TheoremComplete

Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (Proofs)

The proofs of both parts of the FTC demonstrate the inverse relationship between differentiation and integration. Part I uses the definition of derivative and properties of integrals. Part II uses the Mean Value Theorem. Together, they form the cornerstone of calculus.


Part I: Integration then differentiation

Theorem6.1FTC Part I

If f:[a,b]→Rf : [a, b] \to \mathbb{R} is continuous, then F(x)=∫axf(t) dtF(x) = \int_a^x f(t) \, dt is differentiable on (a,b)(a, b) with F′(x)=f(x)F'(x) = f(x).

Proof

Fix x∈(a,b)x \in (a, b). For small h≠0h \neq 0 with x+h∈(a,b)x + h \in (a, b),

F(x+h)−F(x)h=1h(∫ax+hf(t) dt−∫axf(t) dt)=1h∫xx+hf(t) dt.\frac{F(x+h) - F(x)}{h} = \frac{1}{h}\left(\int_a^{x+h} f(t) \, dt - \int_a^x f(t) \, dt\right) = \frac{1}{h} \int_x^{x+h} f(t) \, dt.

By the Extreme Value Theorem, ff attains its minimum mm and maximum MM on [x,x+h][x, x+h] (or [x+h,x][x+h, x] if h<0h < 0). Then

mh≤∫xx+hf(t) dt≤Mh,m h \leq \int_x^{x+h} f(t) \, dt \leq M h,

so m≤1h∫xx+hf(t) dt≤Mm \leq \frac{1}{h} \int_x^{x+h} f(t) \, dt \leq M.

As h→0h \to 0, by continuity of ff, both m→f(x)m \to f(x) and M→f(x)M \to f(x). By squeeze theorem,

lim⁡h→0F(x+h)−F(x)h=f(x).\lim_{h \to 0} \frac{F(x+h) - F(x)}{h} = f(x).

Thus F′(x)=f(x)F'(x) = f(x).

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Part II: Antiderivatives compute integrals

Theorem6.2FTC Part II

If f:[a,b]→Rf : [a, b] \to \mathbb{R} is continuous and F′=fF' = f, then ∫abf(x) dx=F(b)−F(a)\int_a^b f(x) \, dx = F(b) - F(a).

Proof

Let G(x)=∫axf(t) dtG(x) = \int_a^x f(t) \, dt. By FTC Part I, G′(x)=f(x)G'(x) = f(x).

Since F′=fF' = f and G′=fG' = f, we have (F−G)′=0(F - G)' = 0. By the Mean Value Theorem, F−GF - G is constant on [a,b][a, b]. Thus F(x)−G(x)=CF(x) - G(x) = C for all x∈[a,b]x \in [a, b].

Evaluating at x=ax = a: F(a)−G(a)=F(a)−0=CF(a) - G(a) = F(a) - 0 = C, so C=F(a)C = F(a).

Evaluating at x=bx = b:

F(b)−G(b)=C=F(a),F(b) - G(b) = C = F(a),

so G(b)=F(b)−F(a)G(b) = F(b) - F(a). But G(b)=∫abf(t) dtG(b) = \int_a^b f(t) \, dt, thus

∫abf(x) dx=F(b)−F(a).\int_a^b f(x) \, dx = F(b) - F(a).

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Summary

The FTC connects differentiation and integration:

  • Part I: ddx∫axf(t) dt=f(x)\frac{d}{dx} \int_a^x f(t) \, dt = f(x) (differentiation undoes integration).
  • Part II: ∫abf=F(b)−F(a)\int_a^b f = F(b) - F(a) where F′=fF' = f (antiderivatives evaluate integrals).

See Fundamental Theorem concept for applications.