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Miscellaneous Exercise · Q33

Q.Prove that ∫01x ex dx=1\int_{0}^{1}x\,e^x\,dx=1

Karnataka PUCTextbookSubjective· 3mImportance★★★★★
Appeared in past exams:GUJCET 2024· Set 13· 1mexact
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The integral ∫01xex dx\int_{0}^{1} x e^x \, dx is evaluated using integration by parts (the product rule in reverse). Choosing u=xu = x and dv=exdxdv = e^x dx simplifies the integral to [xex]01−∫01ex dx[x e^x]_{0}^{1} - \int_{0}^{1} e^x \, dx, which evaluates to 11.

The core idea here is that we have a product of two functions: xx (a polynomial) and exe^x (an exponential). When you see a product like this, your first instinct should be integration by parts. Why? Because the derivative of xx is 11, which is simpler, and the integral of exe^x is exe^x, which is no harder. Integration by parts lets us trade a complicated product for a simpler one.

The formula for integration by parts is:

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

Think of it as the product rule for derivatives, but rearranged for integrals.

Let’s apply it step by step.

  1. Choose uu and dvdv wisely.

    We want uu to become simpler when differentiated, and dvdv to be easy to integrate.

    Set u=xu = x and dv=ex dxdv = e^x \, dx.

    Then du=dxdu = dx (the derivative of xx is 11) and v=exv = e^x (the integral of exe^x is itself).

  2. Plug into the formula.

∫01xex dx=[x⋅ex]01−∫01ex dx\int_{0}^{1} x e^x \, dx = \left[ x \cdot e^x \right]_{0}^{1} - \int_{0}^{1} e^x \, dx

  1. Evaluate the boundary term.

    At x=1x = 1: 1⋅e1=e1 \cdot e^1 = e.

    At x=0x = 0: 0⋅e0=00 \cdot e^0 = 0.

    So [xex]01=e−0=e[x e^x]_{0}^{1} = e - 0 = e.

  2. Evaluate the remaining integral. …

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