What Are the Differences Between These Integration by Parts Formulas?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differences between two formulas used for integration by parts, specifically addressing their applications and the overall process involved in using them. Participants explore theoretical aspects, practical applications, and specific examples related to integration techniques.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants note that both formulas for integration by parts can be used interchangeably, but they require proper context to be fully understood.
  • One participant provides a correction to clarify that the left-hand side of the formulas must be included for them to make sense.
  • There is a discussion about the choice of u and v' in integration by parts, emphasizing that the selection should ideally simplify the integral.
  • Participants express confusion about the differentiation and integration processes, particularly with the example of ∫sin²(2x) dx, and seek clarification on the correct application of the formulas.
  • Some participants mention that using integration by parts for certain integrals may not be the best approach, suggesting alternative methods such as trigonometric identities.
  • There is a specific inquiry about discrepancies in derivative calculations from online integral calculators, leading to further discussion on the correctness of the differentiation process.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that both formulas can be used in problem-solving, but there is no consensus on the best approach for specific integrals, such as ∫sin²(2x) dx. Multiple competing views on the application of integration by parts and the choice of u and v' remain evident throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations are noted regarding the clarity of the integration process and the effectiveness of integration by parts for certain functions. Participants express uncertainty about the best methods to apply in specific cases, and there are unresolved questions about the correctness of derivative calculations from different sources.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and individuals seeking to understand integration by parts, particularly those encountering difficulties with specific examples or looking for clarification on the application of the formulas.

O.CModderz
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Hi all ! I'm new here :)

So I'm facing some confusions here regarding integration by parts. While surfing through the internet to study more about this topic, I've came across two formulas which are used in solving problems related to integration by parts.
They are
1. uv - ∫uv'dx
2. uv - ∫vdu

May I know what are the difference between them and how should I use them in solving problems?

Thanks a lot.
 
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Welcome to PF;
Neither of them are complete ... to make sense of them you need to include the LHS:
Your first one should have been... $$\int vu' \;dx = uv - \int uv' \;dx$$... this is integration by parts.

But ##u' = du/dx## so the LHS becomes:$$\int vu' \;dx = \int v\frac{du}{dx} \;dx = \int v\;du$$
Combine with the first one and you get: $$ \int v\;du = uv - \int uv' \;dx \implies \int uv' \;dx = uv-\int v\;du$$... which is your second one.

Putting the two versions in the same form - for comparison:$$\begin{align}\int uv' \;dx &= uv-\int vu'\;dx \\ &= uv-\int v\; du\end{align}$$ ... they are just two different ways of writing the same thing.
 
Thanks for the correction. Basically, either one can be used in problem solving. But I'm still a little confused with how this formula works in a whole. Can you please provide me with a brief explanation on the overall process? For example :

∫sin^{2}2x dx

My doubts are :

let u= sin^{2}2x and v'=1dx

What happens next with
( u'= ) and ( v= )

well, for now.

Thanks

edit : I used this website to check answers for my questions.
http://symbolab.com/solver/definite-integral-calculator/\int\sin^{2}2xdx
as well as this one
http://www.integral-calculator.com/
 
Last edited:
O.CModderz said:
Thanks for the correction. Basically, either one can be used in problem solving. But I'm still a little confused with how this formula works in a whole. Can you please provide me with a brief explanation on the overall process? For example :

∫sin^{2}2x dx

My doubts are :

let u= sin^{2}2x and v'=1dx

What happens next with
( u'= ) and ( v= )

well, for now.

Thanks

Your post is a little unclear at the end. Are you asking how to take the derivative of sin^{2}(2x)? Are you asking how to integrate 1dx?
 
O.CModderz said:
Thanks for the correction. Basically, either one can be used in problem solving. But I'm still a little confused with how this formula works in a whole. Can you please provide me with a brief explanation on the overall process? For example :

∫sin^{2}2x dx

My doubts are :

let u= sin^{2}2x and v'=1dx

What happens next with
( u'= ) and ( v= )

You understand that the prime indicates differentiation, don't you? if u= sin^2(2x) the du= 4sin(2x) cos(2x) by the chain rule. And if v'= dx (more correct notation would be "dv= dx") the v= x. So trying to apply "integration by parts" here would give
\int u dv= uv- \int vdu
\int sin^2(x)dx= (sin^2(2x))(x)- 4\int x sin(2x)cos(2x)dx

That last integral does not look easier than the last so I would think this integral is NOT a good candidate for "integration by parts"!
(If you really are concerned about integrating this particular function, you would be better advised to use the trig identity sin^2(\theta)= (1/2)(1- cos(2\theta)).)
 
O.CModderz said:
Thanks for the correction. Basically, either one can be used in problem solving. But I'm still a little confused with how this formula works in a whole.
note ##(vu)'=vu'+uv'## (this is just the product rule for differentiation.)
if you integrate both sides you will end up with the integration by parts formula.
The actual method though, is the clever choice of u and v'.

You have to pick the u and v' so that the final integral is easier to solve than the initial one.
It takes practice.

There are plenty of examples online. i.e.
http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcII/IntegrationByParts.aspx
 
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SteamKing said:
Your post is a little unclear at the end. Are you asking how to take the derivative of sin^{2}(2x)? Are you asking how to integrate 1dx?

I would like to understand how to take the derivative of sin^{2}(2x) as what they substituted is 2sin(4x) while what I derived from it was 2cos2xsin2x using chain rule.
 
HallsofIvy said:
You understand that the prime indicates differentiation, don't you? if u= sin^2(2x) the du= 4sin(2x) cos(2x) by the chain rule. And if v'= dx (more correct notation would be "dv= dx") the v= x. So trying to apply "integration by parts" here would give
\int u dv= uv- \int vdu
\int sin^2(x)dx= (sin^2(2x))(x)- 4\int x sin(2x)cos(2x)dx

That last integral does not look easier than the last so I would think this integral is NOT a good candidate for "integration by parts"!
(If you really are concerned about integrating this particular function, you would be better advised to use the trig identity sin^2(\theta)= (1/2)(1- cos(2\theta)).)

Exactly, I know that the prime indicated differentiation. My answer to the differential of u is exactly the same as what you got. However, some of the available online integral calculator got 2sin(4x) instead. This has been bugging me for the past few days.

If its not a good candidate for integration by parts, are there any suggestions for the given example? NOTE : The integral calculator http://symbolab.com/solver/definite-integral-calculator/\int sin^{2}(2x)dx utilized integration by parts.

Thanks a bunch, at least I know that the derivative of sin^2 (2x) that I calculated is correct. :)
 
O.CModderz said:
However, some of the available online integral calculator got 2sin(4x) instead.
The identity sin(A+B)=sin A cos B+cos A sin B can be used to rewrite 2sin(4x).
 
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I see, thanks for the heads up ! Guess this thread solved all my confusions bout integration by parts. I really appreciate your help!
 

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