Chapter 5: Problem 61
In Exercises \(55-62,\) graph the function and find its average value over the given interval. $$ g(x)=|x|-1 \quad \text { on } \quad \text { a. }[-1,1], \text { b. }[1,3], \text { and } c .[-1,3] $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The average values are -0.5, 1, and 0.5 on the intervals [-1,1], [1,3], and [-1,3] respectively.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding the Function
The function given is \( g(x) = |x| - 1 \). This represents an absolute value function that's been shifted down by 1 unit. The graph of \( |x| \) has a V-shape with its vertex at the origin (0,0), and \( g(x) \) lowers this vertex to (0,-1).
02
Evaluate Function on the Interval [-1,1]
Within [-1,1], \( g(x) = |x| - 1 \) translates to \( g(x) = x-1 \) for \( x \geq 0 \) and \( g(x) = -x-1 \) for \( x < 0 \). The graph in this interval is a V-shape, sloping down from (-1,0) to (0,-1) and up to (1,0).
03
Calculate the Average Value for [-1, 1]
The average value of a function \( f(x) \) over an interval \([a, b]\) is given by \[ \frac{1}{b-a} \int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx \]. For \([-1,1]\), this becomes \[ \frac{1}{2} \int_{-1}^{1} (|x| - 1) \, dx \]. The integral is split at the vertex: \[ = \frac{1}{2} \left(\int_{-1}^{0} (-x-1) \, dx + \int_{0}^{1} (x-1) \, dx \right) \].Calculating each section:1. \( \int_{-1}^{0} (-x-1) \, dx = \left[ -\frac{x^2}{2} - x \right]_{-1}^{0} = \frac{1}{2} \)2. \( \int_{0}^{1} (x-1) \, dx = \left[ \frac{x^2}{2} - x \right]_{0}^{1} = -\frac{1}{2} \)The total is \( \frac{1}{2} (\frac{1}{2} - \frac{1}{2}) = -\frac{1}{2} \).
04
Evaluate Function on the Interval [1,3]
In the interval [1,3], \( g(x) = x - 1 \) since \( |x| = x \) for \( x \geq 0 \). The function is increasing linearly from (1,0) to (3,2).
05
Calculate the Average Value for [1, 3]
The average value over \([1, 3]\) is given by \[ \frac{1}{2} \int_{1}^{3} (x - 1) \, dx \]. Calculating the integral:\( \int_{1}^{3} (x-1) \, dx = \left[ \frac{x^2}{2} - x \right]_{1}^{3} \)Evaluate:\( = \left( \frac{9}{2} - 3 \right) - \left( \frac{1}{2} - 1 \right)\)\( = \left( \frac{3}{2} \right) - \left( -\frac{1}{2} \right) = 2 \)Thus, the average is \( \frac{2}{2} = 1 \).
06
Evaluate Function on the Interval [-1,3]
In the interval [-1,3], the function switches from \(-x - 1\) to \(x - 1\) at \( x = 0 \). This splits the function into two parts over the interval: decreasing from (-1,0) to (0,-1), then increasing to (3,2).
07
Calculate the Average Value for [-1, 3]
The average over \([-1, 3]\) is \( \frac{1}{4} \int_{-1}^{3} (|x|-1) \, dx \).Split the integral into two sections:1. \( \int_{-1}^{0} (-x-1) \, dx = \frac{1}{2}\)2. \( \int_{0}^{3} (x-1) \, dx = \left[ \frac{x^2}{2} - x \right]_{0}^{3} = \frac{3}{2} \)Total of both parts:\( \frac{1}{4} (\frac{1}{2} + \frac{3}{2}) = \frac{1}{4}(2) = \frac{1}{2} \).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Absolute Value Function
An absolute value function is a special type of function defined by the formula \( f(x) = |x| \). The absolute value of a number is its distance from zero on the number line, which means it is always non-negative. In mathematical expression, this would be:
- \( |x| = x \) when \( x \geq 0 \)
- \( |x| = -x \) when \( x < 0 \)
Integration
Integration is a crucial concept in calculus that allows us to find the area under a curve. It helps us in finding the average value of functions over an interval. For finding the average value of a function \( f(x) \) over an interval \([a,b]\), the formula is: \[ \text{Average value} = \frac{1}{b-a} \int_{a}^{b} f(x) \, dx \]In our exercise for \( g(x) = |x| - 1 \), integration splits at the vertex for the intervals with both negative and positive x-values. For instance, over the interval \([-1,1]\), the function \( g(x) \) is broken into two parts:
- \([-1,0]\): Integrate \(-x - 1\)
- \([0,1]\): Integrate \(x - 1\)
Graphing Functions
Graphing functions is an essential skill for visualizing and understanding mathematical relationships and behaviors. It involves plotting points and interpreting the shape and direction of a graph. For the absolute value function \( g(x) = |x| - 1 \), the graph can be understood by breaking it into parts over the specified intervals.
- For \([-1,1]\): The graph is a V-shape, descending from (-1,0) to (0,-1) and then ascending to (1,0).
- For \([1,3]\): The graph is a straight line sloping upwards from (1,0) to (3,2).
- For \([-1,3]\): The graph combines both behaviors, showing a transition from a descending to ascending line at \( x=0 \).
Calculus Problem Solving
Problem-solving in calculus often requires a strategic approach to understanding, breaking down, and tackling questions. Our given problem asks for the average value of a function over several intervals. Here's how to approach similar problems:
- Understand the function: Gain a clear grasp of the given function's overall behavior and characteristics.
- Break down the intervals: When dealing with absolute value functions, separate the intervals where inputs change from negative to positive and vice versa.
- Apply calculus techniques: Use integration for each sub-part of the interval, summing results to compute the overall average value.
- Graph the function: Visual graphing helps validate algebraic solutions and offers insights into the function's transition over the intervals.