How do you integrate int xsinx by integration by parts method?

1 Answer
Dec 11, 2016

int xsinx dx = sinx -xcosx + c

Explanation:

If you are studying maths, then you should learn the formula for Integration By Parts (IBP), and practice how to use it:

intu(dv)/dxdx = uv - intv(du)/dxdx , or less formally intudv=uv-intvdu

I was taught to remember the less formal rule in word; "The integral of udv equals uv minus the integral of vdu". If you struggle to remember the rule, then it may help to see that it comes a s a direct consequence of integrating the Product Rule for differentiation.

Essentially we would like to identify one function that simplifies when differentiated, and identify one that simplifies when integrated (or is at least is integrable).

So for the integrand xsinx, hopefully you can see that x simplifies when differentiated and sinx effectively remains unchanged (cosx is still a trig function) under differentiation or integration.

Let { (u=x, => , (du)/dx=1), ((dv)/dx=sinx, =>, v=-cosx ) :}

Then plugging into the IBP formula gives us:
int(u)((dv)/dx)dx = (u)(v) - int(v)((du)/dx)dx
:. int xsinx dx = (x)(-cosx) - int(-cosx)(1)dx
" " = -xcosx + intcosxdx
" " = -xcosx + sinx + c