3.

2 Rolles Theorem and the

Mean Value Theorem

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)
a

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

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

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