Fundamental Theorem of

Calculus

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www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

C HAPTER
1 Fundamental Theorem of
Calculus
In the beginning of this lesson on Definite Integrals, we evaluated definite integrals using the limit definition. This
process was long and tedious. In this lesson we will learn some practical ways to evaluate definite integrals. We
begin with a theorem that provides an easier method for evaluating definite integrals. Newton discovered this method
that uses antiderivatives to calculate definite integrals.
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus:
Let f be continuous on the closed interval [a, b].
Rx
1. If function F is defined by F(x) = a f (t)dt, on [a, b] , then F 0 (x) = f (x) on [a, b].
2. If g is any antiderivative of f on [a, b], then

Z b
f (t)dt = g(b) − g(a).
a

Rb
We sometimes use the following shorthand notation to indicate a f (x)dx = F(b) − F(a) :

Z b
f (x)dx = F(x)]ba .
a

Think about this Theorem. Two of the major unsolved problems in science and mathematics turned out to be
solved by calculus which was invented in the seventeenth century. These are the ancient problems:
1. Find the areas defined by curves, such as circles or parabolas.
2. Determine an instantaneous rate of change or the slope of a curve at a point.
With the discovery of calculus, science and mathematics took huge leaps, and we can trace the advances of the space
age directly to this Theorem.

Example 1

Use the Fundamental Theorem to find the derivative of the following function:

Z x √
3
g(x) = (1 + t)dt.
0

Solution:
While we could easily integrate the right side and then differentiate, the Fundamental Theorem enables us to find
the answer very routinely.

d
Z x √ √
g0 (x) =
3
(1 + t)dt = 1 + 3 x.
dx 0

This application of the Fundamental Theorem becomes more important as we encounter functions that may be more
difficult to integrate such as the following example.

1
 www.ck12.org

Example 2

Use the Fundamental Theorem to find the derivative of the following function:

Z x
g(x) = (t 2 cost)dt.
2

Solution:
In this example, the integral is more difficult to evaluate. The Fundamental Theorem enables us to find the answer
routinely.

Z x
d
g0 (x) = (t 2 cost)dt = x2 cos x.
dx 2

Multimedia Link:

For a video presentation of the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (15.0), see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P
GmVvIglZx8

MEDIA
Click image to the left or use the URL below.
URL: http://www.ck12.org/flx/render/embeddedobject/565

Example 3

Compute the following definite integral:

Z 3
x3 dx.
0

Solution:

3
x4
Z 3
3 81 0 81
x dx = = − = .
0 4 0 4 4 4

Example 4
R2 √
Compute −2 (x − x)dx.
Solution:

√ √ x2 i4 2 3 i4
Z 4 Z 4 4
 
1 2 15 14 17
Z
(x − x)dx = xdx − xdx = − x 2 = 8− − (8 − 1) = − = .
1 1 1 2 1 3 1 2 3 2 3 6

2
www.ck12.org Chapter 1. Fundamental Theorem of Calculus

Example 5
R π
2
Compute 0 (x + cos x)dx.
Solution:

x2 π2 π2 + 8
π π π π π
sin x
Z Z Z
2 2 2 2 2
(x + cos x)dx = (x)dx + (cos x)dx = + = +1 = .
0 0 0 2 0 1 0 8 8

Review

Evaluate the following integrals:

1. f (x) = 2x + 3, [0, 4]
2. f (x) = ex ,[0, 2]
3. f (x) = x2 + x,[1, 3]
4. f (x) = x2 − x,[0, 2]
R +1
5. −1 |x|dx
6. 03 |x3 − 2|dx
R

R +4
7. −2 [|x − 1|+|x + 1|] dx
R9
8. 4 ( √3 )dx
x
R1
9. 0 (t − t 2 )dt
R5
10. 2 ( √1 + √1 )dx
x 2
R1 2 2
11. 0 4(x − 1)(x + 1)dx
R8 4 2
12. 2 ( x + x + x)dx
R 4 3x
13. 2 (e )dx
R4 2
14. 1 x+3 dx