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

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process and rationale behind using integration by parts in calculus, particularly in the context of a specific example from a self-study book. Participants are exploring the theoretical underpinnings and applications of integration by parts, as well as clarifying the author's comments regarding differentiation and integration in the context of a product of functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions the author's comment about "transferring differentiation from v to u" and seeks clarification on its meaning.
  • Another participant explains that the second term in the equation is a product of a function and a derivative, suggesting that integration by parts is a natural approach to handle such products.
  • Some participants express uncertainty about the necessity of integration by parts, asking why it is performed in this context.
  • There is a mention of the relationship between integration by parts and the product rule for derivatives, indicating that it is a common technique in calculus.
  • One participant notes that integration by parts is used to derive forms similar to the Euler-Lagrange equation, which appears frequently in physics.
  • A later reply proposes an alternative assignment of variables for integration by parts, suggesting a different approach to the integration process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the rationale for using integration by parts, with some agreeing on its utility while others remain uncertain about its necessity. There is no consensus on the specific interpretation of the author's comments or the best approach to the integration process.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working from a specific example in a self-study book, which may contain assumptions or definitions that are not fully articulated in the discussion. The discussion also reflects differing interpretations of the integration by parts technique and its application in the context provided.

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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