A Level · Cambridge (CIE) · 9709

Integrate linear trigonometric composites with radian input

Reverse the sine, cosine and secant-squared derivatives, including their signs, inner scales and excluded tangent inputs.

Pure Mathematics 2 & 3 · Standard integration and identities · 2.5 / 3.5

Exam scope and assessment notes

Pure Mathematics 2 (Paper 2, AS only) and Pure Mathematics 3 (Paper 3, A Level) · Mathematics 9709, 2026–2027. Shared sections 2.5 and 3.5 use these standard exponential, reciprocal and trigonometric integrals and identity methods. Paper 1 integration and the shared derivatives and identities are assumed. The AS route using Papers 1 + 2 cannot be carried forward to A Level. The general method of integration by substitution is not required for Paper 2; Paper 3 uses given substitutions in its separate lesson. Paper 3 also adds positive-quadratic reciprocals, partial fractions, logarithmic derivative patterns and integration by parts. Use radians for trigonometric calculus. Written practice is self-checked; human subject-teacher review remains pending.

Before you begin

Differentiate trigonometric composites in radians.
Evaluate exact trigonometric values and check tangent domains.

Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.

Quick readiness check

Which derivative reverses the integration of sin x?

What you will learn

Integrate sin(ax + b), cos(ax + b) and sec²(ax + b), including constant multiples and sums.
Evaluate valid definite integrals and interpret a trigonometric motion rate in its supplied units.

Reverse the three derivative rules and their chain factors

For radian x and a ≠ 0, ∫sin(ax + b) dx = −cos(ax + b)/a + C; ∫cos(ax + b) dx = sin(ax + b)/a + C; and ∫sec²(ax + b) dx = tan(ax + b)/a + C. The first formula needs a minus sign because cosine differentiates to negative sine. Each integral divides by the linear inner coefficient. If a = 0, each defined integrand is constant and should be integrated as that constant times x.

For ∫[2 sin 3x − 4 cos 2x + 5 sec²(x − 1)] dx, the primitive is −(2/3)cos 3x − 2 sin 2x + 5 tan(x − 1) + C. Differentiation checks all three coefficients and signs. Keep cos(x − 1) ≠ 0, the original secant-squared exclusion, and use the result on a connected interval avoiding those poles. The linear-composite shortcut does not directly integrate an arbitrary nonlinear argument without a matching inner factor.

Match endpoints, units and the original domain

For ∫ from 0 to π/8 of 2 sec² 2x dx, the primitive is tan 2x. The angle 2x stays between 0 and π/4, so its cosine is positive and there is no pole. The value is tan(π/4) − tan 0 = 1. Before subtracting tangent values, check the entire interval rather than only the endpoints; a tangent primitive cannot bridge an undefined secant-squared input.

If a supplied velocity is v(t) = 3 cos(t/2) cm/s for 0 ≤ t ≤ π seconds, with its phase measured in radians, a displacement primitive is 6 sin(t/2). The displacement change is 6 cm. Starting at coordinate 2 cm gives final coordinate 8 cm. The phase coefficient has the time scale needed to give a dimensionless radian angle; integrate with respect to the stated time unit rather than treating a degree display as the calculus variable.

Pause and explain

Which primitive integrates 2 sec² 2x on a valid interval?

Put the idea to work

Worked example

Integrate 2 sin 3x − 4 cos 2x + 5 sec²(x − 1), using radians.

Show the worked solution

The sine term integrates to −(2/3)cos 3x.
The cosine term integrates to −2 sin 2x, and the secant-squared term to 5 tan(x − 1).
Add C and retain cos(x − 1) ≠ 0 on a connected interval; differentiation recovers the original expression.

Answer −(2/3)cos 3x − 2 sin 2x + 5 tan(x − 1) + C, with cos(x − 1) ≠ 0.

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From guided practice to a new situation

Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.

1 · Guided

Integrate 3 cos(4x − 1) − 2 sin(5x + 2) in radians and check both coefficients.

Give me a hint

Use positive sine for a cosine integral and negative cosine for a sine integral.

Compare my reasoning

The cosine term integrates to (3/4)sin(4x − 1).
The negative sine term integrates to +(2/5)cos(5x + 2).
Add C; differentiating gives 3 cos(4x − 1) − 2 sin(5x + 2).

(3/4)sin(4x − 1) + (2/5)cos(5x + 2) + C.

Look for these in your work

Use the correct signs and each separate inner divisor.
Check the result by differentiation with radian input.

2 · Independent

Evaluate ∫ from 0 to π/8 of 2 sec² 2x dx, checking its domain first.

Give me a hint

Determine the angle range 2x before using a tangent primitive.

Compare my reasoning

The angle lies in [0, π/4], where cosine is non-zero.
A primitive is tan 2x.
Its upper-minus-lower value is 1 − 0 = 1.

1; the interval contains no secant-squared pole.

Look for these in your work

Check the entire original integrand interval.
Use exact radian endpoint values after reversing the inner factor.

3 · Transfer

A supplied velocity is 3 cos(t/2) cm/s for 0 ≤ t ≤ π seconds. The particle starts at coordinate 2 cm. Find its displacement change and final coordinate.

Give me a hint

Integrate the velocity over the supplied time interval, then add the initial coordinate.

Compare my reasoning

A displacement primitive is 6 sin(t/2), using the phase's inner coefficient 1/2.
The displacement change is 6 sin(π/2) − 6 sin 0 = 6 cm.
The final coordinate is 2 + 6 = 8 cm.

Displacement change 6 cm; final coordinate 8 cm.

Look for these in your work

Reverse the radian phase factor and retain motion units.
Distinguish a change of coordinate from the final coordinate.

Common mistakes

The sine integral needs a negative cosine.
Divide by each inner coefficient and use radian calculus rules.
Check for secant-squared poles across the whole definite interval.

Recall without your notes

What can you explain now?

Find ∫cos 4x dx for radian x.

Compare with the explanation

(1/4)sin 4x + C.

Differentiation multiplies by 4, so the coefficient 1/4 reverses that inner rate.

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Make it stick

Write the three linear-composite trigonometric primitives and check them by differentiation. Explain why angle units and pole checks must precede definite endpoint evaluation.

If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.

Keep learning Mathematics

Check the official syllabus 2026–2027

Course scope and assessment

312 sequenced lessons provide 936 guided, independent and application problems covering the 160 objectives in sections 1.1–1.8, 2.1–2.6, 3.1–3.9, 4.1–4.5, 5.1–5.5 and 6.1–6.5. The map lists all 38 sections across six alternative components; all eight Pure Mathematics 1 sections and all six Pure Mathematics 2 sections, from Paper 2 Algebra through Numerical solution of equations, currently have full teaching sequences. Paper 3 Algebra, section 3.1, links the six shared foundation lessons plus six lessons on partial fractions and rational binomial expansions; Paper 3 logarithms, trigonometry and numerical equations use the shared lessons, with the Paper 1 graph foundation linked into trigonometry. Paper 3 differentiation combines the shared methods with its inverse-tangent derivative lesson. Paper 3 Integration links four shared standard and identity lessons plus seven advanced lessons, covering all six section 3.5 requirements. Eight Vectors lessons cover all six section 3.7 requirements, with 2D and 3D line and solid applications. Nine Differential equations lessons cover all four section 3.8 requirements, including Paper 3 integration techniques, initial conditions, equilibrium solutions and conditional model interpretations. Eleven Complex numbers lessons cover all eight section 3.9 requirements, with seven Argand diagrams and explicit argument and boundary checks. All nine Pure Mathematics 3 sections now have teaching linked to every mapped requirement. Nine Forces and equilibrium lessons cover all seven section 4.1 requirements, with six force diagrams, signed incline-friction intervals, reaction-dependent pull and push limits and separate-body third-law checks. Nine Kinematics lessons cover the four official section 4.2 requirements, with the graph requirement mapped to three relationships. Six motion diagrams support directed quantities, graph slopes and signed areas, Paper 1 time-calculus methods, reversal distances, constant-acceleration stages and shared-clock particle meetings. Six Momentum lessons cover both section 4.3 requirements, including signed system totals, conservation assumptions, outgoing velocities, coalescence, unknown masses and successive impacts. Four diagrams show system momentum through the stipulated events, and supplied kinetic-energy checks distinguish conservation of momentum from changes in kinetic energy. Twelve Newton’s laws lessons cover all four section 4.4 requirements, with vertical support and release stages, rough horizontal and incline motion, inferred parameters, hanging and surface pulley systems, rigid tow-bar thrust and slack-string transitions. Seven force diagrams support the separate-particle balances. Nine Energy, work and power lessons cover all five section 4.5 requirements, with angle-dependent work, kinetic and reference potential energy, signed net-work balances, smooth curved slides, rough and driven slopes, ideal connected-system energy and instantaneous power on hills. Five diagrams distinguish the energy inputs, losses and valid positive-speed force model. All five Mechanics sections now have teaching and staged practice linked to their mapped requirements. Thirteen Representation of data lessons cover all five section 5.1 requirements, including choice and limitations of displays, ordered and back-to-back stems, raw summaries and box plots, unequal-width density histograms, cumulative-frequency interpolation, descriptive moment calculations, grouped estimates, coding, combining two datasets and correcting totals. Six accessible diagrams retain repeated observations and distinguish numerical spread, frequency area and estimated readings. Ten Permutations and combinations lessons cover both official section 5.2 requirements, with selection and ordered roles, repeated objects, adjacency blocks, non-adjacency gaps, leading-zero cases, labelled multi-row seating and mixed restrictions. Six accessible diagrams show outcome trees, ordered versus unordered choices, repeated copies, blocks, gaps and distinct row seats. Eleven Probability lessons cover all four section 5.3 requirements, with equiprobable elementary outcomes, selection-based probabilities, complements and disjoint regions, independence tests, restricted sample spaces, two-way tables, replacement and removal trees, reversed conditions and unknown parameters. Seven accessible diagrams show dice outcomes, random subsets, event regions, a conditioned grid, a count table and two probability trees. Twelve Discrete random variables lessons cover all three official section 5.4 requirements, with complete probability tables, moment and parameter checks, binomial assumptions, exact probabilities and moments, geometric first-success probabilities, tails, expectation and integer reliability thresholds. Six accessible diagrams distinguish outcome grouping, weighted moments, fixed trials, discrete probability bars, waiting conventions and integer tail deadlines. Twelve Normal distribution lessons cover all three official section 5.5 requirements, with continuous-area interpretation, MF19 cumulative tables, full standardisation, tail and interval regions, conditional probabilities, percentiles, one- and two-parameter inference, binomial suitability, continuity corrections and approximate integer thresholds. Seven accessible diagrams show model areas, table reading, aligned scales, intervals, quantiles, matched binomial and normal shapes and whole integer cells. All five Statistics 1 sections now have teaching and staged practice linked to their mapped requirements. Fourteen Poisson distribution lessons cover all five official section 6.1 requirements, with homogeneous event-count assumptions, exposure scaling, exact masses and tails, conditional count events, moments, parameter inference, probability duration targets, disjoint and overlapping windows, rare-count binomial approximations, matched normal approximations and continuity corrections. Nine accessible diagrams show event exposures, unit conversions, discrete bars, complete tail complements, population moments, shared windows, approximate count models and integer cells. Exact checks distinguish approximate and exact close-target decisions. Fourteen Linear combinations lessons cover the six listed results in official section 6.2, with affine moments, signed scales and constant cases, expectation without independence, independent squared variance contributions, fixed and random fees, independent copies versus reused values, affine normal events, independent normal sums and differences, weighted and conditional areas, coefficient inference, exact independent Poisson sums and overlapping exposure limits. Nine accessible diagrams distinguish scale changes, variance contributions, component costs, copy mechanisms, aligned normal scales, summed areas, Poisson count pairs and unsupported distribution claims. Fourteen Continuous random variables lessons cover both official section 6.3 requirements, with density validity and units, support-aware intervals, complements and conditional regions, first and second moments, percentiles by direct density areas, symmetry checks, parameter inference, infinite-support power and exponential integrals, divergent-moment limits and combined applications. Nine accessible diagrams distinguish density height from probability, normalisation, negative-density failures, central and conditional areas, mean versus median, percentile locations and partial infinite tails. Explicit cumulative distribution function knowledge is not required. Eighteen Sampling and estimation lessons cover all eight official section 6.4 requirements, with population and frame definitions, random-number selection, sampling-quality limits, independent sample-mean moments, normal means, CLT conditions, SE scaling, raw, summarised and coded unbiased estimates, known-variance and large-sample mean intervals, repeated-sampling interpretation, precision planning, proportion intervals, sparse-outcome limits and contextual applications. Ten accessible diagrams distinguish selection frames, number rejection, repeated sample means, population versus mean density, CLT models, variance divisors, interval targets, illustrative coverage, integer size checks and proportion margins. Eighteen Hypothesis tests lessons cover all five official section 6.5 requirements, with pre-specified alternatives, inclusive count tails, explicit equal-tail conventions, integer critical regions and actual significance, exposure-aware Poisson tests, continuity-corrected count approximations, normal and large-sample mean tests, confidence-interval connections, error classifications, fixed-region binomial, Poisson and normal error probabilities and sample-size power comparisons. Nine accessible diagrams show the testing procedure, exact count regions, unequal Poisson tails, discrete significance jumps, corrected count boundaries, matching mean intervals and alternative error distributions. All shared lessons are counted once in the course total. All 38 sections now link teaching and practice. Eight earlier overview lessons remain available, but do not count as full section coverage. This is a content-availability measure, not full programme completion or exam readiness. Written practice is self-checked, not officially marked. Check the 2028–2030 syllabus separately if sitting an examination from 2028; this teaching map uses 2026–2027 requirements.