Primitive, antiderivative and integral

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of "primitive," "antiderivative," and "integral" in the context of calculus. Participants explore whether these terms are synonymous or if they represent distinct ideas, focusing on definitions and interpretations within mathematical discourse.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that "primitive" and "antiderivative" are synonymous, with minor distinctions regarding whether they refer to a function or a family of functions.
  • Others argue that "indefinite integral" is also synonymous with "primitive" and "antiderivative," but typically denotes a family of functions.
  • A participant notes that some may refer to a function defined as ##F(x)=\int\limits_a^xf(t)\ dt## as an "indefinite integral," suggesting this usage is uncommon in modern education.
  • Another viewpoint suggests that the distinction between the terms is largely a matter of quibbling, emphasizing the difference between definite and indefinite integrals as the primary concern.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether "primitive," "antiderivative," and "integral" are the same or different concepts. No consensus is reached on the definitions or distinctions among these terms.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved nuances regarding the definitions of "primitive," "antiderivative," and "integral," as well as the context in which these terms are used. The discussion reflects varying interpretations and educational backgrounds of the participants.

Jhenrique
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Prays the CFT that all function f(x) can be expressed how the integral of its derivative more an initial constant:f(x)=\int_{x_0}^{x}f'(u)du+f(x_0) So, is correct affirm that integral, primitive and antiderivative are concepts differents? ie:

f(x) = primitive

##\int_{x_0}^{x}f'(u)du## = antiderivative

∫ = integral

?
 
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Jhenrique said:
Prays the CFT that all function f(x) can be expressed how the integral of its derivative more an initial constant:f(x)=\int_{x_0}^{x}f(u)du+f(x_0) So, is correct affirm that integral, primitive and antiderivative are concepts differents? ie:

f(x) = primitive

##\int_{x_0}^{x}f(u)du## = antiderivative

∫ = integral

?

I am not sure what you are asking. However:
f(x)=\int_{x_0}^{x}f(u)du+f(x_0) should be:
F(x)=\int_{x_0}^{x}f(u)du+F(x_0)

where f(x) = F'(x). F(x) is the antiderivative (indefinite integral) of f(x).
 
Actually, I wrong the notation, but I already fix!

So, in other words, I'd like to know if exist difference between "primitive", "antiderivative" and "integral", if thoses concepts are the same thing or if they are differents. This is my question.
 
As far as i can tell, "primitive" and "antiderivative" are, apart from some minor quibbles regarding whether you're talking about a function or a family of functions, synonymous (they are different words that refer to the same concept). For most of the people that I know, "indefinite integral" is also synonymous with "primitive" and "antiderivative", though the indefinite integral always (in my experience) denotes a family of functions.

There are some folks who call a function of the form ##F(x)=\int\limits_a^xf(t)\ dt## an "indefinite integral", though I believe this usage is very uncommon in modern undergraduate classrooms/texts. In this case "indefinite integral" is not synonymous with "primitive" and "antiderivative". It is fundamentally a different object, though the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus does give us a way to relate it to antiderivatives; in particular it tells us that ##F## is an antiderivative of ##f## whenever ##f## is a derivative.
 
I'm not sure what you are asking. However, making a distinction between these terms is quibbling. The only real distinction is between definite integral and indefinite integral.

Your example is that of a definite integral being called indefinite because the upper limit is a variable. It is OK as long as it is clear to everyone what is being done.
 

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