Integration

INTEGRATION BY PARTS

Graham S McDonald

A self-contained Tutorial Module for learning

the technique of integration by parts

● Table of contents
● Begin Tutorial

c 2003 g.s.mcdonald@salford.ac.uk
 Table of contents
1. Theory
2. Usage
3. Exercises
4. Final solutions
5. Standard integrals
6. Tips on using solutions
7. Alternative notation
Full worked solutions
Section 1: Theory 3

1. Theory
To differentiate a product of two functions of x, one uses the product
rule:
d dv du
(uv) = u + v
dx dx dx
where u = u (x) and v = v (x) are two functions of x. A slight
rearrangement of the product rule gives
dv d du
u = (uv) − v
dx dx dx
Now, integrating both sides with respect to x results in
Z Z
dv du
u dx = uv − v dx
dx dx
This gives us a rule for integration, called INTEGRATION BY
PARTS, that allows us to integrate many products of functions of
x. We take one factor in this product to be u (this also appears on
the right-hand-side, along with du dx ). The other factor is taken to
dv
be dx (on the right-hand-side only v appears – i.e. the other factor
integrated with respect to x).
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Section 2: Usage 4

2. Usage
We highlight here four different types of products for which integration
by parts can be used (as well as which factor to label u and which one
dv
to label dx ). These are:
 
 sin bx 
xn · xn ·eax dx
R R
(i) or dx (ii)
cos bx
 
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
dv dv
u dx u dx
 
 sin bx 
xr · ln (ax) dx eax ·
R R
(iii) (iv) or dx
cos bx
 
↑ ↑ ↑ ↑
dv dv
dx u u dx

where a, b and r are given constants and n is a positive integer.

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Section 3: Exercises 5

3. Exercises
Click on Exercise links for full worked solutions (there are 14 exer-
cises in total)
Z
Exercise 1. x cos x dx
Z
Exercise 2. x2 sin x dx
Z
Exercise 3. xex dx
Z
Exercise 4. x2 e4x dx
Z
Exercise 5. x2 ln x dx

● Theory ● Integrals ● Final solutions ● Tips ● Notation

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Section 3: Exercises 6
Z
2
Exercise 6. (x + 1) ln 3x dx
Z
Exercise 7. e2x cos x dx
Z
Exercise 8. e−x sin 4x dx

Z1/2
Exercise 9. xe2x dx
0

Zπ/4
Exercise 10. x sin 2x dx
0

● Theory ● Integrals ● Final solutions ● Tips ● Notation

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Section 3: Exercises 7
Z1
Exercise 11. x4 ln 2x dx
1/2

Zπ x
Exercise 12. 3x2 cos dx
2
0
Z
Exercise 13. x3 ex dx
Z
Exercise 14. e3x cos x dx

● Theory ● Integrals ● Final solutions ● Tips ● Notation

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Section 4: Final solutions 8

4. Final solutions
1. x sin x + cos x + C ,

2. −x2 cos x + 2x sin x + 2 cos x + C ,

3. (x − 1) ex + C ,

1 4x


4. 32 e 8x2 − 4x + 1 + C ,

1 3
5. 9x (3 ln x − 1) + C ,

1 3
6. 3 (x + 1) ln 3x − 19 x3 − 12 x2 − x − 1
3 ln x + C ,

1 2x
7. 5e (sin x + 2 cos x) + C ,

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Section 4: Final solutions 9
1 −x
8. − 17 e (4 cos 4x − sin 4x) + C ,

1
9. 4 ,

1
10. 4 ,

1 31
11. 5 ln 2 − 800 ,

12. 6 π 2 − 8 ,

13. ex x3 − 3x2 + 6x − 6 + C ,

1 3x
14. 10 e (sin x + 3 cos x) + C .

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Section 5: Standard integrals 10

5. Standard integrals
R R
f (x) f (x)dx f (x) f (x)dx
n xn+1 n 0 [g(x)]n+1
x n+1 (n 6= −1) [g (x)] g (x) n+1 (n 6= −1)
1 g 0 (x)
x ln |x| g(x) ln |g (x)|
x ax
e ex a x
ln a (a > 0)
sin x − cos x sinh x cosh x
cos x sin x cosh x sinh x
tan x − ln
 |cos x| tanh x ln cosh x 
cosec x ln tan x2  cosech x ln tanh x2 
sec x ln |sec x + tan x| sech x 2 tan−1 ex
sec2 x tan x sech2 x tanh x
cot x ln |sin x| coth x ln |sinh x|
sin2 x x
2 −
sin 2x
4 sinh2 x sinh 2x
4 − x2
cos2 x x
2 + sin 2x
4 cosh2 x sinh 2x
4 + x2

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Section 5: Standard integrals 11

R R
f (x) f (x) dx f (x) f (x) dx
 
1 1
tan−1 x 1 1  a+x 
a2 +x2 a a a2 −x2 2a ln  a−x  (0 < |x| < a)
 
1 1  x−a 
(a > 0) x2 −a2 2a ln  x+a  (|x| > a > 0)

 √ 
2 2
√ 1 sin−1 x √ 1 ln  x+ aa +x  (a > 0)

a2 −x2 a a2 +x2
 √ 
2 2
(−a < x < a) √ 1 ln  x+ xa −a  (x > a > 0)

x2 −a2

√ a2
√ a2
h √ i
sinh−1 x a2 +x2
 −1 x

x


a2 − x2 2 sin a a2 +x2 2 a + a2

√ i √ h √ i
a2
a2 −x2
− cosh−1
2 2
+x x
+ x xa2−a


a2 x2 −a2 2 a

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Section 6: Tips on using solutions 12

6. Tips on using solutions

● When looking at the THEORY, INTEGRALS, FINAL SOLU-

TIONS, TIPS or NOTATION pages, use the Back button (at the
bottom of the page) to return to the exercises

● Use the solutions intelligently. For example, they can help you get
started on an exercise, or they can allow you to check whether your
intermediate results are correct

● Try to make less use of the full solutions as you work your way
through the Tutorial

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Section 7: Alternative notation 13

7. Alternative notation
In this Tutorial, we express the rule for integration by parts using the
formula: Z Z
dv du
u dx = uv − v dx
dx dx
But you may also see other forms of the formula, such as:
Z Z
dg
f (x)g(x)dx = F (x)g(x) − F (x) dx
dx
where
dF
= f (x)
dx
Of course, this is simply different notation for the same rule. To see
this, make the identifications: u = g(x) and v = F (x).

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Solutions to exercises 14

Full worked solutions

Exercise 1. We evaluate by integration by parts:
Z Z
x cos x dx = x · sin x− (1) · sin x dx, i.e. take u = x
du
giving = 1 (by differentiation)
dx
dv
and take = cos x
dx
giving v = sin x (by integration),
Z
= x sin x − sin x dx

= x sin x − (− cos x) + C, where C is an arbitrary

= x sin x + cos x + C constant of integration.
Return to Exercise 1

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Solutions to exercises 15

Exercise 2.
Z Z
2 2
x sin x dx = x · (− cos x) − (2x) · (− cos x) dx ,

i.e. take u = x2
du
giving = 2x
dx
dv
and take = sin x
dx
giving v = − cos x ,
Z
2
= −x cos x + 2 x cos x dx
| {z }
,→ we need to use integration
by parts again!

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Solutions to exercises 16

 Z 
= −x2 cos x + 2 x sin x − (1) · sin x dx ,

as in question 1,
Z
= −x2 cos x + 2x sin x − 2 sin x dx

= −x2 cos x + 2x sin x − 2 · (− cos x) + C

= −x2 cos x + 2x sin x + 2 cos x + C .
Return to Exercise 2

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Solutions to exercises 17

Exercise 3.
Z Z
x e dx = x · e − (1) · ex dx, i.e. take u = x
x x

du
giving =1
dx
dv
and take = ex
dx
giving v = ex ,
Z
x
= xe − ex dx

= x ex − ex + C
= (x − 1) ex + C .
Return to Exercise 3

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Solutions to exercises 18

Exercise 4.
Z Z
2 1 4x 1
x e dx = x · e − 2x · e4x dx ,
2 4x
4 4
i.e. take u = x2
du
= 2x
dx
dv
= e4x
dx
1
v = e4x ,
Z 4
1 1
= x2 e4x − x e4x dx
4 2
| {z }
,→ now use integration by parts again

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Solutions to exercises 19

 Z 
1 2 4x 1 1 1
= x e − x · e4x − 1 · e4x dx ,
4 2 4 4
i.e. this time u = x
du
=1
dx
dv
= e4x
dx
1
v = e4x ,
  Z 4
1 2 4x 1 4x 1 1
= x e − xe − · − · e4x dx
4 8 2 4
Z
1 1 4x 1
= x2 e4x − xe + e4x dx
4 8 8
1 1 4x 1 1 4x
= x2 e4x − xe + · e +C
4 8 8 4

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Solutions to exercises 20

8 2 4x 4 1
= x e − x e4x + e4x + C
32 32 32
1 4x
8x2 − 4x + 1 + C .


= e
32
Return to Exercise 4

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Solutions to exercises 21

Exercise 5.
Z   Z  
2 1 3 1 1 3
x ln x dx = (ln x) · x − · x dx , i.e. u = ln x
3 x 3
du 1
=
dx x
dv
= x2
dx
1
v = x3 ,
Z 3
1 3 1
= x ln x − x2 dx
3 3
 
1 3 1 1 3
= x ln x − · x +C
3 3 3
1 3 1
= x ln x − x3 + C
3 9
1 3
= x (3 ln x − 1) + C .
9
Return to Exercise 5
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Solutions to exercises 22

Exercise 6.

Z   Z
2 1 3 1 1 3
(x + 1) ln 3x dx = (ln 3x) · (x + 1) − · (3) · (x + 1) dx
3 3x 3

du 1 d 1
i.e. u = ln 3x gives dx = 3x · dx (3x) = 3x · (3),

dv 2 1 (x+1)3
using the chain rule, and dx = (x + 1) gives v = 1 · 3 ,

where we have used the result that if

n+1
dv n 1 (ax+b)
dx = (ax + b) then v = a (n+1) ,

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Solutions to exercises 23

Z Z 3
2 1 3 1 (x + 1)
∴ (x + 1) ln 3x dx = (x + 1) ln 3x − dx
3 3 x
Z 3
1 3 1 x + 3x2 + 3x + 1
= (x + 1) ln 3x − dx ,
3 3 x
where we have used the binomial theorem,
3
or just multiplied out (x + 1) ,
Z
1 3 1 1
= (x + 1) ln 3x− x2 + 3x + 3 + dx
3 3 x
 3 
1 3 1 x 3
= (x + 1) ln 3x− + x2 + 3x + ln x +C
3 3 3 2
3
1 3 x 1 1
= (x + 1) ln 3x − − x2 − x − ln x+C .
3 9 2 3
Return to Exercise 6

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Solutions to exercises 24

Exercise 7. Z
e2x cos x dx

dv du
Set u = e2x and dx = cos x , to give dx = 2e2x and v = sin x.

Let I = e2x cos x dx , since we will eventually get I on the right-

R

hand-side for this type of integral

i.e. I = e2x · sin x − 2e2x · sin x dx

R

i.e. I = e2x sin x − 2 e2x sin x dx.

R

dv
Use integration by parts again, with u = e2x and dx = sin x , giving
du 2x
dx = 2e and v = − cos x

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Solutions to exercises 25

i.e. I = e2x sin x − 2 e2x · (− cos x) − 2e2x · (− cos x) dx
R

i.e. I = e2x sin x − 2 −e2x cos x + 2 e2x cos x dx
R
Z
i.e. I = e sin x + 2e cos x − 4 e2x cos dx
2x 2x

| {z }
=4I

i.e. 5I = e2x sin x + 2e2x cos x + C1

∴ I = 15 e2x (sin x + 2 cos x) + C , where C = 15 C1 (another arbi-
trary constant).
Note It is customary to introduce the arbitrary constant after the
last integration is performed, though strictly one could accommodate
arbitrary constants arising from each du
R
dx · v dx (indefinite) integra-
tion and these would add up to give a single arbitrary constant in the
final answer. Return to Exercise 7

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Solutions to exercises 26

Exercise 8.
Z
du
e−x sin 4x dx. u = e−x , giving = −e−x ,
dx
dv 1
= sin 4x, giving v = · (− cos 4x)
dx 4
1
i.e. v = − cos 4x ,
4

Z
Let I= e−x sin 4x dx
  Z  
−x 1 −x

1
i.e. I = e · − cos 4x − −e · − cos 4x dx
4 4

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Solutions to exercises 27
Z
i.e. I = − 14 e−x cos 4x − 1
4 e−x cos 4x dx
| {z }
↓

u = e−x , du
dx = −e−x
dv 1
dx = cos 4x , v= 4 sin 4x ,

i.e. I = − 14 e−x cos 4x− 14 e−x · 1

sin 4x − (−e−x ) · 1

R

4 4 sin 4x dx

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Solutions to exercises 28

 Z 
1 1 1 −x 1
∴ I = − e−x cos 4x − e sin 4x + e−x sin 4x dx
4 4 4 4
1 −x 1 −x 1
i.e. I = − e cos 4x − e sin 4x − I
  4 16 16
1 1 −x 1 −x
i.e. 1 + I = − e cos 4x − e sin 4x
16 4 16
 
17 1 −x 1
I = − e cos 4x − e−x sin 4x
16 4 16
4 −x 1
i.e. I = − e cos 4x − e−x sin 4x
17 17
1
= − e−x (4 cos 4x − sin 4x) + C .
17
Return to Exercise 8

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Solutions to exercises 29

Exercise 9.
Z1/2   1/2 Z1/2  
2x 1 2x 1 2x
xe dx = x · e − 1· e dx, i.e. u = x
2 0 2
0 0
du
=1
dx
dv
= e2x
dx
1
v = e2x ,
2
Z1/2
1  2x 1/2 1
= xe 0 − e2x dx
2 2
0
 1/2
1  2x 1/2 1 1 2x
= xe 0 − e
2 2 2 0

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Solutions to exercises 30

 
11 2· 1 1 h 2· 1 i
= e 2 − 0.e0 − e 2 − e0
22 4
11 1 1 1 1 0
= · e − e + e
22 4 4
1 0 1
=0+ e = .
4 4
Return to Exercise 9

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Solutions to exercises 31

Exercise 10.
Zπ/4   π/4 Zπ/4  
1 1
x sin 2x dx = x · − cos 2x − 1. − cos 2x dx,
2 0 2
0 0
u=x
dv
= sin 2x
dx
du
=1
dx
1
v = − cos 2x ,
2
 π/4 Zπ/4
1 1
= − x cos 2x + cos 2x dx
2 0 2
0

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Solutions to exercises 32

 π/4
1 π/4 1 1
= − [x cos 2x]0 + sin 2x
2 2 2 0
1 π/4 1 π/4
= − [x cos 2x]0 + [sin 2x]0
2 4
1 nπ π o 1n π o
=− · cos − 0 · cos 0 + sin − sin 0
2 4 2 4 2
1 1 π
= − {0 − 0} + {1 − 0} , since cos = 0,
2 4 2
1 π
= . sin = 1,
4 2
and sin 0 = 0,
Return to Exercise 10

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Solutions to exercises 33

Exercise 11. Note that if a logarithm function is involved then

we choose that factor to be u.
Z1   5 1 Z1    5 
4 x 1 x
i.e. x ln 2x dx = (ln 2x) · − · dx
5 1/2 x 5
1/2 1/2

Z1
1 5 1 1
= x ln 2x 1/2 − x4 dx
5 5
1/2
 1
1 5 1 1 x5
= x ln 2x 1/2 −
5 5 5 1/2
1 5
 1 1  5 1
= x ln 2x 1/2 − x 1/2
5( 25 ) (
 5  5 )
1 1 1 1
= (1 · ln 2) − · ln 1 − 15 −
5 2 25 2

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Solutions to exercises 34

 
1 1 1
= ln 2 − 1− , since ln 1 = 0 and 25 = 32,
5 25 32
1 1 31
= ln 2 − ·
5 25 32
1 31
= ln 2 − .
5 800
Return to Exercise 11

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Solutions to exercises 35

Exercise 12. For definite integrals, we can either use integration by

parts in the form:
Z b Z b
dv b du
u dx = [uv]a − · v dx
a dx a dx
R dv
or we can work out u dx dx, i.e. without the limits, first and then
apply
Rπ the limits to the final result. We will do that here. So, to work
out 0 3x2 cos x2 dx, we will consider the indefinite integral first:

Z ! !
x 1 x Z 1 x
3x2 cos dx = 3x2 1

sin − 6x · 1 sin 2

dx
2 2
2 2
x Z x
= 6x2 sin −12 x sin dx
2 2
(use integration by parts, again)
x    x  Z x 
2
= 6x sin −12 x −2 cos − −2 cos dx
2 2 2

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Solutions to exercises 36


x x Z x 
= 6x2 sin− 12 −2x cos +2 cos dx
2 2 2
Z x x x Z x
i.e. 3x2 cos dx = 6x2 sin + 24x cos − 24 cos dx
2 2 2 2
x x x
= 6x2 sin + 24x cos − 24 · 2 · sin + C.
2 2 2

On the next page, we will evaluate the definite integral . . .

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Solutions to exercises 37

So,
Z π x h x x  x iπ
3x2 cos dx = 6x2 sin + 24x cos − 48 sin
0 2 2 2 2 0
n π o n π o
= 6π 2 sin −0 +24 π cos −0
2 n π  o2
− 48 sin −0 ,
2
since sin 0 = 0,
π π
= 6π 2 − 48, since sin = 1 and cos = 0,
2 2
= 6 π2 − 8 .

Return to Exercise 12

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Solutions to exercises 38

Exercise 13.
Z Z
x e dx = x e − 3x2 ex dx
3 x 3 x

 Z 
3 x 2 x x
= x e − 3 x e − 2xe dx , using integration by parts,
Z
= x3 ex − 3x2 ex + 6 xex dx
 Z 
= x3 ex − 3x2 ex + 6 xex − ex dx ,using integration by parts,

= x3 ex − 3x2 ex + 6xex − 6ex + C

= ex x3 − 3x2 + 6x − 6 + C.

Return to Exercise 13

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Solutions to exercises 39

Exercise 14.
Z
Let I = e3x cos x dx
Z
= e3x sin x − 3e3x sin x dx
Z
= e3x sin x − 3 e3x sin x dx
 Z 
3x 3x 3x
= e sin x − 3 e · (− cos x) − 3e · (− cos x) dx
Z
= e3x sin x + 3e3x cos x − 9 e3x cos x dx

= e3x sin x + 3e3x cos x − 9I

i.e. 10I = e3x sin x + 3e3x cos x + C1
1 3x C1
i.e. I = e (sin x + 3 cos x) + C, where C = .
10 10
Return to Exercise 14

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