Mean Value Theorems (MVT)

Prerequisites

Basic definitions:

Closed interval: An interval of the form a  x  b , that includes every point between a and b
and also the end points, is called a closed interval and is denoted by a, b .

Open Interval: An interval of the form a  x  b , that includes every point between a and b but
not the end points, is called an open interval and is denoted by a, b 

Continuity: A real valued function f (x) is said to be continuous at a point x0 if

lim f ( x)  f ( x0 )
x  x0

The function f (x) is said to be continuous in an interval if it is continuous at every point in the
interval.

Roughly speaking, if we can draw a curve without lifting the pen, then it is a continuous curve
otherwise it is discontinuous, having discontinuities at those points at which the curve will have
breaks or jumps.

We note that all elementary functions such as algebraic, exponential, trigonometric, logarithmic,
hyperbolic functions are continuous functions. Also the sum, difference, product of continuous
functions is continuous. The quotient of continuous functions is continuous at all those points at
which the denominator does not become zero.

Differentiability: A real valued function f (x) is said to be differentiable at point x0 if

f ( x)  f ( x0 )
lim exists uniquely and it is denoted by f ' ( x0 ) .
x  x0 x  x0

A real valued function f(x) is said to be differentiable in an interval if it is differentiable at every

f ( x  h)  f ( x )
point in the interval or if lim exists uniquely. This is denoted by f ' ( x) . We say
h 0 h
that either f ' ( x) exists or f(x) is differentiable.
Geometrically, it means that the curve is a smooth curve. In other words a curve is said to be
smooth if there exists a unique tangent to the curve at every point on it. For example a circle is a
smooth curve. Triangle, rectangle, square etc are not smooth, since we can draw more number of
tangents at every corner point.

We note that if a function is differentiable in an interval then it is necessarily continuous in that

interval. The converse of this need not be true. That means a function is continuous need not
imply that it is differentiable.

Rolle’s Theorem

If (i) f(x) is a continuous function in the closed interval [a, b]

(ii) f(x) is differentiable in the open interval (a, b)
(iii) f(a) = f(b)

Then there is at least one value c in the open interval (a, b) such that f ’(c )=0.

Geometrical Meaning of Rolle’s Theorem: Consider a curve f (x) that satisfies the conditions
of the Rolle’s Theorem as shown in figure:

[a, f(a)] [b, f(b)]

x
a c b

As we see the curve f (x) is continuous in the closed interval a, b , the curve is smooth i.e. there
can be a unique tangent to the curve at any point in the open interval a, b  and also f (a)  f (b) .
Hence by Rolle’s Theorem there exist at least one point c belonging to a, b  such that f ' (c)  0 .
In other words there exists at least one point at which the tangent drawn to the curve will have its
slope zero or lies parallel to x-axis.

Ex0
Verify Rolle’s theorem for the function f(x) in [0, 4].
x2  4 x
f  x 
x2
Sol:
 i  f  x  is continuous in 0,4
 ii  f  x  is differentiable in  0, 4
00 16  16
 iii  f  0   0; f  4   0
2 6
All the conditions are satisfied.
Hence Rolle’s theorem is applicable. Therefore there is a point c in (0, 4) such that f’(c )=0

 x  2  2 x  4    x 2  4 x .1
f  x 
1

 x  2
2

 c  2  2c  4    c 2  4c 
f 1  c   0; gives   0 a 0
  a(1)  b  0   0
 c  2
2
b 1
  c  2  2c  4    c 2  4c   0
 2c2  4c  4c  8  c 2  4c  0
 c2  4c  8  0
4  4 3
c  2  2 3
2
c  2  2 3 is not in 0,4
Hence c  2  2 3 which is in 0,4 is the required value.
Ex2
Verify Rolle’s theorem for the function f(x) in [-3, 0].
f  x   x  x  3 e x /2
Sol:
f  x    x 2  3x  e x/2
 i  f  x  is continuous in 3,0
 ii  f  x  is differentiable in  3, 0
 iii  f  3  3(0) e3/2  0; f  0   0  3 e0  0
All the conditions are satisfied.
Hence Rolle’s theorem is applicable. Therefore there is a point c in (-3, 0) such that f’(c )=0

 1 
f 1  x    x 2  3x  e x /2    e x /2  2 x  3
 2 

 1 
f 1  c   0; gives  c 2  3c  e c /2    e c /2  2c  3  0
 2 

 c /2  c 2 3c   c 2 3c 
e    2c  3   0     2c  3   0
 2 2   2 2 

 c 2  3c  4c  6 
   0  c  c  6  0
2

 2 
c  c  6  0  c  3 or c  2
2

But 3 is not in  3,0   c  2

QUIZ
1) Find ‘c’.
   
i) cos 2 x on  ,
 4 4 

Ans: c  0

2cos c sin c  0  sin 2c  0  2c  0 c  0

ii)  x  x  3 e x on 0,3

5  13
Ans: c
2
  x  x  3 e x   x 2  3x  e  x

c 2
 3c  ec  1  ec  2c  3  ec  c 2  3c  2c  3  ec  c 2  5c  3

5  13 5  13
c 2
 5c  3  0 c
2
 c
2
in  0,3

Ex1
Verify Rolle’s theorem for the function f(x) in [a, b].
f  x   x  a  x  b
2 3

Sol:
 i  f  x  is continuous in a, b
 ii  f  x  is differentiable in  a, b 
iii  f  a   0; f b   0
All the conditions are satisfied.
Hence Rolle’s theorem is applicable. Therefore there is a point c in (a, b) such that f’(c )=0

now f 1  x    x  b  2  x  a    x  a  3 x  b 
3 21 2 31

 f 1  x    x  b  2  x  a    x  a  3 x  b 
3 2 2

f 1  c   0; gives  c  b  2  c  a    c  a  3 c  b   0
3 2 2

  c  a  c  b  2  c  b   3 c  a   0
2

 c  a, or c  b or 2  c  b   3 c  a   0

but c is in (a, b) c  a and c  b

 2  c  b   3 c  a   0
2b  3a
  2  3 c  2b  3a  0;  5c  2b  3a  c  where a  c  b.
5
c divides (a, b) in the ratio 2 : 3.
Ex 2
Verify Rolle’s theorem for f(x) in [-1,1].
f  x  x
sol :  i  the function f  x  x , is continuous in [1, 1]
 ii  f  1  1  f 1
 iii  But The function is not derivable at x  0 in [1,1]
Thus the conditions are not satisfied.

Rolle’s theorem is not applicable.

Ex3
Consider the function f(x) = (x-2) log x.
show that xlogx = 2-x has a root between 1 and 2.

Sol : f(x) = (x-2) log x

i) f(x) is continuous in [1,2]
ii) f(x) is differentiable in (1,2)
iii) f(1) = 0 = f(2)

f(x) satisfies all the conditions of Rolle’s theorem.

There is a value c in (1,2) such that f’(c)=0

 c  2
f i
c   log c  0;
c
a 0
 c  2  c log c  0 where c is in 1, 2   a  0
b 1
 c log c  2  c
x logx = 2-x has a root ‘c’ between 1 and 2.

Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem

If (i) f(x) is a continuous function in the closed interval [a, b]

(ii) f(x) is differentiable in the open interval (a, b)
Then there is at least one value c in the open interval (a, b), such that

f b  f a
f 1 c 
ba
Geometrical Meaning of Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem: Consider a curve f (x) that
satisfies the conditions of the LMVT as shown in figure:

[b,f(b)]

[a,f(a)]

x
a c b

From the figure, we observe that the curve f (x) is continuous in the closed interval a, b ; the
curve is smooth i.e. there can be a unique tangent to the curve at any point in the open interval
a, b . Hence by LMVT there exist at least one point c belonging to a, b such that
f (b)  f (a)
f ' (c )  . In other words there exists at least one point at which the tangent drawn to
ba
the curve lies parallel to the chord joining the points  a, f (a) and b, f (b) .

Ex1
Verify Lagrange’s theorem for the function f(x) in [2, 5]
f  x   2 x 2  7 x  10

sol : f  x   2 x 2  7 x  10
f ( x) is continuou s in  2,5 ;.
f ( x) is differentiable in  2,5 .
Lagrange MVT is applicable

f (5)  f (2)
Hence  f 1 c;
52
 f 1  x   4 x  7  f 1  c   4c  7
Hence f  5  50  35  10  5; f  2   8  14  10  16;

5   16  21
  4c  7   4c  7
52 3

7
 4c  14  c 
2

Ex5
ba b ba
prove that  log    ; for 0  a  b
b a a
1 4 1
deduce  log 
4 3 3

sol : f  x   log x in [a, b]

f ( x) is continuou s in  a, b  ;.
f ( x) is differentiable in  a, b  .
Lagrange MVT is applicable

f (b)  f (a) 1
Hence  f 1  c  ; but f  x   log x;  f 1  c  
ba c

log b  log a 1
  ;
ba c

but a < ç < b ------(1)

t
1 1 1 1 1 1 -------------(2)
  ;   
a c b b c a

From 1 and 2 we get

1 log b  log a 1
 
b ba a

Multiply all sides by (b – a)

ba b ba

 log   
b a a

fin
Let a=3; b=4;

43 4 43
  log 
4 3 3
1 4 1
  log 
4 3 3
QUIZ
FIND ‘c’
1)

on  3,3
1
3
x

Ans: Not applicable

Not Derivable at x=0 in [-3,3]

2)
 x 1 x  2 on 0, 4

Ans: c  2

62
f  x   x 2  3x  2  f 1  x   2 x  3  2c  3  1
4

sin 1 x 1
3) Using Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem show that 1   .
x 1  x2
Hint f  x   sin 1 x in 0, x

f b  f  a  f  x   f  0 sin 1 x  0 sin 1 x

By LMVT f 1 c    
ba x0 x x

4) Show that for the curve y  x 2  2k1 x  k2 , the chord joining the points x  a and x  b

ab
is parallel to the tangent at x  .
2

Hint Apply LMVT f  x   x2 +2 k1 x+ k 2 in  a, b

Find ‘c’

Cauchy’s Mean Value Theorem

If (i) f(x) and g(x) are two continuous function in the closed interval [a, b]
(ii) f(x) and g(x) are differentiable in the open interval (a, b)
(iii) g’(x ) Not = 0 for any x in (a, b)

Then there is at least one value c in the open interval (a, b), such that
f b  f  a  f 1 c

g b  g  a  g1  c 

Ex5
Using Cauchy’s MVT show that

sin b  sin a
 cot c; a  c  b, a  0, b  0
cos a  cos b

sol : let f  x   sin x and g  x   cos x

F(x) and g(x) are continuous on [a,b] and differentiable on (a,b) and
g’(x ) not= 0 for any c in (a,b).

by cauchy’s MVT
f b  f  a  f 1 c 
 ; acb
g b   g  a  g1  c 
sin b  sin a cos c

cos b  cos a sin c

sin b  sin a a a
  cot c note : 
cos a  cos b b b
Ex6
If f ( x) and g ( x) are e x and e x respectively, prove that c of Cauchy ' s MVT
is the arithmetic mean between a and b.
sol : 1) f  x  and g  x  are continuous in [a, b]and differentiable
on  a, b  . g1  x   0 for any c in  a, b  .

By Cauchy ' s MVT

f b  f  a  f 1 c 
 ;
g  b   g  a  g1  c 

f  x   e x ; f 1  x   e x ; g  x   e x ; g1  x   e x

eb  e a ec
 b  a   c ;
e e e

eb  e a ec
 
1 1 1
b
 a
e e ec

eb  e a
 a b  e 2 c ;
e e
eb e a

 eb  e a  a b
  a b  .  e e   e 2 c
e e 
 ab
  eab  e2c ;  a  b  2c;  c 
2
QUIZ
1)
sin b  sin a x
Prove that  cot c, a  c  b. Putting a  0, b  x deduce that c  .
cos a  cos b 2

2)
1
 If f  x  and g  x  are respectively x and then
x
prove that c of Cauchy’s mean value theorem is the geometric mean between a and b ,

a  0, b  0

Another form of Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem

If (i) f(x) is a continuous function in the closed interval [a, a + h]

(ii) f(x) is differentiable in the open interval (a, a + h)

Then there is at least one value θ in the open interval (0, 1), such that
f a  h  f a
f 1  a   h 
h

Note:
1) f  x  is an increa sin g function if f 1  x  0
2) f  x  is decrea sin g function if f 1  x   0

Ex6
Find the intervals in which f(x) = x + 1/x is increasing or decreasing.

1 1 x2  1
sol : f  x   x  ; f  x  1 2 
1

x x x2

1) f  x  is an increa sin g function if f 1  x  0

 x2  1
ie  0 ie x 2  1
x2

ie x  1 or x   1

2) f  x  is decrea sin g function if f 1  x   0

x2  1
ie  0 ie x 2  1
x2

ie  1  x  1

Ex7
Prove that log (1+x) = x/(1+θx) where 0<θ<1; hence deduce that

x / (1+x) < log (1+x) < x; x > 0.

Sol: let f(x) = log(1+x); interval [a, a+h]

(i) f(x) is a continuous function in the closed interval [a, a + h]

(ii) f(x) is differentiable in the open interval (a, a + h)

Then there is at least one value θ in the open interval (0, 1), such that

f a  h  f a
f 1  a   h 
h

f  a  h   f  a   hf 1  a   h 

1
f 1  x 
1 x
Put a = 0; h = x ,

 f  x   f  0   xf 1  x 

 f  x   0  xf 1  x   xf 1  x   f  0   log1  0      1
 1
f 1  x  
1 x
x
 from 1 we get f ( x)  log 1  x   xf 1  x  
1 x

but 0    1;

 0   x  x for x  0 multiplying all sides by x

 1  1   x   1  x  (adding 1 to all sides)

1 1 x x
 1  x 
1 x 1 x 1 x 1 x
x
but  log 1  x 
1 x
x
 x  log 1  x   ; x0
1 x
quiz

1) In MVT ; f ( x  h)  f ( x)  hf ( x   h)
for f ( x)  ax 2  bx  c in  0,1 ; find  .

Ans   1/ 2.
 Derivative

1) y  eax sin bx, prove y2  2ay1   a 2  b2  y  0

sol
y1  eax  cosbx  b sin bx  eax  a

 b eax  cosbx   a y

Differentiating again

 y2  ay1  b eax   sin bx  b  b cos bx  eax  a

 y2  ay1   b2 y  a  y1  ay 

 y2  ay1  b2 y  a  y1  ay   0

y2  2ay1   a 2  b2  y  0

d2y
2) x  a  cos t  t sin t  , y  a  sin t  t cos t  find
dx 2
Sol

dx
 a   sin t  t cost  sint   at cos t
dt

dy
 a  cos t  t sin t  cos t   at sin t
dt
 dy dy / dt at sin t
   tan t
dx dx / dt at cos t

d2y d d dt
 tan t  tan t .
dx 2 dx dt dx

d2y 1 1
 sec 2
t .  sec 3
t
dx 2 at cos t at

3) Given y 2  f  x  , a polynomial of third degree.

d  3 d2y 
Then find y 
dx  dx 2 
Sol

d  3 d2y  3d y
3
 d 2 y  2  dy 
y   y  3    2  3 y        (1)
dx  dx 2   dx   dx   dx 

Differentiating y 2  f  x  , w.r.t x, we get

dy
2y  f 1  x
dx
Differentiating again, w.r.t x, we get

 d 2 y dy  dy  
2y  .     f 11  x 
 dx
2
dx  dx  
  d2y  dy  
2

 2 y  2     f 11
 x
  
2
 dx dx

Differentiating again, w.r.t x, we get

 d3y  d 2 y   dy  dy  d 2 y  
 .2. y  2  2     2.  2  .  2    f  x
111

 dx   dx 
3
 dx dx  dx  

 d3y  d 2 y   dy  
 .2. y  6       f 111
 x
  
3 2
 dx  dx dx

 d3y  d 2 y   dy   1 111
y  3 2      f  x
  
3
 dx  dx dx 2

Multiply both sides by y 2

 3 d3y 2  d y   dy 
2
 1 2 111
y  3 y  2     y f  x
 dx   dx   2
3
 dx

Using (1) and (2) we get

d  3 d2y  1
y 2 
 f  x  f 111  x 
dx  dx  2

4) F(x) = Log sec x

Find The fourth derivative of f(x).