Differential Calculus One Variable

Rolles Theorem:
If a function is
a)
b)
c)

continuous in [a, b]
differentiable in (a, b)
() = ()

Then (, ) s.t. () = 0

Proof: Suppose M & m are maximum and minimum of () in [, ].

(It will always exist because of Weierstrass extreme value theorem as is
continuous in [a, b])

Case I: if = i.e. () = = =
This implies ( ) = 0 (, )
Case II: . Then at least one of them must be different from
equal values of () and ().

c
Minimum is different from f(a) and f(b)

Maximum is different from f(a) and f(b)

Both are different from f(a) and f(b)

Differential Calculus One Variable

Let = () be different. Since is differentiable in (, ),

() exists. Note that () is the maximum value, then
( + ) ( ) 0 for > 0 or < 0
This implies:

( + ) ()
0, for > 0

and
( + ) ()
0, for < 0

Since () exists, passing limit as 0, we get

Lim

( + ) ()
= () 0

Lim

( + ) ()
= () 0

0
(>0 )

(1)

and
0
(<0 )

Inequality (1) and (2) implies () = 0.

Remark 1: The conclusion of Rolle s Theorem may not hold for a

function that does not satisfy any of its conditions.

Ex 1: Consider
,
[0, 1]
( ) = {
2 , (1, 2]
2

(2)

Differential Calculus One Variable

Note that f (x) 0 for any x (1, 2). However, this does not
contradict Rolle's Theorem, since f(1) does not exist.
Remark 2: The continuity condition for the function on the closed
interval [a, b] is essential.
Ex: Consider
,
( ) = {
0,

[0, 1)
=1

Then, f is continuous and differentiable on (0, 1), and also

(0) = (1). But f (x) 0 for any x (0, 1).
Remark 3: The hypotheses of Rolles theorem are sufficient but
necessary for the conclusion. Meaning, if all three hypotheses
met then conclusion is guaranteed. Not necessary means if
hypotheses are not met then you may (or may not) reach
conclusion.
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not
are
the
the

Differential Calculus One Variable

Example: Discuss the applicability of Rolles theorem to the function

2 + 1 ,
( ) = {
3 ,

[0, 1]
(1, 2]

Solution:
1) Continuity
(1 + 0) = 3 (1 + ) = [2 ] = 2 = (1)
0
>0

0
>0

2) Differentiability
(1 + 0) = lim

0
>0

(1

(1 + ) (1)
(2 ) 2
= lim
= 1
0

>0

(1 + )2 + 1 2
(1 + ) (1)
0) = lim
= lim
0
0

<0

= lim

<0

2 +
=2

0
<0
(1

Thus (1 + 0)

0). This implies is not differentiable.

Example: Using Rolle s Theorem, show that the equation

13 + 7 3 5 = 0 has exactly one real root in [0, 1].

Solution: Let ( ) = 13 + 7 3 5 has two real roots, say and

in [0, 1]. That is, we have ( ) = ( ) = 0. All hypotheses of
Rolles theorem are satisfied in [, ].
Rolle s Theorem implies () = 0 for some (, ).
13 12 + 21 2 = 0 for some (, ). Note that > 0 as
0. It contradicts our assumption of two real roots.
On the other hand (0) = 5 and (1) = 3. It confirms the
existence of at least one root. Hence the function has exactly one
root.
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