Integration by parts; the error of my ways

In summary, you can use cyclic integration by parts to calculate the antiderivative of an integrand. However, you must use \left and \right before each bracket to make them big enough to fit what you've typed inside.
  • #1
Somefantastik
230
0
Hi all,

I'm working on an ODE and ran into this integration by parts. My calculus is terrible. Can someone help?

[tex] e^{2t}x = \int e^{2t}cos(t) \ dt = \frac{1}{2}cos(t) \ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\int e^{2t}sin(t)\ dt = \frac{1}{2}cos(t)\ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\left(-e^{2t}cos(t) + 2\int cos(t)\ e^{2t} \right) = \frac{1}{2}cos(t) \e^{2t} - \frac{1}{2}cos(t)\ e^{2t} + 2\int cos(t)\ e^{2t} dt [/tex]

Now that can't be right. Where did I go wrong?
 
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  • #2
[tex]\int u \frac{dv}{dt} \ dt=uv- \int v \frac{du}{dt} \ dt[/tex]

[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t) \ dt[/tex]

u=e-2t so that [itex]du=-2e^{-2t}dt[/itex]
dv=cos(t) dt => v=-sin(t).

So it should be -2e-2tsin(t). I think the mistake you kept on making is when you put back the functions into the formula. It's uv, you kept putting 'u*dv' if you get what I'm saying.
 
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  • #3
I'm not sure where x comes in, but I think you want to calculate

[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t) \ dt[/tex]

Anyways I found the antiderivative but I let u = e^(2x) and dv = cos(t)dt whereas you choose differently. I'm not sure if my way is easier or less messier but I will try to find out where you went wrong.
 
  • #4
OK, I did the problem letting u be the trig function and dv be the exponential and got the same antiderivative (as I should). It wasn't that much messier.

Anyways

[tex]\int e^{2t}cos(t) \ dt = \frac{1}{2}cos(t) \ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\int e^{2t}sin(t)dt[/tex]

is correct.

Actually here:

[tex]\frac{1}{2}cos(t) \ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\int e^{2t}sin(t)\ dt = \frac{1}{2}cos(t)\ e^{2t} + \frac{1}{2}\left(-e^{2t}cos(t) + 2\int cos(t)\ e^{2t} \right)[/tex]

it looks as though you're still correct

Hmmmm, does it have to do with inconsistency in choosing u's and dv's?

FINAL EDIT:

Hmm ok I think I finally get it. Well to be honest I only know how to derive the integration by parts formula and apply it in simple situations. But it looks like you first let u = cos(t) and dv = e^(2t) dt. But then for the next integration by parts, you choose u = e^(2t) and dv = sin(t) dt.

This inconsistency leads to a true statement. In fact you end up with 0 = 0. But this is a pretty trivial result. I'm not sure why this happens but I think to find the actual antiderivative in this case, you have to be consistent (let u be be e^(2x) both times or let u be the trig function both times). If you're consistent, I guarantee you'll find the antiderivative if you can do the algebra. I guess it's not really an error since you end up with 0 = 0 but perhaps someone else could explain why it happened.
 
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  • #5
Hi everybody!

Somefantastik, there's a way to calculate this integral without using integration by parts!

Just transform the cos-function in the complex e-function, do the calculations and take the real part of the final solution! - Here's how it works:

[tex]\displaystyle{\int}e^{2t}\cos t dt=\displaystyle{\int}e^{2t} Re(e^{it}) dt=Re\displaystyle}{(\int}e^{(2+i)t} dt)=Re(\frac{e^{(2+i)t}}{2+i})[/tex]

now, taking the real part of it:

[tex]Re(\frac{e^{(2+i)t}}{2+i})=Re(\frac{2-i}{4+1}e^{2t}e^{it})=Re(\frac{e^{2t}}{5}(2-i)(cost+i\sin t))=\frac{e^{2t}}{5}Re((2-i)(\cos t+i\sin t))=\frac{e^{2t}}{5}(2\cos t+\sin t)[/tex]

In the end, adding the arbitrary constant we finally get:

[tex]\displaystyle{\int}e^{2t}\cos t dt=\frac{e^{2t}}{5}(2\cos t+\sin t)+C[/tex]

** How does one make the parenthesis big? And how does one get the following type of brackets "{ }"? (Thanks a lot)
 
  • #6
Marin said:
In the end, adding the arbitrary constant we finally get:

[tex]\displaystyle{\int}e^{2t}\cos t dt=\frac{e^{2t}}{5}(2\cos t+\sin t)+C[/tex]

** How does one make the parenthesis big? And how does one get the following type of brackets "{ }"? (Thanks a lot)



Right. And because that started out being equal to x*e^2t, then:
x = 1/5 sin(t) + 2/5 cos(t) + Ae^-2t
You can also get this by using cyclic integration by parts and an algebraic
substitution for the integral.

My latex is Much worse than yours, sorry can't help you there!:rolleyes:
 
  • #7
LaTeX

Marin said:
[tex]\displaystyle{\int}e^{2t}\cos t dt=\frac{e^{2t}}{5}(2\cos t+\sin t)+C[/tex]

** How does one make the parenthesis big? And how does one get the following type of brackets "{ }"? (Thanks a lot)

Hi Marin! :smile:

You use \left and \right before each bracket (but it only make them large enough to fit what you've typed inside, so it makes no difference if it's all on one line):

[tex]\frac{e^{2t}}{5}\left(2\cos t+\sin t\right)[/tex]

[tex]{e^{2t}\left(\frac{2\cos t+\sin t}{5}\right)[/tex]

[tex]{e^{2t}\left[\frac{2\cos t+\sin t}{5}\right][/tex]

[tex]{e^{2t}\left<\frac{2\cos t+\sin t}{5}\right>[/tex]

[tex]{e^{2t}\left|\frac{2\cos t+\sin t}{5}\right|[/tex]

And you must put \ in front to get { or }:

[tex]{e^{2t}\left\{\frac{2\cos t+\sin t}{5}\right\}[/tex]

see http://www.physics.udel.edu/~dubois/lshort2e/node54.html#SECTION00830000000000000000 :smile:
 
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  • #8
Thanks a lot, tiny-tim!

I've been using LaTeX for a month and it's quite extraordinary to me still :)

but I'm going to get used to it :) - I caught up the main commands but there are still some I'm missing out :)
 
  • #9
Whoa that's pretty cool Marin. It's probably a lot shorter than cyclic IBP and then solving for the original integral. Anyways I never learned that in my high school calc class. Is this a topic in complex analysis?
 

FAQ: Integration by parts; the error of my ways

What is integration by parts?

Integration by parts is a method used in calculus to find the integral of a product of two functions. It involves breaking down the original integral into simpler parts and then using a formula to solve for the integral.

How do I know when to use integration by parts?

You should use integration by parts when the integral you are trying to solve involves a product of two functions, and the integral of one of the functions is easier to find than the other.

What is the formula for integration by parts?

The formula for integration by parts is ∫ u dv = uv - ∫ v du, where u and v are the two functions in the original integral.

What is the error of my ways in integration by parts?

The error of your ways in integration by parts can occur when you choose the wrong function to be u, or when you make a mistake in the integration or differentiation steps. It is important to double check your work to avoid errors.

Can integration by parts be used for definite integrals?

Yes, integration by parts can be used for definite integrals. The formula remains the same, but you will need to evaluate the integral at the upper and lower limits of integration and subtract the smaller value from the larger value.

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