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First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

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    The First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

    The First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:  Statement and Proof

     

    The First Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

    Let f be a continuous function on [a,b] and let 

              F'(x) = f(x) 

    then

           \( \int_a^b f(x) dx = F(b) - F(a)    \)



    Proof:  

    Cut up the interval [a,b] into several pieces with 

            a  =  x0  <  x1  <  x2  <  x3  <  ...  <  xn-1  <  xn  =  b

    Then 

            F(b) - F(a)  = 

            [F(xn) - F(xn-1)] + [F(xn-1) - F(xn-2)] +  [F(xn-2) - F(xn-3)] +... + [F(x2) - F(x1)] +  [F(x1) - F(x0)]   

     

            = \( \sum_{i=1}^{n} [F(x_i) - F(x_{i-1})] \)   

    By the mean value theorem there is a  ci between  xi-1  and  xi with 

                             F(xi) - F(xi-1)               F(xi) - F(xi-1)                                            
            F'(ci)  =                                  =                                  
                               xi   -   xi-1                            \(\Delta\)xi 

    Multiplying both sides by \(\Delta\)xi gives

            F'(ci)\(\Delta\)xi  =  F(xi) - F(xi-1)    

     

    Substituting into the sum gives

             \( \sum_{i=1}^{n} F'(c_i) \Delta x_i \)   

    Taking the limit as n approaches infinity, gives the definite integral.

     


    Examples

    Example 1:  

           \( \int_{1}^{2} 2x dx  = x^2 |_1^2 = 4 - 1 = 3    \)   

    Example 2:

    Find the area bounded by the curve

         y = x2 - x , y = 0,  x = 4

            Graph of x^2 - 2x.  Between x = 0 and 2 it I below the x-axis.  Past x=2 it is above the x-axis. 


    Notice that there is area both below the x-axis and above.  We can find:

           \(\int_{i=0}^{4} (x^2 - 2x) dx = \int_{i=2}^{4} (x^2 - 2x) dx - \int_{i=0}^{2} (x^2 - 2x) dx  \)   

           \(  (\frac{x^3}{3} - x^2)|_2^4 - (\frac{x^3}{3} - x^2)|_0^2   \)

           \( = [ (\frac{64}{3} - 16) - (\frac{8}{3} - 4) ] \ - [(\frac{8}{3} - 4) - (0)] \)

           \( = 8\)



     

    Back to Antidifferentiation Page

     

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