3.

2 Rolles Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem

We

Calculus!!!

Rolles Theorem

Let f be continuous on the closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b). If f(a) = f(b) then there is at least one number c in (a, b) f(c) = 0.
f(c) means slope of tangent line = 0. Where are the horiz. tangent lines located? f(a) = f(b)

c b

Ex. Find the two x-intercepts of f(x) = x2 3x + 2 and show that f(x) = 0 at some point between the two intercepts.

f(x) = x2 3x + 2 0 = (x 2)(x 1) x-int. are 1 and 2 f(x) = 2x - 3

0 = 2x - 3 x = 3/2 Rolles Theorem is satisfied as there is a point at x = 3/2 where f(x) = 0.

Let f(x) = x4 2x2 . Find all c in the interval (-2, 2) such that f(x) = 0. Since f(-2) and f(2) = 8, we can use Rolles Theorem.

f(x) = 4x3 4x = 0
4x(x2 1) = 0 x = -1, 0, and 1 Thus, in the interval (-2, 2), the derivative is zero at each of these three x-values.

The Mean Value Theorem

If f is continuous on the closed interval [a,b] and differentiable on the open interval (a,b), then a number c in (a,b) f (b) f (a) f ' (c ) ba

(b,f(b)) secant line (a,f(a)) a c b

f (b) f (a) ba
represents slope of the secant line.

Given f(x) = 5 4/x, find all c in the interval (1,4) such that the slope of the secant line = the slope of the tangent line.
f (4) f (1) 4 1 f ' (c ) 1 4 1 4 1

4 f ' ( x) ? 2 x 4 2 4 x 1 x2 x 2
But in the interval of (1,4), only 2 works, so c = 2.