What's Wrong with My Integration by Parts?

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The integral ∫x*(x-2)-2dx was evaluated using integration by parts, leading to a result that differs from online calculators. The discrepancy arises because both results are equivalent, differing only by a constant of integration. The calculations show that the expressions can be simplified to reveal this equivalence. The discussion highlights a misunderstanding regarding the verification of the constant of integration in relation to a specific problem. Ultimately, the issue lies in the interpretation of the constants rather than the integration method itself.
QuickQThrowaway
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Heya...

I just stumbled upon this integral while doing ODEs...

∫x*(x-2)-2dx

I used integration by parts

u=x
du/dx=1
dv/dx=(x-2)-2
v=-(x-2)-1

Thus

∫x*(x-2)-2dx=-x(x-2)-1-∫1*-(x-2)-1dx=-x*(x-2)-1+ln(x-2)+C

Now... I don't see anything wrong with this...

But every single online integration calculator as well as the ODE solution solves this integral by doing 1/(x-2)+2/(x-2)2 and they all get

-2*(x-2)-1+ln(x-2)+C

as a result...

What am I doing wrong in my integration by parts? What am I missing? Oo
 
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There is nothing wrong. The two results are equivalent.

\frac{x}{x-2}=\frac{x-2+2}{x-2}=1+\frac{2}{x-2}.

The difference is only in the constant of integration.
 
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mathman said:
There is nothing wrong. The two results are equivalent.

\frac{x}{x-2}=\frac{x-2+2}{x-2}=1+\frac{2}{x-2}.

The difference is only in the constant of integration.

Thank you!
The maths department screwed up then because the question asked to verify that C=2 but with the above integration it equals 3... So they omitted one result... >.<
 

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