Describe the meaning of the Mean Value Theorem for Integrals.
State the meaning of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 1.
Use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 1, to evaluate derivatives of integrals.
State the meaning of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2.
Use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2, to evaluate definite integrals.
Explain the relationship between differentiation and integration.
In the previous two sections, we looked at the definite integral and its relationship to the area under the curve of a function. Unfortunately, so far, the only tools we have available to calculate the value of a definite integral are geometric area formulas and limits of Riemann sums, and both approaches are extremely cumbersome. In this section we look at some more powerful and useful techniques for evaluating definite integrals.
These new techniques rely on the relationship between differentiation and integration. This relationship was discovered and explored by both Sir Isaac Newton and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (among others) during the late 1600s and early 1700s, and it is codified in what we now call the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, which has two parts that we examine in this section. Its very name indicates how central this theorem is to the entire development of calculus.
Isaac Newton’s contributions to mathematics and physics changed the way we look at the world. The relationships he discovered, codified as Newton’s laws and the law of universal gravitation, are still taught as foundational material in physics today, and his calculus has spawned entire fields of mathematics. To learn more, read a brief biography of Newton with multimedia clips.
Before we get to this crucial theorem, however, let’s examine another important theorem, the Mean Value Theorem for Integrals, which is needed to prove the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
The Mean Value Theorem for Integrals states that a continuous function on a closed interval takes on its average value at some point in that interval. The theorem guarantees that if is continuous, a point exists in an interval such that the value of the function at is equal to the average value of over . We state this theorem mathematically with the help of the formula for the average value of a function that we presented at the end of the preceding section.
If is continuous over an interval , then there is at least one point such that
| (5.15) |
This formula can also be stated as
Since is continuous on , by the extreme value theorem (see Maxima and Minima), it assumes minimum and maximum values— and , respectively—on . Then, for all in , we have . Therefore, by the Comparison Theorem), we have
Dividing by gives us
Since is a number between and , and since is continuous and assumes the values and over , by the Intermediate Value Theorem (see Continuity), there is a number over such that
and the proof is complete.
∎
Find the average value of the function over the interval and find such that equals the average value of the function over .
Solution: The formula states the mean value of is given by
We can see in Figure 5.31 that the function represents a straight line and forms a right triangle bounded by the - and -axes. The area of the triangle is . We have
The average value is found by multiplying the area by . Thus, the average value of the function is
Set the average value equal to and solve for .
At .
Find the average value of the function over the interval and find such that equals the average value of the function over .
Hint: Use the procedures from Example 5.3.1 to solve the problem
Given , find such that equals the average value of over .
Solution: We are looking for the value of such that
Replacing with 2, we have
Since is outside the interval, take only the positive value. Thus, (Figure 5.32).
![A graph of the parabola $\displaystylef(x)=x^{2}$ over [-2, 3]. The area under the curve and above the x axis is shaded, and the point (sqrt(3), 3) is marked.](x10.png)
Given , find such that equals the average value of over .
Hint: Use the procedures from Example 5.3.2 to solve the problem.
As mentioned earlier, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is an extremely powerful theorem that establishes the relationship between differentiation and integration, and gives us a way to evaluate definite integrals without using Riemann sums or calculating areas. The theorem is comprised of two parts, the first of which, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 1, is stated here. Part 1 establishes the relationship between differentiation and integration.
If is continuous over an interval , and the function is defined by
| (5.16) |
then over .
Before we delve into the proof, a couple of subtleties are worth mentioning here. First, a comment on the notation. Note that we have defined a function, , as the definite integral of another function, , from the point to the point . At first glance, this is confusing, because we have said several times that a definite integral is a number, and here it looks like it’s a function. The key here is to notice that for any particular value of , the definite integral is a number. So the function returns a number (the value of the definite integral) for each value of .
Second, it is worth commenting on some of the key implications of this theorem. There is a reason it is called the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. Not only does it establish a relationship between integration and differentiation, but also it guarantees that any integrable function has an antiderivative. Specifically, it guarantees that any continuous function has an antiderivative.
Applying the definition of the derivative, we have
Looking carefully at this last expression, we see is just the average value of the function over the interval . Therefore, by Theorem 5.3, there is some number in such that
In addition, since is between and + , approaches as approaches zero. Also, since is continuous, we have . Putting all these pieces together, we have
and the proof is complete.
∎
Use the Theorem 5.4 to find the derivative of
Solution: According to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, the derivative is given by
Use the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 1 to find the derivative of .
Hint: Follow the procedures from Example 5.3.3 to solve the problem.
Let . Find .
Solution: Letting , we have . Thus, by the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus and the chain rule,
Let . Find .
Hint: Use the chain rule to solve the problem.
Let . Find .
Solution: We have . Both limits of integration are variable, so we need to split this into two integrals. We get
Differentiating the first term, we obtain
Differentiating the second term, we first let . Then,
Thus,
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2, is perhaps the most important theorem in calculus. After tireless efforts by mathematicians for approximately 500 years, new techniques emerged that provided scientists with the necessary tools to explain many phenomena. Using calculus, astronomers could finally determine distances in space and map planetary orbits. Everyday financial problems such as calculating marginal costs or predicting total profit could now be handled with simplicity and accuracy. Engineers could calculate the bending strength of materials or the three-dimensional motion of objects. Our view of the world was forever changed with calculus.
After finding approximate areas by adding the areas of rectangles, the application of this theorem is straightforward by comparison. It almost seems too simple that the area of an entire curved region can be calculated by just evaluating an antiderivative at the first and last endpoints of an interval.
If is continuous over the interval and is any antiderivative of , then
| (5.17) |
We often see the notation to denote the expression . We use this vertical bar and associated limits and to indicate that we should evaluate the function at the upper limit (in this case, ), and subtract the value of the function evaluated at the lower limit (in this case, ).
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2 (also known as the evaluation theorem) states that if we can find an antiderivative for the integrand, then we can evaluate the definite integral by evaluating the antiderivative at the endpoints of the interval and subtracting.
Let be a regular partition of . Then, we can write
Now, we know is an antiderivative of over , so by the Mean Value Theorem for we can find in such that
Then, substituting into the previous equation, we have
Taking the limit of both sides as , we obtain
∎
Use Theorem 5.5 to evaluate
Solution: Recall the power rule for Antiderivatives:
Use this rule to find the antiderivative of the function and then apply the theorem. We have
Analysis: Notice that we did not include the “+ ” term when we wrote the antiderivative. The reason is that, according to the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2, any antiderivative works. So, for convenience, we chose the antiderivative with . If we had chosen another antiderivative, the constant term would have canceled out. This always happens when evaluating a definite integral.
The region of the area we just calculated is depicted in Figure 5.33. Note that the region between the curve and the -axis is all below the -axis. Area is always positive, but a definite integral can still produce a negative number (a net signed area). For example, if this were a profit function, a negative number indicates the company is operating at a loss over the given interval.
Evaluate the following integral using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2:
Solution: First, eliminate the radical by rewriting the integral using rational exponents. Then, separate the numerator terms by writing each one over the denominator:
Use the properties of exponents to simplify:
Now, integrate using the power rule:
See Figure 5.34.
James and Kathy are racing on roller skates. They race along a long, straight track, and whoever has gone the farthest after 5 sec wins a prize. If James can skate at a velocity of ft/sec and Kathy can skate at a velocity of ft/sec, who is going to win the race?
Solution: We need to integrate both functions over the interval and see which value is bigger. For James, we want to calculate
Using the power rule, we have
Thus, James has skated 50 ft after 5 sec. Turning now to Kathy, we want to calculate
We know is an antiderivative of , so it is reasonable to expect that an antiderivative of would involve . However, when we differentiate , we get as a result of the chain rule, so we have to account for this additional coefficient when we integrate. We obtain
Kathy has skated approximately 50.6 ft after 5 sec. Kathy wins, but not by much!
Suppose James and Kathy have a rematch, but this time the official stops the contest after only 3 sec. Does this change the outcome?
Hint: Change the limits of integration from those in Example 5.3.8.
The Mean Value Theorem for Integrals states that for a continuous function over a closed interval, there is a value such that equals the average value of the function. See Theorem 5.3.
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 1 shows the relationship between the derivative and the integral. See Theorem 5.4.
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, Part 2 is a formula for evaluating a definite integral in terms of an antiderivative of its integrand. The total area under a curve can be found using this formula. See Theorem 5.5.
Mean Value Theorem for Integrals
If is continuous over an interval , then there is at least one point such that .
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 1
If is continuous over an interval , and the function is defined by , then .
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2
If is continuous over the interval and is any antiderivative of , then .
the theorem, central to the entire development of calculus, that establishes the relationship between differentiation and integration
uses a definite integral to define an antiderivative of a function
(also, evaluation theorem) we can evaluate a definite integral by evaluating the antiderivative of the integrand at the endpoints of the interval and subtracting
guarantees that a point exists such that is equal to the average value of the function