Where Did My Integration by Parts Go Wrong?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the integration by parts technique applied to the integral of the function e^{2t}cos(t). Participants explore the steps involved in the integration process, identify potential mistakes, and clarify the method's application, particularly in the context of solving differential equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents an integration by parts attempt for the integral of e^{2t}cos(t), expressing confusion about where their calculations went wrong.
  • Another participant provides a step-by-step integration by parts solution, detailing the process and the resulting equations.
  • A question is raised about the necessity of consistency in choosing u and dv when integrating by parts multiple times.
  • A subsequent reply confirms that switching choices mid-calculation would lead to cancellation of terms, suggesting that consistency is important.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants appear to agree on the importance of consistency in the integration by parts method, but the initial participant's confusion about their calculations indicates that there is no consensus on the correctness of their approach.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved steps in the integration process, and the initial participant's calculations contain assumptions that may not be explicitly stated. The discussion does not resolve the correctness of the integration by parts method as applied by the first participant.

Somefantastik
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x' = -2x + cos(t)

dx/dt + 2x = cos(t)

integrating factor = e^2t =>

[tex]e^{2t} \ \frac{dx}{dt} \ + 2 \ e^{2t} \ x \ = \ e^{2t} \cos(t) =>[/tex]

[tex]\int \frac{d}{dt}\left(e^{2t} \ x \right) \ = \ \int e^{2t}\cos(t)\ dt =>[/tex]

[tex] e^{2t}x = \int e^{2t}cos(t) \ dt = \frac{1}{2}cos(t) \ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\int e^{2t}sin(t)\ dt = \frac{1}{2}cos(t)\ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\left(-e^{2t}cos(t) + 2\int cos(t)\ e^{2t} \right) = \frac{1}{2}cos(t) \e^{2t} - \frac{1}{2}cos(t) \ e^{2t} + 2\int cos(t)\ e^{2t} dt \ =>[/tex]

[tex]\int e^{2t} / cos(t) / dt = 0 + 2 \int cos(t) / e^{2t} / dt =>[/tex]

?? My integration must have gone wrong somewhere. Any explanations?

I was shown on an earlier thread how to transform the trig function into its complex form and solve that way, and the answer that resulted was that which agreed with good ole MATLAB : (1/5)*(2*cos(t) + sin(t)).

I'm grateful to be shown how to do this by using the transform, but my overwhelming curiosity pushes me to have this shown to me using integration by parts. I'm more likely to use that method on an exam. Any takers?

Thanks,
Candio
 
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[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt[/tex]
Let u= e2t, dv= cos(t)dt.
Then du= 2e2tdt, v= sin(t)
[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt= e^{2t}sin(t)- 2\int e^{2t}sin(t)dt[/tex]
To do that second integral, let u= e2t, dv= sin(t)dt.
Then du= 2e2t, v= -cos(t)dt
[tex]\int e^{2t}sin(t)dt= -e^{2t}cos(t)+ 2\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt[/tex]

Putting that into the previous integral,
[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt= e^{2t}sin(t)- 2(-e{2t}cos(t)+ 2\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt)[/tex]
[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt= e^{2t}sin(t)+ 2e^{2t}cos(t)- 4\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt[/tex]

Now add [itex]4\int e^{2t}cos(t)dt[/itex] to both sides of the equation.
 
Ok thanks so much. When you have the type of int. by parts where you integrate by parts twice, must you be consistent when choosing u, dv?
 
Oh yes! If you switch in the middle, you will just reverse what you did the first time and everything will cancel!
 
oh my goodness :(

thank you so much.
 

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