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Secondary 6 · Mathematics
Derivatives · Derivatives

Properties of Differentiable Functions. Rolle's, Mean Value, and Cauchy's Theorems

On the Autopista Duarte, a car goes through the Santo Domingo toll booth and 1 hour later goes through the Santiago toll booth, more than 100 km away. Even though nobody measured it, was there a moment when the speedometer read exactly the average speed of the trip? The theorems on this page say yes, and they prove it without having to find that moment by eye. Until now you used the derivative to calculate slopes and speeds. Here you use it to prove that something exists.

Rolle's Theorem

Geometric interpretation of Rolle's Theorem with a horizontal tangent line at the intermediate point c a b c: f'(c) = 0 f(a) = f(b)

Geometrically: if the graph starts and ends at the same height, at some point in between it has to "turn around," and there the tangent is horizontal.

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Given the polynomial function $f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 8$, check whether the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem hold on the interval $[2, 4]$. If they do, find the value of the…

Given the polynomial function $f(x) = x^2 - 6x + 8$, check whether the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem hold on the interval $[2, 4]$. If they do, find the value of the point $c \in (2, 4)$ whose existence is guaranteed by the theorem.

Solve
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Explica razonadamente por qué no se puede aplicar el Teorema de Rolle a la función $f(x) = 1 - |x-1|$ en el intervalo $[0, 2]$, a pesar de que $f(0) = f(2) = 0$. ¿Qué…

Explica razonadamente por qué no se puede aplicar el Teorema de Rolle a la función $f(x) = 1 - |x-1|$ en el intervalo $[0, 2]$, a pesar de que $f(0) = f(2) = 0$. ¿Qué hipótesis falla en este caso?

Graph of the function f(x) = 1 − |x − 1| on the interval [0, 2], with the points (0, 0) and (2, 0) markedxy0121f(x) = 1 − |x − 1|
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Given the function $f(x) = \frac{x^2 - 6x + 5}{x - 3}$, can Rolle's Theorem be applied on the interval $[1, 5]$ knowing that $f(1) = f(5) = 0$? Justify your answer by…

Given the function $f(x) = \frac{x^2 - 6x + 5}{x - 3}$, can Rolle's Theorem be applied on the interval $[1, 5]$ knowing that $f(1) = f(5) = 0$?

Justify your answer by analysing the continuity and differentiability of the function on that interval. If not, explain whether this contradicts the theorem.

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Rolle's Theorem with parameters and piecewise functions

Many problems ask you to find constants so that the hypotheses are satisfied. The recipe is always the same: write each hypothesis as an equation.

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Consider the function $f(x) = x^2 - kx + 10$. Determine the value of the parameter $k \in \mathbb{R}$ so that the function satisfies the condition $f(1) = f(5)$ and…

Consider the function $f(x) = x^2 - kx + 10$. Determine the value of the parameter $k \in \mathbb{R}$ so that the function satisfies the condition $f(1) = f(5)$ and Rolle's Theorem can be applied on the interval $[1, 5]$. Once $k$ has been found, calculate the value of $c$ where the derivative is zero.

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Consider the polynomial function $f(x) = x^3 + x^2 + kx$. a) Determine the value of the parameter $k$ so that the function satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem in…

Consider the polynomial function $f(x) = x^3 + x^2 + kx$.

  1. a) Determine the value of the parameter $k$ so that the function satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem in the interval $[-2, 1]$.
  2. b) For that value of $k$, calculate the points $c$ that satisfy the conclusion of the theorem.
Solve
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Let the piecewise function be defined as: $f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 + ax + b & \text{if } x \le 1 \\ k \ln(x) & \text{if } x > 1 \end{cases}$ Calculate the values of the…

Let the piecewise function be defined as:

Geometric illustration of Rolle's Theorem on a piecewise functionxyf(0) = f(e)e0f(x) = x² + ax + bf(x) = k · ln(x)1cf ′(c) = 0Interval [0, e]

$f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 + ax + b & \text{if } x \le 1 \\ k \ln(x) & \text{if } x > 1 \end{cases}$

Calculate the values of the parameters $a, b, k \in \mathbb{R}$ so that the function $f(x)$ satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem on the interval $[0, e]$. Once the parameters are found, determine the value of the point $c \in (0, e)$ whose existence is guaranteed by the theorem.

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Mean Value Theorem (Lagrange)

This closes the question from the beginning: at some moment the car had to read exactly its average speed.

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Consider the function $f(x) = x^2 - x$ on the interval $[0, 2]$. The figure shows its graph and the secant line through the points $A$ and $B$ of the graph with…

Consider the function $f(x) = x^2 - x$ on the interval $[0, 2]$. The figure shows its graph and the secant line through the points $A$ and $B$ of the graph with $x$-coordinates $0$ and $2$.

  1. a) Check that the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem (Lagrange) hold on $[0, 2]$ and calculate the slope of the secant line $AB$.
  1. b) Find the value of the point $c \in (0, 2)$ whose existence is guaranteed by the theorem.
  1. c) Explain graphically how the tangent line to the graph at the point with $x$-coordinate $c$ is related to the secant line $AB$.
Graph of the parabola y = x² − x with the secant line joining points A and B with x-coordinates 0 and 2 x y 1 2 1 2 A B secant AB y = x² − x
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A marathon runner trains on a straight track. Their position (in meters) relative to the starting point is given by the function $s(t) = t^2 + 2t$, where $t$ is the time…

A marathon runner trains on a straight track. Their position (in meters) relative to the starting point is given by the function $s(t) = t^2 + 2t$, where $t$ is the time in seconds. Use the Mean Value Theorem to show that at some instant between $t=1$ and $t=4$ seconds, their instantaneous velocity was exactly equal to their average velocity on that interval. Calculate that instant.

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It is known that a function $f(x)$ is continuous on the closed interval $[1, 5]$ and differentiable on the open interval $(1, 5)$. If the values of the function at the…

It is known that a function $f(x)$ is continuous on the closed interval $[1, 5]$ and differentiable on the open interval $(1, 5)$. If the values of the function at the endpoints are $f(1) = 10$ and $f(5) = 30$, can we guarantee that there exists a point $c$ in the interval where the gradient of the tangent line is equal to $5$? Justify your answer using the Mean Value Theorem.

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Consider the function $f(x) = x \times e^{x^2-1}$. a) Verify that $f(x)$ satisfies the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the interval $[0, 1]$. b) Is there any…

Consider the function $f(x) = x \times e^{x^2-1}$.

  1. a) Verify that $f(x)$ satisfies the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the interval $[0, 1]$.
  2. b) Is there any point in that interval where the slope of the tangent line is equal to $1$? Justify your answer using the theorem.
Solve

Mean Value Theorem for piecewise functions and with radicals

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Given the piecewise function: $$f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 - 4x + 3 & \text{if } x \le 3 \\ \ln(x-2) & \text{if } x > 3 \end{cases}$$ Determine whether the hypotheses of…

Given the piecewise function:

Graph of the function f(x) and the secant line on the interval [1, e+2]xy01234e+251−1y = x² − 4x + 3y = ln(x − 2)SecantA(1, 0)B(e+2, 1) $$f(x) = \begin{cases} x^2 - 4x + 3 & \text{if } x \le 3 \\ \ln(x-2) & \text{if } x > 3 \end{cases}$$

Determine whether the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem are satisfied on the interval $[1, e+2]$ and, if so, find the value or values of $c \in (1, e+2)$ whose existence is guaranteed by the theorem.

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Consider the function $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 + 9}$. Find a point on the graph of the function where the tangent line is parallel to the secant line joining the points on the…

Consider the function $f(x) = \sqrt{x^2 + 9}$.

Find a point on the graph of the function where the tangent line is parallel to the secant line joining the points on the curve with x-coordinates $x=0$ and $x=4$. Which theorem guarantees that such a point exists? State its hypotheses and check that they are satisfied.

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The GPS logging system of a freight train shows that it passed the 150 km mark of a railroad line at 10:00:00 and the 162 km mark at 10:06:40. The speed limit on that…

The GPS logging system of a freight train shows that it passed the 150 km mark of a railroad line at 10:00:00 and the 162 km mark at 10:06:40. The speed limit on that line is $100 \text{ km/h}$.

  1. a) Using the Mean Value Theorem (Lagrange), justify whether the train exceeded the speed limit on the line at any point.
  2. b) If the function describing the train's position on that section is $s(t) = 150 + 2t - 0.03t^2$ (where $s$ is in km and $t$ in minutes since passing the first kilometer mark), find the exact instant at which the instantaneous velocity coincides with the average speed of the trip.
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Cauchy's Theorem

Geometrically, the curve $t \mapsto (g(t), f(t))$ has, at some point, a tangent parallel to the chord joining its endpoints.

Curve with a chord between its endpoints and a tangent parallel to it at an intermediate point A = (g(a), f(a)) B = (g(b), f(b)) (g(c), f(c))
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Given the functions $f(x) = x^2 + 1$ and $g(x) = 2x - 3$, check whether the conditions of Cauchy's Theorem are satisfied on the interval $[1, 3]$. If so, find the value…

Given the functions $f(x) = x^2 + 1$ and $g(x) = 2x - 3$, check whether the conditions of Cauchy's Theorem are satisfied on the interval $[1, 3]$. If so, find the value of $c \in (1, 3)$ such that:

$$\frac{f'(c)}{g'(c)} = \frac{f(3) - f(1)}{g(3) - g(1)}$$
Solve
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Apply Cauchy's Theorem to the functions $f(x) = \sin(x)$ y $g(x) = \cos(x)$ on the interval $\left[ 0, \frac{\pi}{2} \right]$, that is, with $a = 0$ and…

Apply Cauchy's Theorem to the functions $f(x) = \sin(x)$ y $g(x) = \cos(x)$ on the interval $\left[ 0, \frac{\pi}{2} \right]$, that is, with $a = 0$ and $b = \frac{\pi}{2}$. Find the value of $c \in \left(0, \frac{\pi}{2}\right)$ that satisfies the equality:

$$\frac{f(b) - f(a)}{g(b) - g(a)} = \frac{f'(c)}{g'(c)}$$

Explain the geometric interpretation of this result in terms of the parametric curve $t \mapsto (g(t), f(t))$, with $t \in \left[0, \frac{\pi}{2}\right]$. The figure shows that curve, its endpoints $A = (g(a), f(a))$ and $B = (g(b), f(b))$, the secant line $AB$, and the increments $g(b)-g(a)$ and $f(b)-f(a)$.

Arc of the parametric curve (g(t), f(t)) between points A and B, with the secant line AB and the increments of g and f011g(x) = cos(x)f(x) = sin(x)f(b) − f(a)g(b) − g(a)AB
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Given the functions $f(x) = e^x$ and $g(x) = x^2 + 1$, apply Cauchy's Theorem (Generalized Mean Value Theorem) on the interval $[0, 2]$. Find the value of…

Given the functions $f(x) = e^x$ and $g(x) = x^2 + 1$, apply Cauchy's Theorem (Generalized Mean Value Theorem) on the interval $[0, 2]$.

Find the value of $c \in (0, 2)$, corresponding to point $P$ in the figure, that satisfies the conclusion of the theorem:

$$\frac{f(2) - f(0)}{g(2) - g(0)} = \frac{f'(c)}{g'(c)}$$ Cauchy's Theorem f(x) = e^x, g(x) = x^2 + 1 on [0, 2] g(x) f(x) Curve (g(x), f(x)) [f(2)-f(0)] / [g(2)-g(0)] f'(c) / g'(c) A B P(c=?) g(0)=1 g(2)=5 g(c)=? f(0)=1 f(2)=e² f(c)=?
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Applications: roots and inequalities

Graph of a strictly increasing function that crosses the horizontal axis at a single root unique root: f' is never zero
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Use Bolzano's Theorem and Rolle's Theorem to prove that the equation: $$3x^5 + 10x^3 + 15x - 4 = 0$$ has exactly one real solution on the interval $[0, 1]$.

Use Bolzano's Theorem and Rolle's Theorem to prove that the equation:

$$3x^5 + 10x^3 + 15x - 4 = 0$$

has exactly one real solution on the interval $[0, 1]$.

Solve
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Prove, using both Bolzano's Theorem and Rolle's Theorem, that the equation: $$2x^5 + 5x^3 + 10x - k = 0$$ has a unique real solution for any value of the constant…

Prove, using both Bolzano's Theorem and Rolle's Theorem, that the equation:

$$2x^5 + 5x^3 + 10x - k = 0$$

has a unique real solution for any value of the constant $k \in \mathbb{R}$. Give a reasoned explanation of why the existence of more than one root would contradict the statement of Rolle's Theorem.

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Consider a function $f(x)$ differentiable on all of $\mathbb{R}$. It is known that the equation $f'(x) = 0$ has exactly two real solutions, $x_1 = -2$ and $x_2 = 3$.…

Consider a function $f(x)$ differentiable on all of $\mathbb{R}$. It is known that the equation $f'(x) = 0$ has exactly two real solutions, $x_1 = -2$ and $x_2 = 3$.

Prove that the function $f(x)$ cannot have more than three distinct real roots. Is it possible for the function to have only one real root? Justify your answer based on the geometric interpretations of differentiability theorems.

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Use the Mean Value Theorem to prove the following inequality for any pair of real numbers $a$ and $b$ such that $0 < a < b$: $$\frac{b-a}{b} <…

Use the Mean Value Theorem to prove the following inequality for any pair of real numbers $a$ and $b$ such that $0 < a < b$:

$$\frac{b-a}{b} < \ln\left(\frac{b}{a}\right) < \frac{b-a}{a}$$

Hint: Apply the theorem to the function $f(x) = \ln(x)$ on the interval $[a, b]$.

Solve
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Consider the function $f(x) = x^3 - 3x + m$. a) Determine for which values of the parameter $m$ the function satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem on an interval…

Consider the function $f(x) = x^3 - 3x + m$.

  1. a) Determine for which values of the parameter $m$ the function satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle's Theorem on an interval of the form $[0, a]$ with $a > 0$.
  2. b) For $m = 0$, find the largest possible interval $[p, q]$ where the theorem can be applied and calculate the point $c$ whose existence is guaranteed.
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Two runners, Alba and Bruno, start a 100-meter hurdles race at the same time and reach the finish line in a photo finish (same time $T$). Their position functions are…

Two runners, Alba and Bruno, start a 100-meter hurdles race at the same time and reach the finish line in a photo finish (same time $T$). Their position functions are $s_A(t)$ and $s_B(t)$, both continuous on $[0, T]$ and differentiable on $(0, T)$.

Prove, using Rolle's Theorem on the difference function $h(t) = s_A(t) - s_B(t)$, that there was at least one instant during the race when both runners had exactly the same instantaneous velocity.

Time (t) Position (s) T 0 100 h(c) = max sA(t) Alba sB(t) Bruno vA(c) vB(c) c Same instantaneous velocity at t = c
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Summary

See all the exercises in this section