How to Correctly Apply Integration by Parts to ln(x-7)?

[Monocles]

[SOLVED] integration by parts question

Homework Statement

This is part of a larger problem but I'm just not sure if I have the right answer.

edit: this is integral of ln(x-7)dx i just can't seem to figure out how to make it in latex

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

u-substituion:

u = x - 7

du = dx

Integration by parts to get

\intlnudu = ulnu - \int1du

= ulnu - u

= (x - 7)ln(x - 7) - (y - 7) + C

Now my only problem with this answer is that it gives 7 + C as part of the answer, and I can't recall ever seeing a constant + C as the answer for any integral.

I actually plugged the equation into this integral finder:

http://integrals.wolfram.com/index.jsp

And it told me that it was

(x-7)ln(x-7) - x

I'm guessing the +C is a given.

I would just leave it at +C and go on but its part of a differential equation so the value of C ends up being important...

 

[Dick]

C is not just a constant in the integration. It's an ARBITRARY constant. There is no difference between C and C+7. Just leave it at C and go on.

 

[Monocles]

Alright thanks :)

 

[Mindscrape]

You mean x-7 and a constant plus a constant is a constant. Both you and mathematica have the right answer, but mathematica just absorbed the 7 into the constant. Differentiate it to check. :)