What Went Wrong with My Integration by Parts?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the integration of the function \(\int_{0}^{\pi} x^2 \cos x \, dx\) using integration by parts. The initial attempt involved setting \(u = x^2\) and \(dv = \cos x \, dx\), leading to the expression \(\left[x^2 \sin x\right]_{0}^{\pi} - \int_{0}^{\pi} \sin x \cdot 2x \, dx\). The error identified was in the second integration, where the participant incorrectly simplified \(\int \sin x \cdot 2x \, dx\). The correct approach requires applying integration by parts again, ultimately leading to the integral reappearing, indicating a need for a different strategy.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of integration techniques, specifically integration by parts.
  • Familiarity with trigonometric integrals, particularly involving sine and cosine functions.
  • Knowledge of definite integrals and their evaluation.
  • Basic algebraic manipulation skills for simplifying expressions.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the method of integration by parts in detail, focusing on repeated applications.
  • Study the integration of products of polynomials and trigonometric functions.
  • Explore alternative techniques for solving integrals, such as substitution or numerical methods.
  • Practice solving similar integrals to reinforce understanding and application of concepts.
USEFUL FOR

Students studying calculus, particularly those learning integration techniques, as well as educators seeking to clarify integration by parts and its applications in solving complex integrals.

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Hello there. I feel like this isn't the right answer, but I'd like some verification as to where exactly I went wrong! 1. Homework Statement is \int_{0}^{pi}x^2cos x dx

3. The Attempt at a Solution went something like this:
u=x^2 dv=cos x dx <br /> du=2x dx v=\int_{0}^{pi}cos x dx= sin x

The integral was then:
\int_{0)^{pi}x^2cos x dx= x^2 sin x\right]_{0}^{pi}-\int_{0}^{pi}sin x 2x dx

to solve:

=x^2 sin x + cos x x^2
=pi^2 sin pi + cos 0 o^2
9.87 times 0=1+0
=1

Thanks for all your help in advance! :smile:





 
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paperclip said:
Hello there. I feel like this isn't the right answer, but I'd like some verification as to where exactly I went wrong! 1. Homework Statement is \int_{0}^{pi}x^2cos x dx

3. The Attempt at a Solution went something like this:
u=x^2 \hspace{5mm} dv=cos x dx \hspace{5mm}<br /> du=2x dx \hspace{5mm} v=\int_{0}^{pi}cos x dx= sin x

The integral was then:
\int_{0}^{pi}x^2cos x dx= \left[x^2 sin x\right]_{0}^{\pi}-\int_{0}^{\pi}sin x 2x dx

to solve:

=x^2 sin x + cos x x^2
=\pi^2 sin pi + cos 0 o^2
9.87 \times 0=1+0
=1

Thanks for all your help in advance! :smile:






Ive just cleaned up your tex so I can check your work.
 
From here: \int_{0}^{\pi}x^2cos x dx= \left[x^2 sin x\right]_{0}^{\pi}-\int_{0}^{\pi}sin x 2x dx

You need to apply integration by parts again to the second term on the RHS. I don't quite know what you've done in your original post.
 
You started just fine:

\int x^2 \cos x\,dx = x^2\sin x - \int \sin x\,2x\,dx

You're problem is the second integration:

\int \sin x\,2x\,dx \ne -\cos x\,x^2
 
Do I need to integrate by parts again?
\int \sin x\,2x,dx=2/int,x,sinx,dx
so
= \left[x^2 sin x\right]_{0}^{\pi}-2\int_{0}^{\pi}xsin x dx
is this right?
 
No :(

\int \sin x 2x dx.
u=sin x, dv = 2x dx
du=cos x dx, v=x^2

Subbing these straight into integration by parts it should be
\sin (x) \cdot x^2 - \int x^2 \cos x dx.

Hmm Isnt that interesting, your original integral appeared again, how could this help i wonder :P
 
Actually I did it wrong, you should be able to see why the way I did it doesn't help.

instead, in integration by parts, let u=2x and dv= sin x dx
that way, du= 2 dx, and v= -cos x, which gives us
-2x\cos x + 2\int \cos x dx.
The integral in that is just 2 sin x, so the solution to your original integral is easy from here.
 

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