Integral Calculus: JEE Main Mathematics Question with Solution
Let f(x)+2f(x1)=x2+5 and 2g(x)−3g(21)=x, x>0. If α=∫12f(x)dx, and β=∫12g(x)dx, then the value of 9α+β is :
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Hint 1 of 4
Given f(x)+2f(x1)=x2+5, what is the explicit expression for f(x)?
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Step-by-step solutionView
Correct answer
By solving the functional equations for f(x) and g(x), we find f(x)=3x22−3x2−35 and g(x)=2x−23, yielding 9α+β=11.
Option analysis
Why each option works or fails
A · 1
Computing 9α or evaluating the integration limits with arithmetic errors, leading to an incorrect net sum. Carefully integrate each term ∫12x21dx=21 and ∫12x2dx=37 before multiplying by 9.
B · 0
Confusing the values of the integrals or dropping constant terms during the substitution for g(1/2). Substitute x=1/2 into 2g(x)−3g(1/2)=x to get −g(1/2)=1/2⟹g(1/2)=−1/2, then integrate g(x)=2x−3/2.
C · 10
Making a sign or factor slip when eliminating f(1/x) from the system of functional equations. Multiply f(1/x)+2f(x)=1/x2+5 by 2 and subtract the original equation: 3f(x)=x22−x2+5 is incorrect, the constant is 2(5)−5=5.
D · 11
None. The value 11 is obtained correctly through systematic solving of both functional equations and definite integration. None.
Reviewed route
Solution
StepWorking
01given
f(x)+2f(x1)=x2+5 and 2g(x)−3g(21)=x for x>0, with α=∫12f(x)dx and β=∫12g(x)dx.
02approach
Solve the system of functional equations for f(x) by replacing x→x1. For g(x), substitute x=21 to find the constant value g(1/2), then find g(x). Finally, integrate both functions from 1 to 2 to compute 9α+β.
03execute
Given (1): f(x)+2f(1/x)=x2+5. Replacing x with 1/x gives (2): f(1/x)+2f(x)=x21+5. Multiplying (2) by 2 and subtracting (1) yields:
3f(x)=x22−x2+5⟹f(x)=3x22−3x2+35
04execute
Integrate f(x) from 1 to 2:
α=∫12(3x22−3x2+35)dx=[−3x2−9x3+35x]12α=(−31−98+310)−(−32−91+35)=919−98=911
05execute
For g(x): 2g(x)−3g(1/2)=x. Substitute x=1/2:
2g(1/2)−3g(1/2)=1/2⟹−g(1/2)=1/2⟹g(1/2)=−1/2
Then, 2g(x)−3(−1/2)=x⟹2g(x)=x−3/2⟹g(x)=2x−43.
06execute
Integrate g(x) from 1 to 2:
β=∫12(2x−43)dx=[4x2−43x]12=(1−23)−(41−43)=−21−(−21)=0
Thus, 9α+β=9(911)+0=11.
✓verify
Check at x=1: f(1)+2f(1)=6⟹3f(1)=6⟹f(1)=2. From our formula, f(1)=2/3−1/3+5/3=6/3=2, which matches.
✓ Source and academic review↓
Question type
Single correct
Exam relevance
JEE Main · Mathematics
Concepts assessed
Mathematics
Academic status
Reviewed by official_key
Source
pyq
Editorial review
7 September 2026
Quick checks
Students also ask
Why substitute x→1/x?
Because the equation involves f(x) and f(1/x). Replacing x with 1/x produces a second linear equation in terms of the two unknowns f(x) and f(1/x).