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Exercise 7.8 · Q15

Q.Evaluate the definite integral: ∫01xex2 dx\int_{0}^{1} x e^{x^2} \, dx

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The integral ∫01xex2 dx\int_{0}^{1} x e^{x^2} \, dx is solved by the substitution u=x2u = x^2, which transforms it into 12∫01eu du\frac{1}{2}\int_{0}^{1} e^u \, du, yielding the final value e−12\frac{e - 1}{2}.

Why U-Substitution Works Here

The integrand xex2x e^{x^2} has a special structure: the derivative of x2x^2 is 2x2x, and we have an xx sitting right next to ex2e^{x^2}. This is the classic signal for substitution — the chain rule in reverse. When you see a function multiplied by its own derivative (or a constant multiple of it), u-substitution is the natural tool.

Think of it this way: if F′(u)=euF'(u) = e^u, then by the chain rule, the derivative of F(x2)F(x^2) is 2xex22x e^{x^2}. Our integrand is exactly half of that. So we're essentially undoing the chain rule.

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Choose the substitution.

    Let u=x2u = x^2. Why? Because du=2x dxdu = 2x \, dx, and we have an x dxx \, dx in the integrand. This choice will absorb the xx and turn the exponential into something simple.

  2. Rewrite the differential.

    From du=2x dxdu = 2x \, dx, we get x dx=du2x \, dx = \frac{du}{2}. The integral becomes:

∫xex2 dx=∫eu⋅du2=12∫eu du\int x e^{x^2} \, dx = \int e^u \cdot \frac{du}{2} = \frac{1}{2} \int e^u \, du

  1. Change the limits of integration.

    Since the original integral runs from x=0x=0 to x=1x=1, we need the corresponding uu values:

    • When x=0x = 0, u=02=0u = 0^2 = 0
    • When x=1x = 1, u=12=1u = 1^2 = 1

    So the definite integral transforms to:

∫01xex2 dx=12∫01eu du\int_{0}^{1} x e^{x^2} \, dx = \frac{1}{2} \int_{0}^{1} e^u \, du

  1. Evaluate the simpler integral. The antiderivative of eue^u is eue^u itself. So: …

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