Chapter 7: Problem 34
Evaluate the following definite integrals. $$\int_{0}^{\ln 2} x e^{x} d x$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
Question: Evaluate the definite integral: $$\int_{0}^{\ln 2} x e^{x} d x$$
Answer: $$2 \ln 2 - 1$$
Step by step solution
01
Choose u and dv
Since we want to simplify the integrand and, integration by parts requires differentiation of one function and integration of the other, we choose:
$$
u = x \quad \text{and} \quad d v = e^{x} d x
$$
02
Differentiate u and integrate dv
Finding du and v:
$$
d u =d x \quad \text{and} \quad v =\int e^{x} d x=e^{x}
$$
03
Apply integration by parts
Integration by parts states that:
$$
\int u d v = u v-\int v d u
$$
Plugging in the values we found,
$$
\int x e^{x} d x = x e^{x} - \int e^{x} d x
$$
04
Integrate the remaining part
Now we integrate the remaining part:
$$
\int e^{x} d x = e^{x}
$$
So the integral of the integrand is:
$$
\int x e^{x} d x=x e^{x}-e^{x}+C
$$
05
Apply the limits and calculate the definite integral
Using the limits \(0\) and \(\ln 2\):
$$
\int_{0}^{\ln 2} x e^{x} d x = \left[ x e^{x} - e^{x} \right]_{0}^{\ln 2}
$$
Evaluating the antiderivative at the limits, we obtain:
$$
\left[ (\ln 2) e^{\ln 2} - e^{\ln 2} - (0 \cdot e^{0}-e^{0}) \right]
$$
Simplify the expression:
$$
\left[ 2 \ln 2 - 2 - (0 - 1)\right] = 2 \ln 2-1
$$
So the value of the given definite integral is:
$$
\int_{0}^{\ln 2} x e^{x} d x = 2 \ln 2-1
$$
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Definite Integral
In calculus, a definite integral is a fundamental concept that represents the area under the curve of a function, between two specific points. It's not just a number; it has a geometric interpretation. When we evaluate a definite integral, we find the net area between the function and the x-axis from one point to another.
- The integral symbol \( \int \) denotes the process of integration.
- The limits of integration provide the specific bounds, in our case \(0\) and \(\ln 2\).
- The function \(x e^x\) is the integrand, which is the function to be integrated.
Exponential Function
An exponential function is a mathematical expression where the variable appears as an exponent. In simpler terms, it involves expressions like \( e^x \), where \( e \) is the base of the natural logarithm, approximately equal to 2.718.
- This base \( e \) is irrational and serves as the foundation for natural exponential functions.
- In the given exercise, \( e^x \) was multiplied by \( x \), making the integrand \( x e^x \) a product of a linear and an exponential function.
- Exponential functions grow quickly—sometimes describing real-world phenomena like population growth and radioactive decay.
Antiderivative
An antiderivative, also known as an indefinite integral, is a function whose derivative is the original function. Essentially, it's the reverse process of differentiation.
- Finding the antiderivative is crucial in solving integration problems like the one in our exercise.
- For \( e^x \), the antiderivative is straightforwardly \( e^x \) because the derivative of \( e^x \) is also \( e^x \).
- In our definite integral task, once we applied integration by parts, exploring the antiderivative of remaining functions was key to evaluating the integral.
Calculus
Calculus is a branch of mathematics focused on limits, functions, derivatives, integrals, and infinite series. It serves as a framework for understanding change and motion, often applied in diverse fields such as physics, engineering, and economics.
- It provides tools to measure things that change, like growth rates and dynamic systems.
- The two main branches are differential calculus (concerning rates of change) and integral calculus (concerned with accumulation), which intertwine beautifully.
- In the exercise, integration by parts—a technique rooted in integral calculus—was used to solve the problem efficiently.