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Exercise 7.10 · Q7

Q.By using the properties of definite integrals, evaluate the integral ∫01x(1−x)n dx\int_{0}^{1}x(1-x)^n\,dx

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The integral ∫01x(1−x)n dx\int_{0}^{1}x(1-x)^n\,dx is evaluated by a simple substitution u=1−xu = 1-x, which transforms it into a standard Beta integral. The final value is 1(n+1)(n+2)\frac{1}{(n+1)(n+2)}.

Why This Approach Works

When you see a product like x(1−x)nx(1-x)^n integrated from 00 to 11, your first instinct should be symmetry. The interval [0,1][0,1] and the factor (1−x)n(1-x)^n practically beg for the substitution u=1−xu = 1-x. This trick turns the integral into something you can handle with the Power Rule — no need for integration by parts or memorising Beta function formulas, though we'll note that connection.

The key insight: the integrand is a polynomial in xx (once you expand (1−x)n(1-x)^n), but the substitution keeps the limits simple and the algebra clean.

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Set up the substitution. Let u=1−xu = 1 - x. Then x=1−ux = 1 - u, and dx=−dudx = -du. When x=0x = 0, u=1u = 1; when x=1x = 1, u=0u = 0. The integral becomes:

∫01x(1−x)n dx=∫10(1−u) un (−du)\int_{0}^{1} x(1-x)^n \, dx = \int_{1}^{0} (1-u) \, u^n \, (-du)

  1. Simplify the limits. The negative sign in dx=−dudx = -du flips the limits back:

∫10(1−u)un (−du)=∫01(1−u)un du\int_{1}^{0} (1-u) u^n \, (-du) = \int_{0}^{1} (1-u) u^n \, du

  1. Rewrite the integrand. Expand (1−u)un=un−un+1(1-u)u^n = u^n - u^{n+1}. So:

∫01(un−un+1) du\int_{0}^{1} (u^n - u^{n+1}) \, du

  1. Apply the Power Rule for integration. For any m>−1m > -1, ∫01um du=1m+1\int_{0}^{1} u^m \, du = \frac{1}{m+1}. Here:

∫01un du=1n+1,∫01un+1 du=1n+2\int_{0}^{1} u^n \, du = \frac{1}{n+1}, \quad \int_{0}^{1} u^{n+1} \, du = \frac{1}{n+2}

  1. Combine the results.

∫01(un−un+1) du=1n+1−1n+2\int_{0}^{1} (u^n - u^{n+1}) \, du = \frac{1}{n+1} - \frac{1}{n+2}

  1. Simplify the difference. …

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