Fundamental theorem of calculus

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and its implications for various statements regarding integrals and derivatives. Participants are evaluating the truth of specific statements related to the theorem.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are testing specific functions to evaluate the truth of the statements, particularly focusing on examples like f(x) = x^2. There is a discussion about the nature of definite versus indefinite integrals and their derivatives.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the nature of the statements, questioning the validity of certain options and suggesting further testing with different functions. There is an ongoing exploration of the precise statements of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the results of integrals can differ by a constant, and there is an emphasis on understanding the distinction between integrals evaluated at specific limits versus those that are functions of a variable.

jesuslovesu
Messages
185
Reaction score
0
(that's a 3 on the last integral)
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2549/jesus1cj.png

I need to find which of those are true, now I thought I and III were true
for sure. But when I do II with an example f(x) = x^2 I get x^2 - 9, so it's not true right? (I and III are not choices given for the correct answer)I know the fundamental theorem of calculus states that the derivative
of an integral is just the function.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Physics news on Phys.org
Yes, II is not true in general. Why not make a test function for the others also?

You might want to look again at the precise statement of the fundamental theorem of calculus.
 
jesuslovesu said:
(that's a 3 on the last integral)
http://img131.imageshack.us/img131/2549/jesus1cj.png

I need to find which of those are true, now I thought I and III were true
for sure. But when I do II with an example f(x) = x^2 I get x^2 - 9, so it's not true right? (I and III are not choices given for the correct answer)


I know the fundamental theorem of calculus states that the derivative
of an integral is just the function.

Consider what kind of integral we are talking about in I. Consider:
[tex]\int_0^3x^2 \, dx = (1/3)x^3|_0^3=9 \neq x^2[/tex].

-Dan
 
Last edited by a moderator:
One thing to remember is that:
[tex]\mathop {\int} \limits_{0} ^ 3 f(x) dx[/tex] is some specific number, whose derivative with respect to x is just a plain 0.
While this:
[tex]\mathop {\int} \limits_{0} ^ x f(x) dx[/tex] is different, since the result does depend on what x you choose. And it's a function of x.
Can you get this? :)
 
Last edited:
Okay, you see that if you try some simple function in 2, you get different results on left and right (differ by a constant) so that is not correct.

It has been pointed out that 1 is obviously untrue (the derivative of a constant is 0).

What about 3? Choose some simple functions and see what happens. Of course, examples won't prove a general statement is true but think about the "Fundamental Theorem of Calculus".
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K