Why does integration by parts work?

Recall the product rule for differentiation: the derivative of uv is equal to u'v+uv'.If we use the fact that integration reverses differentiation (so the integral of f' is f), then we calculate that uv is equal to integral of u'v+uv'. We can then rearrange this to get that the integral of u'v is equal to uv minus the integral of uv'.The reason integration by parts is useful is that if we may not know how to integrate u'v, but if we do know how to integrate uv', we can find the solution. A good example is how should we integrate x cos(x)?Lets choose u'=cos(x), v=x. Then we know that u=sin(x), v'=1.So the integral of x cos(x) is equal to x sin(x) minus the integral of sin(x)*1=sin(x). Hence the integral of x cos(x) is equal to x sin(x) +cos(x).

TB
Answered by Thomas B. Maths tutor

5044 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is a hypothesis test


The population of a town is 20000 at the start of the year 2018. A population model predicts this population will grow by 2% each year. (a) Find the estimated population at the start of 2022.


What is the gradient of this curve y=5x^3+6x^2+7x+8 at point x=3?


How to gain an inverse function


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning