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Exercise 374Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Integration › Integration techniquesL1Added 2 Nov 2026

Integration by parts, two classics

#integration by parts#definite integrals

Statement

Compute ∫ln⁡21xex dx\displaystyle\int_{\ln2}^1xe^x\,dx and ∫0πxsin⁡x dx\displaystyle\int_0^\pi x\sin x\,dx.

Hint

Integration by parts: ∫uv′=[uv]−∫u′v\int uv'=[uv]-\int u'v. In both cases differentiate xx and integrate the other factor.

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Solution

Idea. The factor xx becomes 11 when differentiated, simplifying the integral. The other factor (exe^x or sin⁡x\sin x) is easy to integrate.

First integral. With u=xu=x and v′=exv'=e^x (so u′=1u'=1, v=exv=e^x):
∫ln⁡21xex dx=[xex]ln⁡21−∫ln⁡21ex dx=[xex−ex]ln⁡21=0−(2ln⁡2−2)=2−2ln⁡2.\int_{\ln2}^1xe^x\,dx=\bigl[xe^x\bigr]_{\ln2}^1-\int_{\ln2}^1e^x\,dx=\bigl[xe^x-e^x\bigr]_{\ln2}^1=0-(2\ln2-2)=2-2\ln2.

Second integral. With u=xu=x and v′=sin⁡xv'=\sin x (so v=−cos⁡xv=-\cos x):
∫0πxsin⁡x dx=[−xcos⁡x]0π+∫0πcos⁡x dx=π+0=π.\int_0^\pi x\sin x\,dx=\bigl[-x\cos x\bigr]_0^\pi+\int_0^\pi\cos x\,dx=\pi+0=\pi.

Remark. The rule of thumb for which factor to differentiate is *LIATE*: logarithms and inverse functions first, then algebraic, then trigonometric, then exponential.