[Math] Integration by parts vs u-substitution

calculus

This is something that is confusing the heck out of me. In calculus we progressively learned definite integrals, indefinite integrals, u-substitution of integrals, and now integration by parts.

So the confusion lies here.

In the u-substitution section of our textbook it has several problems to solve like these:

$\int_{0}^{\pi/2}$ cos$(6x)$sin$($sin$(6x))dx$

$\int_{0}^{1} x^{35}e^{-x^{36}}$

From what I have read and been taught, integration by parts corresponds to the product rule for differentiation $\frac{d}{dx} [f(x)g(x)]=f(x)g'(x)+g(x)f'(x)$

Are these not functions multiplied by other functions hence integration by parts should be used? The reason I am asking is because they not integrated this way in the solutions part of the textbook.

Best Answer

The first integral is easily computed with the substitution $u=\sin 6x$. Integrating that thing by parts could be a nightmare.

Same thing with the second integral. $u=x^{36}$ Would be a great choice, while integrating by parts probably won't get anywhere.

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