Mean Value Theorem

The Mean Value Theorem has very important consequences in differential calculus.

THEOREM: Let the function f such that

i.           continuous in the closed interval [a,b]
ii.            derivable in open interval (a,b)

Then there exists at least one c with  a < c < b such that

calculus formula

The result in the theorem can be expressed as a statement about graph of f: if A(a , f(a)) and B(b , f(b)), are the end points on the graph, then there is at least one point C between A and B,such that the tangent is drawn from C is parallel to the chord AB.

Mean value theorem graph

Mean value theorem is also known as Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem or First Mean Value Theorem or Law of Mean.

Applications of mean value theorem

1. Let the function be f such that

(i)                  Continuous in interval [a,b]

(ii)                Derivable in interval (a,b)

(iii)              f'(x) = 0 `AA` x  `epsi` (a,b) , then f(x) is constant in [a , b].

2.Let f and g be a functions such that

(i)             f and g are continuous in interval [a,b]

(ii)            f and g are derivable in interval(a,b)

(iii)          f'(x) = g'(x) `AA` x  `epsi`  (a,b) , then f(x) - g(x) is constant in [a,b]

3.Let the function be f such that

(i)             Continuous in interval[a,b]

(ii)            Derivable in interval(a,b)

(iii)          f'(x) > 0 `AA` x  `epsi`  (a,b), then f(x) is strictly increasing function in [a,b]

4.Let the function be f such that

(i)             Continuous in interval[a,b]

(ii)            Derivable in interval (a,b)

(iii)          f'(x) < 0 `AA` x  `epsi`    (a,b), thenf(x)  is strictly decreasing function in[a,b]

Special case of Mean Value Theorem is when f(a) = f(b).Then there exists at least one c with  a < c < b such that f'(c)= 0 . This case is known as Rolle’s Theorem.

Cauchy’s mean value theorem in calculus

Let f and g be functions such that

i.            both are continuous in closed interval [a,b]
ii.            both are derivable in open interval (a,b)
iii.             g'(x) `!=` 0 for any x `epsi` (a,b)  then there exists at least one number c `epsi` (a,b) such that

`(f'(c))/(g'(c))`  =  `(f(b) - f(a))/(g(b) - g(a))`

Mean value theorem example



Verify Rolle's theorem for the function

f (x) = x2 - 8x + 12 on (2, 6)

Since a polynomial function is continuous and differentiable everywhere f (x) is differentiable and continuous (i) and (ii) conditions of Rolle's theorem is satisfied.

f (2) = 22 - 8 (2) + 12 = 0

f (6) = 36 - 48 + 12 = 0

Therefore (iii) condition is satisfied.

Rolle's theorem is applicable for the given function f (x).

\ There must exist c  (2, 6) such that f '(c) = 0

f '(x) = 2x - 8

`=>`  c = 4 `in`(2,6)

Rolle's theorem is verified.