Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Definite Intervals
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AP Calculus BC › Fundamental Theorem of Calculus: Definite Intervals
If $s(t)=\sec^2 t$ with antiderivative $S(t)=\tan t$, evaluate $\int_{0}^{\pi/4} s(t),dt$.
$S(0)-S(\pi/4)$
$\sec^2(\pi/4)-\sec^2(0)$
$S(\pi/4)-S(0)$
$S(\pi/4)+S(0)$
$\tan(\pi/4-0)$
Explanation
This problem requires using the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 with a trigonometric antiderivative. Given S(t) = tan t as an antiderivative of s(t) = sec² t, we compute S(π/4) - S(0). Evaluating: S(π/4) = tan(π/4) = 1 and S(0) = tan(0) = 0, so the integral equals 1 - 0 = 1. The FTC tells us to subtract the antiderivative at the lower bound from the antiderivative at the upper bound. Choice D incorrectly evaluates the original function s(t) = sec² t at the bounds instead of using the antiderivative, which would give sec²(π/4) - sec²(0) = 2 - 1 = 1 (coincidentally the same answer but wrong method). Always apply FTC by evaluating the antiderivative function, not the integrand, at the bounds.
A particle’s velocity is $v(t)=3t^2-4t+1$. What is $\int_{1}^{4} v(t),dt$ using an antiderivative $V(t)=t^3-2t^2+t$?
$V(4)-V(0)$
$V(4)+V(1)$
$V(1)-V(4)$
$V(4)-V(1)$
$v(4)-v(1)$
Explanation
This problem requires applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 to evaluate a definite integral. Since V(t) is given as an antiderivative of v(t), we can evaluate the integral as V(4) - V(1). Substituting into V(t) = t³ - 2t² + t, we get V(4) = 64 - 32 + 4 = 36 and V(1) = 1 - 2 + 1 = 0, so the integral equals 36 - 0 = 36. The order matters: we always subtract the antiderivative evaluated at the lower bound from the antiderivative evaluated at the upper bound. Choice A incorrectly adds the values instead of subtracting, which is a common error when first learning FTC. Remember: for any definite integral from a to b, evaluate the antiderivative at b minus the antiderivative at a.
Let $p(x)=\cos x$ with antiderivative $P(x)=\sin x$. Find $\int_{\pi/3}^{\pi} p(x),dx$.
$P(\pi)+P(\pi/3)$
$P(\pi/3)-P(\pi)$
$P(\pi)-P(\pi/3)$
$\cos\pi-\cos(\pi/3)$
$\sin(\pi-\pi/3)$
Explanation
This problem requires applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 to a trigonometric integral. Since P(x) = sin x is an antiderivative of p(x) = cos x, we evaluate P(π) - P(π/3). Computing: P(π) = sin(π) = 0 and P(π/3) = sin(π/3) = √3/2, so the integral equals 0 - √3/2 = -√3/2. The evaluation follows the pattern of antiderivative at upper bound minus antiderivative at lower bound. Choice D incorrectly evaluates the original function p(x) = cos x at the bounds instead of using the antiderivative, which would give cos(π) - cos(π/3) = -1 - 1/2 = -3/2. Always use the antiderivative function when applying FTC Part 2 to evaluate definite integrals.
A cost rate is $c(x)=6x-5$. Using $C(x)=3x^2-5x$, evaluate $\int_{2}^{7} c(x),dx$.
$C(2)-C(7)$
$c(7)-c(2)$
$C(7)-C(2)$
$C(7)-C(0)$
$C(7)+C(2)$
Explanation
This problem applies the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 to find total cost over an interval. Given C(x) = 3x² - 5x as an antiderivative of c(x) = 6x - 5, we evaluate C(7) - C(2). Computing: C(7) = 3(49) - 5(7) = 147 - 35 = 112 and C(2) = 3(4) - 5(2) = 12 - 10 = 2, so the integral equals 112 - 2 = 110. The FTC requires subtracting the antiderivative at the lower bound from the antiderivative at the upper bound. Choice D incorrectly uses the original function c(x) instead of its antiderivative, evaluating c(7) - c(2), which demonstrates confusion between a function and its antiderivative. Remember: definite integrals are evaluated using antiderivatives, not the original function.
Given an antiderivative $G(x)=\ln(x)+\frac{1}{x}$ for $g(x)=\frac{1}{x}-\frac{1}{x^2}$, find $\int_{1}^{e} g(x),dx$.
$G(e)+G(1)$
$G(e)$
$G(1)-G(e)$
$G(e)-G(1)$
$G(1)$
Explanation
This problem applies the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 to evaluate a definite integral using a given antiderivative. Since $G(x) = \ln(x) + \frac{1}{x}$ is an antiderivative of $g(x) = \frac{1}{x} - \frac{1}{x^2}$, we know that $\int_{1}^{e} g(x), dx = G(e) - G(1)$. Evaluating at the bounds: $G(e) = \ln(e) + \frac{1}{e} = 1 + \frac{1}{e}$, and $G(1) = \ln(1) + \frac{1}{1} = 0 + 1 = 1$. Therefore, the integral equals $G(e) - G(1) = (1 + \frac{1}{e}) - 1 = \frac{1}{e}$. The distractor $G(1) - G(e)$ reverses the subtraction order, yielding $-\frac{1}{e}$ instead of $\frac{1}{e}$. Remember that FTC Part 2 always uses the pattern: antiderivative at upper limit minus antiderivative at lower limit.
An antiderivative of $m(x)=\frac{3}{\sqrt{x}}$ is $M(x)=6\sqrt{x}$. Evaluate $\int_{4}^{9} m(x),dx$.
$M(9)-M(4)$
$M(9)$
$M(4)$
$M(9)+M(4)$
$M(4)-M(9)$
Explanation
This problem applies the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 with a radical function. Given that M(x) = 6√x is an antiderivative of m(x) = 3/√x, we evaluate ∫[4 to 9] m(x)dx = M(9) - M(4). Computing the values: M(9) = 6√9 = 6(3) = 18, and M(4) = 6√4 = 6(2) = 12. Therefore, the integral equals M(9) - M(4) = 18 - 12 = 6. The distractor M(4) - M(9) reverses the subtraction, giving 12 - 18 = -6, which would be incorrect since m(x) is positive on [4,9]. Remember that FTC Part 2 always evaluates as F(upper) - F(lower) to maintain proper orientation.
If $F'(x)=(3x^2-4x+1)$ and $F(x)=x^3-2x^2+x$, what is $\int_{-1}^{2} (3x^2-4x+1),dx$?
$F(-1)$
$F(2)+F(-1)$
$F(2)$
$F(-1)-F(2)$
$F(2)-F(-1)$
Explanation
This problem requires applying the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2, which states that if F'(x) = f(x), then ∫[a to b] f(x)dx = F(b) - F(a). Since we're given that F'(x) = 3x² - 4x + 1 and F(x) = x³ - 2x² + x, we can directly apply the theorem. To evaluate ∫[-1 to 2] (3x² - 4x + 1)dx, we compute F(2) - F(-1). First, F(2) = 2³ - 2(2²) + 2 = 8 - 8 + 2 = 2, and F(-1) = (-1)³ - 2(-1)² + (-1) = -1 - 2 - 1 = -4. Therefore, the integral equals F(2) - F(-1) = 2 - (-4) = 6. The distractor F(-1) - F(2) reverses the order, giving -6 instead of 6. When applying FTC Part 2, always evaluate the antiderivative at the upper bound minus the lower bound: F(upper) - F(lower).
A particle’s velocity is $v(t)=\sin t$. If $A'(t)=v(t)$, find $\int_{0}^{\pi} \sin t,dt$ in terms of $A$.
$A(\pi)$
$A(0)-A(\pi)$
$A(\pi)+A(0)$
$A(0)$
$A(\pi)-A(0)$
Explanation
This problem draws on the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 to express definite integrals in terms of antiderivatives. Since $A'(t) = \sin t$, $A$ is an antiderivative of the velocity function $v(t)$. The FTC requires evaluating $A$ at $\pi$ and subtracting $A$ at 0. Therefore, the integral from 0 to $\pi$ equals $A(\pi) - A(0)$. A tempting distractor is choice A, $A(0) - A(\pi)$, which reverses the order and yields a negative value, perhaps from misapplying the net change interpretation. A transferable evaluation strategy is to use $F(b) - F(a)$ for any integral from a to b, ensuring accurate accumulation of the function's rate.
Given $T'(x)=\sec^2 x$ on $0,\pi/4$, evaluate $\int_{0}^{\pi/4}\sec^2 x,dx$ using $T$.
$T(\pi/4)$
$T(0)$
$T(0)-T(\pi/4)$
$T(\pi/4)+T(0)$
$T(\pi/4)-T(0)$
Explanation
This problem relies on the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 to evaluate definite integrals using antiderivatives. Given T'(x) = sec²x on [0, π/4], T is an antiderivative of the integrand. The FTC requires T at π/4 minus T at 0. Thus, the integral from 0 to π/4 equals T(π/4) - T(0). A tempting distractor is choice A, T(0) - T(π/4), which inverts the evaluation and produces the negative, possibly from confusing the theorem's formula. A transferable evaluation strategy is to always use the antiderivative's value at the upper limit minus the lower limit for precise integral calculation.
Let $S'(x)=\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}}$ for $x>0$. What is the value of $\int_{1}^{9}\frac{1}{\sqrt{x}},dx$?
$S(9)-S(1)$
$S(9)+S(1)$
$S(1)-S(9)$
$S(3)-S(1)$
$S(9)$
Explanation
This problem invokes the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus Part 2 for expressing integrals in terms of antiderivatives. S'(x) = 1/√x for x > 0, making S an antiderivative over the positive domain. Evaluate S at 9 and subtract S at 1 per the FTC. Therefore, the integral from 1 to 9 equals S(9) - S(1). A tempting distractor is choice A, S(1) - S(9), which swaps the terms and yields a negative result, perhaps from misremembering the subtraction order. A transferable evaluation strategy is to systematically compute the difference F(b) - F(a) for integrals from a to b, ensuring domain conditions are met.