Integration by Parts: Solve \int (xe^-^x)dx

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration technique known as integration by parts, specifically focusing on the integral of the function xe^(-x) and another integral involving t*sin(3t). Participants are exploring the application of this technique and addressing issues related to their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply integration by parts to solve the integral of xe^(-x) and seeks validation of their solution. Another participant suggests checking the solution by differentiation. A second integral involving t*sin(3t) is presented, where the poster expresses confusion over obtaining a result of zero and questions where they went wrong.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide feedback on the original poster's work, with one noting a potential mistake in the computation of the uv-term. There is an acknowledgment of the need for clarity in defining the variables used in integration by parts. Multiple interpretations of the second integral are being explored, and some guidance has been offered regarding the proper setup of the integration process.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention challenges with LaTeX formatting, which may affect the clarity of their presented work. There is also a reference to following textbook methods, indicating a reliance on established techniques for solving integrals.

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hi..im new to this topic..can someone check to see if this is right?

[tex]\int (xe^-^x)dx = \int udV = uV - \int Vdu[/tex]
[tex]=x(-e^-^x)- \int -e^-^x[/tex]
[tex]=-xe^-^x-e^-^x+C[/tex]

thanks
 
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Why not check it yourself?
Differentiate your answer and see if you get back your integrand! :smile:
 
Last edited:
wow..why didnt i think of that haha

THanks
 
Spoiler alert!




Yeah, it's right
 
Ok, I have another one I am trying to figure out...but i keep getting 0!

[tex]\int_{0}^{\pi} tsin3t dt = udV \right]_{0}^{\pi} - \int_{0}^{\pi}vdu[/tex]

work...

[tex]=t(sin3t) \\right]_{0}^{\pi} - \int_{0}^{\pi}vdu[/tex]

[tex]=\pi (sin3\pi) - \int_{0}^{\pi} \frac{-1}{3} cos3t(1)dt[/tex]

[tex]=0 - \frac{1}{sin3t} \int_{0}^{\pi}z dz[/tex]..
let z = cos3t
and then use substitution to get [tex]\frac{dz}{sin3t} = -3dt[/tex]

[tex]0-\frac{1}{sin3t} \frac{z^2}{2}[/tex]

[tex]=\frac{-(cos3t)^2}{2sin3t}[/tex]
this must be wrong..i solved it out a bit more..but keep getting zero, where did i go wrong?
 
Last edited:
Well, what you have written is just nonsense.
As a novice, it is safer for you to do these problems like this:
[tex]u(t)=t\to\frac{du}{dt}=1,\frac{dv}{dt}=\sin(3t)\to{v}(t)=-\frac{1}{3}\cos(3t)[/tex]

Use these relations in the integration by parts formula.
 
hrmm..i already knew these relations..i still don't see what i did wrong..i followed it just how they do it in the book, my LaTeX skills arent very good, is it just hard to follow?
 
well, you didn't compute the uv-term correctly.
 
o wait..it is :[tex]uv - \int_{0}^{\pi}vdu[/tex]
i have [tex]udv - \int_{0}^{\pi}vdu[/tex] in my work..my bad
 
  • #10
giving me [tex]\frac{\pi}{3}[/tex] which i think is right..thanks for the help
 
  • #11
I would strongly recommend that you write out exactly what "u", "v", "du", and "dv" are!
 

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