Department of Mathematics

Jain Global campus, Jakkasandra Post, Kanakapura Taluk, Ramanagara District -562112

Module 1:
Mean Value Theorems
Prof. Ramesha M
Department of Mathematics,
FET, Jain(Deemed-to-be-University)
 CONTENTS
 Mean Value Theorems

 Cauchy's Mean Value theorem

 Problems
Cauchy’s Mean Value Theorem
Cauchy’s Mean value Theorem

Statement :

If the functions f ( x ) and g ( x) are defined in the interval a , b  such that

i. f ( x) and g ( x) are continuous in a , b 

ii. f ( x) and g ( x) are differentiable in  a , b 
iii. g ( x)  0 in  a , b 

f (c) f (b)  f (a)

Then there exists at least point c in (a,b) such that  .
g (c) g (b)  g (a )
 Proof:

Let us define a function  ( x)  f ( x)  kg ( x) ---(1)

 Since f (x) and g (x) are continuous in a , b ,  (x) is continuous in a , b

 Since f (x) and g (x) are differentiable in a , b  ,  (x) is differentiable in a , b 

from (1) we have,  (a )  f (a)  kg (a ) ;  (b)  f (b)  kg (b)

f (b)  f (a)
  (a)   (b) holds good if f (a )  kg (a )  f (b)  kg (b)  k  ----(2)
g (b)  g (a)

Here g (b)  g (a ) , because if g (b)  g (a ) then g ( x) would satisfy all the conditions of
Rolle's theorem and accordingly there must exist at least one point c in (a, b) such that
g '(c)  0 .

This contradicts the data that g '( x)  0 for all x in (a, b).
Hence if k is ch osen as given in (2), then  ( x) satisfy all the condition of Roll e's theorem.
Therefore by Rolle 's theorem there exist at least one point c in (a, b) such that  ' (c)  0

Differentiating (1) w.r.t x , we have

 ' ( x)  f '( x)  kg '( x) and  ' (c)  0  f '(c)  kg '(c)  0

f '(c)
i.e., k  -------(3),
g '(c)

Equating R.H.S of (2) and (3) we have

f (c) f (b)  f (a )


g (c) g (b)  g (a )
 Problems on Cauchy's Mean Value theorem:
1. Verify Cauchy’s Mean Value Theorem for the function f ( x)  e x ; g ( x)  e  x

in [a, b]
Solution:
 f ( x) and g ( x) are both continuous in a, b
x x
 f ' ( x)  e and g ' ( x)  e are defined x  (a, b)
 f (x) and g (x) are both differentiable in (a, b)

 g ' ( x)  e  x  0, x  (a, b) ,
f ' (c) f (b)  f (a )
 c such that 
g ' (c) g (b)  g (a )
eb  e a

ec

eb  e a 2c
 e   e 2c  e a  b
c 1 1
e eb  e a 
e b ea
 2c  a  b ab
c  ( a, b)
2
Hence the Cauchy’s mean value theorem is verified.
2. Verify Cauchy’s mean value theorem for the functions x9 and x in 0 ,16

Solution:

f (x) and g (x) are both continuous in 0,16

1 1
 f ' ( x)  ; g ' ( x )  are defined x  (0,16)
2 x9 2 x
 f (x) and g (x ) are both differentiable in (0 ,16)

such that

f (16)  f (0) 1 2 c  9 25  9 1 c  9
⇒ g (16)  g (0)

12 c
⇒ 16  0

1 c

On simplifying we get c  3  (0,16) . Thus the theorem is verified.

3. Verify Cauchy’s mean value theorem for the functions f (x) and f ' ( x) in 1, e
where f ( x)  log x

Solution:
f ( x)  log x , Let g ( x)  f ' ( x)  1 \ x
f (x ) and g (x ) are both continuous in 1, e
1 1
 f ' ( x) ; g ' ( x)  are defined x  (1, e)
x 2
x
 f (x) and g (x) are both differentiable in (1, e)
1
 g '( x)   0 x  (1, e)
x2
f ' (c) f (b)  f (a )
 c such that 
g ' (c) g (b)  g (a )

1c f (e)  f (1) log e  log 1

   c 
 1 c 2 g (e)  g (1) (1 / e)  1

On simplifying we get c  1.6  (1, e) since e  2.7 . Thus the theorem is verified.
4. Show that the constant c of Cauchy’s mean value theorem for the functions 1 / x and
2
1.
1 / x in the interval a, b is the harmonic mean between a and b (0  a  b)
Solution:

 f (x ) and g (x ) are both continuous in a, b

2 1
 f ' ( x)  ; g ' ( x)  are defined x  (a, b)
3 2
x x
 f (x) and g (x) are both differentiable in (a, b)
1
 g ' ( x)   0 x  (a, b)
2
x
f ' (c) f (b)  f (a )
 c such that 
g ' (c) g (b)  g (a )

 2 / c3 1 / b2  1 / a 2 2 a 2  b 2 / a 2b 2 2 (a  b)(a  b)ab
     
 1 / c3 1/ b 1/ a c a  b / ab c (a  b)(a 2 b 2 )

2ab
c is the harmonic mean between a and b , c  (a, b) .Thus verified
ab
THANK YOU