Mathematics 4

Basic Calculus

Mean Value Theorem

 Illustration
Suppose we look at the function, 𝑓 𝑥 ,
and examine it at the interval 𝑎 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 𝑏.
If we create a chord joining the points at
𝑥 = 𝑎 and at 𝑥 = 𝑏 (secant line), we can
find at least one tangent line that has the
same slope as the slope of the given chord
(secant line).

Mean Value Theorem

 Illustration

Mean Value Theorem

 Mean Value Theorem

Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) is a function that satisfies both of the following.

1. 𝒇(𝒙) is continuous on the closed interval [𝒂, 𝒃]
2. 𝒇(𝒙) is differentiable on the open interval and (𝒂, 𝒃)

Then there exists at least one critical number (𝑐) in the interval 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏 such that
𝒇 𝒃 − 𝒇(𝒂)
𝒇′ 𝒄 =
𝒃−𝒂

𝑦2 −𝑦1
same as 𝑚 = 𝑥2 −𝑥1

Mean Value Theorem

EXAMPLE 1. Find all the values of 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the
function 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 + 2 0n [1, 3].

We know that a polynomial functions are 𝑓 𝑎 = 𝑓 1 = 3(1)2 +2 = 5

continuous and differentiable everywhere.
𝑓 𝑏 = 𝑓 3 = 3(3)2 +2 = 29
Therefore, there exists at least one 𝑐 in the
interval 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏 → 1 < 𝑐 < 3 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 6𝑥 → 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 6𝑐

such that
𝑓 𝑏 − 𝑓(𝑎) 29 − 5 24 24
𝑓′ 𝑐 = → 6𝑐 = → 6𝑐 = →𝑐= →𝒄=𝟐
𝑏−𝑎 3−1 2 12
Note that 𝒄 = 𝟐 is on [1,3]

Mean Value Theorem

EXAMPLE 1. Find all the values of 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the
function 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 + 2 0n [1, 3].

The end points of the secant line on 1, 3 will be

𝑓 1 = 3(1)2 +2 = 5 → (1,5)
𝑓 3 = 3(3)2 +2 = 29 → (3, 29)

Mean Value Theorem

EXAMPLE 2. Find all the values 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the
function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 3 0n [−1, 2]. 3𝑐 2 − 12𝑐 + 6 =
−1 − (−10)
2 − (−1)
We know that a polynomial functions are 3𝑐 2 − 12𝑐 + 6 = 3
continuous and differentiable everywhere. 3𝑐 2 − 12𝑐 + 3 = 0

Therefore, there exists at least one 𝑐 in the interval 𝑐 2 − 4𝑐 + 1 = 0

𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏 → −1 < 𝑐 < 2
4± −4 2 − 4(1)(1)
𝑐= =2± 3 →𝟐− 𝟑
such that 2(1)

′
𝑓 𝑏 − 𝑓(𝑎) Note that only 𝒄 = 𝟐 − 𝟑 is on [−1,2]
𝑓 𝑐 =
𝑏−𝑎
3 2
𝑓 𝑎 = 𝑓 −1 = −1 − 6 −1 + 6 −1 + 3 = −10 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 6
3 2
𝑓 𝑏 =𝑓 2 = 2 −6 2 + 6 2 + 3 = −1 → 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = 3𝑐 2 − 12𝑐 + 6

Mean Value Theorem

EXAMPLE 2. Find all the values 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the
function 𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 3 0n [−1, 2].

The end points of the secant line on −1, 2 will be

3 2
𝑓 −1 = −1 − 6 −1 + 6 −1 + 3 = −10 → (−1, −10)
3 2
𝑓 2 = 2 −6 2 + 6 2 + 3 = −1 → (2, −1)

Mean Value Theorem

EXERCISE. Find all the values 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 0n [0, 2].

We know that a polynomial functions are 3

𝑓 𝑎 =𝑓 0 = 0 −0=0
continuous and differentiable everywhere. 3
𝑓 𝑏 =𝑓 2 = 2 −2=6
Therefore, there exists at least one 𝑐 in the
interval 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏 → 0 < 𝑐 < 2 𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 − 1 → 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 3𝑐 2 − 1

such that
′
𝑓 𝑏 − 𝑓(𝑎) 2
6−0 4 2 3 𝟐 𝟑
𝑓 𝑐 = → 3𝑐 − 1 = → 3𝑐 2 − 1 = 3 → 3𝑐 2 = 4 → 𝑐 2 = → 𝑐 = ± →𝒄=
𝑏−𝑎 2−0 3 3 𝟑
𝟐 𝟑
Note that only 𝒄 = 𝟑
is on [0,2]

Mean Value Theorem

Mathematics 4
Basic Calculus

Rolle’s Theorem
 Rolle’s Theorem

Suppose 𝑓(𝑥) is a function that satisfies the following:

1. 𝒇(𝒙) is continuous on the closed interval [𝒂, 𝒃]
2. 𝒇(𝒙) is differentiable on the open interval (𝒂, 𝒃)
3. 𝒇 𝒂 = 𝒇(𝒃)

Then there exists a critical number (𝑐) in the interval 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏 such that 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = 0. Thus,
we have a point 𝑃(𝑐, 𝑓(𝑐)) which is called the critical point of the function.

The critical point is either the highest and/or the lowest point in the interval (𝑎, 𝑏).

Rolle’s Theorem
 Illustration

Highest Point

Lowest Point

Rolle’s Theorem
EXAMPLE 1. Find the value of 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Rolle’s Theorem for the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 0n [−1, 3].

We know that a polynomial functions are 𝑓 𝑎 = 𝑓 −1 = (−1)2 −2 −1 + 1 = 4

continuous and differentiable everywhere.
𝑓 𝑏 = 𝑓 3 = (3)2 −2 3 + 1 = 4
As you can see, 𝑓 𝑎 = 𝑓(𝑏). Therefore,
there exists 𝑐 in the interval 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏
such that 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = 0

𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = 2𝑥 − 2 → 2𝑐 − 2 = 0 → 2𝑐 = 2 → 𝒄 = 𝟏
→ 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = 2𝑐 − 2
Note that 𝒄 = 𝟏 is on [−1,3]

Rolle’s Theorem
EXAMPLE 1. Find the value of 𝑥 = 𝑐 that satisfies the Rolle’s Theorem for the function
𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1 0n [−1, 3].

The end points of the secant line on 1, 3 will be

𝑓 −1 = (−1)2 −2 −1 + 1 = 4 → (−1,4)
𝑓 3 = (3)2 −2 3 + 1 = 4 → (3,4)

The critical point 𝑃(𝑐, 𝑓(𝑐)) will be

𝑓 1 = (1)2 −2 1 + 1 = 0 → (1,0)

Rolle’s Theorem
 EXAMPLE 2. Find the critical point/s of 𝑓 𝑥 = 3𝑥 2 + 2.

𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 6𝑥 → 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 6𝑐

6𝑐 = 0

𝑐=0

𝑓 0 = 3(0)2 + 2 = 2

(𝟎, 𝟐)

Rolle’s Theorem
 EXERCISE. Find the critical point/s of 𝑓 𝑥 = −5𝑥 2 − 1.

𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0

𝑓 ′ 𝑥 = −10𝑥 → 𝑓 ′ 𝑐 = −10𝑐
(𝟎, −𝟏)

−10𝑐 = 0

𝑐=0

𝑓 0 = −5(0)2 − 1 = −1

(𝟎, −𝟏)

Rolle’s Theorem
 References

• Anton, H., Bivens, I., and Davis S. (2009). Calculus: Early Transcendentals (9th
Ed.). John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• Leithold, L. (2002). The Calculus 7. Pearson Education Asia Pte. Ltd.
• Stewart, J. (2015). Calculus (8th Ed.). CENGAGE Learning

References