Home | | Maths 12th Std | Mean Value Theorem

Differential Calculus | Mathematics - Mean Value Theorem | 12th Maths : UNIT 7 : Applications of Differential Calculus

Chapter: 12th Maths : UNIT 7 : Applications of Differential Calculus

Mean Value Theorem

Mean value theorem establishes the existence of a point, in between two points, at which the tangent to the curve is parallel to the secant joining those two points of the curve.

Mean Value Theorem

Mean value theorem establishes the existence of a point, in between two points, at which the tangent to the curve is parallel to the secant joining those two points of the curve. We start this section with the statement of the intermediate value theorem as follows :

 

Theorem 7.1 (Intermediate value theorem)

If f is continuous on a closed interval [a , b] , and c is any number between f (a) and f (b) inclusive, then there is at least one number x in the closed interval [a , b] , such that f ( x) = c .


Rolle’s Theorem

Theorem 7.2 (Rolle’s Theorem)

Let f ( x) be continuous on a closed interval [a , b] and differentiable on the open interval (a , b)

If f (a) = f (b) , then there is at least one point c ∈ (a, b) where f’(c) =0.


Geometrically this means that if the tangent is moving along the curve starting at x = a towards as in Fig 7.2 x = b then there exists a c ∈ ( a, b) at which the tangent is parallel to the x -axis. 


Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem

Theorem 7.3

Let f (x) be continuous in a closed interval [a, b] and  differentiable in the open interval (a , b) (where f (a), f (b) are not necessarily equal). Then there exist at least one point c ∈( a , b) such that, 

 f ′(c) = f (b) − f (a) / b − a ... (6)


 

Remark

If f (a) = f (b) then Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem gives the Rolle’s theorem. It is also known as rotated Rolle’s Theorem.

Remark

A physical meaning of the above theorem is the number f (b) − f (a) / b − a =  can be  thought of as the average rate of change in f ( x) over (a, b) and f (c) as an instantaneous change.

A geometrical meaning of the Lagrange’s mean value theorem is that the instantaneous rate of change at some interior point is equal to the average rate of change over the entire interval. This is illustrated as follows :

If a car accelerating from zero takes just 8 seconds to travel 200 m, its average velocity for the 8 second interval is 200/8 = 25 m/s. The Mean Value Theorem says that at some point during the travel the speedometer must read exactly 90 km/h which is equal to 25 m/s.

 

Theorem 7.4

If f ( x) is continuous in closed interval [a , b] and differentiable in open interval (a , b) and if f ′( x) > 0, ∀x ∈ (a, b) , then for, x1 , x2 ∈[a , b] , such that x1 < x2 we have, f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) .

Proof

By the mean value theorem, there exists a c ∈ ( x1 , x2 ) ⊂ (a, b) such that,

 f (x2 ) − f (x1)  /  x2 − x1 = f ′(c)

Since f ′(c) > 0 , and x2 − x1 > 0 we have f (x2) – f (x1) > 0.

We conclude that, whenever x1 < x2 , we have f (x1 ) < f (x2 ) .

Remark

If f ′( x) < 0, ∀x ∈ (a, b) , then for, x1 , x2 ∈ [a, b] , such that x1 < x2 we have, f (x1 ) > f (x2 ) .

The proof is similar.

 

Tags : Differential Calculus | Mathematics , 12th Maths : UNIT 7 : Applications of Differential Calculus
Study Material, Lecturing Notes, Assignment, Reference, Wiki description explanation, brief detail
12th Maths : UNIT 7 : Applications of Differential Calculus : Mean Value Theorem | Differential Calculus | Mathematics

Related Topics

12th Maths : UNIT 7 : Applications of Differential Calculus


Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant

Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.