Integration by Parts in Calculus: Understanding the Process and Its Applications

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The discussion focuses on the concept of integration by parts in calculus, specifically in the context of a mathematical problem involving derivatives and functions. Participants clarify that integration by parts is used to simplify the integration of products, particularly when one term is a derivative, making it a natural choice for the problem at hand. The author’s comment about "transferring differentiation from v to u" relates to applying integration by parts to manipulate the terms effectively. There is also a mention of its relevance in physics, particularly in deriving equations similar to the Euler-Lagrange equation. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the utility and reasoning behind using integration by parts in calculus.
bugatti79
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FOlks,

I am self studying a book and I have a question on

1)what the author means by the following comment "Integrating the second term in the last step to transfer differentiation from v to u"

2) Why does he perform integration by parts? I understand how but why? I can see that the last term has no derivatives of v in it.

See attached jpg.

THanks
 

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"The second term in the last equation" is (\partial F/\partial u')v'dx and, since that is a product of a function and a derivative, a rather obvious thing to do is to integrate by parts (\int U dV= UV- \int V dU) with U= v' and dV= (\partial F/\partial u')dx.
 
I can see what he has done but why? Why integrate by parts?

Thanks
 
Because integration by parts, being the "inverse" of the product rule for derivatives, is a natural way to integrate a product. Especially here where the product is of a function and a derivative: \int u dv.
 
integration by part has been done to arrive at something similar to euler lagrange eqn.it just occurs many times in physics in different form may be covariant form
 
HallsofIvy said:
Because integration by parts, being the "inverse" of the product rule for derivatives, is a natural way to integrate a product. Especially here where the product is of a function and a derivative: \int u dv.

andrien said:
integration by part has been done to arrive at something similar to euler lagrange eqn.it just occurs many times in physics in different form may be covariant form

Ok, was just wondering what he meant by transfer differentiation from v to u?

Anyhow, thanks folks.
 
HallsofIvy said:
"The second term in the last equation" is (\partial F/\partial u')v'dx and, since that is a product of a function and a derivative, a rather obvious thing to do is to integrate by parts (\int U dV= UV- \int V dU) with U= v' and dV= (\partial F/\partial u')dx.

Actually, shouldn't it be the other way around U= (\partial F/\partial u')dx and dV=v'

Then V=v since \int dV=\int v'dx and \displaystyle \frac{dU}{dx}= d(\frac{\partial F}{\partial u'})=\frac{d}{dx} \frac{ \partial F}{\partial u'}...?
 

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