3

Integration By Parts

Formula

udv = uv vdu
I. Guidelines for Selecting u and dv:
(There are always exceptions, but these are generally helpful.)
L-I-A-T-E Choose u to be the function that comes first in this list:
L: Logrithmic Function
I: Inverse Trig Function
A: Algebraic Function
T: Trig Function
E: Exponential Function
Example A: x 3 ln x dx
*Since lnx is a logarithmic function and x 3 is an algebraic
function, let:
u = lnx

(L comes before A in LIATE)

dv = x dx
du =

1
dx
x

x4
v = x dx =
4
3

ln xdx = uv vdu
= (ln x)

x4

= (ln x)

x4
1 3

x dx
4
4

x4 1
4 x dx

x4
1 x4
+ C
(ln x)
4 4
4

x4
x4
=
(ln x)
+ C
4
16

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ANSWER

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Example B: sin x ln(cos x) dx

u = ln(cosx) (Logarithmic Function)
dv = sinx dx (Trig Function [L comes before T in LIATE])
du =
v=

sin x

1
( sin x) dx = tan x dx
cos x

sin x

dx = cos x

ln(cos x) dx = uv

vdu

= (ln(cos x))( cos x) ( cos x)( tan x)dx

= cos x ln(cos x) (cos x)

sin x
dx
cos x

= cos x ln(cos x) sin x dx

= cos x ln(cos x) + cos x + C

ANSWER

Example C: sin 1 x dx
*At first it appears that integration by parts does not apply, but let:

u = sin 1 x (Inverse Trig Function)

dv = 1 dx (Algebraic Function)
du =

1
1 x2

dx

v = 1dx = x

sin

x dx = uv

vdu

= (sin 1 x)( x)

1
1 x2

dx

1
= x sin 1 x (1 x 2 ) 1 / 2 (2 x) dx
2
= x sin 1 x +
= x sin 1 x +

1
(1 x 2 )1 / 2 (2) + C
2
1 x2 + C

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ANSWER

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II. Alternative General Guidelines for Choosing u and dv:

A.
Let dv be the most complicated portion of the integrand
that can be easily integrated.
B.
Let u be that portion of the integrand whose derivative du is a
simpler function than u itself.
Example:

4 x 2 dx

*Since both of these are algebraic functions, the LIATE Rule of

Thumb is not helpful. Applying Part (A) of the alternative
guidelines above, we see that x 4 x 2 is the most complicated part
of the integrand that can easily be integrated. Therefore:
dv = x 4 x 2 dx
u = x 2 (remaining factor in integrand)

du = 2 x dx
1
(2 x)(4 x 2 )1 / 2 dx

2
1
1 2
= (4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 = (4 x 2 ) 3 / 2
3
2 3

v=

4 x 2 dx =

4 x 3 dx = uv vdu
1
1

= ( x 2 ) (4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (2 x) dx
3
3

x2
1
(4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (2 x) dx
3
3

x2
1
2
=
(4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (4 x 2 ) 5 / 2 + C
3
3
5
=

x2
2
(4 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (4 x 2 ) 5 / 2 + C
3
15

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Answer

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III. Using repeated Applications of Integration by Parts:

Sometimes integration by parts must be repeated to obtain an answer.

Note: DO NOT switch choices for u and dv in successive applications.

Example:

sin x dx

u = x 2 (Algebraic Function)
dv = sin x dx (Trig Function)
du = 2 x dx
v = sin x dx = cos x

sin x dx = uv vdu
= x 2 ( cos x)

cos x

= x 2 cos x + 2

2 x dx

cos x dx

Second application of integration by parts:

u = x (Algebraic function) (Making same choices for u and dv)

dv = cos x (Trig function)
du = dx

v = cos x dx = sin x

sin x dx = x 2 cos x + 2 [uv vdu ]

= x 2 cos x + 2 [ x sin x sin x dx]
= x 2 cos x + 2 [ x sin x + cos x + c]
= x 2 cos x + 2 x sin x + 2 cos x + c

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Answer

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Note:

Example:

After each application of integration by parts, watch for the

appearance of a constant multiple of the original integral.

cos x dx
u = cos x (Trig function)

dv = e x dx (Exponential function)
du = sin x dx
v = e x dx = e x

cos x dx = uv vdu
= cos x e x e x ( sin x) dx
= cos x e x + e x sin x dx

Second application of integration by parts:

u = sin x (Trig function) (Making same choices for u and dv)

dv = e x dx (Exponential function)
du = cos x dx
v = e x dx = e x

e
e

cos x dx = e x cos x + (uv vdu )

cos x dx = e x cos x + sin x e x e x cos x dx

Note appearance of original integral on right side of equation. Move to left side
and solve for integral as follows:

2 e x cos x dx = e x cos x + e x sin x + C

cos x dx =

1 x
(e cos x + e x sin x) + C
2

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Answer

Page 5 of 7

Practice Problems:

1.

3x

2.

3.

4.

5.

cos

6.

(ln x)

7.

8.

9.

10.

x(ln x)

e x dx

ln x
dx
x2
2

cos x dx
sin x cos x dx
1

x dx
2

dx

9 x 2 dx

2x

sin x dx

x 1 dx

dx

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Page 6 of 7

Solutions:
1.

3xe x 3e x + C

u = 3x

dv = e x dx
2.

ln x 1
+C
x
x

u = ln x

dv =
3.

x 2 sin x + 2 x cos x 2 sin x + C

1
dx
x2

u = x2
dv = cos x dx

4.

x cos 2 x sin 2 x
+
+C
4
8

note:

sin 2 x
= sin x cos x
2
u=x

dv = sin 2 x cos x dx
5.

x cos 1 x

u = cos 1 x

1 x2 + C

dv = dx
6.

x(ln x) 2 2 x ln x + 2 x + C

u = (ln x) 2
dv = dx

7.

x2
2
(9 x 2 ) 3 / 2 (9 x 2 ) 5 / 2 + C
3
15

u = x2
dv = (4 x 2 )1 / 2 x dx

8.

2e 2 x sin x e 2 x cos x

+C
5
5

u = sin x

dv = e 2 x dx
9.

2 x 2 ( x 1) 3 / 2 8 x( x 1) 5 / 2 16( x 1) 7 / 2

+
+C
3
15
105

u = x2
dv = ( x 1)1 / 2 dx

10.

1
+C
2(ln x) 2

u=

1
= (ln x) 3
3
(ln x)

dv =

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1
dx
x
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