IB DP Mathematics • Nov 2023 • 6 Marks

Calculus: Repeated Integration by Parts

Curated examination question with verified M1/A1 mark scheme and step-by-step mathematical reasoning.

Problem Statement

Find $\int x^2 e^{3x} \, dx$.

Verified Solution & Marking Scheme

First application of Integration by Parts
Let $u = x^2 \implies du = 2x \, dx$. Let $dv = e^{3x} \, dx \implies v = \frac{1}{3}e^{3x}$. $$\int x^2 e^{3x} \, dx = \frac{1}{3}x^2 e^{3x} - \int \frac{1}{3}e^{3x}(2x) \, dx = \frac{1}{3}x^2 e^{3x} - \frac{2}{3} \int x e^{3x} \, dx$$
Second application of Integration by Parts
For $\int x e^{3x} \, dx$, let $u_1 = x \implies du_1 = dx$, $dv_1 = e^{3x} \, dx \implies v_1 = \frac{1}{3}e^{3x}$. $$\int x e^{3x} \, dx = \frac{1}{3}x e^{3x} - \int \frac{1}{3}e^{3x} \, dx = \frac{1}{3}x e^{3x} - \frac{1}{9}e^{3x}$$
Combine and simplify with constant of integration
$$\int x^2 e^{3x} \, dx = \frac{1}{3}x^2 e^{3x} - \frac{2}{3}\left( \frac{1}{3}x e^{3x} - \frac{1}{9}e^{3x} \right) + C$$ $$= \frac{1}{3}x^2 e^{3x} - \frac{2}{9}x e^{3x} + \frac{2}{27}e^{3x} + C = \frac{e^{3x}}{27}(9x^2 - 6x + 2) + C$$
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