Chapter 5: Problem 36
Evaluate the given definite integral by finding an antiderivative of the integrand and applying Theorem \(3 .\) $$ \int_{1}^{4}(1 / x) d x $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The integral evaluates to \( \ln 4 \).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Integrand
The integrand given in the problem is \( \frac{1}{x} \). We need to find its antiderivative, which will help us evaluate the definite integral.
02
Determine the Antiderivative
The antiderivative of \( \frac{1}{x} \) is the natural logarithm function, \( \ln|x| \). Thus, the indefinite integral of \( \frac{1}{x} \) is \( \ln|x| + C \), where \( C \) is the constant of integration.
03
Apply Theorem 3
According to Theorem 3 (Fundamental Theorem of Calculus), if \( F(x) \) is an antiderivative of \( f(x) \) on \([a, b]\), then \( \int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx = F(b) - F(a) \). Here, \( F(x) = \ln|x| \), \( a = 1 \), and \( b = 4 \).
04
Evaluate the Antiderivative at the Bounds
Substitute \( b = 4 \) and \( a = 1 \) into \( F(x) \): \[ F(4) = \ln|4| = \ln 4 \] \[ F(1) = \ln|1| = \ln 1 = 0 \].
05
Calculate the Definite Integral
Apply the results from Step 4 to Theorem 3: \[ \int_{1}^{4} \frac{1}{x} \, dx = \ln 4 - 0 = \ln 4 \]. This represents the evaluated result of the definite integral.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Antiderivative
Finding the antiderivative is like uncovering the original function from its derivative. It's a reverse process. In the particular case of the function \( \frac{1}{x} \), its antiderivative is the natural logarithm function, noted as \( \ln|x| \). This means when you differentiate \( \ln|x| \), you get back \( \frac{1}{x} \).
When calculating an indefinite integral, we find the antiderivative and add an arbitrary constant \( C \). So, the integral of \( \frac{1}{x} \) is:
When calculating an indefinite integral, we find the antiderivative and add an arbitrary constant \( C \). So, the integral of \( \frac{1}{x} \) is:
- \( \int \frac{1}{x} \, dx = \ln|x| + C \)
Fundamental Theorem of Calculus
The Fundamental Theorem of Calculus is like a bridge connecting differentiation and integration. It states that if you know the antiderivative \( F(x) \) of a continuous function \( f(x) \) over an interval, you can find the definite integral of \( f(x) \) over that interval. This is expressed mathematically as:
Then, by substituting the bounds, \( a = 1 \) and \( b = 4 \), we find:
- \( \int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx = F(b) - F(a) \)
Then, by substituting the bounds, \( a = 1 \) and \( b = 4 \), we find:
- \( \int_{1}^{4} \frac{1}{x} \, dx = \ln 4 - \ln 1 \)
- Since \( \ln 1 = 0 \), the result is \( \ln 4 \)
Natural Logarithm
The natural logarithm, denoted \( \ln(x) \), is a logarithm with the base \( e \), where \( e \approx 2.718 \). It's commonly found in calculus, particularly in solving integrals. In our integral \( \int \frac{1}{x} \, dx \), the natural logarithm appears as the antiderivative.
The natural logarithm has important properties that make it powerful:
The natural logarithm has important properties that make it powerful:
- \( \ln(e) = 1 \)
- \( \ln(1) = 0 \)
- The domain is \( x > 0 \) for \( \ln(x) \)