How can we prove that any integral in the set of non-elementary integrals cannot be expressed in the form of...












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We know that the derivative of some non-elementary functions can be expressed in elementary functions. For example $ frac{d}{dx} Si(x)= frac{sin(x)}{x} $



So similarly are there any non-elementary functions whose integrals can be expressed in elementary functions?



If not then how can we prove that any integral in the set of non-elementary integrals cannot be expressed in the form of elementary functions?










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  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Differential algebra is a galois like approach to proving such things. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3d42/…
    $endgroup$
    – Charlie Frohman
    Mar 27 at 18:16
















4












$begingroup$


We know that the derivative of some non-elementary functions can be expressed in elementary functions. For example $ frac{d}{dx} Si(x)= frac{sin(x)}{x} $



So similarly are there any non-elementary functions whose integrals can be expressed in elementary functions?



If not then how can we prove that any integral in the set of non-elementary integrals cannot be expressed in the form of elementary functions?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Differential algebra is a galois like approach to proving such things. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3d42/…
    $endgroup$
    – Charlie Frohman
    Mar 27 at 18:16














4












4








4


1



$begingroup$


We know that the derivative of some non-elementary functions can be expressed in elementary functions. For example $ frac{d}{dx} Si(x)= frac{sin(x)}{x} $



So similarly are there any non-elementary functions whose integrals can be expressed in elementary functions?



If not then how can we prove that any integral in the set of non-elementary integrals cannot be expressed in the form of elementary functions?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




We know that the derivative of some non-elementary functions can be expressed in elementary functions. For example $ frac{d}{dx} Si(x)= frac{sin(x)}{x} $



So similarly are there any non-elementary functions whose integrals can be expressed in elementary functions?



If not then how can we prove that any integral in the set of non-elementary integrals cannot be expressed in the form of elementary functions?







calculus integration proof-theory






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edited Mar 27 at 18:20









Bernard

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124k741117










asked Mar 27 at 18:11









Rithik KapoorRithik Kapoor

33710




33710








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Differential algebra is a galois like approach to proving such things. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3d42/…
    $endgroup$
    – Charlie Frohman
    Mar 27 at 18:16














  • 2




    $begingroup$
    Differential algebra is a galois like approach to proving such things. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3d42/…
    $endgroup$
    – Charlie Frohman
    Mar 27 at 18:16








2




2




$begingroup$
Differential algebra is a galois like approach to proving such things. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3d42/…
$endgroup$
– Charlie Frohman
Mar 27 at 18:16




$begingroup$
Differential algebra is a galois like approach to proving such things. pdfs.semanticscholar.org/3d42/…
$endgroup$
– Charlie Frohman
Mar 27 at 18:16










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















10












$begingroup$

The derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function: the standard Calculus 1 differentiation methods can be used to find this derivative. So an antiderivative of a non-elementary function can't be elementary.



EDIT: More formally, by definition an elementary function is obtained from
complex constants and the variable $x$ by a finite number of steps of the following forms:




  1. If $f_1$ and $f_2$ are elementary functions, then $f_1 + f_2$, $f_1 f_2$ and (if $f_2 ne 0$) $f_1/f_2$ are elementary.

  2. If $P$ is a non-constant polynomial whose coefficients are elementary functions, then a function $f$ such that $P(f) = 0$ is an elementary function.

  3. If $g$ is an elementary function, then a function $f$ such that $f' = g' f$ or $f' = g'/g$ is elementary (this is how $e^g$ and $log g$ are elementary).


To prove that the derivative of an elementary function, you can use induction on the number of these steps. In the induction step, suppose
the result is true for elementary functions obtained in at most $n$ steps.
If $f$ can be obtained in $n+1$ steps, the last being $f = f_1 + f_2$ where $f_1$ and $f_2$ each require at most $n$ steps, then $f' = f_1' + f_2'$ where $f_1'$ and $f_2'$ are elementary, and therefore $f'$ is elementary. Similarly for the other possibilities for the last step.






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$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
    $endgroup$
    – Rithik Kapoor
    Mar 27 at 18:26










  • $begingroup$
    @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
    $endgroup$
    – The Great Duck
    Mar 28 at 0:28










  • $begingroup$
    Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
    $endgroup$
    – The Great Duck
    Mar 28 at 0:29










  • $begingroup$
    @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
    $endgroup$
    – J. M. is not a mathematician
    Mar 28 at 2:46










  • $begingroup$
    The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
    $endgroup$
    – Robert Israel
    Mar 28 at 3:01



















1












$begingroup$

No, the derivative of an elementary function is elementary; some integrals were defined specifically as the antiderivative of certain functions because that function otherwise would have no closed-form antiderivative.



An anti-derivative of a non-elementary function cannot be an elementary function.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    1












    $begingroup$

    Yes, and I can provide a simple counter-example.



    Let $f(x)$ be piece-wise defined such that $f(x) = x^2$ for $x neq 0$ and such that $f(0) = 300$.



    This is not an elementary function. However its integral is $F(x) = frac {1}{3}x^3 + c$ which is elementary.



    For a slightly more "non-elementary" example just make $f(x) = -500$ whenever $x$ is an integer multiple of $n = 0.0001$. Feel free to keep decreasing $n$ to make the function messier and messier.



    However, if you want a continuous non-elementary $f$ then no. If $f$ is continuous then by one of the fundamental theorems of calculus $F'(x) = f(x)$ and the derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function. Furthermore, if you want that $f$ is an integral of some other $h$ then it follows that $f$ is continuous as the integral of any real valued function defined everywhere is a continuous function. So this will only work with discontinuous $f$'s that are not integrals of other functions.



    In short the set of derivatives of elementary functions $neq$ the set of anti-integrals of elementary functions.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$









    • 1




      $begingroup$
      Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 1:20










    • $begingroup$
      @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 1:34






    • 1




      $begingroup$
      I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 1:43










    • $begingroup$
      @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 1:47






    • 2




      $begingroup$
      "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 1:55












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    3 Answers
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    3 Answers
    3






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    oldest

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    active

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    votes






    active

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    10












    $begingroup$

    The derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function: the standard Calculus 1 differentiation methods can be used to find this derivative. So an antiderivative of a non-elementary function can't be elementary.



    EDIT: More formally, by definition an elementary function is obtained from
    complex constants and the variable $x$ by a finite number of steps of the following forms:




    1. If $f_1$ and $f_2$ are elementary functions, then $f_1 + f_2$, $f_1 f_2$ and (if $f_2 ne 0$) $f_1/f_2$ are elementary.

    2. If $P$ is a non-constant polynomial whose coefficients are elementary functions, then a function $f$ such that $P(f) = 0$ is an elementary function.

    3. If $g$ is an elementary function, then a function $f$ such that $f' = g' f$ or $f' = g'/g$ is elementary (this is how $e^g$ and $log g$ are elementary).


    To prove that the derivative of an elementary function, you can use induction on the number of these steps. In the induction step, suppose
    the result is true for elementary functions obtained in at most $n$ steps.
    If $f$ can be obtained in $n+1$ steps, the last being $f = f_1 + f_2$ where $f_1$ and $f_2$ each require at most $n$ steps, then $f' = f_1' + f_2'$ where $f_1'$ and $f_2'$ are elementary, and therefore $f'$ is elementary. Similarly for the other possibilities for the last step.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
      $endgroup$
      – Rithik Kapoor
      Mar 27 at 18:26










    • $begingroup$
      @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:28










    • $begingroup$
      Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:29










    • $begingroup$
      @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 2:46










    • $begingroup$
      The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
      $endgroup$
      – Robert Israel
      Mar 28 at 3:01
















    10












    $begingroup$

    The derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function: the standard Calculus 1 differentiation methods can be used to find this derivative. So an antiderivative of a non-elementary function can't be elementary.



    EDIT: More formally, by definition an elementary function is obtained from
    complex constants and the variable $x$ by a finite number of steps of the following forms:




    1. If $f_1$ and $f_2$ are elementary functions, then $f_1 + f_2$, $f_1 f_2$ and (if $f_2 ne 0$) $f_1/f_2$ are elementary.

    2. If $P$ is a non-constant polynomial whose coefficients are elementary functions, then a function $f$ such that $P(f) = 0$ is an elementary function.

    3. If $g$ is an elementary function, then a function $f$ such that $f' = g' f$ or $f' = g'/g$ is elementary (this is how $e^g$ and $log g$ are elementary).


    To prove that the derivative of an elementary function, you can use induction on the number of these steps. In the induction step, suppose
    the result is true for elementary functions obtained in at most $n$ steps.
    If $f$ can be obtained in $n+1$ steps, the last being $f = f_1 + f_2$ where $f_1$ and $f_2$ each require at most $n$ steps, then $f' = f_1' + f_2'$ where $f_1'$ and $f_2'$ are elementary, and therefore $f'$ is elementary. Similarly for the other possibilities for the last step.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













    • $begingroup$
      Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
      $endgroup$
      – Rithik Kapoor
      Mar 27 at 18:26










    • $begingroup$
      @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:28










    • $begingroup$
      Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:29










    • $begingroup$
      @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 2:46










    • $begingroup$
      The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
      $endgroup$
      – Robert Israel
      Mar 28 at 3:01














    10












    10








    10





    $begingroup$

    The derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function: the standard Calculus 1 differentiation methods can be used to find this derivative. So an antiderivative of a non-elementary function can't be elementary.



    EDIT: More formally, by definition an elementary function is obtained from
    complex constants and the variable $x$ by a finite number of steps of the following forms:




    1. If $f_1$ and $f_2$ are elementary functions, then $f_1 + f_2$, $f_1 f_2$ and (if $f_2 ne 0$) $f_1/f_2$ are elementary.

    2. If $P$ is a non-constant polynomial whose coefficients are elementary functions, then a function $f$ such that $P(f) = 0$ is an elementary function.

    3. If $g$ is an elementary function, then a function $f$ such that $f' = g' f$ or $f' = g'/g$ is elementary (this is how $e^g$ and $log g$ are elementary).


    To prove that the derivative of an elementary function, you can use induction on the number of these steps. In the induction step, suppose
    the result is true for elementary functions obtained in at most $n$ steps.
    If $f$ can be obtained in $n+1$ steps, the last being $f = f_1 + f_2$ where $f_1$ and $f_2$ each require at most $n$ steps, then $f' = f_1' + f_2'$ where $f_1'$ and $f_2'$ are elementary, and therefore $f'$ is elementary. Similarly for the other possibilities for the last step.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$



    The derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function: the standard Calculus 1 differentiation methods can be used to find this derivative. So an antiderivative of a non-elementary function can't be elementary.



    EDIT: More formally, by definition an elementary function is obtained from
    complex constants and the variable $x$ by a finite number of steps of the following forms:




    1. If $f_1$ and $f_2$ are elementary functions, then $f_1 + f_2$, $f_1 f_2$ and (if $f_2 ne 0$) $f_1/f_2$ are elementary.

    2. If $P$ is a non-constant polynomial whose coefficients are elementary functions, then a function $f$ such that $P(f) = 0$ is an elementary function.

    3. If $g$ is an elementary function, then a function $f$ such that $f' = g' f$ or $f' = g'/g$ is elementary (this is how $e^g$ and $log g$ are elementary).


    To prove that the derivative of an elementary function, you can use induction on the number of these steps. In the induction step, suppose
    the result is true for elementary functions obtained in at most $n$ steps.
    If $f$ can be obtained in $n+1$ steps, the last being $f = f_1 + f_2$ where $f_1$ and $f_2$ each require at most $n$ steps, then $f' = f_1' + f_2'$ where $f_1'$ and $f_2'$ are elementary, and therefore $f'$ is elementary. Similarly for the other possibilities for the last step.







    share|cite|improve this answer














    share|cite|improve this answer



    share|cite|improve this answer








    edited Mar 27 at 18:46

























    answered Mar 27 at 18:16









    Robert IsraelRobert Israel

    331k23220475




    331k23220475












    • $begingroup$
      Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
      $endgroup$
      – Rithik Kapoor
      Mar 27 at 18:26










    • $begingroup$
      @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:28










    • $begingroup$
      Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:29










    • $begingroup$
      @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 2:46










    • $begingroup$
      The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
      $endgroup$
      – Robert Israel
      Mar 28 at 3:01


















    • $begingroup$
      Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
      $endgroup$
      – Rithik Kapoor
      Mar 27 at 18:26










    • $begingroup$
      @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:28










    • $begingroup$
      Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
      $endgroup$
      – The Great Duck
      Mar 28 at 0:29










    • $begingroup$
      @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
      $endgroup$
      – J. M. is not a mathematician
      Mar 28 at 2:46










    • $begingroup$
      The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
      $endgroup$
      – Robert Israel
      Mar 28 at 3:01
















    $begingroup$
    Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
    $endgroup$
    – Rithik Kapoor
    Mar 27 at 18:26




    $begingroup$
    Okay then how can we prove the derivative of an elementary function is always an elementary function?
    $endgroup$
    – Rithik Kapoor
    Mar 27 at 18:26












    $begingroup$
    @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
    $endgroup$
    – The Great Duck
    Mar 28 at 0:28




    $begingroup$
    @RithikKapoor Frankly sir, common sense. Writing an explicit formal proof might be tricky but we already know that any composition of elementary functions can be handled with the chain, product, division, and addition rules. If you're asking how to formalize it, fair enough. However if you are asking "How do I know this is true" then it follows by simple observance.
    $endgroup$
    – The Great Duck
    Mar 28 at 0:28












    $begingroup$
    Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
    $endgroup$
    – The Great Duck
    Mar 28 at 0:29




    $begingroup$
    Query. What if we include the Heaviside step function as an elementary function? Would this have any affect on the answer?
    $endgroup$
    – The Great Duck
    Mar 28 at 0:29












    $begingroup$
    @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
    $endgroup$
    – J. M. is not a mathematician
    Mar 28 at 2:46




    $begingroup$
    @TheGreatDuck, before anything else, what would you say about the function $frac{x+sqrt{x^2}}{2x}$?
    $endgroup$
    – J. M. is not a mathematician
    Mar 28 at 2:46












    $begingroup$
    The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
    $endgroup$
    – Robert Israel
    Mar 28 at 3:01




    $begingroup$
    The Heaviside step function is elementary, according to (2), as it satisfies $f^2 - f = 0$.
    $endgroup$
    – Robert Israel
    Mar 28 at 3:01











    1












    $begingroup$

    No, the derivative of an elementary function is elementary; some integrals were defined specifically as the antiderivative of certain functions because that function otherwise would have no closed-form antiderivative.



    An anti-derivative of a non-elementary function cannot be an elementary function.






    share|cite|improve this answer









    $endgroup$


















      1












      $begingroup$

      No, the derivative of an elementary function is elementary; some integrals were defined specifically as the antiderivative of certain functions because that function otherwise would have no closed-form antiderivative.



      An anti-derivative of a non-elementary function cannot be an elementary function.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$
















        1












        1








        1





        $begingroup$

        No, the derivative of an elementary function is elementary; some integrals were defined specifically as the antiderivative of certain functions because that function otherwise would have no closed-form antiderivative.



        An anti-derivative of a non-elementary function cannot be an elementary function.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$



        No, the derivative of an elementary function is elementary; some integrals were defined specifically as the antiderivative of certain functions because that function otherwise would have no closed-form antiderivative.



        An anti-derivative of a non-elementary function cannot be an elementary function.







        share|cite|improve this answer












        share|cite|improve this answer



        share|cite|improve this answer










        answered Mar 27 at 18:18









        El EctricEl Ectric

        15411




        15411























            1












            $begingroup$

            Yes, and I can provide a simple counter-example.



            Let $f(x)$ be piece-wise defined such that $f(x) = x^2$ for $x neq 0$ and such that $f(0) = 300$.



            This is not an elementary function. However its integral is $F(x) = frac {1}{3}x^3 + c$ which is elementary.



            For a slightly more "non-elementary" example just make $f(x) = -500$ whenever $x$ is an integer multiple of $n = 0.0001$. Feel free to keep decreasing $n$ to make the function messier and messier.



            However, if you want a continuous non-elementary $f$ then no. If $f$ is continuous then by one of the fundamental theorems of calculus $F'(x) = f(x)$ and the derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function. Furthermore, if you want that $f$ is an integral of some other $h$ then it follows that $f$ is continuous as the integral of any real valued function defined everywhere is a continuous function. So this will only work with discontinuous $f$'s that are not integrals of other functions.



            In short the set of derivatives of elementary functions $neq$ the set of anti-integrals of elementary functions.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$









            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:20










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:34






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:43










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:47






            • 2




              $begingroup$
              "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:55
















            1












            $begingroup$

            Yes, and I can provide a simple counter-example.



            Let $f(x)$ be piece-wise defined such that $f(x) = x^2$ for $x neq 0$ and such that $f(0) = 300$.



            This is not an elementary function. However its integral is $F(x) = frac {1}{3}x^3 + c$ which is elementary.



            For a slightly more "non-elementary" example just make $f(x) = -500$ whenever $x$ is an integer multiple of $n = 0.0001$. Feel free to keep decreasing $n$ to make the function messier and messier.



            However, if you want a continuous non-elementary $f$ then no. If $f$ is continuous then by one of the fundamental theorems of calculus $F'(x) = f(x)$ and the derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function. Furthermore, if you want that $f$ is an integral of some other $h$ then it follows that $f$ is continuous as the integral of any real valued function defined everywhere is a continuous function. So this will only work with discontinuous $f$'s that are not integrals of other functions.



            In short the set of derivatives of elementary functions $neq$ the set of anti-integrals of elementary functions.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$









            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:20










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:34






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:43










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:47






            • 2




              $begingroup$
              "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:55














            1












            1








            1





            $begingroup$

            Yes, and I can provide a simple counter-example.



            Let $f(x)$ be piece-wise defined such that $f(x) = x^2$ for $x neq 0$ and such that $f(0) = 300$.



            This is not an elementary function. However its integral is $F(x) = frac {1}{3}x^3 + c$ which is elementary.



            For a slightly more "non-elementary" example just make $f(x) = -500$ whenever $x$ is an integer multiple of $n = 0.0001$. Feel free to keep decreasing $n$ to make the function messier and messier.



            However, if you want a continuous non-elementary $f$ then no. If $f$ is continuous then by one of the fundamental theorems of calculus $F'(x) = f(x)$ and the derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function. Furthermore, if you want that $f$ is an integral of some other $h$ then it follows that $f$ is continuous as the integral of any real valued function defined everywhere is a continuous function. So this will only work with discontinuous $f$'s that are not integrals of other functions.



            In short the set of derivatives of elementary functions $neq$ the set of anti-integrals of elementary functions.






            share|cite|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            Yes, and I can provide a simple counter-example.



            Let $f(x)$ be piece-wise defined such that $f(x) = x^2$ for $x neq 0$ and such that $f(0) = 300$.



            This is not an elementary function. However its integral is $F(x) = frac {1}{3}x^3 + c$ which is elementary.



            For a slightly more "non-elementary" example just make $f(x) = -500$ whenever $x$ is an integer multiple of $n = 0.0001$. Feel free to keep decreasing $n$ to make the function messier and messier.



            However, if you want a continuous non-elementary $f$ then no. If $f$ is continuous then by one of the fundamental theorems of calculus $F'(x) = f(x)$ and the derivative of an elementary function is an elementary function. Furthermore, if you want that $f$ is an integral of some other $h$ then it follows that $f$ is continuous as the integral of any real valued function defined everywhere is a continuous function. So this will only work with discontinuous $f$'s that are not integrals of other functions.



            In short the set of derivatives of elementary functions $neq$ the set of anti-integrals of elementary functions.







            share|cite|improve this answer












            share|cite|improve this answer



            share|cite|improve this answer










            answered Mar 28 at 0:38









            The Great DuckThe Great Duck

            25732047




            25732047








            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:20










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:34






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:43










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:47






            • 2




              $begingroup$
              "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:55














            • 1




              $begingroup$
              Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:20










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:34






            • 1




              $begingroup$
              I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:43










            • $begingroup$
              @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
              $endgroup$
              – The Great Duck
              Mar 28 at 1:47






            • 2




              $begingroup$
              "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
              $endgroup$
              – J. M. is not a mathematician
              Mar 28 at 1:55








            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
            $endgroup$
            – J. M. is not a mathematician
            Mar 28 at 1:20




            $begingroup$
            Why is a piecewise function with elementary cases not elementary?
            $endgroup$
            – J. M. is not a mathematician
            Mar 28 at 1:20












            $begingroup$
            @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
            $endgroup$
            – The Great Duck
            Mar 28 at 1:34




            $begingroup$
            @J.M.isnotamathematician an infinite number of cases?
            $endgroup$
            – The Great Duck
            Mar 28 at 1:34




            1




            1




            $begingroup$
            I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
            $endgroup$
            – J. M. is not a mathematician
            Mar 28 at 1:43




            $begingroup$
            I am talking about your second sentence. You give a quadratic function with a hole and say that it is nonelementary.
            $endgroup$
            – J. M. is not a mathematician
            Mar 28 at 1:43












            $begingroup$
            @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
            $endgroup$
            – The Great Duck
            Mar 28 at 1:47




            $begingroup$
            @J.M.isnotamathematician As I said, there are much messier example and I gave one. The definition of elementary is tenuous at best. Provide a detailed analytical definition and I'll say whether something fits inside it. Until then, there's no real way to tell for sure. Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept. Regardless, I can easily keep cranking up the complexity on the counter-example so it doesn't change the result if I mis-identify some simpler function as being non-elementary.
            $endgroup$
            – The Great Duck
            Mar 28 at 1:47




            2




            2




            $begingroup$
            "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
            $endgroup$
            – J. M. is not a mathematician
            Mar 28 at 1:55




            $begingroup$
            "Elementary has imo always been a subjective concept." - in this regard at least, we are in agreement.
            $endgroup$
            – J. M. is not a mathematician
            Mar 28 at 1:55


















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