Integration by parts vs normal?

[legacyofpiracy]

I don't have a truly specific question, I was just wondering if anyone knew a method of determining if an integral should be solved through integration by parts or if the simpler u, du should be used?

 

[tkhunny]

Experience.

 

[legacyofpiracy]

I should have expected that.

 

[tkhunny]

Sorry. The only slightly better answer I can give you is to encourage you to stop thinking that "Substitution" is "Normal". Normal should mean "whatever means necessary". Out in the real world, if you can find a closed-form solution to an integral, you can count your blessings AND your lucky stars.

 

[legacyofpiracy]

that does help, thank you very much