Chapter 4: Problem 3
Find the value or values of \(c\) that satisfy the equation $$\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}=f^{\prime}(c)$$ in the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem for the functions and intervals in Exercises \(1-6 .\) $$f(x)=x+\frac{1}{x}, \quad\left[\frac{1}{2}, 2\right]$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The value of \(c\) is 1.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the Mean Value Theorem (MVT)
The Mean Value Theorem states that for a function \( f(x) \) continuous on \([a, b]\) and differentiable on \((a, b)\), there is at least one \(c\) in \((a, b)\) such that \( f'(c) = \frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a} \).
02
Compute \(f(a)\) and \(f(b)\)
For \(f(x) = x + \frac{1}{x}\), calculate \(f(a)\) and \(f(b)\):\[ f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right) = \frac{1}{2} + \frac{1}{\frac{1}{2}} = \frac{1}{2} + 2 = \frac{5}{2} \]\[ f(2) = 2 + \frac{1}{2} = 2.5 \]
03
Calculate the Slope of the Secant Line
Find the slope of the secant line using \(f(b)\) and \(f(a)\):\[ \frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a} = \frac{2.5 - \frac{5}{2}}{2 - \frac{1}{2}} = \frac{2.5 - 2.5}{1.5} = 0 \]
04
Compute the Derivative \(f^{ ext{'} ext{'}}(x)\)
Compute the derivative of \(f(x) = x + \frac{1}{x}\):\[ f'(x) = 1 - \frac{1}{x^2} \]
05
Set \(f^{'}(c) = 0\) and Solve for \(c\)
Set the derivative equal to the slope found earlier: \[ 1 - \frac{1}{c^2} = 0 \]Solve for \(c\): Rearrange: \( \frac{1}{c^2} = 1 \)\( c^2 = 1 \)\( c = \pm 1 \)Since \(c\) must lie in \(\left( \frac{1}{2}, 2 \right)\), choose \(c = 1\).
06
Verify \(c\) Lies in the Interval
Check if \(c = 1\) falls within the interval \( \left( \frac{1}{2}, 2 \right) \). Since \(c = 1\) is within the interval, it satisfies the conditions of the Mean Value Theorem.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Differentiability
Differentiability is a fundamental concept in calculus. It tells us whether a function is smooth or has any breaks. For a function to be differentiable at a point, its derivative must exist at that point. This means the function has a defined slope, and there are no sharp corners or breaks.
There are some key aspects of differentiability:
There are some key aspects of differentiability:
- A function must be continuous at a point to be differentiable there. But continuity alone does not guarantee differentiability.
- If a function is differentiable over an interval, it means you can find a tangent line at any point in that interval.
- In our problem, the function \(f(x) = x + \frac{1}{x}\) is differentiable over the interval \((\frac{1}{2}, 2)\).
Secant Line
A secant line is simply a line that passes through two points on a curve. It gives a measure of the average rate of change between these points. This concept is crucial when we deal with the Mean Value Theorem.
Here’s how the secant line works:
Here’s how the secant line works:
- Its slope is computed as the difference in function values divided by the difference in x-values: \( \frac{f(b) - f(a)}{b - a} \).
- The slope represents the average rate of change over the interval \([a, b]\).
Derivatives
Derivatives are one of the most vital concepts in calculus, representing how a function changes at any point. The derivative of a function gives the slope of the tangent line at any specific point.
Here’s what you need to know about derivatives:
Here’s what you need to know about derivatives:
- The derivative \(f'(x)\) of a function \(f(x)\) lets us understand its behavior — for instance, its increasing or decreasing nature.
- Computing the derivative involves differentiating the function. For \(f(x) = x + \frac{1}{x}\), the derivative is \(f'(x) = 1 - \frac{1}{x^2}\).
- By setting \(f'(c)\) equal to the slope of the secant line, we find the particular value \(c\) where the Mean Value Theorem holds true.