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Introduction
1. Limits
2. Derivative basics
3. Advanced differentiation
4. Contextual uses
5. Analytical uses
6. Integration
6.1 Accumulation of change
6.2 Riemann sums & area
6.3 Definite integrals
6.4 Accumulation functions
6.5 Behavior of accumulation functions
6.6 Fundamental theorem of calculus
6.7 Indefinite integrals
6.8 u-substitution
6.9 Long division & completing the square
7. Differential equations
8. Applications of integrals
9. Testing details tag
Wrapping up
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6.5 Behavior of accumulation functions
Achievable AP Calculus AB
6. Integration
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Behavior of accumulation functions

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What you’ll learn:

  • How to use a graph or expression of f to analyze its integral

You may be shown a graph or an expression for f(t) and asked about the behavior of an accumulation function

F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt.

A helpful way to think about these problems is the same way you think about derivative-graph questions: if you know the derivative, what can you conclude about the original function? Here, f plays the role of the derivative because

F′(x)=f(x).

Treat these problems like the ones from section 5.4: given the graph of the derivative, what can you conclude about the original function?

AP tip:

When given F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt in a problem, it may help to immediately write F′(x)=f(x) as a note to yourself. That reminds you that capital F is the accumulation function and lowercase f is its derivative.

As a reminder, here are a few facts:

  • If f(x)>0, then F(x) is increasing.
  • If f(x)<0, then F(x) is decreasing.
  • F(x) has a local min where f(x) changes from negative to positive.
  • F(x) has a local max where f(x) changes from positive to negative.
  • You can also figure out the concavity of F(x) since F′′(x)=f′(x).

Examples

Shown below is the graph of f:

Figure 6.5.1 Graph of f
Figure 6.5.1 Graph of f

Let F be the function defined by

F(x)=2+∫1x​f(t)dt

Fill out the table with the intervals or coordinates where F(x) has or is…

F(x) Interval or ordered pair
Increasing
Decreasing
Relative min
Relative max
Absolute min
Absolute max
Concave up
Concave down
Inflection point(s)

Solutions

a) Increasing/decreasing

(spoiler)

Because

F′(x)=f(x),

F(x) is increasing where f(x)>0 and decreasing where f(x)<0.

From the graph, f(x)>0 (above the x-axis) on

(4,6.5)​.

From the graph, f(x)<0 (below the x-axis) on

(0,2)∪(2,4)∪(6.5,8)​.

b) Relative min/max

(spoiler)

A relative minimum of F occurs where F′(x) changes from negative to positive. Since F′(x)=f(x), this happens where f(x) changes from negative to positive.

From the graph, f(x) changes from negative to positive at x=4, so F has a relative minimum at x=4.

To write the ordered pair, compute the y-value:

F(4)=2+∫14​f(t)dt.

Interpret the definite integral as signed area between the graph of f and the x-axis from t=1 to t=4. The regions are:

  • A triangle with signed area =21​(1)(1)
  • A semi-circle with signed area =21​π(1)2

Because the graph is below the x-axis on this interval, these contribute negative signed area, so

∫14​f(t)dt=−21​−2π​.

Then

F(4)=2+(−21​−2π​)≈−0.071.

So the ordered pair for the relative minimum is

(4,−0.071)​.

A relative maximum of F occurs where f(x) changes from positive to negative.

From the graph, this occurs at x=6.5, so F has a relative maximum at x=6.5.

Compute the y-value:

F(6.5)=2+∫16.5​f(t)dt

=2+(−21​−2π​+21​(1)(1+2.5))

≈2+(−0.321)

=1.679.

So the ordered pair for the relative maximum is

(6.5,1.679)​.

c) Absolute min/max

(spoiler)

From part b), the relative minimum is (4,−0.071) and the relative maximum is (6.5,1.679).

To find absolute extrema on the interval shown, use the extreme value theorem: check the endpoints and any interior critical points. Here, we compare F(0), F(8), and the relative extrema values.

Compute the endpoint values.

For x=0:

F(0)=2+∫10​f(t)dt

=2−∫01​f(t)dt

=2−(−21​(1)(2+1))

=3.5.

For x=8:

F(8)=2+∫18​f(t)dt

=2+∫16.5​f(t)dt+∫6.58​f(t)dt

=2+(−0.321)+(−21​(1.5)(3))

=−0.571.

Comparing values, the absolute maximum occurs at x=0 and the absolute minimum occurs at x=8:

(0,3.5)​

and

(8,−0.571)​.

d) Concave up/down

(spoiler)

Concavity comes from the second derivative:

F′′(x)=f′(x).

So F is concave up where f′(x)>0 (where f is increasing) and concave down where f′(x)<0 (where f is decreasing).

From the graph, f is increasing on

(0,2)∪(3,4)∪(4,5)​,

so F is concave up on those intervals.

Note that f′ is undefined at x=2 and x=4, and f′(x)=0 at x=3. That’s why we use open intervals.

From the graph, f is decreasing on

(2,3)∪(6,8)​,

so F is concave down on those intervals.

d) Inflection point(s)

(spoiler)

Inflection points of F occur where

F′′(x)=f′(x)

changes sign. That can happen where f′(x)=0 or where f′(x) is undefined, as long as the sign of f′ changes.

From the graph:

  • f′(x)=0 at x=3.
  • f′(x) is undefined at sharp corners at x=2,4,5, and 6.

Check sign changes in f′ (increasing vs. decreasing behavior of f):

  • Around x=2, f changes from increasing to decreasing, so f′ changes from positive to negative. This gives an inflection point of F.

Compute the ordered pair:

F(2)=2+∫12​f(t)dt

=2+(−21​(1)(1))

=1.5.

Inflection point:

(2,1.5)​

  • Around x=3, f changes from decreasing to increasing, so f′ changes from negative to positive. This gives an inflection point of F.

Compute the ordered pair:

F(3)=2+∫13​f(t)dt

=2+(−21​−41​π(1)2)

≈0.715.

Inflection point:

(3,0.715)​

  • Around x=4, f is increasing on both sides, so f′ stays positive. Not an inflection point.
  • Around x=5, f goes from increasing to flat (f′=0) and then continues in a way that does not create a sign change in f′. Not an inflection point.
  • Around x=6, f goes from flat (f′=0) to decreasing, but this does not create a sign change from negative to positive or positive to negative across x=6 in the way needed here. Not an inflection point.

The graph of f is shown below:

Figure 6.5.2 Graph of f
Figure 6.5.2 Graph of f

Let

h(x)=∫02x−1​f(t)dt

Find:

a) Where h(x)has a relative max.
b)h(3)
c)h′(3)
d)h′′(3)

Solutions

a) Where h(x) has a relative max

(spoiler)

A relative maximum of h occurs where h changes from increasing to decreasing. That means we look for where h′(x) changes from positive to negative.

Differentiate using the FTC and the chain rule:

h′(x)=f(2x−1)⋅dxd​(2x−1)

=2f(2x−1).

So h′(x)=0 when f(2x−1)=0. From the graph, f crosses the x-axis at inputs 3 and 5 (so f(3)=0 and f(5)=0).

Now check the sign change:

  • At input 3, f changes from negative to positive, which would make h change from decreasing to increasing (a relative minimum).
  • At input 5, f changes from positive to negative, which would make h change from increasing to decreasing (a relative maximum).

Use the input 5 and solve for x:

2x−1=5

x=3.

So h has a relative maximum at x=3. To get the ordered pair, we compute h(3) in part b).

b) h(3)

(spoiler)

Evaluate the accumulation function:

h(3)=∫02(3)−1​f(t)dt

=∫05​f(t)dt.

From 0 to 5, the regions consist of:

  • A trapezoid with signed area
    • A=−21​(1+3)=−2
  • A triangle with signed area
    • A=21​(1)(2)=1

Add the signed areas:

h(3)=−2+1=−1​.

Combining with part a), h(x) has a relative max at (3,−1).

c) h′(3)

(spoiler)

From part a),

h′(x)=2f(2x−1).

So

h′(3)=2f(5)=0​.

This matches the fact that x=3 is a relative extremum of h.

d) h′′(3)

(spoiler)

Differentiate h′(x) again. Since

h′(x)=2f(2x−1),

we get

h′′(x)=2f′(2x−1)⋅dxd​(2x−1)

=4f′(2x−1).

Then

h′′(3)=4f′(2(3)−1)

=4f′(5).

f′(5) is the slope of the graph of f at input 5. At x=5, the graph lies on the line segment between (4,1) and (7,−2), so the slope is

4−71−(−2)​=−1.

Therefore f′(5)=−1, and

h′′(3)=−4​.

Accumulation functions and their properties

  • Accumulation function: F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt
  • F′(x)=f(x) (Fundamental Theorem of Calculus)
  • F′′(x)=f′(x) (concavity from derivative of f)

Increasing/decreasing behavior

  • F(x) increasing where f(x)>0
  • F(x) decreasing where f(x)<0

Relative and absolute extrema

  • Relative min: where f(x) changes from negative to positive
  • Relative max: where f(x) changes from positive to negative
  • Absolute extrema: check endpoints and critical points (where f(x)=0)

Concavity and inflection points

  • Concave up: where f′(x)>0 (i.e., f(x) increasing)
  • Concave down: where f′(x)<0 (i.e., f(x) decreasing)
  • Inflection point: where f′(x) changes sign

Chain rule with accumulation functions

  • For h(x)=∫ag(x)​f(t)dt:
    • h′(x)=f(g(x))⋅g′(x)
    • h′′(x)=f′(g(x))⋅(g′(x))2+f(g(x))⋅g′′(x)

Graphical interpretation

  • Signed area under f gives value of accumulation function
  • Use graph features (zero crossings, increasing/decreasing, slopes) to analyze F or h

AP Exam Tip

  • Write F′(x)=f(x) when given F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt to clarify roles of F and f

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Behavior of accumulation functions

What you’ll learn:

  • How to use a graph or expression of f to analyze its integral

You may be shown a graph or an expression for f(t) and asked about the behavior of an accumulation function

F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt.

A helpful way to think about these problems is the same way you think about derivative-graph questions: if you know the derivative, what can you conclude about the original function? Here, f plays the role of the derivative because

F′(x)=f(x).

Treat these problems like the ones from section 5.4: given the graph of the derivative, what can you conclude about the original function?

AP tip:

When given F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt in a problem, it may help to immediately write F′(x)=f(x) as a note to yourself. That reminds you that capital F is the accumulation function and lowercase f is its derivative.

As a reminder, here are a few facts:

  • If f(x)>0, then F(x) is increasing.
  • If f(x)<0, then F(x) is decreasing.
  • F(x) has a local min where f(x) changes from negative to positive.
  • F(x) has a local max where f(x) changes from positive to negative.
  • You can also figure out the concavity of F(x) since F′′(x)=f′(x).

Examples

Shown below is the graph of f:

Let F be the function defined by

F(x)=2+∫1x​f(t)dt

Fill out the table with the intervals or coordinates where F(x) has or is…

F(x) Interval or ordered pair
Increasing
Decreasing
Relative min
Relative max
Absolute min
Absolute max
Concave up
Concave down
Inflection point(s)

Solutions

a) Increasing/decreasing

(spoiler)

Because

F′(x)=f(x),

F(x) is increasing where f(x)>0 and decreasing where f(x)<0.

From the graph, f(x)>0 (above the x-axis) on

(4,6.5)​.

From the graph, f(x)<0 (below the x-axis) on

(0,2)∪(2,4)∪(6.5,8)​.

b) Relative min/max

(spoiler)

A relative minimum of F occurs where F′(x) changes from negative to positive. Since F′(x)=f(x), this happens where f(x) changes from negative to positive.

From the graph, f(x) changes from negative to positive at x=4, so F has a relative minimum at x=4.

To write the ordered pair, compute the y-value:

F(4)=2+∫14​f(t)dt.

Interpret the definite integral as signed area between the graph of f and the x-axis from t=1 to t=4. The regions are:

  • A triangle with signed area =21​(1)(1)
  • A semi-circle with signed area =21​π(1)2

Because the graph is below the x-axis on this interval, these contribute negative signed area, so

∫14​f(t)dt=−21​−2π​.

Then

F(4)=2+(−21​−2π​)≈−0.071.

So the ordered pair for the relative minimum is

(4,−0.071)​.

A relative maximum of F occurs where f(x) changes from positive to negative.

From the graph, this occurs at x=6.5, so F has a relative maximum at x=6.5.

Compute the y-value:

F(6.5)=2+∫16.5​f(t)dt

=2+(−21​−2π​+21​(1)(1+2.5))

≈2+(−0.321)

=1.679.

So the ordered pair for the relative maximum is

(6.5,1.679)​.

c) Absolute min/max

(spoiler)

From part b), the relative minimum is (4,−0.071) and the relative maximum is (6.5,1.679).

To find absolute extrema on the interval shown, use the extreme value theorem: check the endpoints and any interior critical points. Here, we compare F(0), F(8), and the relative extrema values.

Compute the endpoint values.

For x=0:

F(0)=2+∫10​f(t)dt

=2−∫01​f(t)dt

=2−(−21​(1)(2+1))

=3.5.

For x=8:

F(8)=2+∫18​f(t)dt

=2+∫16.5​f(t)dt+∫6.58​f(t)dt

=2+(−0.321)+(−21​(1.5)(3))

=−0.571.

Comparing values, the absolute maximum occurs at x=0 and the absolute minimum occurs at x=8:

(0,3.5)​

and

(8,−0.571)​.

d) Concave up/down

(spoiler)

Concavity comes from the second derivative:

F′′(x)=f′(x).

So F is concave up where f′(x)>0 (where f is increasing) and concave down where f′(x)<0 (where f is decreasing).

From the graph, f is increasing on

(0,2)∪(3,4)∪(4,5)​,

so F is concave up on those intervals.

Note that f′ is undefined at x=2 and x=4, and f′(x)=0 at x=3. That’s why we use open intervals.

From the graph, f is decreasing on

(2,3)∪(6,8)​,

so F is concave down on those intervals.

d) Inflection point(s)

(spoiler)

Inflection points of F occur where

F′′(x)=f′(x)

changes sign. That can happen where f′(x)=0 or where f′(x) is undefined, as long as the sign of f′ changes.

From the graph:

  • f′(x)=0 at x=3.
  • f′(x) is undefined at sharp corners at x=2,4,5, and 6.

Check sign changes in f′ (increasing vs. decreasing behavior of f):

  • Around x=2, f changes from increasing to decreasing, so f′ changes from positive to negative. This gives an inflection point of F.

Compute the ordered pair:

F(2)=2+∫12​f(t)dt

=2+(−21​(1)(1))

=1.5.

Inflection point:

(2,1.5)​

  • Around x=3, f changes from decreasing to increasing, so f′ changes from negative to positive. This gives an inflection point of F.

Compute the ordered pair:

F(3)=2+∫13​f(t)dt

=2+(−21​−41​π(1)2)

≈0.715.

Inflection point:

(3,0.715)​

  • Around x=4, f is increasing on both sides, so f′ stays positive. Not an inflection point.
  • Around x=5, f goes from increasing to flat (f′=0) and then continues in a way that does not create a sign change in f′. Not an inflection point.
  • Around x=6, f goes from flat (f′=0) to decreasing, but this does not create a sign change from negative to positive or positive to negative across x=6 in the way needed here. Not an inflection point.

The graph of f is shown below:

Let

h(x)=∫02x−1​f(t)dt

Find:

a) Where h(x)has a relative max.
b)h(3)
c)h′(3)
d)h′′(3)

Solutions

a) Where h(x) has a relative max

(spoiler)

A relative maximum of h occurs where h changes from increasing to decreasing. That means we look for where h′(x) changes from positive to negative.

Differentiate using the FTC and the chain rule:

h′(x)=f(2x−1)⋅dxd​(2x−1)

=2f(2x−1).

So h′(x)=0 when f(2x−1)=0. From the graph, f crosses the x-axis at inputs 3 and 5 (so f(3)=0 and f(5)=0).

Now check the sign change:

  • At input 3, f changes from negative to positive, which would make h change from decreasing to increasing (a relative minimum).
  • At input 5, f changes from positive to negative, which would make h change from increasing to decreasing (a relative maximum).

Use the input 5 and solve for x:

2x−1=5

x=3.

So h has a relative maximum at x=3. To get the ordered pair, we compute h(3) in part b).

b) h(3)

(spoiler)

Evaluate the accumulation function:

h(3)=∫02(3)−1​f(t)dt

=∫05​f(t)dt.

From 0 to 5, the regions consist of:

  • A trapezoid with signed area
    • A=−21​(1+3)=−2
  • A triangle with signed area
    • A=21​(1)(2)=1

Add the signed areas:

h(3)=−2+1=−1​.

Combining with part a), h(x) has a relative max at (3,−1).

c) h′(3)

(spoiler)

From part a),

h′(x)=2f(2x−1).

So

h′(3)=2f(5)=0​.

This matches the fact that x=3 is a relative extremum of h.

d) h′′(3)

(spoiler)

Differentiate h′(x) again. Since

h′(x)=2f(2x−1),

we get

h′′(x)=2f′(2x−1)⋅dxd​(2x−1)

=4f′(2x−1).

Then

h′′(3)=4f′(2(3)−1)

=4f′(5).

f′(5) is the slope of the graph of f at input 5. At x=5, the graph lies on the line segment between (4,1) and (7,−2), so the slope is

4−71−(−2)​=−1.

Therefore f′(5)=−1, and

h′′(3)=−4​.

Key points

Accumulation functions and their properties

  • Accumulation function: F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt
  • F′(x)=f(x) (Fundamental Theorem of Calculus)
  • F′′(x)=f′(x) (concavity from derivative of f)

Increasing/decreasing behavior

  • F(x) increasing where f(x)>0
  • F(x) decreasing where f(x)<0

Relative and absolute extrema

  • Relative min: where f(x) changes from negative to positive
  • Relative max: where f(x) changes from positive to negative
  • Absolute extrema: check endpoints and critical points (where f(x)=0)

Concavity and inflection points

  • Concave up: where f′(x)>0 (i.e., f(x) increasing)
  • Concave down: where f′(x)<0 (i.e., f(x) decreasing)
  • Inflection point: where f′(x) changes sign

Chain rule with accumulation functions

  • For h(x)=∫ag(x)​f(t)dt:
    • h′(x)=f(g(x))⋅g′(x)
    • h′′(x)=f′(g(x))⋅(g′(x))2+f(g(x))⋅g′′(x)

Graphical interpretation

  • Signed area under f gives value of accumulation function
  • Use graph features (zero crossings, increasing/decreasing, slopes) to analyze F or h

AP Exam Tip

  • Write F′(x)=f(x) when given F(x)=∫ax​f(t)dt to clarify roles of F and f