How Do You Correctly Apply Integration by Parts to ∫-e^(2x)*sin(e^x) dx?

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration of the expression ∫-e^(2x)*sin(e^x) dx, focusing on the application of integration by parts. Participants are exploring the correct setup for the integration process and the challenges associated with integrating the given function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the choice of u and dv in the integration by parts method, with some questioning the initial selections made. There is a consideration of how to effectively divide the integrand into manageable parts for integration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the challenges of integrating sin(e^x) and have suggested alternative approaches to selecting u and dv. There is an acknowledgment of the need for a different choice of dv to facilitate integration, and a few participants have proposed a substitution method as a potential solution.

Contextual Notes

There is a recognition that the integration of sin(e^x) is non-elementary, which complicates the integration process. Participants are also noting the importance of including dx in their work to avoid potential issues in future problems.

shreddinglicks
Messages
225
Reaction score
7

Homework Statement


I want to integrate

∫-e^(2x)*sin(e^x) dx

Homework Equations


∫uv'dx=uv - ∫u'v

The Attempt at a Solution


u = e^2x
du = 2*e^2x

dv = sin(e^x)
v = -cos(e^x)/e^x

e^(x)*cos(e^x) - 2∫e^(x)*cos(e^x) dx

e^(x)*cos(e^x) - 2*sin(e^x) + c

The solution I have doesn't have the two in the 2nd term of the answer. Not sure what I did wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
shreddinglicks said:

Homework Statement


I want to integrate

∫-e^(2x)*sin(e^x) dx

Homework Equations


∫uv'dx=uv - ∫u'v

The Attempt at a Solution


u = e^2x
du = 2*e^2x

dv = sin(e^x)
v = -cos(e^x)/e^x

e^(x)*cos(e^x) - 2∫e^(x)*cos(e^x) dx

e^(x)*cos(e^x) - 2*sin(e^x) + c

The solution I have doesn't have the two in the 2nd term of the answer. Not sure what I did wrong.

The integration of ##v = \int \sin(e^x) \, dx## is non-elementary, meaning that it cannot be expressed in terms of standard functions. In particular, if you compute $$\frac{d}{dx} \frac{-\cos(e^x)}{e^x}$$
you will see that you do not recover your hoped-for ##dv = \sin(e^x) \, dx.## So, you need another ##dv##.
 
You are omitting the dx factors in your work. They might not be some important in this problem, but doing this will definitely come back to bite you when you do integration by trig substitution.

In your work you have ##u = e^{2x}## and ##dv = \sin(e^x) dx## (dx added by me).

Can you think of another way to divide things between u and dv? Keep in mind that ##e^{2x} = e^x \cdot e^x##.
 
Mark44 said:
You are omitting the dx factors in your work. They might not be some important in this problem, but doing this will definitely come back to bite you when you do integration by trig substitution.

In your work you have ##u = e^{2x}## and ##dv = \sin(e^x) dx## (dx added by me).

Can you think of another way to divide things between u and dv? Keep in mind that ##e^{2x} = e^x \cdot e^x##.

I'm not sure if I follow what you're saying.
 
Are you saying I can factor out a e^x and leave it out as a constant?
 
Ray Vickson said:
The integration of ##v = \int \sin(e^x) \, dx## is non-elementary, meaning that it cannot be expressed in terms of standard functions. In particular, if you compute $$\frac{d}{dx} \frac{-\cos(e^x)}{e^x}$$
you will see that you do not recover your hoped-for ##dv = \sin(e^x) \, dx.## So, you need another ##dv##.

I see what you mean.
 
shreddinglicks said:
Are you saying I can factor out a e^x and leave it out as a constant?
No, that's not what I'm saying. The idea with integration by parts is figuring out how to divvy up the integrand into two pieces: u and dv.

Here are some possibilities (I am ignoring the minus sign in your problem for the time being):
##u = 1##, ##dv = e^{2x}\sin(e^x)dx## Obviously, that's a non-starter
##u = e^{2x}\sin(e^x)##, ##dv = dx## That's not a good choice, either
##u = e^{2x}##, ##dv = \sin(e^x)dx## This was your choice, which didn't work out

Considering my earlier hint, can you think of another way to divide up the integrand so as to choose dv so that it's actually something you can integrate? In integration by parts you want to choose dv so that it's the most complicated expression that you can still integrate. I can't really say much more without giving too much help.
 
let y = e^x then the integral becomes
$$ -\int e^{2x}\sin(e^x) dx = -\int y\sin(y) dy $$ which is easily integrated by parts.
 
Dr Transport said:
let y = e^x then the integral becomes
$$ -\int e^{2x}\sin(e^x) dx = -\int y\sin(y) dy $$ which is easily integrated by parts.

I like that, nice and simple.
 
  • #10
Mark44 said:
No, that's not what I'm saying. The idea with integration by parts is figuring out how to divvy up the integrand into two pieces: u and dv.

Here are some possibilities (I am ignoring the minus sign in your problem for the time being):
##u = 1##, ##dv = e^{2x}\sin(e^x)dx## Obviously, that's a non-starter
##u = e^{2x}\sin(e^x)##, ##dv = dx## That's not a good choice, either
##u = e^{2x}##, ##dv = \sin(e^x)dx## This was your choice, which didn't work out

Considering my earlier hint, can you think of another way to divide up the integrand so as to choose dv so that it's actually something you can integrate? In integration by parts you want to choose dv so that it's the most complicated expression that you can still integrate. I can't really say much more without giving too much help.

dv = e^x * sin(e^x) dx
v = -cos(e^x)

u = e^x
du = e^x dx
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
3K