What is I equal to?

Consider the following for the next two (02) items that follow: Let I=\int_{-2\pi}^{2\pi}\frac{\sin^{4}x+\cos^{4}x}{1+3^{x}}dx

  1. A. 0
  2. B. \frac{3\pi}{4}
  3. C. \frac{3\pi}{2}
  4. D. 3\pi

Correct Answer: C. \frac{3\pi}{2}

Explanation

Use the property \int_{-a}^a \frac{f(x)}{1+k^x} dx = \int_0^a f(x) dx for even functions f(x). Since \sin^4 x + \cos^4 x is an even function, I = \int_0^{2\pi} (\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x) dx. The function has a period of \frac{\pi}{2}, so the integral evaluates to 4 \int_0^{\pi/2} (\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x) dx = 2 \int_0^\pi (\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x) dx. From the previous question, \int_0^\pi (\sin^4 x + \cos^4 x) dx = \frac{3\pi}{4}. Thus, I = 2 \times \frac{3\pi}{4} = \frac{3\pi}{2}.

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