Fundamental Theorems of Calculus and Chain Rule: Computing h'(t)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of the Fundamental Theorems of Calculus and the Chain Rule to compute the derivative of a function defined as an integral. The original poster presents a problem involving the function h(t) defined as h(t) = e^(f(t)), where f(t) is the integral of another function a(s) from a constant c to t.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the derivative of h(t) using the Chain Rule and the Fundamental Theorems of Calculus. There are attempts to clarify the relationship between f(t) and its derivative, with some questioning the understanding of constants in the context of differentiation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, with some expressing confusion about the application of the rules. There is a back-and-forth regarding the correct interpretation of the derivative of f(t) and the role of constants, leading to a clearer understanding of the derivative as a(t) only. Guidance has been offered to help clarify these concepts.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note that they are revisiting concepts from previous calculus courses, which may affect their grasp of the current problem. There is an acknowledgment of the challenge in recalling earlier material.

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Homework Statement


Heres the question:

f(t) = Integral from c to t of a(s)ds, and h(t) = ef(t)

Compute h' (t) using:

2 fundamental theorems of Calculus

and

The Chain Ruleany help please ?

Homework Equations



Fundamental Theorems of calc

g(x) = Integral from a to x of f(t) dt

and

Integral from a to b of f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a)

and chain rule

The Attempt at a Solution



using the chain rule i know the answer is f'(t)*ef(t)

but how do you do it using the 2 fundamental thrms??

Help Please
 
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Nooo. The derivative of h(t) is f'(t)*e^(f(t)) isn't it? Now start working on the derivative of f(x).
 
Dick said:
Nooo. The derivative of h(t) is f'(t)*e^(f(t)) isn't it? Now start working on the derivative of f(x).

so basically f(t) = Integral from c to t of a(s)

f(t) = a(t) - a(c)

then f'(t) = ??
 
Wrong again. f(t)=A(t)-A(c) where A(t) is an antiderivative of a(t), i.e. A'(t)=a(t). Tell me again what f'(t) is. I'll warn you in advance, I think you'll get it wrong. Prove I'm wrong about that and think about it.
 
Dick said:
Wrong again. f(t)=A(t)-A(c) where A(t) is an antiderivative of a(t), i.e. A'(t)=a(t). Tell me again what f'(t) is. I'll warn you in advance, I think you'll get it wrong. Prove I'm wrong about that and think about it.

ya I understand that, part 2 of the Fund thm of calc. but can u please explain your whole process on what your doing here cause your just pulling out these rules which still don't help me understand the process of setting this up.
 
deteam said:
ya I understand that, part 2 of the Fund thm of calc. but can u please explain your whole process on what your doing here cause your just pulling out these rules which still don't help me understand the process of setting this up.

I'm not 'pulling out any rules'. I'm just using the chain rule which says (h(f(x)))'=f'(x)*h'(f(x)) with h(x)=e^x (so h'(x)=e^x) and the fundamental theorem of calculus which says the integral from c to x of f(x) is F(x)-F(c) where F is an antiderivative of f. These are the rules you are told to use. Just apply those to your problem.
 
Dick said:
I'm not 'pulling out any rules'. I'm just using the chain rule which says (h(f(x)))'=f'(x)*h'(f(x)) with h(x)=e^x (so h'(x)=e^x) and the fundamental theorem of calculus which says the integral from c to x of f(x) is F(x)-F(c) where F is an antiderivative of f. These are the rules you are told to use. Just apply those to your problem.

alright, this isn't really helping [maybe I'm just not getting it] but thanks for trying, appreciate it.
 
deteam said:
alright, this isn't really helping [maybe I'm just not getting it] but thanks for trying, appreciate it.

I appreciate the thanks, but I don't think you are trying very hard. If f(t)=A(t)-A(c) and A'(t)=a(t), what's the derivative of f(t) (remembering that the derivative of a constant is 0)? I really am trying to help.
 
Dick said:
I appreciate the thanks, but I don't think you are trying very hard. If f(t)=A(t)-A(c) and A'(t)=a(t), what's the derivative of f(t) (remembering that the derivative of a constant is 0)? I really am trying to help.

well since A'(t) = a(t) then wouldn't the derivative of f(t) just be A'(t) and A'(c)?

so:
f(t)=A(t)-A(c)
f'(t) = a(t) - a(c) ?

**The main problem is I am in Calc C and all this stuff was stuff I did in Calc B, which was all the way back in Feb.**
 
  • #10
deteam said:
well since A'(t) = a(t) then wouldn't the derivative of f(t) just be A'(t) and A'(c)?

so:
f(t)=A(t)-A(c)
f'(t) = a(t) - a(c) ?

**The main problem is I am in Calc C and all this stuff was stuff I did in Calc B, which was all the way back in Feb.**

Excuses understood. But A(c) is a CONSTANT. I don't think it's derivative will be nonzero. Hint, hint.
 
  • #11
Dick said:
Excuses understood. But A(c) is a CONSTANT. I don't think it's derivative will be nonzero. Hint, hint.


ok well since its a constant then like you said the derivative is zero. [ i wasn't grasping the whole a(c) is a constant part] which leaves the derivative of f(t) = a(t) only?


and i appreciate you being patient with this, i probably would of stopped helping by now
 
  • #12
deteam said:
ok well since its a constant then like you said the derivative is zero. [ i wasn't grasping the whole a(c) is a constant part] which leaves the derivative of f(t) = a(t) only?

Yes, absolutely.
 
  • #13
Dick said:
Yes, absolutely.

so now this means [ going back to the original problem] that since:
h(t) = ef(t)
and
h'(t) = f'(t)*ef(t)

h'(t) = a(t)*eA(t) -A(c)
?
 
  • #14
deteam said:
so now this means [ going back to the original problem] that since:
h(t) = ef(t)
and
h'(t) = f'(t)*ef(t)

h'(t) = a(t)*eA(t) -A(c)
?

Right. Or h'(t)=a(t)*e^(f(t)). Yes?
 
  • #15
Dick said:
Right. Or h'(t)=a(t)*e^(f(t)). Yes?

yess, thanks a lot once again appreciate your patience, and 2 thumbs up from me lol
 

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