The formula (given in formula book): Integration by parts is used to integrate a product.

One part of the product (u) should be easy to

dv du differentiate (and will usually simplify when
�
u dx = uv - � vdx
dx dx �dv �
differentiated). The other part � �should be easy
The other part �dx �
One part is
differentiated is integrated. to integrate and should not become too much harder
when integrated.
Common examination questions Definite integrals (using by parts)
�
x
Example 1: Find 2 xe dx .

This is a suitable candidate for integration by parts

Example 1: Find �
x ln xdx . Example: a) Find the points where the graph of
y = (2 - x)e- x cuts the x and y axes.
dv This can be found using integration by parts if we
with u = 2 x and = ex : b) Sketch the graph of y = (2 - x )e - x .
dx dv
take u = ln x and = x. c) Find the area of the region between the axes and
du dx
u = 2x � =2 the graph of y = (2 - x )e- x .
dx du 1
dv u = ln x � =
= ex � v = ex dx 2 x a) Graph cuts y-axis when x = 0, i.e. at y = 2
dx dv x Graph cuts the x-axis when y = 0, i.e. when x = 2..
Substitute these into the formula: =x�v=
dx 2 y

b) The graph looks like:

�
2 xe x dx = 2 xe x - �
2e x dx = 2 xe x - 2e x + c
3

Substitute these into the formula: 2.5

x2 1 x2 2 2

�x ln xdx = ln x - � � dx = 12 x 2 ln x - 12 �
xdx c) Area is �
(2 - x)e - x dx .
Example 2: Find �
x cos xdx . 2 x 2 1.5

0 1

= 12 x 2 ln x - 14 x 2 + c du
u = 2- x � = -1
0.5

dv
Here we take u = x and = cos x : dx 0.5 1 1.5 2 x

dx Example 2: Find �
ln xdx . dv
= e - x � v = -e - x
du dx
u=x � =1
dx This can be thought of as �
1ln xdx and so can be So �
(2 - x )e- x dx = (2 - x)(-e - x ) - �
-1 �-e - x dx
dv
= cos x � v = sin x dv
= -(2 - x)(e ) - �
-x
dx integrated by parts with u = ln x and =1 e - x dx
Substitute these into the formula: dx
= -(2 - x)(e- x ) + e- x
du 1
�x cos xdx = x sin x - �sin xdx = x sin x - ( - cos x) + c u = ln x � =
dx x
Now that we’ve integrated, we substitute in our
dv limits:
= x sin x + cos x + c
=1 � v = x 2
2
�
-x
dx (2 - x)e -(2 - x)e - x + e- x �
dx = �
� � 0
Note: Sometimes it is necessary to use the 1 0

integration by parts formula twice (e.g. with �

ln xdx = x ln x - � �x dx = x ln x - �
x
1dx ( -2 -2
= -0e + e - -2e + e 0 ) ( 0
)
= 0.135 + 1 = 1.135
�x 2 sin xdx ). = x ln x - x + c