Derivative of an accumulation function via FTC Part 1
Let be the function whose graph is the upper semicircle of radius 1 centered at , defined for by . Define the accumulation function .
The graph of on is shown below.
Using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, find , where .
Hint
By FTC Part 1, since the upper limit is simply (not a function of ). So you just need to read the height of the graph at .
Step-by-step solution
By the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 1, since is continuous and the upper limit of integration is itself, for all in . No chain rule is needed here because the upper limit is exactly , not a composite function of .
We need . From the graph, is the height of the semicircle at its peak, which occurs at the center of the semicircle of radius 1. Substituting into gives . Therefore .
Related problems
Practice similar Calculus problems interactively.
Start Closing the Gap