# Derivative of a definite integral?

• I
consider x is between the interval [a,b]
would it be correct to say that the derivative of a definite integral F(x) is f(x) because as dx approaches zero in (x + dx), the width of ALL "imaginary rectangles" would closely resemble a line segment which approximates f(x)? therefore change in area under a curve is dependent to the change in the height of f(x) with respect to dx(which is inifinitesimally small)??

the different notations used in several videos i watched seemed to have confused me or doubt my own understanding of a seemingly simple concept

Ahmed Mehedi

member 587159
Derivative of a definite integral? The definite integral calculates an orientated area. This is a constant. The derivative of a constant equals zero. Therefor, the derivative of a definite integral is zero.

Ahmed Mehedi
Derivative of a definite integral? The definite integral calculates an orientated area. This is a constant. The derivative of a constant equals zero. Therefor, the derivative of a definite integral is zero.
sorry. just integral, not definite integral

SteamKing
Staff Emeritus
Homework Helper
Derivative of a definite integral? The definite integral calculates an orientated area. This is a constant. The derivative of a constant equals zero. Therefor, the derivative of a definite integral is zero.
Not necessarily.

You have to apply the Leibniz Rule:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leibniz_integral_rule

Ahmed Mehedi and member 587159
Derivative of a definite integral? The definite integral calculates an orientated area. This is a constant. The derivative of a constant equals zero. Therefor, the derivative of a definite integral is zero.

Sorry. I made a mistake. If we simply discard the limit then what happens? That is if $$F(x)=\int f(x)dx$$ implies $$F'(x)=\int f'(x)dx$$?

member 587159
Sorry. I made a mistake. If we simply discard the limit then what happens? That is if $$F(x)=\int f(x)dx$$ implies $$F'(x)=\int f'(x)dx$$?
No, by definition ##\int f(x) dx## is a function ##F(x)## satisfying ##F'(x) = f(x)##. So rather ##F'(x) = f(x)##.

What you wrote is not entirely false, but then you have to assume that ##f## is differentiable which must not be the case. Also you must take into account annoying (integrating) constants.

Ahmed Mehedi
No, by definition ##\int f(x) dx## is a function ##F(x)## satisfying ##F'(x) = f(x)##. So rather ##F'(x) = f(x)##.

What you wrote is not entirely false, but then you have to assume that ##f## is differentiable which must not be the case. Also you must take into account annoying (integrating) constants.

Can't we just differentiate both sides of the first line and pass the differentiation operator inside the integration operator?

No, by definition ##\int f(x) dx## is a function ##F(x)## satisfying ##F'(x) = f(x)##. So rather ##F'(x) = f(x)##.

What you wrote is not entirely false, but then you have to assume that ##f## is differentiable which must not be the case. Also you must take into account annoying (integrating) constants.

I got your answer. But why you assume that f is not differentiable?

member 587159
I got your answer. But why you assume that f is not differentiable?

##F## can be a primitive function of ##f## without ##f## being differentiable. For example, take ##f(x)=|x|##. This is not differentiable in ##0## but by the fundamental theorem of calculus there exists a primitive ##F## for ##f##.

Ahmed Mehedi