1. Evaluate $\int \frac{1}{1+x^2}\,dx$.
- A.$\arcsin(x) + C$
- B.$\ln|1+x^2| + C$
- C.$\arctan(x) + C$
- D.$\text{arcsec}(x) + C$
View Answer
Answer: $\arctan(x) + C$
Recognize the inverse trig form: The integrand $\frac{1}{1+x^2}$ matches the derivative of $\arctan(x)$. Why the correct answer works: Option C is correct: $\frac{d}{dx}[\arctan(x)] = \frac{1}{1+x^2}$, so $\int \frac{1}{1+x^2}\,dx = \arctan(x) + C$. Why distractors fail: Option A ($\arcsin$) corresponds to $\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}$. Option B would be the antiderivative of $\frac{2x}{1+x^2}$, not $\frac{1}{1+x^2}$. Option D ($\text{arcsec}$) corresponds to $\frac{1}{|x|\sqrt{x^2-1}}$.