State and Prove Rolle’s Theorem.

Statement: If a function 𝑓(𝑥) is:

i. Continuous on a close interval [𝑎, 𝑏]

ii. Differentiable on the open interval (𝑎, 𝑏) and 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(𝑏) = 0

then there is at least one point 𝑐 in (𝑎, 𝑏) such that 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0

Proof: Please see the referred book “Calculus and Analytic Geometry”

Example: Verify the application of Rolle’s theorem for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6 in the interval
(−6, 1).

Solution: Given that, 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6

Therefore, 𝑓(−6) = (−6)2 + 5. (−6) − 6 = 0

And 𝑓(1) = 12 + 5.1 − 6 = 0

∴ 𝑓(−6) = 𝑓(1) = 0

Now,

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑅𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ
{(𝑥 + ℎ)2 + 5(𝑥 + ℎ) − 6} − (𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6)
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ

𝑥 2 + 2ℎ𝑥 + ℎ2 + 5𝑥 + 5ℎ − 6 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ

2ℎ𝑥 + ℎ2 + 5ℎ
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ
ℎ(2𝑥 + ℎ + 5)
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ

= 2𝑥 + 5

And,

𝑓(𝑥 − ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝐿𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ
 {(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 5(𝑥 − ℎ) − 6} − (𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6)
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ

𝑥 2 − 2ℎ𝑥 + ℎ2 + 5𝑥 − 5ℎ − 6 − 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ

−2ℎ𝑥 + ℎ2 − 5ℎ
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ
−ℎ(2𝑥 − ℎ + 5)
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ

= 2𝑥 + 5

∴ 𝑅𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝐿𝑓 ′ (𝑥). So the function 𝑓(𝑥)is differentiable on (−6, 1). since 𝑓(−6) = 𝑓(1) and 𝑓(𝑥) is
differentiable on (−6, 1), the given function is also continuous in the interval.

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 2𝑥 + 5

∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 2𝑐 + 5

Since,

𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0 [𝐵𝑦 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑚]

⇒ 2𝑐 + 5 = 0

5
∴𝑐=−
2
5
Clearly, − 2 belongs to (−6,1). Therefore, the Rolle’s theorem is verified.

Example: Verify Rolle’s theorem for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 2 + (𝑥 − 1)2 in the interval [0, 2].

[Try Yourself]

𝜋 𝜋
Example: Verify Rolle’s theorem for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥) in the interval (− , ).
4 4

Solution: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑒 𝑥 (𝑠𝑖𝑛 𝑥 − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 𝑥)

𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
∴ 𝑓 (− ) = 𝑒 − 4 {𝑠𝑖𝑛 (− ) − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 (− )}
4 4 4
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
= 𝑒 − 4 {−𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( )}
4 4
 𝜋 1 1
= 𝑒 − 4 {− − }
√2 √2
𝜋 2
= 𝑒 −4 . −
√2
𝜋
= −√2𝑒 − 4
𝜋 𝜋 𝜋 𝜋
∴ 𝑓 ( ) = 𝑒 4 {𝑠𝑖𝑛 ( ) − 𝑐𝑜𝑠 ( )}
4 4 4
𝜋 1 1
= 𝑒4 { − }
√2 √2
𝜋
= 𝑒4. 0

=0
𝜋 𝜋
∴ 𝑓 (− ) ≠ 𝑓 ( )
4 4
𝜋 𝜋
Therefore, Rolle’s Theorem is not applicable for the function 𝑓(𝑥) in the interval (− 4 , 4 ).

Example: Find the value of 𝑐 according to Rolle’s theorem for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 in the
interval [0, 2].

Solution: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥

∴ 𝑓(0) = 0 − 0 + 0 = 0

∴ 𝑓(2) = 23 − 3.22 + 2.2 = 0

∴ 𝑓(0) = 𝑓(2) = 0

Since the function is an algebraic function so it will be differentiable on (0,2) an continuous on [0, 2].

Now,

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2

∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 3𝑐 2 − 6𝑐 + 2

By Rolles Theorem,

𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 0

⇒ 3𝑐 2 − 6𝑐 + 2 = 0
 −(−6) ± √(−6)2 − 4.3.2
∴𝑐=
2.3

6 ± √12
=
6

6 ± 2√3
=
6

3 ± √3
=
3

= 1.57,0.43

Therefore, 𝑐 = 1.57, 0.43.

[Ans.]

Q: State and prove mean value Theorem.

Statement: If a function 𝑓(𝑥) is:

i. Continuous on a close interval [𝑎, 𝑏]

ii. Differentiable on the open interval (𝑎, 𝑏)

then there is at least one point 𝑐 in (𝑎, 𝑏) such that, 𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎) = (𝑏 − 𝑎)𝑓 ′ (𝑐) ⋯ ⋯ (1).

Proof: B(b, f(b))

Y=f(x)

A(a, f(a))
Y=g(x)

h(x)=f(x)-g(x)

x
a b

We picture the graph of 𝑓 as a curve in the plane and draw a line through the points 𝐴(𝑎, 𝑓(𝑎)) and
𝐵(𝑏, 𝑓(𝑏)). The line is the graph of the function

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑔(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑎) + (𝑥 − 𝑎) ⋯ ⋯ (2)
𝑏−𝑎

The vertical difference between the graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 at 𝑥 is

 ℎ(𝑥) = 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑔(𝑥)

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
= 𝑓(𝑥) − 𝑓(𝑎) − (𝑥 − 𝑎) ⋯ ⋯ (3)
𝑏−𝑎

Figure shows the graphs of 𝑓, 𝑔 and ℎ together.

The function ℎ satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle’s theorem on [𝑎, 𝑏].

[It is continuous on [𝑎, 𝑏] and differentiable on (𝑎, 𝑏) because both 𝑓 and 𝑔 are. Also, ℎ(𝑎) = ℎ(𝑏) = 0
because the graphs of 𝑓 and 𝑔 both pass through A and B.]

Therefore, ℎˊ = 0 at some point 𝑐 in (𝑎, 𝑏). This is the point we want for equation (1).

To verify equation (1), we differentiate both sides of equation (3) with respect to 𝑥 and then set 𝑥 = 𝑐.

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
ℎˊ (𝑥) = 𝑓 ˊ (𝑥) −
𝑏−𝑎
𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
⇒ ℎˊ (𝑐) = 𝑓 ˊ (𝑐) −
𝑏−𝑎
𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
⇒ 0 = 𝑓 ˊ (𝑐) −
𝑏−𝑎
𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎)
𝑓 ˊ (𝑐) =
𝑏−𝑎

Example: Verify the mean value theorem for the function 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 in the interval (0,1).

Solution: Given that, 𝑓(𝑥) = 3 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2

𝑓(𝑥 + ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝑅𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ

3 + 2(𝑥 + ℎ) − (𝑥 + ℎ)2 − (3 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ

2ℎ − 2ℎ𝑥 − ℎ2
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ
ℎ(2 − 2𝑥 − ℎ)
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 ℎ

= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 2 − 2𝑥 − ℎ
ℎ→0

= 2 − 2𝑥
And,

𝑓(𝑥 − ℎ) − 𝑓(𝑥)
𝐿𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ

3 + 2(𝑥 − ℎ) − (𝑥 − ℎ)2 − (3 + 2𝑥 − 𝑥 2 )
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ

−2ℎ + 2ℎ𝑥 − ℎ2
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ
−ℎ(2 − 2𝑥 + ℎ)
= 𝑙𝑖𝑚
ℎ→0 −ℎ

= 𝑙𝑖𝑚 2 − 2𝑥 + ℎ
ℎ→0

= 2 − 2𝑥

∴ 𝑅𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 𝐿𝑓 ′ (𝑥). So the function is differentiable on (0,1). Also the function is continuous on [0,1].

By mean value theorem,

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎) = (𝑏 − 𝑎)𝑓 ′ (𝑐) ; 𝑎 < 𝑐 < 𝑏

⇒ 𝑓(1) − 𝑓(0) = (1 − 0)𝑓 ′ (𝑐)

⇒ 𝑓(1) − 𝑓(0) = 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) … … … (𝑖)

Now ,

𝑓(1) = 3 + 2.1 − 12 = 4

𝑓(0) = 3 + 2.0 − 0 = 3

From (ii) we get,

4 − 3 = 2 − 2𝑐

⇒ 2 − 2𝑐 = 1

⇒ 2𝑐 = 1

1
⇒𝑐=
2

1
Clearly, 2
∈ (0,1). So in the interval (0,1) the validity of mean value theorem is checked.
Example: If 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 3 − 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 then verify the mean value theorem in the interval [−2 , 1].

[Try Yourself]

Example: From mean value theorem 𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎) = (𝑏 − 𝑎)𝑓 ′ (𝑐), find the value of 𝑐 when 𝑓(𝑥) =
1
𝑥(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2) where, 𝑎 = 0, 𝑏 = 2.

Solution: Given that,

𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2)

= (𝑥 2 − 𝑥)(𝑥 − 2)

= 𝑥 3 − 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥

= 𝑥 3 − 3𝑥 2 + 2𝑥

1 1 3 1 2 1
∴ 𝑓(𝑏) = 𝑓 ( ) = ( ) − 3. ( ) + 2. ( )
2 2 2 2
1 3
= − +1
8 4
3
=
8

∴ 𝑓(𝑎) = 𝑓(0) = (0)3 − 3. (0)2 + 2. (0) = 0

Now,

𝑓 ′ (𝑥) = 3𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 2

∴ 𝑓 ′ (𝑐) = 3𝑐 2 − 6𝑐 + 2

Now,

𝑓(𝑏) − 𝑓(𝑎) = (𝑏 − 𝑎)𝑓 ′ (𝑐)

3 1
⇒ − 0 = ( − 0) (3𝑐 2 − 6𝑐 + 2)
8 2
3 1
⇒ = (3𝑐 2 − 6𝑐 + 2)
8 2
3
⇒ = 3𝑐 2 − 6𝑐 + 2
4

⇒ 3 = 12𝑐 2 − 24𝑐 + 8

⇒ 12𝑐 2 − 24𝑐 + 5 = 0
 −(−24) ± √(−24)2 − 4.12.5
∴𝑐=
2.12

24 ± √336
=
24

24 + √336 24 − √336
= ,
24 24

= 1.76 , 0.24

Therefore, the value of 𝑐 is: 1.76 and 0.24. [Ans.]