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Derivative of an accumulation function via FTC Part 1

Let g(t)g(t) be the function whose graph is the upper semicircle of radius 1 centered at (1,0)(1,0), defined for 0≤t≤20 \le t \le 2 by g(t)=1−(t−1)2g(t) = \sqrt{1-(t-1)^2}. Define the accumulation function F(x)=∫0xg(t) dtF(x) = \int_0^x g(t)\,dt.

The graph of g(t)g(t) on [0,2][0,2] is shown below.

Derivative of an accumulation function via FTC Part 1 graph

Using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, find F′(1)F'(1), where F(x)=∫0xg(t) dtF(x) = \int_0^x g(t)\,dt.

Hint

By FTC Part 1, F′(x)=g(x)F'(x) = g(x) since the upper limit is simply xx (not a function of xx). So you just need to read the height of the graph at t=1t=1.

Step-by-step solution

By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 1, since gg is continuous and the upper limit of integration is xx itself, F′(x)=g(x)F'(x) = g(x) for all xx in (0,2)(0,2). No chain rule is needed here because the upper limit is exactly xx, not a composite function of xx.

We need F′(1)=g(1)F'(1) = g(1). From the graph, g(1)g(1) is the height of the semicircle at its peak, which occurs at the center t=1t=1 of the semicircle of radius 1. Substituting into g(t)=1−(t−1)2g(t)=\sqrt{1-(t-1)^2} gives g(1)=1−0=1g(1) = \sqrt{1-0} = 1. Therefore F′(1)=1F'(1) = 1.

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