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

In summary, the conversation is about checking the correctness of a given integration problem and finding a mistake in the solution. The correct solution involves using the integration by parts formula and correctly computing the uv-term.
  • #1
suspenc3
402
0
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
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
Why not check it yourself?
Differentiate your answer and see if you get back your integrand! :smile:
 
Last edited:
  • #3
wow..why didnt i think of that haha

THanks
 
  • #4
Spoiler alert!




Yeah, it's right
 
  • #5
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:
  • #6
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.
 
  • #7
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?
 
  • #8
well, you didn't compute the uv-term correctly.
 
  • #9
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!
 

1. What is integration by parts?

Integration by parts is a method used to find the integral of a product of two functions. It involves rewriting the integral in a different form in order to make it easier to solve.

2. How do you use integration by parts to solve \int (xe^-^x)dx?

To solve the given integral, you would first select which function will be considered the "u" and which will be considered the "dv". In this case, "u" would be x and "dv" would be e^-^x. Then, you would use the formula: \int u dv = uv - \int v du to rewrite the integral in a different form. Finally, you would solve for the new integral and plug in the original functions to get the final answer.

3. Why do we use integration by parts?

We use integration by parts to solve integrals that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to solve using basic integration techniques. It allows us to break down a complex integral into simpler parts that can be integrated separately.

4. Are there any limitations to using integration by parts?

Yes, there are a few limitations to using integration by parts. One limitation is that it can only be used for certain types of integrals, such as products of functions. It also may not work for integrals with complicated or non-standard functions. Additionally, it may require multiple iterations to solve certain integrals.

5. Can integration by parts be used for definite integrals?

Yes, integration by parts can be used for definite integrals. The steps for solving a definite integral using integration by parts are the same as for indefinite integrals, except the final answer will be a numerical value instead of a function.

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
922
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
738
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
704
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
3
Views
341
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
22
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
151
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
844
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
12
Views
1K
Back
Top