You are on page 1of 5

INTEGRATION BY PARTS

Integration by parts is a technique used to solve integrals that fit the form:

∫ u dv
This method is to be used when normal integration and substitution do not work.

The integrand must contain two separate functions. For example, ∫ x(cos x)dx
contains the two functions of cos x and x. Note that 1dx can be considered a function.

The standard integration by parts formula is:

∫ u dv = u v - ∫ v du
The main steps of this technique are:
1. Assign variables
2. Integrate and differentiate correct functions
3. Apply integration by parts formula
4. Repeat if necessary

Step 1: Assign variables


The problems that most students encounter with this formula are the substitutions for u, dv,
v, and du. Two possibilities exist for substitutions.

a. If one of the functions cannot be integrated, assign u to the function.


Example 1: ∫ (ln x)dx
In this example, ln x cannot be integrated so, u = ln x and dv = 1dx

b. If both functions can be integrated, then assign u to the function that eventually
differentiates to zero.
Example 2: ∫ xe dx
x

Both ex and x can be integrated. Continually differentiating ex will never yield zero.
However, x will differentiate to 0. So, u = x and
dv = exdx.

Step 2: Integrate and differentiate correct functions


Once u and dv have been assigned their proper functions, integration and differentiation can
begin. Setting up two columns to do this is very helpful. The function assigned to u will be
differentiated, and the function assigned to dv will be integrated.
Example 1:
∫ (ln x ) dx

u = ln x dv = 1 dx

d
du =
dx
(ln x ) v = ∫ 1 dx

1
du = dx v = x
x
Example 2:

∫ xe
x
dx

u = x dv = e x dx

d
du = v = ∫e
x
(x) dx
dx

du = 1 dx v = ex

After this is complete, the formula can be applied.

Step 3: Apply integration by parts formula


Applying the formula takes only two basic steps:
1. Substitute variables into formula
2. Simplify
Example 1:
∫ (ln x ) dx

u = ln x dv = 1 dx

d
du =
dx
(ln x ) v = ∫ 1 dx

1
du = dx v = x
x

∫u dv = u v − ∫v du

⎛ 1 ⎞
∫ (ln x ) dx = (ln x )( x ) − ∫ x ⎜ ⎟ dx
⎝ x ⎠

= x ln x − ∫ 1 dx
= x ln x − x + c

2
Example 2:

∫ xe
x
dx

u = x dv = e x dx

d
du = v= ∫e
x
( x) dx
dx

du = 1dx v = ex

∫ u dv =uv− ∫ v du

∫ xe dx = x ( e x ) − ∫e
x x
dx

= xe x − e x + c

Step 4: Repeat if necessary


Some integrals must repeat the three previous steps several times before simplification is
complete.
An example where repeated differentiation of u yields zero is:

∫x u = x2 dv = e x dx
2
e x dx
du = 2 xdx v = e x dx

∫u dv = u v − ∫ v du
∫x e x dx = x 2 e x − ∫ e (2 x )dx
2 x

Another substitution is required for:

− ∫ e x (2 x)dx

For example:

− 2 ∫ xe x dx u=x dv = e x dx
du = 1dx v = ex

∫ u dv = u v − ∫ v du

[
− 2 ∫ xe x dx = −2 xe x + ∫ e x dx ]
[
= −2 xe x + e x ]
∴ ∫ x 2 e x dx = x 2 e x − ∫ e x (2 x )dx = x 2 e x − 2 xe x + e x + c [ ]
= x e − 2 xe − 2e = c
2 x x x

3
Although this method appears to be easily carried out, a problem arises when we attempt
an example like:

∫x
7
e x dx or ∫x
7
cos ( x ) dx
For problems like these, where more than two substitutions into ∫ udv = uv − ∫ vdu
are required, an alternative form to integration by parts is recommended. This "book-
keeping" method allows one to do integration by parts without having to make all the
tedious substitutions.

Step 1: Identify the term "u" that will yield zero after repeated differentiation.
Step 2: Identify the term "v" that can be easily integrated.
Step 3: Make two columns; label the right column vdv and the left column u.
Step 4: Differentiate "u" repeatedly until it becomes zero, and make sure to alternate
between "-" and "+". Always start off with a "-".
Step 5: Integrate the "v" term as many times as you differentiated the "u" term.
Step 6: Multiply the "u" term by the "v" term just below its row.

u=x7 vdv=exdx
(-)7x6 ex
(+)42x5 ex
(-)210x4 ex
(+)840x3 ex
(-)2520x2 ex
(+)5040x ex
(-)5040 ex
(+)0 ex

The result is:

∫x e x dx = x 7 e x − 7 x 6 e x + 42 x 5 e x − 210 x 4 e x + 840 x 3 e x
7

− 2520 x 2 e x + 5040 xe x − 5040 e x + c

A special case arises when both functions never differentiate to 0. An example of this is:

∫e u = cos( x) dv = e x dx
x
cos( x)dx
du = (− sin x)dx v = ex

∫ u dv = u v − ∫ v du
∫ cos( x) ⋅ e dx = cos( x)e − ∫ e (− sin( x))dx
x x x

4
The only integration that must be carried out is the last part:
− ∫ e x (− sin( x))dx = ∫ e x sin( x)dx

This integral requires another substitution into our integration by parts formula.
u = sin( x ) dv = e x dx
du = cos( x ) dx v = ex

∫u dv = u v − ∫ v du

∫ sin( x ) e dx = sin( x ) e x − ∫e
x x
cos( x ) dx

As you can see, differentiating ex repeatedly will never yield zero! However, there is
something special about this integrand.

∫e cos(x)dx = cos(x) ⋅ ex + sin(x) ⋅ ex − ∫ ex cos(x)


x

Since" ∫ ex cos(x)dx" appears on both sides, add it to both sides

2∫ ex cos(x)dx = cos(x) ⋅ ex + sin(x) ⋅ ex


so,
ex [cos(x) + sin(x)]
∫ e cos(x)dx = +c
x

Revised: Spring 2004


STUDENT LEARNING ASSISTANCE CENTER (SLAC)
Texas State University-San Marcos

You might also like