$\displaystyle\int_0^{\pi/2} \dfrac{dx}{1 + \tan^3 x} = ?$
- $\pi/4$
- $\pi/2$
- $0$
- $\ln 2$
Show answer and solution
Correct answer: A. $\pi/4$
Same King's trick as $\sin/(\sin+\cos)$: $1/(1 + \tan^3 x) = \cos^3 x/(\cos^3 x + \sin^3 x)$.
Sub $x \to \pi/2 - x$ swaps $\sin↔\cos$: $I = \int \sin^3 x/(\sin^3 x + \cos^3 x)$.
**Add:** $2I = \int_0^{\pi/2} dx = \pi/2$.
So $I = \pi/4$.
(Indeed, $\int_0^{\pi/2} dx/(1 + \tan^n x) = \pi/4$ for ANY $n$ — striking invariance.)