How Can I Solve These Integration Problems Using Integration by Parts?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around solving integration problems using integration by parts, specifically focusing on two integrals: \(\int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}dx\) and \(\int\frac{(1-x)dx}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\). Participants explore various methods and substitutions to approach these integrals, sharing their reasoning and solutions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to solve the given integrals, presenting their work on the second integral and questioning its correctness.
  • Another participant acknowledges the first participant's approach to the second integral, affirming the correctness of their steps and suggesting a different method for the first integral.
  • Several participants discuss the manipulation of the first integral, proposing to add zero to the numerator to facilitate integration by parts.
  • There is a suggestion that the expression \(\frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}\) resembles the result of differentiating a quotient, prompting further exploration of this idea.
  • Participants engage in back-and-forth clarifications regarding the equivalence of expressions and the implications for integration.
  • One participant expresses confusion about the subtlety of the solution and inquires about alternative methods for solving the first integral.
  • Another participant provides a detailed breakdown of the integration by parts approach, including specific substitutions and resulting expressions.
  • Corrections are made regarding typographical errors in the presented integrals, with participants acknowledging and addressing these mistakes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the validity of the steps taken in the second integral, while the first integral remains a topic of exploration with multiple proposed methods and no consensus on a singular approach.

Contextual Notes

Some participants' methods involve specific substitutions and manipulations that may depend on their interpretations of the integrals, leading to different paths in the discussion. The discussion does not resolve the overall approach to the first integral, leaving it open to further exploration.

paulmdrdo1
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how would i go about solving these problems?

\begin{align*}\displaystyle \int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}dx\end{align*}

\begin{align*}\int\frac{(1-x)dx}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\end{align*}

this is my solution to prob 2

\begin{align*}\displaystyle\int\frac{(1-x)dx}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,=\,\int\frac{dx}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}-\int\frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx\end{align*}

then,
\begin{align*}\displaystyle \sin^{-1}x+C_1-\int\frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}dx\\\\u\,=\,1-x^2\\du\,=\,-2xdx\\dx\,=\,\frac{du}{-2x}\\\\\int\frac{x}{\sqrt{u}(-2x)}du\\\\-\frac{1}{2}\int\frac{du}{\sqrt{u}}=\,-\frac{1}{2}\frac{(u^{-\frac{1}{2}})}{\frac{1}{2}}\\\\ \sin^{-1}x+(1-x^2)^{\frac{1}{2}}+C\end{align*}

is my answer correct in prob 2?
 
Last edited:
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For problem 2, you have done well to split the integral:

$$\int\frac{1-x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx=\int\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx-\int\frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx$$

You have done well also to recognize that:

$$\int\frac{1}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx=\sin^{-1}(x)+C$$

and your substitution for the second integral is a good one:

$$u=1-x^2\,\therefore\,du=-2x\,dx$$

and so we now have:

$$-\int\frac{x}{\sqrt{1-x^2}}\,dx=\frac{1}{2}\int u^{-\frac{1}{2}}\,du$$

Your methodology for doing substitutions is a bit different than mine, but you have the correct result.

For the first one, I suggest adding to the numerator of the integrand:

$$0=e^x-e^x$$

and after the correct factorization, see if you find the product rule of differentiation can be applied to the integrand. :D

edit: what happens if in trying integration by parts, you decide to let:

$$u=\frac{e^x}{x+1}$$

What is $du$?
 
this is what i tried

\begin{align*} \displaystyle \int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}dx\,=\,\int\frac{xe^x+e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}dx\\\\ \int\frac{e^x(x+1-1)}{(1+x)^2}dx\end{align*}

i couldn't continue. :confused:
 
Try:

$$\frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}$$

Doesn't this look like it could be the result of differentiating a quotient?
 
$\displaystyle \frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}$ - is this equivalent to the original integrand? uhhmm sorry still don't get it.
 
paulmdrdo said:
$\displaystyle \frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}$ - is this equivalent to the original integrand? uhhmm sorry still don't get it.

Yes it is...we have simply added $$0=e^x-e^x$$ to the numerator.

$$\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}=\frac{xe^x+e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}=\frac{\left(xe^x+e^x \right)-e^x}{(1+x)^2}=\frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}$$
 
$ \displaystyle \int \frac{(xe^x+e^x)-e^x}{(1+x)^2}dx $

$ \displaystyle \int \frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}dx \,=\,\int \frac{e^x}{(1+x)}dx-\int \frac{e^x}{(1+x)^2}dx $

what's next?
 
This is what I was trying to get you to see:

$$\frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}=\frac{(x+1)\frac{d}{dx}\left(e^x \right)-e^x\frac{d}{dx}(1+x)}{(1+x)^2}$$

Now, isn't this the result of the differentiation of a quotient?
 
if that is the case the answer would be $ \displaystyle \frac{e^x}{(1+x)} $?
 
  • #10
Minus the constant of integration, yes. Try differentiating this and see what you get.
 
  • #11
ahmm.. that solution is kind of subtle. is there another way of solving that?

$\displaystyle D_x(\frac{e^x}{(1+x)})\,=\, \frac{(x+1)d_xe^x-e^x\,d_x(1+x)}{(1+x)^2}$

$\displaystyle \frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}$ this is equal to the original integrand.
 
  • #12
paulmdrdo said:
ahmm.. that solution is kind of subtle. is there another way of solving that?

Yes, again we will use:

$$\int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx=\int\frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx=\int\frac{e^x}{(1+x)}\,dx-\int\frac{e^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx$$

Now, for the first integral, using integration by parts, we find:

$$u=\frac{1}{1+x}\,\therefore\,du=-\frac{1}{(1+x)^2}$$

$$dv=e^x\,dx\,\therefore\,v=e^x$$

and so we have:

$$\int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx= \frac{e^x}{1+x}+\int\frac{e^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx-\int\frac{e^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx$$

Hence:

$$\int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx=\frac{e^x}{1+x}+C$$
 
  • #13
mark on the first integral why there's an x in the numerator? i suppose it's e^x only.
$\displaystyle \int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx=\int\frac{(x+1)e^x-e^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx=\int\frac{xe^x}{(1+x)}\,dx-\int\frac{e^x}{(1+x)^2}\,dx$
 
  • #14
Yes, that was a typo, which I have fixed.
 

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