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Lesson 16-Rolle's Theorem and Mean Value Theorem

This document provides an overview of Rolle's Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem. Rolle's Theorem states that if a differentiable function has two equal x-intercepts between a and b, then the derivative must be 0 at some point between a and b. The Mean Value Theorem is a generalization, stating that for any differentiable function over an interval, there exists a point where the tangent line is parallel to the secant line between the endpoints. Examples are given to demonstrate applying both theorems to find points where the derivative is 0.

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Wayne Casanova
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669 views9 pages

Lesson 16-Rolle's Theorem and Mean Value Theorem

This document provides an overview of Rolle's Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem. Rolle's Theorem states that if a differentiable function has two equal x-intercepts between a and b, then the derivative must be 0 at some point between a and b. The Mean Value Theorem is a generalization, stating that for any differentiable function over an interval, there exists a point where the tangent line is parallel to the secant line between the endpoints. Examples are given to demonstrate applying both theorems to find points where the derivative is 0.

Uploaded by

Wayne Casanova
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Lesson 16

Rolle’s Theorem and Mean


Value Theorem
ROLLE’S
THEOREM
This theorem states the geometrically obvious fact
that if the graph of a differentiable function intersects
the x-axis at two places, a and b there must be at
least one place where the tangent line is horizontal.
EXAMPLE
Find the two x-intercepts of the function f  x   x 2  5 x  4
and confirm that f’(c) = 0 at some point between those
Intercepts.
Solution:
f  x   x 2  5 x  4   x  1 x  4  , so the x - intercepts are x  1 and x  4
since the plolynomia l f is continuous and different iable everywhere,
the hypotheses of Rolle' s Theorem are satisfied on the inetrval  1,4.
Thus we are guaranteed the existence of at least one point c in the interval
 1,4  such that f'  c   0'
5 5
f'  x   2 x  5  0 ; x , so c  is a point on the interval  1,4 
2 2
at which f'  c   0.
y

x
1 2 3 4
-1

-2
5
f'   0
2
THE MEAN-VALUE
THEOREM
Rolle’s Theorem is a special case of a more general result,
called the Mean-value Theorem. Geometrically, this
theorem states that between any two points A (a,f(a)) and
B(b,f(b)) on the graph of a differentiable function f, there is
at least one place where the tangent line to the graph is
parallel to the secant line joining A and B.(Fig 4.8.5)

Figure 4.8.5 (p. 304)


Note that the slope of the secant line joining A(a,f(a)) and B(b,f(b)) is
f  b  f  a 
m
ba

and that the slope of the tangent line at c in Figure 4.5.8a is f’(c).
Similarly, in Figure 4.5.8b the slopes of the tangent lines at joining
A(a,f(a)) and B(b,f(b)) is
Since nonvertical parallelclines
and have
c are the
f'  c same
 and slope,
f'  c  , the Mean-Value
respective ly.
1 2 1 2
Theorem can be stated precisely as follows
EXAMPLE
Show that the function f  x   1 x 3  1 satisfies the hypotheses of the
mean-value theorem over the 4inteval [0,2], and find all values of c
in the interval (0,2) at which the tangent line to the graph of f is
parallel to the secant line joining the points (0,f(0)) and (2,f(2)).
Solution:
f is continuous and different iable everywhere because it is a polynomial .
In particular f is continuouson 0,2 and differentiable on  0,2 , so the hypotheses
of the Mean - Value Theorem are satisfied with a  0 and b  2.
3x 2 3c 2
But f  a   f  0   1, f  b   f  2   3  f'  x   , and f'  c  
4 4
f  b  f  a 3c 2 3  1
Thus f'  c      3c 2  4
ba 4 20
4 2 3
Therefore c     1.15, only  1.15 lies in the interval  0,2
3 3
yy 1 3
y x 1
4
4

33

22

11
xx
11 22 33 44
-1
-1

-2
-2

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