Integration by parts 14.4 

Introduction
Integration by parts is a technique for integrating products of functions. In this Block you
will learn to recognise when it is appropriate to use the technique and have the opportunity to
practise using it for finding both definite and indefinite integrals.

' $
understand what is meant by definite and
indefinite integrals
Prerequisites be able to use a table of integrals
Before starting this Block you should . . .
be able to differentiate and integrate a
range of common functions
& %

Learning Outcomes Learning Style

After completing this Block you should be able To achieve what is expected of you . . .
to . . .

decide when it is appropriate to use the

allocate sufficient study time
method known as integration by parts

apply the formula for integration by parts

to definite and indefinite integrals briefly revise the prerequisite material

apply the formula repeatedly if appropri- attempt every guided exercise and most
ate of the other exercises
1. Indefinite integration
The technique known as integration by parts is used to integrate a product of two functions, for
example
Z Z 1
2x
e sin 3x dx and x3 e2x dx
0

Note that in the first example, the integrand is the product of the functions e2x and sin 3x, and
in the second example the integrand is the product of the functions x3 and e2x . Note also that
we can change the order of the terms in the product if we wish and write

Z Z 1
2x
(sin 3x) e dx and e2x x3 dx
0

What you must never do is integrate each term in the product separately - the integral of a
product is not the product of the separate integrals. However, it is often possible to find integrals
involving products using the method of integration by parts - you can think of this as a product
rule for integrals.
The integration by parts formula states:

Key Point
For indefinite integrals: given functions f (x) and g(x)
Z Z Z  Z 
df
f g dx = f g dx gdx dx
dx

Study the formula carefully and note the following observations. Firstly, to apply the formula
we must be able to differentiate the function f to find df
dx
. and we must be able to integrate the
function, g.
Secondly the formula replaces one integral, the one on the left, with a different integral, that
on the far right. The intention is that the latter, whilst it may look more complicated in the
formula above, is simpler to evaluate.
Consider the following example:

R
Example Find the integral of the product of x with sin x; that is, find x sin x dx.

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14.4: Integration
Solution Compare the required integral with the formula for integration by parts: we
see that it makes sense to choose

f =x and g = sin x

It follows that
Z Z
df
=1 and g dx = sin x dx = cos x
dx

(When integrating g there is no need to worry about a constant of integration.

When you become confident with the method, you may like to think about
why this is the case.) Applying the formula we obtain
Z Z Z  Z 
df
x sin x dx = f g dx gdx dx
dx
Z
= x( cos x) 1( cos x) dx
Z
= x cos x + cos x dx
= x cos x + sin x + c

We have used the method of integration by parts to determine the integral of

a product of two functions.

Now do this exercise

R
Find (5x + 1) cos 2x dx.
df
R
Hint: Let f = 5x + 1 and g = cos 2x. Now calculate dx
and g dx. Finally, substitute these
results into the formula for integration by parts. Answer

More exercises for you to try

In some questions
R it may be necessary
R 3t to apply the
R formula more than once.
1. Find Ra) x sin(2x)dx, b) te dt, c) x cos x dx.
2. Find (x + 3) sin x dx. R
3. By writing
R ln x as 1 ln x find
R ln x dx. R R
1
4. Find a) tan x dx, b) 7x cos 3x dx, c) 5x2 e3x dx, d) (x + 1)ex dx
In questionsR 5, k is a constant.R
5. Find a) R x cos kx dx, b) zR2 cos kz dz.
6. Find a) test dt b) Find t2 est dt where s is a constant.
Answer

2. Definite integrals
When dealing with definite integrals the relevant formula is as follows:

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14.4: Integration
 Key Point
For definite integrals: given functions f (x) and g(x)
Z b  Z b Z b Z 
df
f g dx = f g dx gdx dx
a a a dx

R2
Example Find the definite integral of x with ex from 0 to 2; that is, find 0
xex dx.

df
R
Solution We let f = x and g = ex . Then dx
= 1 and g dx = ex . Using the formula for
integration by parts we obtain
Z 2 Z 2
xe dx = [xe ]0
x x 2
1.ex dx
0 0
= 2e2 [ex ]20
= 2e2 [e2 1] = e2 + 1 (or 8.389 to 3 d.p.)

Sometimes it is necessary to apply the formula more than once as the next example shows.

R2
Example Find the definite integral of x2 ex from 0 to 2; that is, find 0
x2 ex dx.

Solution We let
f = x2 and g = ex
Then Z
df
= 2x and g dx = ex
dx
Using the formula for integration by parts we find
Z 2 Z 2
x e dx = [x e ]0
2 x 2 x 2
2xex dx
0 0
Z 2
= 4e2 2 xex dx
0

The remaining integral must be integrated by parts also but we have just done
this in the example above. So
Z 2
x2 ex dx = 4e2 2[e2 + 1] = 2e2 2 = 12.778 (3 d.p.)
0

Now do this exercise

R /4
Find 0 (4 3x) sin x dx.
Hint: What are your choices for f and g? Answer

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14.4: Integration
More exercises for you to try
R1 R /2 R1
1. Evaluate the following: a) x cos 2x dx, b) x sin 2x dx, c) te2t dt
R2 0 0 1
2. Find 1 (x + 2) sin x dx
R1
3. Find 0 (x2 3x + 1)ex dx
Answer

End of Block 14.4

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14.4: Integration
 R
After substitution: df
dx
= 5 and cos 2x dx = 12 sin 2x.
The answer is then: 12 (5x + 1) sin 2x + 54 cos 2x + c.

Back to the theory

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14.4: Integration
 1. a) 14 sin 2x 12 x cos 2x + c, b) e3t ( 13 t 19 ) + c, c) cos x + x sin x + c 2.
(x + 3) cos x + sin x + c. 3. x ln x x + c. 4. a) x tan1 x 12 ln(x2 + 1) + c, b)
cos kx x sin kx
79 cos 3x 73 x sin 3x + c, c) 27 e (9x2 6x + 2) + c, d) xex + c. 5. a)
5 3x
+ + c,
k2 k
st
2
2z cos kz z sin kz 2 sin kz e (st + 1)
b) + + c. 6. + c. 7. test + c.
k2 k k3 s2
Back to the theory

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14.4: Integration
 Take f = 4 3x and g = sin x. This gives
Z /4 Z /4
/4
(4 3x) sin x dx = [(4 3x)( cos x)]0 3 cos x dx
0 0
/4 /4
= [(4 3x)( cos x)]0 3[sin x]0
= 0.716

Back to the theory

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14.4: Integration
 1. a) 0.1006, b) /4 = 0.7854, c) 1.9488. 2. 3.3533, 3. 0.5634.

Back to the theory

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14.4: Integration