integrating over piecewise functions

joshmccraney

given a function [itex]f(x)[/itex] that is piecewise smooth on interval [itex]-L<x<L[/itex] except at [itex]N-1[/itex] points, is [itex]\int_{-L}^L f'(x)dx [/itex] legal or would i have to [tex]\sum_{i=1}^N \int_{x_i}^{x_{i+1}} f'(x)dx‎‎[/tex]
where [itex]x_{N+1}=L[/itex] and [itex]x_{1}=-L[/itex]

also, am i correct that if [itex]f(x)[/itex] is piecewise smooth, then [itex]f'(x)[/itex] is piecewise continuous but not necessarily piecewise smooth?

thanks in advance!

jbunniii

The latter. Suppose for example that ##f(x) = |x|^{1/2}##. This is smooth (infinitely differentiable) everywhere except at ##x = 0##, and
$$f'(x) = \begin{cases}
\frac{1}{2|x|^{1/2}} & \textrm{ if }x > 0 \\
\frac{-1}{2|x|^{1/2}} & \textrm{ if }x < 0 \\
\end{cases}$$
As ##f'## is unbounded on ##[-L,L]##, it's necessary to use two (improper) integrals to integrate it:
$$\lim_{a \rightarrow 0^-} \int_{-L}^{a} f'(x) dx + \lim_{b \rightarrow 0^+}\int_{b}^{L} f'(x) dx$$
Both limits exist and the answers have opposite signs, so the result is 0.
Assuming "smooth" means infinitely differentiable, ##f'## will be piecewise smooth. If by "smooth" you merely mean (once) differentiable, then ##f'## is not necessarily even piecewise continuous.

joshmccraney

thanks for the reply. think i have it now.