1. What is the key hypothesis required for FTC Part 1 to guarantee that $F(x) = \int_a^x f(t)\,dt$ is differentiable with $F'(x) = f(x)$?
- A.$f$ must be differentiable on $[a, b]$
- B.$f$ must be continuous on $[a, b]$
- C.$f$ must be nonnegative on $[a, b]$
- D.$f$ must be a polynomial on $[a, b]$
View Answer
Answer: $f$ must be continuous on $[a, b]$
Recall the hypothesis of FTC Part 1: The standard statement of FTC Part 1 requires that $f$ be continuous on $[a, b]$. Under this condition, $F(x) = \int_a^x f(t)\,dt$ is differentiable and $F'(x) = f(x)$. Why the correct answer works: Continuity of $f$ is precisely the hypothesis needed. It ensures the integral is well-defined and the limit in the derivative exists. Why distractors fail: Option A is too strong — differentiability of $f$ is not required. Option C is unnecessary; $f$ may be negative. Option D is far too restrictive.