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Exercise 7.6 · Q3

Q.Integrate the function x2exx^2 e^x

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The integral ∫x2ex dx\int x^2 e^x \, dx is solved using integration by parts (the reverse of the product rule), applied twice to reduce the polynomial factor to a constant. The final result is ex(x2−2x+2)+C\boxed{e^x (x^2 - 2x + 2) + C}.

Why Integration by Parts?

When you see a product of two different kinds of functions — here, a polynomial (x2x^2) and an exponential (exe^x) — the standard tool is integration by parts. It comes directly from the product rule for derivatives:

(uv)′=u′v+uv′⇒∫u dv=uv−∫v du(uv)' = u'v + uv' \quad \Rightarrow \quad \int u \, dv = uv - \int v \, du

The trick is to choose uu and dvdv so that the new integral ∫v du\int v \, du is simpler than the original. For a polynomial times exe^x, the polynomial gets simpler when differentiated, while exe^x stays the same when integrated. So we always set uu = polynomial, dv=exdxdv = e^x dx.

Integration by Parts

∫u dv=uv−∫v du\int u \, dv = uv - \int v \, du


Step-by-Step Solution

1. First application of integration by parts

Let u=x2u = x^2 and dv=ex dxdv = e^x \, dx. Then:

  • du=2x dxdu = 2x \, dx
  • v=exv = e^x

Applying the formula:

∫x2ex dx=x2ex−∫ex⋅2x dx=x2ex−2∫xex dx\int x^2 e^x \, dx = x^2 e^x - \int e^x \cdot 2x \, dx = x^2 e^x - 2 \int x e^x \, dx

The new integral ∫xex dx\int x e^x \, dx is still a product of a polynomial (xx) and exe^x, but the polynomial degree has dropped from 2 to 1. We're making progress.

2. Second application of integration by parts

Now solve ∫xex dx\int x e^x \, dx. Again, set u=xu = x and dv=ex dxdv = e^x \, dx:

  • du=dxdu = dx
  • v=exv = e^x

So:

∫xex dx=xex−∫ex dx=xex−ex+C1\int x e^x \, dx = x e^x - \int e^x \, dx = x e^x - e^x + C_1

Tip

Notice the pattern: each time you apply integration by parts to xnexx^n e^x, the polynomial degree drops by one. After nn applications, you're left with ∫ex dx=ex+C\int e^x \, dx = e^x + C. This is a systematic method for any xnexx^n e^x.

3. Substitute back

Plug the result from step 2 into step 1:

∫x2ex dx=x2ex−2(xex−ex+C1)\int x^2 e^x \, dx = x^2 e^x - 2 \left( x e^x - e^x + C_1 \right)

Simplify:

=x2ex−2xex+2ex−2C1= x^2 e^x - 2x e^x + 2e^x - 2C_1

Since −2C1-2C_1 is just an arbitrary constant, we can rename it CC:

=ex(x2−2x+2)+C= e^x (x^2 - 2x + 2) + C

Watch out

A common mistake is forgetting the constant of integration CC or mishandling the minus signs when substituting back. Always distribute the factor (here, −2-2) carefully across all terms inside the parentheses.


✓Final answer

The integral is ex(x2−2x+2)+C\boxed{e^x (x^2 - 2x + 2) + C}.

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