Unerstanding an Integration question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the evaluation of the function F(x) defined as the integral of sqrt(1-t^2) from -1 to x, within the interval -1≤x≤1. Participants explore the geometric interpretation of F(1), its evaluation, and the derivative F'(x).

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the geometric meaning of F(1) and its relation to the area of a semicircle. There are attempts to evaluate F(1) and find F'(x), with some questioning the correctness of their expressions and reasoning. The use of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is also mentioned in relation to finding derivatives.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their thoughts and clarifying concepts. Some guidance has been provided regarding the use of substitution and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, though there is still exploration of different interpretations and approaches.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the limits of integration and the implications of variable substitution in the context of differentiation. There is an acknowledgment of the complexity of the problem as posed by the instructor.

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Homework Statement


for -1≤x≤1, F(x) =∫sqrt(1-t^2) from -1 to x ( sorry don't know how to put the limits on the sign

a. What does F(1) represent geometrically?
b. Evaluate F(1)
c. Find F'(x)

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Since my teacher never seems to give simple questions I am wondering if I am missing something in what is being asked.
a. I know this is a semicircle with radius of 1
b. Evaluate - F(1) - I would think this is just plugging in for x=1 which would be ∏/2
c. It seems like F'(x) would just be the integrand so F' (x) = sqrt(1-t^2)

I feel like maybe I am missing something or am I trying to make this harder than it is?
 
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gingermom said:

Homework Statement


for -1≤x≤1, F(x) =∫sqrt(1-t^2) from -1 to x ( sorry don't know how to put the limits on the sign

a. What does F(1) represent geometrically?
b. Evaluate F(1)
c. Find F'(x)

Homework Equations



The Attempt at a Solution


Since my teacher never seems to give simple questions I am wondering if I am missing something in what is being asked.
a. I know this is a semicircle with radius of 1
b. Evaluate - F(1) - I would think this is just plugging in for x=1 which would be ∏/2
c. It seems like F'(x) would just be the integrand so F' (x) = sqrt(1-t^2)

I feel like maybe I am missing something or am I trying to make this harder than it is?
a.
F(1) is not a semicircle in and of itself. F(1) is just some number. What does that number represent geometrically? Yes, it's related to that semi-circle.

b.
That's right.

c.
You said: F' (x) = sqrt(1-t^2). That's not right. There is a different independent variable on the left compared to the right.
 
Oh, so F(1) would be the area of the semicircle - for C I will have to think on that - Would I find the antiderivative using substitution and then find the derivative of that?

Will go back and review taking the integral with variable in the limits - thanks
 
gingermom said:
Oh, so F(1) would be the area of the semicircle - for C I will have to think on that - Would I find the antiderivative using substitution and then find the derivative of that?
It's simpler than that - use the fundamental theorem of calculus.
For writing limits in forum posts, you could simply use sup and sub: ∫x=01. But it looks much better with LaTeX: ##\int_{x=0}^{1}##.
If anyone posts LaTeX you can see how they did it (and copy it) by right-clicking on the text and selecting Show Math As->TeX commands. It doesn't show the controls which bracket the LaTeX. There are, to my knowledge, four ways of doing those. You can use TEX and /TEX, each inside square brackets [], which will put the LaTeX on a line by itself, or use ITEX and /ITEX if you just want it to be part of a longer line. There's a shorthand form for each of these. The first can be done with just a double dollar sign at each end ("$$", no square brackets); the second with a double hash symbol ("##", # being called a "pound sign" in US).
 
You may either use a substitution to find F'(x) or use the fundamental theorem of calculus.

Finding a suitable substitution would be faster in an exam situation. Can you spot one?

(I was taught this using substitution 2 years before I was taught the fundamental theorem of calculus).
 
so since the upper limit is x it would F '(x) =sqrt(1-x^2) * d/dx X which would be 1 so the answer would be F'(x) = sqrt(1-x^2)

Is that right?
 
gingermom said:
so since the upper limit is x it would F '(x) =sqrt(1-x^2) * d/dx X which would be 1 so the answer would be F'(x) = sqrt(1-x^2)

Is that right?

Part of what you wrote is wrong or mis-stated, part is right.

When you wrote " ... which is 1 ... ", to what does which refer?
 
Okay, I think I was making this way harder than it needed to be - since the integral is from -1 to x and the upper limit is not something like x^2, by the Fundamental Rule of Calculus I should just be able to substitute the x for the t. If the upper limit been a limit that involved a function like x^2, then I would have had to use the chain rule. Is that correct?
 
gingermom said:
Okay, I think I was making this way harder than it needed to be - since the integral is from -1 to x and the upper limit is not something like x^2, by the Fundamental Rule of Calculus I should just be able to substitute the x for the t. If the upper limit been a limit that involved a function like x^2, then I would have had to use the chain rule. Is that correct?

That's pretty much it.

Your original answer said
F' (x) = sqrt(1-t^2)​
but it should have said
F' (x) = sqrt(1-x^2) .​

That's all I was getting at for part c .
 

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