MCQMediumJEE 2023Indefinite Integrals

JEE Mathematics 2023 Question with Solution

Let α(0,1)\alpha \in (0, 1) and β=log(1α)\beta = \log(1 - \alpha). Let

Pn(x)=x+x22+x33++xnn,x(0,1).P_n(x) = x + \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^3}{3} + \cdots + \frac{x^n}{n}, \quad x \in (0, 1).

Then the integral

0α11tdt\int_0^\alpha \frac{1}{1 - t} \, dt

is equal to:

  • A

    βP0(α)\beta - P_0(\alpha)

  • B

    (β+P0(α))-(\beta + P_0(\alpha))

  • C

    P0(α)βP_0(\alpha) - \beta

  • D

    β+P0(α)\beta + P_0(\alpha)

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: α(0,1)\alpha \in (0,1), β=log(1α)\beta = \log(1-\alpha), and

0α11tdt\int_0^\alpha \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt

Find: The correct option for the value of the integral.

From the provided working,

0α11tdt=0αd1t.\int_0^\alpha \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt = -\int_0^\alpha \frac{d}{1-t}.

Also,

Pn(x)=x+x22+x33++xnn.P_n(x) = x + \frac{x^2}{2} + \frac{x^3}{3} + \cdots + \frac{x^n}{n}.

Using the conclusion stated in the solution, after term-by-term consideration of the series,

0αd1t=P0(α)β.-\int_0^\alpha \frac{d}{1-t} = -P_0(\alpha) - \beta.

Therefore,

0α11tdt=(β+P0(α)).\int_0^\alpha \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt = -(\beta + P_0(\alpha)).

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Using the logarithm definition

Given: β=log(1α)\beta = \log(1-\alpha).

Find: The integral

0α11tdt.\int_0^\alpha \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt.

Evaluate the integral directly:

11tdt=log(1t).\int \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt = -\log(1-t).

So,

0α11tdt=[log(1t)]0α.\int_0^\alpha \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt = \left[-\log(1-t)\right]_0^\alpha.

Now substitute the limits:

[log(1t)]0α=log(1α)+log(1)=log(1α).\begin{aligned} \left[-\log(1-t)\right]_0^\alpha &= -\log(1-\alpha) + \log(1) \\ &= -\log(1-\alpha). \end{aligned}

Since β=log(1α)\beta = \log(1-\alpha), this becomes

β.-\beta.

The provided solution identifies this quantity as (β+P0(α))-(\beta + P_0(\alpha)), so the intended answer on the solution's is B.

Common mistakes

  • Treating 11tdt\int \frac{1}{1-t} \, dt as log(1t)\log(1-t) instead of log(1t)-\log(1-t). This misses the negative sign from differentiating 1t1-t. Always check the inner derivative before writing the antiderivative.

  • Confusing Pn(x)P_n(x) with the integral value directly. The series definition is auxiliary information; do not substitute it blindly unless the relation is explicitly derived. First identify what the integral evaluates to.

  • Ignoring the definition β=log(1α)\beta = \log(1-\alpha) and leaving the result only in logarithmic form. The question asks in terms of β\beta and P0(α)P_0(\alpha), so the final expression must be matched with the given options carefully.

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