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Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Harvey Mudd College Math Tutorial

The document summarizes the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which justifies the procedure of evaluating a definite integral by computing the antiderivative of the integrand and evaluating it at the limits of integration. It states that if F is an antiderivative of a continuous function f over an interval [a,b], then the definite integral from a to b of f is equal to F(b) minus F(a). The proof uses the fact that any two antiderivatives of f differ by only a constant, and applies this to relate the definite integral to the antiderivatives evaluated at the limits. Examples are given to illustrate how this allows computation of definite integrals.

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38 views3 pages

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Harvey Mudd College Math Tutorial

The document summarizes the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which justifies the procedure of evaluating a definite integral by computing the antiderivative of the integrand and evaluating it at the limits of integration. It states that if F is an antiderivative of a continuous function f over an interval [a,b], then the definite integral from a to b of f is equal to F(b) minus F(a). The proof uses the fact that any two antiderivatives of f differ by only a constant, and applies this to relate the definite integral to the antiderivatives evaluated at the limits. Examples are given to illustrate how this allows computation of definite integrals.

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Harvey Mudd College Math Tutorial:

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus


We are all used to evaluating denite integrals without giving the reason for the procedure much thought. The denite integral is dened not by our regular procedure but rather as a limit of Riemann sums. We often view the denite integral of a function as the area under the graph of the function between two limits. It is not intuitively clear, then, why we proceed as we do in computing denite integrals. The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus justies our procedure of evaluating an antiderivative at the upper and lower limits of integration and taking the dierence. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Let f be continuous on [a, b]. If F is any antiderivative for f on [a, b], then
b a

f (t) dt = F (b) F (a).

Heres a sketch of the proof, based on Salas and Hilles Calculus: One Variable.
x

Let G(x) =
a

f (t) dt.

Then it may be proven that G(x) is an antiderivative for f on [a, b]. Let F (x) be another antiderivative for f on [a, b]. Then G(x) and F (x) are continuous on [a, b] and satisfy G (x) = F (x) = f (x) for all x in [a, b]. It may be shown that F (x) and G(x) dier only by a constant: G(x) = F (x) + C for some C and all x [a, b] Now G(a) =
a a

f (t) dt = 0,

so 0 = G(a) = F (a) + C. Then C = F (a), so G(x) = F (x) F (a). Letting x = b, G(b) = F (b) F (a) so
b a

f (t) dt = F (b) F (a).

Notation We often write f (t) dt = F (t)|b or a a respect to which we are integrating.


b b a

f (t) dt = F (t)|t=b to emphasize the variable with t=a

Example

3 1

x dx =

x2 2 1 32 12 = 2 2 = 4.

Areashaded = Arealarge 1 2 (3 ) 1 (12 ) = 4 2 2

Areasmall

If we had chosen a dierent antiderivative


3

x2 + C, the outcome would have been identical: 2


3

x dx =
1

x2 +C 2

9 1 +C +C 2 2 9 1 = +C C 2 2 = 4. =

Properties
a

f (x) dx = 0.
a

Interchanging the limits of integration


a b b

f (x) dx =

f (x) dx.
a

Linearity

[f (x) + g(x)] dx =
a a

f (x) dx +
a

g(x) dx.

Key Concepts
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Let f be continuous on [a, b]. If F is any antiderivative for f on [a, b], then
b a

f (t) dt = F (b) F (a).

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