A strange derivative-integral discrepancy

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around a perceived inconsistency between the derivative and integral of the function ##\frac{x}{x+a}##. Participants explore the results of differentiating and integrating this function, questioning why the integral of the derivative does not appear to return to the original function.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the derivative of ##\frac{x}{x+a}## and finds it to be ##\frac{a}{(x+a)^2}##.
  • Another participant confirms the integral of ##\frac{a}{(x+a)^2}## yields ##-\frac{a}{x+a}##, which does not match the original function.
  • Some participants note discrepancies in results from different computational tools, with one participant's phone app returning ##\frac{x}{x+a}## while others do not.
  • There is a suggestion that the constant of integration may account for differences in results, with one participant proposing to set it to 1 for comparison.
  • Concerns are raised about the legality of operations involving common denominators and how they may alter the function's appearance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the results of integration and differentiation, with no consensus reached on the underlying reasons for the discrepancies observed in computational outputs.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the importance of the constant of integration and the potential impact of different computational tools on the results, but do not resolve the implications of these factors.

ELB27
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Hi,
I have just encountered a strange (for me) inconsistency with a derivative: If I take the x derivative of ##\frac{x}{x+a}## I get ##\frac{x+a-x}{(x+a)^2} = \frac{a}{(x+a)^2}##. However, when I take the integral of the latter I get: ##-\frac{a}{x+a} (+constant) ≠ \frac{x}{x+a}##. I have checked the above (simple) calculations with Mathematica to make sure I didn't make any mistake with formulas/arithmetic. Maybe I forget some principle but how is it possible to integrate the derivative of a function and get something else than the function itself back?
Appreciate any help on this.
Just for the record, I have attached a screenshot of Mathematica.
 

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very odd.
i used maxima (freeware mathematica):
integrate(a/(a^2+x^2+2*a*x),x)
and got -a/(x+a) like youre saying

then i tried realcalc (a phone app with a symbolic integration feature) and i got x/(a+x)
obviously realcalc is right, i don't understand why a phone app would beat 2 computer algebra systems though. !
 
Let the constant of integration be 1. Then it's exactly the same.
 
MarneMath said:
Let the constant of integration be 1. Then it's exactly the same.
Ah that's it - thanks. Interesting though how tricky these things can be.

DivergentSpectrum said:
very odd.
i used maxima (freeware mathematica):
integrate(a/(a^2+x^2+2*a*x),x)
and got -a/(x+a) like youre saying

then i tried realcalc (a phone app with a symbolic integration feature) and i got x/(a+x)
obviously realcalc is right, i don't understand why a phone app would beat 2 computer algebra systems though. !
Maybe the app is programmed so that the integral of a derivative of anything would give the same thing back. As for the computer programs - they obviously neglected the constant of integration and took it to be 0.
I wonder if all this operations of common denominator are legal given how they sneakily change the appearance of the function...
 

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