I don't understand how to differentiate integrals

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    Differentiate Integrals
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the differentiation of definite integrals, particularly focusing on the application of the fundamental theorem of calculus and its implications for functions involving trigonometric expressions. Participants are exploring the mechanics of differentiating integrals with variable limits, including specific examples and hypothetical scenarios.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant seeks clarification on differentiating the integral ∫0x cos(t2) dt, expressing confusion particularly with trigonometric functions.
  • Another participant explains the relationship between differentiation and integration, suggesting the use of the chain rule for integrals.
  • Some participants discuss the fundamental theorem of calculus, indicating that differentiating an integral with variable limits involves evaluating the integrand at those limits.
  • There is a proposal that if the upper limit were x2, the differentiation would yield a different result, leading to further exploration of hypothetical scenarios.
  • One participant introduces Leibniz's formula as a more general case for differentiating integrals with variable limits, providing a detailed breakdown of its application.
  • Several participants correct or refine earlier statements, particularly regarding the interpretation of limits and the application of the fundamental theorem.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding regarding the differentiation of definite integrals, with some agreeing on the application of the fundamental theorem while others raise questions about specific steps and hypothetical scenarios. The discussion remains unresolved in terms of consensus on the best approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express uncertainty about the complexity of the example provided, suggesting it may be challenging for the current level of study. There are also unresolved questions about the implications of changing the limits of integration.

sarahaha44
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I am in Calculus 2 and we're just reviewing calc 1. Can someone break down the concept of differentiating definite integrals for me? I am mostly struggling on the trig functions. The problem I am stuck on is
∫^{}x_{}0 cos(t^{}2) dt
 
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You exploit the fact that the integration is the inverse of differentiation, so:

$$\int \frac{d}{dt}y(t)dt = y(t) + c$$ and $$\frac{d}{dt}\int y(t)dt = y(t) + c$$... for indefinite integrals. For definite integrals, the next step is to apply the limits.

But it looks like you want something a but different ... the chain rule for integrating $$\int x_0\cos(t^2)dt$$ ... is that correct?

If you want to evaluate: $$\int f(g(x))g^\prime(x).dx$$ then you can put ##u=g(x)## then solve to find out what dx is. When you make the substitution, you end up evaluating the integral of f(u)du which may be easier to do. That what you are after?
 
sarahaha44 said:
I am in Calculus 2 and we're just reviewing calc 1. Can someone break down the concept of differentiating definite integrals for me? I am mostly struggling on the trig functions. The problem I am stuck on is
∫^{}x_{}0 cos(t^{}2) dt
I think this is what you were trying to write:
$$ \int_0^x cos(t^2)dt$$

Click what I wrote to see my LaTeX script, or click Quote on my post.

Simon Bridge said:
You exploit the fact that the integration is the inverse of differentiation, so:

But it looks like you want something a but different ... the chain rule for integrating $$\int x_0\cos(t^2)dt$$ ... is that correct?
I don't think so. I believe that 0 and x were the lower and upper limits of integration.
 
I don't think so. I believe that 0 and x were the lower and upper limits of integration.
Yeah that makes sense... we'll soon see :)

That particular example looks a tad rough for level 2 - have they just learned Fresnel integrals or something?
 
All you need to do is exploit the fundamental theorem of calculus:

\int_{g(x)}^{h(x)} f(t) dt = F(h(x))-F(g(x))
So differentiating via the chain rule gives:

\frac{d}{dx} \int_{g(x)}^{h(x)} f(t) dt = f(h(x))h'(x)-f(g(x))g'(x)
In the OP's example g(x)=0 and h(x)=x, so:

\frac{d}{dx} \int_{0}^{x} cos(t^2) dt = cos(x^2)-0
 
Mark44 said:
I think this is what you were trying to write:
$$ \int_0^x cos(t^2)dt$$

Click what I wrote to see my LaTeX script, or click Quote on my post.

I don't think so. I believe that 0 and x were the lower and upper limits of integration.
Yes! This is what I was trying to write - sorry, new to the site :)
 
elfmotat said:
All you need to do is exploit the fundamental theorem of calculus:

\int_{g(x)}^{h(x)} f(t) dt = F(h(x))-F(g(x))
So differentiating via the chain rule gives:

\frac{d}{dx} \int_{g(x)}^{h(x)} f(t) dt = f(h(x))h'(x)-f(g(x))g'(x)
In the OP's example g(x)=0 and h(x)=x, so:

\frac{d}{dx} \int_{0}^{x} cos(t^2) dt = cos(x^2)-0
Ah thank you! Life makes sense again haha
 
elfmotat said:
All you need to do is exploit the fundamental theorem of calculus:

\int_{g(x)}^{h(x)} f(t) dt = F(h(x))-F(g(x))
So differentiating via the chain rule gives:

\frac{d}{dx} \int_{g(x)}^{h(x)} f(t) dt = f(h(x))h'(x)-f(g(x))g'(x)
In the OP's example g(x)=0 and h(x)=x, so:

\frac{d}{dx} \int_{0}^{x} cos(t^2) dt = cos(x^2)-0
Actually I am unclear with your last step there. So f(h(x))h'(x) equals x, do you just plug x in for t? What if it equaled x2? Would it end up being cos x4? Hypothetically speaking.
 
sarahaha44 said:
Actually I am unclear with your last step there. So f(h(x))h'(x) equals x, do you just plug x in for t? What if it equaled x2? Would it end up being cos x4? Hypothetically speaking.

If you were integrating from 0 to x2, you would get:

2xcos(x^4)
 
  • #10
The "fundamental theorem of calculus" (part of it) says the if F(x)= \int f(x) dx, then dF/dx= f(x). That says that d/dx \int_a^x f(t)dt= f(x). (The other part says that if f(x)= dF/dx, then F(x)= \int f(x)dx+ C for some constant C.)

"Leibniz's formula" is more general:
\frac{d}{dx}\int_{\alpha(x)}^{\beta(x)} f(x,t)dt=f(x, \beta(x))\frac{d\beta(x)}{dx}- f(x, \alpha(x))\frac{d\alpha(x)}{dx}+ \int_{\alpha(x)}^{\beta(x)} \frac{\partial f(x, t)}{\partial x}dt.

The "fundamental theorem" is clearly a special case of "Leibniz's formula" with \alpha(x)= 0, so that d\alpha/dx= 0, \beta(x)= x so that d\beta/dx= 1 and f(t) not a function of x so that \partial f/\partial x= 0:
\frac{d}{dx}\int_0^x f(t)dt= (1)f(x)- (0)f(0)+ \int_0^x 0 dt= f(x).

To do the initial example, d/dx\int_0^x cos(t^2)dt, you just need the "fundamental theorem", d/dx\int_0^x cos(t^2)dt= cos(x^2).

To do the example elfmotat gives, d/dx \int_0^{x^2} cos(t^2)dt take \beta(x)= x^2, so that d\beta/dx= 2x, and \alpha(x)= 0. f(x, t)= cos(t^2) which does NOT depend on x so that \partial f/\partial x= 0. Leibniz' forumula becomes
2x cos((x^2)^2)- 0 cos(0^2)+ \int_0^{x^2} 0 dt= 2x cos(x^4).
 

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