Integrate x * sin(x) with respect to x by using integration by parts

The general formula for integration by parts to integrate something of the form u * v' is: u * v - (integral)[ (u' * v) dx ]. Thus we first need to write x * sin(x) in the form u * v'. Lets pick u = x and v' = sin(x), then we need to find u' and v. Differentiating u = x gives us u' = 1, while integrating v' = sin(x) gives us v = cos(x). Now we have: u = x, u' = 1, v = - cos(x), and v' = sin(x). All that's left to do is plug them into our general formula (outlined above). Therefore we have: - x * cos(x) - (integral)[(1 * -cos(x)) dx]. We're almost there, we just need to find (integral)[(1 * -cos(x)) dx]. This reduces to just integrating -cos(x), which equals -sin(x) + C. Putting that back into the formula leaves us with - x * cos(x) + sin(x) + C, which is the final answer (make sure that you dont forget the integration constant (+C) at the end). We can then check our answer by differentiating this to see if we can get back to x * sin(x). Differentiating - x * cos(x), we need to use the product rule, giving us -cos(x) + xsin(x). Differentiating sin(x) + C gives us cos(x) only. Combining these we find that the cos(x) terms cancel and we indeed are left with the xsin(x) that we started with.

JW
Answered by Jamie W. Maths tutor

5697 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Integrate the following expression with respect to x, (2+4x^3)/x^2


Find the 1st derivative of y = x^2 + 7x +3 and hence find the curves minima.


Can you explain the product rule when differentiating?


Imagine a sector of a circle called AOB. With center O and radius rcm. The angle AOB is R in radians. The area of the sector is 11cm². Given the perimeter of the sector is 4 time the length of the arc AB. Find r.


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