How to calculate this integral?int_0^1x2^xdx

2 Answers
Apr 6, 2017

The integral equals 2/ln2 - 1/(ln2)^2 ~~ 0.804

Explanation:

Use integration by parts, which states that int u dv = uv - int v du. We let u = x and dv = 2^x. Then du = dx and v = 2^x/ln2. For now, let's just consider the indefinite integral int x2^xdx.

int x 2^x dx = x(2^x/ln2) - int 2^x/ln2 * 1 dx

int x2^xdx = x(2^x/ln2) - int 2^x/ln2 dx

int x2^xdx = (x2^x)/ln2 - 1/ln2 int 2^x dx

int x2^x dx = (x2^x)/ln2 - 1/ln2(2^x/ln2)

int x2^x dx = (x2^x)/ln2 - 2^x/(ln2)^2

This has been calculated. We now evaluate using the second fundamental theorem of calculus which states that int_a^b F(x) dx = f(b) - f(a), where F(x) is continuous on [a, b] and f'(x) = F(x).

int_0^1 x2^x dx = (1(2^1))/ln2 - 2^1/(ln2)^2 - ((0(2^0))/ln2 - 2^0/(ln2)^2)

int_0^1 x2^x dx = 2/ln2 - 2/(ln2)^2 + 1/(ln2)^2

int_0^1 x2^x dx = 2/ln2 - 1/(ln2)^2

A numerical approximation of this would give

int_0^1 x2^x dx ~~ 0.804

Hopefully this helps!

Apr 6, 2017

int \ x2^x \ dx = (2ln2 - 1)/ln^2 2

Explanation:

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

int \ u(dv)/dx \ dx = uv - int \ v(du)dx \ dx , or less formally
" " int \ udv=uv-int \ vdu

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 x 2^x, hopefully you can see that x simplifies when differentiated and 2^x effectively remains unchanged under integration.

Let { (u,=x, => (du)/dx=1), ((dv)/dx,=2^x, => v=2^x/ln2 ) :}

Then plugging into the IBP formula gives us:

\ \ \ int \ (x)(2^x) \ dx = (x)(2^x/ln2) - int_0^1 \ (2^x/ln2)(1) \ dx
:. int_0^1 \ x2^x \ dx = [(x2^x)/ln2]_0^1 - 1/ln2 \ int_0^1 \ 2^x \ dx
" " = 1/ln2(1*2^1-0) - [1/ln2*2^x/ln2]_0^1
" " = 1/ln2(2) - 1/ln^2 2(2^1-2^0)
" " = 2/ln2 - 1/ln^2 2(2-0)
" " = 2/ln2 - 1/ln^2 2
" " = (2ln2 - 1)/ln^2 2