how to find the derivative of the following function using Fundamental Theorem of Calculus. ?

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1 Answer
Jun 10, 2016

You have to be a bit careful on the use of the Fundamental Theorem when you have a definite integral. Also the chain's rule apply.

Explanation:

The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus states that the derivative is the inverse function of the integral.
Reading this we would be tempted to say that

d/dxF(x)=(2x-1)^3.

But this is not accurate. The reason is that the integral is evaluated on x^3 and x^7, and we have to take into account this. Before solving this integral let's try with a simpler one to understand the problem

F(x)=\int_0^(x^2)1dt.

F(x)=t+C to be evaluated in x^2 and 0, with the result

F(x)=x^2-0=x^2.

If we now derive F(x) we obtain 2x, that it not the argument of the integral 1.

To clarify even better, we call the indefinite integral

I(t)=\int(2t-1)^3dt

here we can apply the derivative safely

I'(t)=d/dtI(t)=(2t-1)^3.

When we pass to F(x) we have

F(x)=I(x^7)-I(x^3), so the derivative has to be calculated using the chain rule:

d/dxF(x)=I'(x^7)*d/dxx^7-I'(x^3)d/dxx^3

We know I' for the fundamental theorem, so we have

d/dxF(x)=(2(x^7)-1)^3*d/dxx^7-(2(x^3)-1)^3*d/dxx^3

d/dxF(x)=(2x^7-1)^3*7x^6-(2x^3-1)^3*3x^2.