive integers.
0
R1
Let Im,n = xm (1 − x)n dx
0
R1
= xm (1 − x)(1 − x)n−1 dx
0
R1 R1
= xm (1 − x)n−1 dx − xm+1 (1 − x)n−1 dx
0 0

14
Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

h i
n 1 R1 n
= Im,n−1 − −xm+1 (1−x)
n
+ (m + 1)xm (− (1−x)
n
) dx (integrating by parts)
0 0
m+1
R1
= Im,n−1 − n
xm (1 − x)n dx
0
m+1
= Im,n−1 − n
Im,n

⇒ nIm,n = nIm,n−1 − (m + 1)Im,n

⇒ (m + n + 1)Im,n = nIm,n−1

n
⇒ Im,n = I
m+n+1 m,n−1

This is a reduction formulae for given integral.

n−1
Now, Im,n−1 = I
m+n m,n−2

n−2
Im,n−2 = I
m+n−1 m,n−3

....................................

....................................

2
Im,2 = I
m+3 m,1
R1 1 1 1
Im,1 = xm (1 − x) dx = m+1
− m+2
= (m+2)(m+1)
0
n n−1 n−2 2 1
Hence Im,n = m+n+1 m+n m+n−1
......... m+3 (m+2)(m+1)

m!n!
= (m+n+1)!
π
R2
15. Reduction formulae for cosm x sin nx dx, m, n being positive integers.
0
π
R2
Let Im,n = cosm x sin nx dx
0
π
£ ¤ π R2
= − cos m
x n1 cos nx 02 − m cosm−1 x(− sin x) n1 (− cos nx) dx
0
π

1 m
R2
= n
− n
cosm−1 x sin x cos nx dx
0

15
Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

1 m
R2
= n
− n
cosm−1 x(sin nx cos x−sin(n−1)x) dx [∵ sin(n−1)x = sin nx cos x−sin x cos nx]
0
π π

1 m
R2 m m
R2
= n
− n
cos x sin nx dx + n
cosm−1 x sin(n − 1)x dx
0 0
1 m m
= n
− I
n m,n
+ I
n m−1,n−1

⇒ nIm,n = 1 − mIm,n + mIm−1,n−1

⇒ (m + n)Im,n = 1 + mIm−1,n−1

1 m
⇒ Im,n = m+n
+ I
m+n m−1,n−1

This is a reduction formulae for given integral.

π
R2
Problem a: Evaluate cosn x sin nx dx, n being a positive integer.
0
π
R2
Let In,n = cosn x sin nx dx
0
π
£ ¤ π2 R2
= − cosn x n1 cos nx 0
− n cosn−1 x(− sin x) n1 (− cos nx) dx
0
π

1
R2
= n
− cosn−1 x sin x cos nx dx
0
π

1
R2
= n
− cosn−1 x(sin nx cos x − sin(n − 1)x) dx [∵ sin(n − 1)x = sin nx cos x − sin x cos nx]
0
π π

1
R2 n
R2
= n
− cos x sin nx dx + cosn−1 x sin(n − 1)x dx
0 0
1
= n
− In,n + In−1,n−1

1
⇒ 2In,n = n
+ In−1,n−1

1
⇒ In,n = 2n
+ 12 In−1,n−1

Putting n = n − 1, n − 2.....2, we have

1
In−1,n−1 = 2(n−1)
+ 12 In−2,n−2

1
In−2,n−2 = 2(n−2)
+ 12 In−3,n−3

16
Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

................................................

................................................

1
I2,2 = 2.2
+ 12 I1,1
π π
R2 1
R2 1
Now I1,1 = cos x sin x dx = 2
sin 2x dx = 2
0 0
1 1
∴ In,n = 2.n
+ [ 1
2 2.(n−2)
+ 1
I
2 n−3,n−3
]

1 1 1
= 2.n
+ 22 .(n−2)
+ I
22 n−3,n−3

= ..........................................

= ..........................................

1 1 1 1 1 1
= 2.n
+ 22 .(n−2)
+ 23 .(n−3)
+ ..... + 2n−2 .3
+ 2n−1 .2
+ I
2n−1 1,1

1 1 1 1 1 1
= 2.n
+ 22 .(n−2)
+ 23 .(n−3)
+ ..... + 2n−2 .3
+ 2n−1 .2
+ 2n .1

1 22 23 2n−2 2n−1 2n
= 2n+1
[2 + 2
+ 3
+ ..... + n−2
+ n−1
+ n
π
R2
16. Reduction formulae for cosm x cos nx dx, m, n being positive integers.
0
π
R2
Let Im,n = cosm x cos nx dx
0
π
£ ¤ π R2
= cos m
x n1 sin nx 02 − m cosm−1 x(− sin x) n1 (sin nx) dx
0
π

m
R2
= n
cosm−1 x sin x sin nx dx
0
π

m
R2
= n
cosm−1 x(cos(n − 1)x − cos nx cos x) dx [∵ cos(n − 1)x = cos nx cos x + sin nx sin x]
0
π π

m
R2 m
R2
= n
cosm x cos(n − 1)x dx − n
cosm x cos nx dx
0 0
m m
= I
n m−1,n−1
− I
n m,n

⇒ nIm,n = mIm−1,n−1 − mIm,n

⇒ (m + n)Im,n = mIm−1,n−1

17
Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

m
⇒ Im,n = I
m+n m−1,n−1

This is a reduction formulae for given integral.

π
R2
Problem a: Let Im,n = cosm x sin nx dx, m, n being positive integers. Prove that (n2 − m2 )Im,n +
0

m(m − 1)Im−2,n = 0.
π
R2
Im,n = cosm x cos nx dx
0
π
£ ¤ π2 R2
= cos m
x n1 sin nx 0
− m cosm−1 x(− sin x) n1 (sin nx) dx
0
π

m
R2
= n
cosm−1 x sin x sin nx dx
0
π

m
£ ¤π R2
= n
− cos m−1
x sin x n1 cos nx 02 + m
n
(cosm−1 x cos x − (m − 1) cosm−2 x sin x sin x) n1 cos nx dx
0
π π
R2 m(m−1) R
2
= m
n2
cosm x cos x dx − n2
cosm−2 x sin2 x cos nx dx
0 0
π

m m(m−1) R 2
= I
n2 m,n
− n2
cosm−2 x(1 − cos2 x) cos nx dx
0
π π
m(m−1) R R2
2
m m(m−1)
= I
n2 m,n
− n2
cosm−2 x cos nx dx + n2
cosm x cos nx dx
0 0
m m(m−1) m(m−1)
= I
n2 m,n
− n2
Im−2,n + n2
Im,n

m2 m(m−1)
= I
n2 m,n
− n2
Im−2,n

⇒ n2 Im,n = m2 Im,n − m(m − 1)Im−2,n

⇒ (n2 − m2 )Im,n + m(m − 1)Im−2,n = 0.

18
Reduction Formulae - Dr. Rahul Banerjee

Exercise

R
1. Find a reduction formulae for (ln x)n dx, n being a positive integer.
π
R2
2. Find a reduction formulae for sinn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
0
R
3. Find a reduction formulae for cosn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
π
R2
4. Find a reduction formulae for cosn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
0
π
R2
5. Find a reduction formulae for tann x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1.
0
R
6. Find a reduction formulae for xn cos ax dx, n being a positive integer.
R
7. Find a reduction formulae for eax cosn x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 2.
Ra 1
8. Evaluate (x2 +a2 )5
dx.
0
π
R2 sin(2n−1)x
9. If In = sin x
dx, n being a positive integer. Prove that In = π2 .
0
Ra 2na2
10. If In = (a2 − x2 )n dx, n being a positive integer. Prove that In = I .
2n+1 n−1
0
R1
11. If In = (1 − x2 )n cos x dx, n being a positive integer, greater than 1. Prove that In = 2n(2n −
0

1)In−1 − 4n(n − 1)In−2 .

R 1 3
12. If In = xn (a−x) 2 dx, n being a positive integer. Prove that (2n+3)In = 2anIn−1 − 2xn (a−x) 2 .
π
R2 π
13. Evaluate cosn x cos nx dx, n being a positive integers. [Ans: 2n+1
]
0
R xm+1 (ln x)n n
14. If Im,n = xm (ln x)n dx. Prove that Im,n = m+1
− I
m+n m,n−1
.

19