Unerstanding an Integration question

  • Thread starter gingermom
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Integration
In summary: You understood that F'(x) is an expression involving x but not involving t, right?By the way, you should not use the word "substitute" for what you did. You are simply applying the fundamental theorem of calculus. You are not substituting anything for anything else. Also, technically speaking, it's not even a substitution if you did substitute something for something else (which you didn't) - it's an abbreviation or shorthand, or a new name for an old thing.
  • #1
gingermom
Gold Member
31
0

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?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
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.
 
  • #3
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
 
  • #4
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).
 
  • #5
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).
 
  • #6
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?
 
  • #7
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?
 
  • #8
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?
 
  • #9
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 .
 

FAQ: Unerstanding an Integration question

What is an integration question?

An integration question is a type of mathematical problem that involves finding the area under a curve on a graph. It is used to calculate the total change or accumulation of a quantity over a specific interval.

What are the key steps to solving an integration question?

The key steps to solving an integration question are: identifying the function to be integrated, determining the limits of integration, simplifying the function if possible, and applying the appropriate integration techniques such as the power rule or substitution.

What is the difference between indefinite and definite integration?

Indefinite integration involves finding the antiderivative of a function, while definite integration involves evaluating the definite integral of a function over a specific interval. Indefinite integration results in a function, while definite integration results in a numerical value.

What are some common techniques used to solve integration questions?

Some common techniques used to solve integration questions include the power rule, substitution, integration by parts, and partial fractions. It is important to understand and practice these techniques in order to solve integration questions effectively.

How can I check if my answer to an integration question is correct?

You can check your answer by taking the derivative of the original function and comparing it to your integrated result. If the derivative and the integrated function are equivalent, then your answer is likely correct. You can also use online calculators or graphing tools to verify your answer.

Back
Top