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Mathematics LibreTexts

7.1: Integration by Parts

  • Gilbert Strang & Edwin “Jed” Herman
  • OpenStax

( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\)

Learning Objectives
  • Recognize when to use integration by parts.
  • Use the integration-by-parts formula to solve integration problems.
  • Use the integration-by-parts formula for definite integrals.

By now we have a fairly thorough procedure for how to evaluate many basic integrals. However, although we can integrate xsin(x2)dx by using the substitution, u=x2, something as simple looking as xsinxdx defies us. Many students want to know whether there is a product rule for integration. There is not, but there is a technique based on the product rule for differentiation that allows us to exchange one integral for another. We call this technique integration by parts.

The Integration-by-Parts Formula

If, h(x)=f(x)g(x), then by using the product rule, we obtain

h(x)=f(x)g(x)+g(x)f(x).

Although at first it may seem counterproductive, let’s now integrate both sides of Equation ???:

h(x)dx=(g(x)f(x)+f(x)g(x))dx.

This gives us

h(x)=f(x)g(x)=g(x)f(x)dx+f(x)g(x)dx.

Now we solve for f(x)g(x)dx:

f(x)g(x)dx=f(x)g(x)g(x)f(x)dx.

By making the substitutions u=f(x) and v=g(x), which in turn make du=f(x)dx and dv=g(x)dx, we have the more compact form

udv=uvvdu.

Integration by Parts

Let u=f(x) and v=g(x) be functions with continuous derivatives. Then, the integration-by-parts formula for the integral involving these two functions is:

udv=uvvdu.

The advantage of using the integration-by-parts formula is that we can use it to exchange one integral for another, possibly easier, integral. The following example illustrates its use.

Example 7.1.1: Using Integration by Parts

Use integration by parts with u=x and dv=sinxdx to evaluate

xsinxdx.

Solution

By choosing u=x, we have du=1dx. Since dv=sinxdx, we get

v=sinxdx=cosx.

It is handy to keep track of these values as follows:

  • u=x
  • dv=sinxdx
  • du=1dx
  • v=sinxdx=cosx.

Applying the integration-by-parts formula (Equation ???) results in

xsinxdx=(x)(cosx)(cosx)(1dx)=xcosx+cosxdx

Then use

cosxdx=sinx+C.

to obtain

xsinxdx=xcosx+sinx+C.

Analysis

At this point, there are probably a few items that need clarification. First of all, you may be curious about what would have happened if we had chosen u=sinx and dv=xdx. If we had done so, then we would have du=cosx and v=12x2. Thus, after applying integration by parts (Equation ???), we have

∫​x\sin x\,\,dx=\dfrac{1}{2}x^2\sin x−∫\dfrac{1}{2}x^2\cos x\,\,dx. \nonumber

Unfortunately, with the new integral, we are in no better position than before. It is important to keep in mind that when we apply integration by parts, we may need to try several choices for u and dv before finding a choice that works.

Second, you may wonder why, when we find v=∫​\sin x\,\,dx=−\cos x, we do not use v=−\cos x+K. To see that it makes no difference, we can rework the problem using v=−\cos x+K:

\begin{align*} ∫x\sin x\,\,dx &=(x)(−\cos x+K)−∫(−\cos x+K)(1\,\,dx) \\[4pt] &=−x\cos x+Kx+∫\cos x\,\,dx−∫K\,\,dx \\[4pt] &=−x\cos x+Kx+\sin x−Kx+C \\[4pt] &=−x\cos x+\sin x+C. \end{align*}

As you can see, it makes no difference in the final solution.

Last, we can check to make sure that our antiderivative is correct by differentiating −x\cos x+\sin x+C:

\begin{align*} \dfrac{d}{\,dx}(−x\cos x+\sin x+C) = \cancel{(−1)\cos x} + (−x)(−\sin x) + \cancel{\cos x} \\[4pt] =x\sin x \end{align*}

Therefore, the antiderivative checks out.

Exercise \PageIndex{1}

Evaluate ∫​xe^{2x}\,dx using the integration-by-parts formula (Equation \ref{IBP}) with u=x and dv=e^{2x}\,\,dx.

Hint

Find du and v, and use the previous example as a guide.

Answer

∫​xe^{2x}\,\,dx=\dfrac{1}{2}xe^{2x}−\dfrac{1}{4}e^{2x}+C \nonumber

The natural question to ask at this point is: How do we know how to choose u and dv? Sometimes it is a matter of trial and error; however, the acronym LIATE can often help to take some of the guesswork out of our choices. This acronym stands for Logarithmic Functions, Inverse Trigonometric Functions, Algebraic Functions, Trigonometric Functions, and Exponential Functions. This mnemonic serves as an aid in determining an appropriate choice for u. The type of function in the integral that appears first in the list should be our first choice of u.

For example, if an integral contains a logarithmic function and an algebraic function, we should choose u to be the logarithmic function, because L comes before A in LIATE. The integral in Example \PageIndex{1} has a trigonometric function (\sin x) and an algebraic function (x). Because A comes before T in LIATE, we chose u to be the algebraic function. When we have chosen u, dv is selected to be the remaining part of the function to be integrated, together with \,dx.

Why does this mnemonic work? Remember that whatever we pick to be dv must be something we can integrate. Since we do not have integration formulas that allow us to integrate simple logarithmic functions and inverse trigonometric functions, it makes sense that they should not be chosen as values for dv. Consequently, they should be at the head of the list as choices for u. Thus, we put LI at the beginning of the mnemonic. (We could just as easily have started with IL, since these two types of functions won’t appear together in an integration-by-parts problem.) The exponential and trigonometric functions are at the end of our list because they are fairly easy to integrate and make good choices for dv. Thus, we have TE at the end of our mnemonic. (We could just as easily have used ET at the end, since when these types of functions appear together it usually doesn’t really matter which one is u and which one is dv.) Algebraic functions are generally easy both to integrate and to differentiate, and they come in the middle of the mnemonic.

Example \PageIndex{2}: Using Integration by Parts

Evaluate ∫\dfrac{\ln x}{x^3}\,\,dx. \nonumber

Solution

Begin by rewriting the integral:

∫\dfrac{\ln x}{x^3}\,\,dx=∫​x^{−3}\ln x\,\,dx. \nonumber

Since this integral contains the algebraic function x^{−3} and the logarithmic function \ln x, choose u=\ln x, since L comes before A in LIATE. After we have chosen u=\ln x, we must choose dv=x^{−3}\,dx.

Next, since u=\ln x, we have du=\dfrac{1}{x}\,dx. Also, v=∫​x^{−3}\,dx=−\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−2}. Summarizing,

  • u=\ln x
  • du=\dfrac{1}{x}\,dx
  • dv=x^{−3}\,dx
  • v=∫​x^{−3}\,dx=−\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−2}.

Substituting into the integration-by-parts formula (Equation \ref{IBP}) gives

\begin{align*} ∫\dfrac{\ln x}{x^3}\,dx &=∫​x^{−3}\ln x\,dx=(\ln x)(−\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−2})−∫​(−\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−2})(\dfrac{1}{x}\,dx) \\[4pt] &=−\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−2}\ln x+∫\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−3}\,\,dx \\[4pt] &=−\dfrac{1}{2}x^{−2}\ln x−\dfrac{1}{4}x^{−2}+C\ \\[4pt] &=−\dfrac{1}{2x^2}\ln x−\dfrac{1}{4x^2}+C \end{align*} \nonumber

Exercise \PageIndex{2}

Evaluate ∫​x\ln x \,\,dx. \nonumber

Hint

Use u=\ln x and dv=x\,\,dx.

Answer

∫​x\ln x \,\,dx=\dfrac{1}{2}x^2\ln x−\dfrac{1}{4}x^2+C \nonumber

In some cases, as in the next two examples, it may be necessary to apply integration by parts more than once.

Example \PageIndex{3A}: Applying Integration by Parts More Than Once

Evaluate ∫​x^2e^{3x}\,dx. \nonumber

Solution

Using LIATE, choose u=x^2 and dv=e^{3x}\,dx. Thus, du=2x\,dx and v=∫e^{3x}\,dx=\left(\dfrac{1}{3}\right)e^{3x}. Therefore,

  • u=x^2
  • du=2x\,dx
  • dv=e^{3x}\,dx
  • v=∫e^{3x}\,dx=\dfrac{1}{3}e^{3x}.

Substituting into Equation \ref{IBP} produces

∫x^2e^{3x}\,dx=\dfrac{1}{3}x^2e^{3x}−∫\dfrac{2}{3}xe^{3x}\,dx. \label{3A.2}

We still cannot integrate ∫\dfrac{2}{3}xe^{3x}\,dx directly, but the integral now has a lower power on x. We can evaluate this new integral by using integration by parts again. To do this, choose

u=x \nonumber

and

dv=\dfrac{2}{3}e^{3x}\,dx. \nonumber

Thus,

du=\,dx \nonumber

and

v=∫\left(\dfrac{2}{3}\right)e^{3x}\,dx=\left(\dfrac{2}{9}\right)e^{3x}. \nonumber

Now we have

  • u=x
  • du=\,dx
  • dv=\dfrac{2}{3}e^{3x}\,dx
  • \displaystyle v=∫\dfrac{2}{3}e^{3x}\,dx=\dfrac{2}{9}e^{3x}.

Substituting back into Equation \ref{3A.2} yields

∫​x^2e^{3x}\,dx=\dfrac{1}{3}x^2e^{3x}−\left(\dfrac{2}{9}xe^{3x}−∫\dfrac{​2}{9}e^{3x}\,dx\right). \nonumber

After evaluating the last integral and simplifying, we obtain

∫x^2e^{3x}\,dx=\dfrac{1}{3}x^2e^{3x}−\dfrac{2}{9}xe^{3x}+\dfrac{2}{27}e^{3x}+C. \nonumber

Example \PageIndex{3B}: Applying Integration by Parts When LIATE Does not Quite Work

Evaluate

∫​t^3e^{t^2}dt. \nonumber

Solution

If we use a strict interpretation of the mnemonic LIATE to make our choice of u, we end up with u=t^3 and dv=e^{t^2}dt. Unfortunately, this choice won’t work because we are unable to evaluate ∫​e^{t^2}dt. However, since we can evaluate ∫​te^{t^2}\,dx, we can try choosing u=t^2 and dv=te^{t^2}dt. With these choices we have

  • u=t^2
  • du=2tdt
  • dv=te^{t^2}dt
  • v=∫​te^{t^2}dt=\dfrac{1}{2}e^{t^2}.

Thus, we obtain

\begin{align*} ∫t^3e^{t^2}dt =\dfrac{1}{2}t^2e^{t^2}−∫\dfrac{1}{2}e^{t^2}2t\,dt \\[4pt] =\dfrac{1}{2}t^2e^{t^2}−\dfrac{1}{2}e^{t^2}+C. \end{align*}

Example \PageIndex{3C}: Applying Integration by Parts More Than Once

Evaluate ∫​\sin (\ln x)\,dx. \nonumber

Solution

This integral appears to have only one function—namely, \sin (\ln x)—however, we can always use the constant function 1 as the other function. In this example, let’s choose u=\sin (\ln x) and dv=1\,dx. (The decision to use u=\sin (\ln x) is easy. We can’t choose dv=\sin (\ln x)\,dx because if we could integrate it, we wouldn’t be using integration by parts in the first place!) Consequently, du=(1/x)\cos (\ln x) \,dx and v=∫​ 1 \,dx=x. After applying integration by parts to the integral and simplifying, we have

∫​\sin \left(\ln x\right) \,dx=x \sin (\ln x)−\int \cos (\ln x)\,dx. \nonumber

Unfortunately, this process leaves us with a new integral that is very similar to the original. However, let’s see what happens when we apply integration by parts again. This time let’s choose u=\cos (\ln x) and dv=1\,dx, making du=−(1/x)\sin (\ln x)\,dx and v=∫​1\,dx=x.

Substituting, we have

∫​\sin (\ln x)\,dx=x \sin (\ln x)−(x \cos (\ln x)-∫​−\sin (\ln x)\,dx). \nonumber

After simplifying, we obtain

∫​\sin (\ln x)\,dx=x\sin (\ln x)−x \cos (\ln x)−∫​\sin (\ln x)\,dx. \nonumber

The last integral is now the same as the original. It may seem that we have simply gone in a circle, but now we can actually evaluate the integral. To see how to do this more clearly, substitute I=∫​\sin (\ln x)\,dx. Thus, the equation becomes

I=x \sin (\ln x)−x \cos (\ln x)−I. \nonumber

First, add I to both sides of the equation to obtain

2I=x \sin (\ln x)−x \cos (\ln x). \nonumber

Next, divide by 2:

I=\dfrac{1}{2}x \sin (\ln x)−\dfrac{1}{2}x \cos (\ln x). \nonumber

Substituting I=∫​\sin (\ln x)\,dx again, we have

\int \sin (\ln x) \,dx=\dfrac{1}{2}x \sin (\ln x)−\dfrac{1}{2}x \cos (\ln x). \nonumber

From this we see that (1/2)x \sin (\ln x)−(1/2)x \cos (\ln x) is an antiderivative of \sin (\ln x)\,dx. For the most general antiderivative, add +C:

∫ \sin (\ln x) \,dx=\dfrac{1}{2}x \sin (\ln x)−\dfrac{1}{2}x \cos (\ln x)+C. \nonumber

Analysis

If this method feels a little strange at first, we can check the answer by differentiation:

\begin{align*} \dfrac{d}{\,dx}\left(\dfrac{1}{2}x \sin (\ln x)−\dfrac{1}{2}x\cos (\ln x)\right) \\[4pt] &=\dfrac{1}{2}(\sin (\ln x))+\cos (\ln x)⋅\dfrac{1}{x}⋅\dfrac{1}{2}x−\left(\dfrac{1}{2}\cos (\ln x)−\sin (\ln x)⋅\dfrac{1}{x}⋅\dfrac{1}{2}x\right) \\[4pt] &=\sin (\ln x). \end{align*}

Exercise \PageIndex{3}

Evaluate ∫x^2\sin x\,dx. \nonumber

Hint

This is similar to Examples \PageIndex{3A} - \PageIndex{3C}.

Answer

∫x^2\sin x\,dx=−x^2\cos x+2x\sin x+2\cos x+C \nonumber

Integration by Parts for Definite Integrals

Now that we have used integration by parts successfully to evaluate indefinite integrals, we turn our attention to definite integrals. The integration technique is really the same, only we add a step to evaluate the integral at the upper and lower limits of integration.

Integration by Parts for Definite Integrals

Let u=f(x) and v=g(x) be functions with continuous derivatives on [a,b]. Then

∫^b_a u\,dv=uv\Big|^b_a−∫^b_a v\, du \nonumber

Example \PageIndex{4A}: Finding the Area of a Region

Find the area of the region bounded above by the graph of y=\tan^{−1}x and below by the x-axis over the interval [0,1].

Solution

This region is shown in Figure \PageIndex{1}. To find the area, we must evaluate

∫^1_0 \tan^{−1}x\, \,dx. \nonumber

This figure is the graph of the inverse tangent function. It is an increasing function that passes through the origin. In the first quadrant there is a shaded region under the graph, above the x-axis. The shaded area is bounded to the right at x = 1.
Figure \PageIndex{1}: To find the area of the shaded region, we have to use integration by parts.

For this integral, let’s choose u=tan^{−1}x and dv=\,dx, thereby making du=\dfrac{1}{x^2+1}\,dx and v=x. After applying the integration-by-parts formula (Equation \ref{IBP}) we obtain

\text{Area}=\left. x \tan^{−1} x \right|^1_0−∫^1_0 \dfrac{x}{x^2+1} \,dx. \nonumber

Use u-substitution to obtain

∫^1_0\dfrac{x}{x^2+1}\,dx=\left.\dfrac{1}{2}\ln \left(x^2+1\right) \right|^1_0. \nonumber

Thus,

\text{Area}=x \tan^{−1}x \Big|^1_0− \left.\dfrac{1}{2}\ln \left( x^2+1 \right) \right|^1_0=\left(\dfrac{π}{4}−\dfrac{1}{2}\ln 2\right) \,\text{units}^2. \nonumber

At this point it might not be a bad idea to do a “reality check” on the reasonableness of our solution. Since \dfrac{π}{4}−\dfrac{1}{2}\ln 2≈0.4388\,\text{units}^2, and from Figure \PageIndex{1} we expect our area to be slightly less than 0.5\,\text{units}^2, this solution appears to be reasonable.

Example \PageIndex{4B}: Finding a Volume of Revolution

Find the volume of the solid obtained by revolving the region bounded by the graph of f(x)=e^{−x}, the x-axis, the y-axis, and the line x=1 about the y-axis.

Solution

The best option to solving this problem is to use the shell method. Begin by sketching the region to be revolved, along with a typical rectangle (Figure \PageIndex{2}).

This figure is the graph of the function e^-x. It is an increasing function on the left side of the y-axis and decreasing on the right side of the y-axis. The curve also comes to a point on the y-axis at y=1. Under the curve there is a shaded rectangle in the first quadrant. There is also a cylinder under the graph, formed by revolving the rectangle around the y-axis.
Figure \PageIndex{2}: We can use the shell method to find a volume of revolution.

To find the volume using shells, we must evaluate

2π∫^1_0xe^{−x}\,dx. \label{4B.1}

To do this, let u=x and dv=e^{−x}. These choices lead to du=\,dx and v=∫​e^{−x}\,dx=−e^{−x}. Using the Shell Method formula, we obtain

\begin{align*} \text{Volume} &=2π∫^1_0xe^{−x}\,dx \\[4pt] = 2π\left(−xe^{−x}\Big|^1_0+∫^1_0e^{−x}\,dx \right) \tag{Use integration by parts} \\[4pt] &= 2π\left( -e^{-1} + 0 - e^{-x}\Big|^1_0\right) \\[4pt] &= 2π\left( -e^{-1} - e^{-1} + 1 \right) \\[4pt] &= 2π\left(1 - \dfrac{2}{e}\right)\,\text{units}^3.\tag{Evaluate and simplify} \end{align*}

Analysis

Again, it is a good idea to check the reasonableness of our solution. We observe that the solid has a volume slightly less than that of a cylinder of radius 1 and height of 1/e added to the volume of a cone of base radius 1 and height of 1−\dfrac{1}{e}. Consequently, the solid should have a volume a bit less than

π(1)^2\dfrac{1}{e}+\left(\dfrac{π}{3}\right)(1)^2\left(1−\dfrac{1}{e}\right)=\dfrac{2π}{3e}+\dfrac{π}{3}≈1.8177\,\text{units}^3. \nonumber

Since 2π−\dfrac{4π}{e}≈1.6603, we see that our calculated volume is reasonable.

Exercise \PageIndex{4}

Evaluate ∫^{π/2}_0x\cos x\,dx. \nonumber

Hint

Use Equation \ref{IBP} with u=x and dv=\cos x\,dx.

Answer

∫^{π/2}_0x\cos x\,dx = \dfrac{π}{2}−1 \nonumber

Key Concepts

  • The integration-by-parts formula (Equation \ref{IBP}) allows the exchange of one integral for another, possibly easier, integral.
  • Integration by parts applies to both definite and indefinite integrals.

Key Equations

  • Integration by parts formula

\displaystyle ∫u\,dv=uv−∫v\,du

  • Integration by parts for definite integrals

\displaystyle ∫^b_au\,dv=uv\Big|^b_a−∫^b_av\,du

Glossary

integration by parts
a technique of integration that allows the exchange of one integral for another using the formula \displaystyle ∫​u\,dv=uv−∫​v\,du

This page titled 7.1: Integration by Parts is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Gilbert Strang & Edwin “Jed” Herman (OpenStax) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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