How does integration by parts work?

1 Answer
Sep 12, 2014

Integration by Parts is like the product rule for integration, in fact, it is derived from the product rule for differentiation. It states
int u dv =uv-int v duudv=uvvdu.

Let us look at the integral
int xe^x dxxexdx.

Let u=xu=x.
By taking the derivative with respect to xx
Rightarrow {du}/{dx}=1dudx=1
by multiplying by dxdx,
Rightarrow du=dxdu=dx

Let dv=e^xdxdv=exdx.
By dividing by dxdx
Rightarrow {dv}/{dx}=e^xdvdx=ex
by integrating,
Rightarrow v=e^xv=ex

Now, by Integration by Parts,
int xe^xdx =xe^x-inte^xdx=xe^x-e^x+Cxexdx=xexexdx=xexex+C