How do I simplify the expression Differentiating Integrals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the process of differentiating an integral, specifically the function defined as f(x)=1/2∫_{0}^{x} (x-t)² g(t) dt. Participants explore the differentiation steps and seek to prove a specific derivative expression while addressing potential mistakes in their calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a function f(x) involving an integral and attempts to differentiate it, leading to additional terms that complicate the proof.
  • Another participant points out that the integrals are functions of x due to the upper limit being x, suggesting that this aspect was overlooked in the differentiation process.
  • A later reply acknowledges a mistake in the expansion of (x-t)² and corrects it, leading to a successful differentiation that aligns with the desired expression.
  • One participant introduces LalPlace's formula for differentiating integrals, which may provide a broader context for the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the need to correctly account for the dependence of the integrals on x during differentiation. However, there are differing views on the initial approach and the handling of additional terms that arise in the differentiation process.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include the potential for missing assumptions regarding the behavior of g(t) and the conditions under which the differentiation is valid. The discussion does not resolve all mathematical steps clearly, leaving some aspects open to interpretation.

AngelofMusic
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Hello,

My question has to do with differentiating an integral. We are given:

[tex]f(x)=1/2\int_{0}^{x} (x-t)^2 g(t)dt[/tex]

And we are asked to prove that:

[tex]f'(x)=x\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt - \int_{0}^{x}tg(t)dt[/tex]

My Solution:

I expanded [tex](x-t)^2[/tex] into [tex]x^2-2xt+t[/tex] and then expanded

[tex]f(x)=x^2/2\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt - x\int_{0}^{x}tg(t)dt + \int_{0}^{x}t/2g(t)dt[/tex]

Then I differentiated using the product rule:

[tex]f'(x)=x\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt + g(t)x^2/2 - \int_{0}^{x}tg(t)dt - xtg(t) + t/2g(t)[/tex]

This is close to what they want me to prove, but I have these extra terms:

[tex]g(t)x^2/2-xtg(t)+t/2g(t)[/tex]

Which is basically [tex](t-x)^2/2g(t)[/tex].

How do I eliminate that term? Does it evaluate to 0 somehow?

Thanks for the help!
 
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You can work out the details yourself, but what you overlooked, when you took the derivative, is that the integrals themselves are functions of x, since the upper limit is x. The derivatives are the integrands, g(t) or tg(t).
 
Thank you so much for your help!

I noticed a mistake in my expansion of [tex](x-t)^2[/tex]

And once that was fixed, I was able to follow your advice and differentiate this correctly.

[tex](x-t)^2=x^2-2xt+t^2[/tex]

So,

[tex]f(x)=x^2/2\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt - x\int_{0}^{x}tg(t)dt + \int_{0}^{x}t^2/2g(t)dt[/tex]

[tex]f'(x)=x\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt + g(x)x^2/2 - \int_{0}^{x}tg(t)dt - x^2g(x)+x^2/2g(x)[/tex]

And then the [tex]x^2/2g(x)-x^2g(x)+x^2/2g(x)[/tex] cancel each other out, and

[tex]f'(x)=x\int_{0}^{x}g(t)dt - \int_{0}^{x}tg(t)dt[/tex]

Thanks again for your help!
 
LalPlace's formula

d/dx (∫g(x)h(x)f(t,x)dt is

∫g(x)h(x)&partial;f(t,x)/&partial;xdt + dg/dx f(x,g(x))- df/dx f(x,h(x))
 

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