Topic 4

Integration by Parts

Integration by parts is the product rule run backwards: ∫u dv=uv−∫v du\int u\,dv = uv - \int v\,du. Choose uu to be the factor that gets simpler when you differentiate it: a power of xx, a log⁡\log, or an . Let dvdv be the rest.

5 kinds of question. Open the one you are stuck on.

1

Integrate x times an exponential or trig function using integration by parts

e.g. “Evaluate ∫xneax dx\int x^n e^{ax}\,dx, ∫xnsin⁡(ax) dx\int x^n\sin(ax)\,dx or ∫xncos⁡(ax) dx\int x^n\cos(ax)\,dx”
  1. 1
    Let uu be the polynomial and dvdv the rest

    Differentiating uu lowers its power, and eax dxe^{ax}\,dx, sin⁡(ax) dx\sin(ax)\,dx, cos⁡(ax) dx\cos(ax)\,dx are easy to integrate.

  2. 2
    Find dudu and vv

    v=∫dvv = \int dv. No +C+C is needed here.

  3. 3
    Apply ∫u dv=uv−∫v du\int u\,dv = uv - \int v\,du

    For a definite integral: [uv]ab−∫abv du\big[uv\big]_a^b - \int_a^b v\,du.

  4. 4
    Repeat on the new integral until no power of xx is left

    Each round lowers the power by one, so x2x^2 takes two rounds. Make the same kind of choice each time.

  5. 5
    Collect terms; add +C+C or plug in the limits

Remember: The polynomial is u: it shrinks every round.

See it in a problem4 worked examples

Evaluate ∫xe3x dx\displaystyle\int xe^{3x}\,dx.

  1. 1
    Let uu be the polynomial and dvdv the rest

    u=xu = x, dv=e3x dxdv = e^{3x}\,dx.

  2. 2
    Find dudu and vv

    du=dxdu = dx, v=13e3xv = \tfrac13 e^{3x}.

  3. 3
    Apply ∫u dv=uv−∫v du\int u\,dv = uv - \int v\,du

    ∫xe3x dx=x3e3x−∫13e3x dx\int xe^{3x}\,dx = \tfrac{x}{3}e^{3x} - \int\tfrac13 e^{3x}\,dx.

  4. 4
    Repeat on the new integral until no power of xx is left

    No xx is left: ∫13e3x dx=19e3x\int\tfrac13 e^{3x}\,dx = \tfrac19 e^{3x}. One round is enough.

  5. 5
    Collect terms; add +C+C or plug in the limits

    x3e3x−19e3x+C=e3x9(3x−1)+C\tfrac{x}{3}e^{3x} - \tfrac19 e^{3x} + C = \tfrac{e^{3x}}{9}(3x - 1) + C.

Answer:

e3x9(3x−1)+C\dfrac{e^{3x}}{9}(3x - 1) + C

Common mistakes4
  • Choosing u=exu = e^{x} or u=sin⁡xu = \sin x: the new integral gets harder, not easier.
  • Sign slips: ∫sin⁡x dx=−cos⁡x\int\sin x\,dx = -\cos x, and the minus in uv−∫v duuv - \int v\,du applies to the whole integral.
  • Forgetting the chain-rule factor: ∫e3x dx=13e3x\int e^{3x}\,dx = \tfrac13 e^{3x}, not e3xe^{3x}.
  • In a definite integral, putting limits on uvuv but not on ∫v du\int v\,du.
2

Integrate log x or arctan x using integration by parts

e.g. “Evaluate ∫log⁡x dx\int\log x\,dx, ∫arctan⁡x dx\int\arctan x\,dx or ∫arcsin⁡x dx\int\arcsin x\,dx: a single function you cannot integrate directly”
  1. 1
    Let uu be the log⁡\log or inverse trig factor

    Their derivatives are simple: (log⁡x)′=1x(\log x)' = \dfrac1x, (arctan⁡x)′=11+x2(\arctan x)' = \dfrac{1}{1 + x^2}, (arcsin⁡x)′=11−x2(\arcsin x)' = \dfrac{1}{\sqrt{1 - x^2}}. Everything else is dvdv. If nothing is left, dv=dxdv = dx.

  2. 2
    Find dudu and vv
  3. 3
    Apply ∫u dv=uv−∫v du\int u\,dv = uv - \int v\,du
  4. 4
    Simplify v duv\,du and integrate it

    With log⁡\log it is usually a power of xx. With arctan⁡x\arctan x alone, substitute w=1+x2w = 1 + x^2. With a power of xx in front, divide first: x21+x2=1−11+x2\dfrac{x^2}{1 + x^2} = 1 - \dfrac{1}{1 + x^2}.

Remember: In parts, logs and inverse trig are u.

See it in a problem3 worked examples

Evaluate ∫x log⁡x dx\displaystyle\int\sqrt{x}\,\log x\,dx.

  1. 1
    Let uu be the log⁡\log or inverse trig factor

    u=log⁡xu = \log x, dv=x1/2 dxdv = x^{1/2}\,dx.

  2. 2
    Find dudu and vv

    du=1x dxdu = \tfrac1x\,dx, v=23x3/2v = \tfrac23 x^{3/2}.

  3. 3
    Apply ∫u dv=uv−∫v du\int u\,dv = uv - \int v\,du

    ∫xlog⁡x dx=23x3/2log⁡x−∫23x3/2⋅1x dx\int\sqrt{x}\log x\,dx = \tfrac23 x^{3/2}\log x - \int\tfrac23 x^{3/2}\cdot\tfrac1x\,dx.

  4. 4
    Simplify v duv\,du and integrate it

    ∫23x1/2 dx=49x3/2\int\tfrac23 x^{1/2}\,dx = \tfrac49 x^{3/2}. Total: 23x3/2log⁡x−49x3/2+C\tfrac23 x^{3/2}\log x - \tfrac49 x^{3/2} + C.

Answer:

23x3/2log⁡x−49x3/2+C\dfrac23 x^{3/2}\log x - \dfrac49 x^{3/2} + C

Common mistakes3
  • Choosing dv=log⁡x dxdv = \log x\,dx: you would need ∫log⁡x dx\int\log x\,dx, the very thing you are trying to find.
  • Forgetting the chain rule in dudu: ddxarctan⁡(3x)=31+9x2\dfrac{d}{dx}\arctan(3x) = \dfrac{3}{1 + 9x^2}.
  • Simplifying vv wrong: x3/23/2=23x3/2\dfrac{x^{3/2}}{3/2} = \tfrac23 x^{3/2}, not 32x3/2\tfrac32 x^{3/2}.
3

Integrate e^x sin x by parts twice and solve for the integral

e.g. “Evaluate ∫eaxsin⁡(bx) dx\int e^{ax}\sin(bx)\,dx or ∫eaxcos⁡(bx) dx\int e^{ax}\cos(bx)\,dx”
  1. 1
    Call the integral II; let uu be the trig factor

    Either choice works, but keep the same kind in round two, or round two undoes round one.

  2. 2
    Integrate by parts once
  3. 3
    Integrate the new integral by parts, same choice of uu
  4. 4
    Spot II again and solve for it

    Move the II terms to one side and divide. Then add +C+C, or plug in the limits.

Remember: Twice around the loop, then solve.

See it in a problem3 worked examples

Evaluate ∫e2xsin⁡x dx\displaystyle\int e^{2x}\sin x\,dx.

  1. 1
    Call the integral II; let uu be the trig factor

    I=∫e2xsin⁡x dxI = \int e^{2x}\sin x\,dx. u=sin⁡xu = \sin x, dv=e2x dxdv = e^{2x}\,dx, so du=cos⁡x dxdu = \cos x\,dx, v=12e2xv = \tfrac12 e^{2x}.

  2. 2
    Integrate by parts once

    I=12e2xsin⁡x−12∫e2xcos⁡x dxI = \tfrac12 e^{2x}\sin x - \tfrac12\int e^{2x}\cos x\,dx.

  3. 3
    Integrate the new integral by parts, same choice of uu

    u=cos⁡xu = \cos x, dv=e2x dxdv = e^{2x}\,dx: ∫e2xcos⁡x dx=12e2xcos⁡x+12I\int e^{2x}\cos x\,dx = \tfrac12 e^{2x}\cos x + \tfrac12 I.

  4. 4
    Spot II again and solve for it

    I=12e2xsin⁡x−14e2xcos⁡x−14II = \tfrac12 e^{2x}\sin x - \tfrac14 e^{2x}\cos x - \tfrac14 I, so 54I=14e2x(2sin⁡x−cos⁡x)\tfrac54 I = \tfrac14 e^{2x}(2\sin x - \cos x). Divide by 54\tfrac54 and add CC.

Answer:

e2x5(2sin⁡x−cos⁡x)+C\dfrac{e^{2x}}{5}(2\sin x - \cos x) + C

Common mistakes3
  • Switching roles in round two (u=exu = e^{x} after u=sin⁡xu = \sin x): you get I=II = I, true but useless.
  • Losing a sign when ∫sin⁡x dx=−cos⁡x\int\sin x\,dx = -\cos x is used twice in a row.
  • Forgetting the factor from the inside: ∫e2x dx=12e2x\int e^{2x}\,dx = \tfrac12 e^{2x}.
4

Derive and use a reduction formula with integration by parts

e.g. “Derive the reduction formula …”
  1. 1
    Name InI_n; split off a piece to be dvdv

    (log⁡x)n(\log x)^n: dv=dxdv = dx.  cos⁡nx\ \cos^n x: u=cos⁡n−1xu = \cos^{n-1}x, dv=cos⁡x dxdv = \cos x\,dx.  xnex\ x^n e^{x}: u=xnu = x^n.

  2. 2
    Integrate by parts once, keeping nn general
  3. 3
    Rewrite what is left as In−1I_{n-1} or In−2I_{n-2}

    Use sin⁡2x=1−cos⁡2x\sin^2 x = 1 - \cos^2 x if needed. If InI_n appears on both sides, solve for it.

  4. 4
    Step down from InI_n to I0I_0 or I1I_1

    In a definite integral the uvuv term often vanishes at both limits.

Remember: One round of parts, keep n, step down.

See it in a problem2 worked examples

Show that ∫(log⁡x)n dx=x(log⁡x)n−n∫(log⁡x)n−1 dx\displaystyle\int(\log x)^n\,dx = x(\log x)^n - n\int(\log x)^{n-1}\,dx, then compute ∫1e(log⁡x)3 dx\displaystyle\int_1^e(\log x)^3\,dx.

  1. 1
    Name InI_n; split off a piece to be dvdv

    In=∫(log⁡x)n dxI_n = \int(\log x)^n\,dx. u=(log⁡x)nu = (\log x)^n, dv=dxdv = dx.

  2. 2
    Integrate by parts once, keeping nn general

    du=n(log⁡x)n−1x dxdu = \dfrac{n(\log x)^{n-1}}{x}\,dx, v=xv = x: In=x(log⁡x)n−∫x⋅n(log⁡x)n−1x dxI_n = x(\log x)^n - \int x\cdot\dfrac{n(\log x)^{n-1}}{x}\,dx.

  3. 3
    Rewrite what is left as In−1I_{n-1} or In−2I_{n-2}

    The xx cancels: In=x(log⁡x)n−nIn−1I_n = x(\log x)^n - nI_{n-1}.

  4. 4
    Step down from InI_n to I0I_0 or I1I_1

    Let Jn=∫1e(log⁡x)n dxJ_n = \int_1^e(\log x)^n\,dx. Since [x(log⁡x)n]1e=e\big[x(\log x)^n\big]_1^e = e for n≥1n \ge 1, Jn=e−nJn−1J_n = e - nJ_{n-1}, with J0=e−1J_0 = e - 1: J1=1J_1 = 1, J2=e−2J_2 = e - 2, J3=e−3(e−2)=6−2eJ_3 = e - 3(e - 2) = 6 - 2e.

Answer:

∫1e(log⁡x)3 dx=6−2e\displaystyle\int_1^e(\log x)^3\,dx = 6 - 2e

Common mistakes3
  • Plugging in a number for nn too early. The must work for every nn.
  • Forgetting to solve for InI_n when it also appears on the right side.
  • Stopping at the wrong base case: cos⁡nx\cos^n x with even nn ends at I0=∫dxI_0 = \int dx, odd nn at I1I_1.
5

Evaluate an integral of f'' from given values using integration by parts

e.g. “Let f(1)=…f(1) = \dots and f′(1)=…f'(1) = \dots Calculate ∫xf′′(x) dx\int x f''(x)\,dx or ∫f′′(x) dx\int f''(\sqrt{x})\,dx over an interval”
  1. 1
    Substitute first if f′′f'' has an inside

    For f′′(x)f''(\sqrt{x}): t=xt = \sqrt{x}, x=t2x = t^2, dx=2t dtdx = 2t\,dt. Change the limits too.

  2. 2
    Let uu be the power of xx and dv=f′′ dxdv = f''\,dx

    Then v=f′v = f'.

  3. 3
    Apply [uv]−∫v du\big[uv\big] - \int v\,du

    The leftover ∫abf′(x) dx=f(b)−f(a)\int_a^b f'(x)\,dx = f(b) - f(a), by the Fundamental Theorem.

  4. 4
    Plug in the given values

Remember: f'' integrates to f', and f' integrates to f.

See it in a problem2 worked examples

Suppose f(0)=1f(0) = 1, f(1)=4f(1) = 4 and f′(1)=5f'(1) = 5. Calculate ∫01xf′′(x) dx\displaystyle\int_0^1 x f''(x)\,dx.

  1. 1
    Substitute first if f′′f'' has an inside

    Nothing to substitute: the argument of f′′f'' is just xx.

  2. 2
    Let uu be the power of xx and dv=f′′ dxdv = f''\,dx

    u=xu = x, dv=f′′(x) dxdv = f''(x)\,dx, so du=dxdu = dx, v=f′(x)v = f'(x).

  3. 3
    Apply [uv]−∫v du\big[uv\big] - \int v\,du

    [xf′(x)]01−∫01f′(x) dx=f′(1)−(f(1)−f(0))\Big[xf'(x)\Big]_0^1 - \int_0^1 f'(x)\,dx = f'(1) - \big(f(1) - f(0)\big).

  4. 4
    Plug in the given values

    5−(4−1)=25 - (4 - 1) = 2.

Answer:

22

Common mistakes3
  • Changing variables but keeping the old limits: xx from 11 to 99 is tt from 11 to 33.
  • Dropping the lower-limit term of [uv]\big[uv\big] when the lower limit is not 00.
  • Writing v=f′′′v = f''': integrating f′′f'' gives f′f'.

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