1. Section 3.2 – Rolle’s Theorem and the Mean Value Theorem

2. Mean Value Theorem This is a continuous and differentiable function.
The Mean Value Theorem can be interpreted geometrically as follows:
This is a continuous and differentiable function.
Is the slope of the line segment joining the points where x=a and x=b.
Is the slope of the line tangent to the graph at the point x=c. This is equal to the slope of the line segment.
MVT says at least one point like x=c must exist. It does NOT find where it is.

3. Mean Value Theorem
Let f be a function that satisfies the following hypotheses:
f is continuous on the closed interval [a,b]
f is differentiable on the open interval (a,b)
Then there is a number c in (a,b) such that:
Example: If a car travels smoothly down a straight level road with average velocity 60 mph, we would expect the speedometer reading to be exactly 60 mph at least once during the trip.
The derivative must equal the slope between the endpoints for at least one value of x.
There is at least one point where the instantaneous rate of change equals the average rate of change.

4. Does anyone have a graph that does not have a horizontal tangent line?
White Board Challenge
Sketch a graph of the function with the following characteristic: The function is only defined on [2,8]. The function is differentiable on (2,8). f(2) = f(8)
Does anyone have a graph that does not have a horizontal tangent line?

5. Rolle’s Theorem
Let f be a function that satisfies the following three hypotheses:
f is continuous on the closed interval [a,b]
f is differentiable on the open interval (a,b)
f(a) = f(b)
Then there is a number c in (a,b) such that f '(c) = 0.
Example: If a car begins and ends at the same place, then somewhere during its journey, it must reverse direction.
There must be at least one critical number between the endpoints.
f(x)
At least one critical point.
Start and end at the same y-value x a c b

6. Example 1
Show that the function satisfies the hypotheses of the MVT on the closed interval [9,25], and explain what conclusions you can draw from it.
The function f is not differentiable at x≤0. BUT x≤0 is not in the interval [9,25]. Thus, the function is continuous on [9,25] and differentiable on (9,25). The hypotheses of the MVT are satisfied.
Use the Theorem:
Therefore the Mean Value Theorem guarantees at least one x–value in (9,25) at which the instantaneous rate of change of f is equal to 1/8.

7. Example 2
Show that the function satisfies the hypotheses of the MVT on the closed interval [1,2], and find a number c between 1 and 2 so that:
Because f is a polynomial function, it is differentiable and also continuous on the entire interval [1,2]. Thus, the hypotheses of the MVT are satisfied.
Find the value of c.
Find the derivative.

8. Not differentiable at x=2
Example 3
Discuss why Rolle’s Theorem can not be applied to the functions below.
Not differentiable at x=2
Not continuous

9. We already learned that this implies continuity.
2007 AB Free Response 3
We already learned that this implies continuity.
Notice how every part of the MVT is discussed (Continuity AND Differentiability).
The functions f and g are differentiable for all real numbers, and g is strictly increasing. The table above gives values of the functions and their first derivatives at selected values of x. The function h is given by h(x) = f(g(x)) – 6.
Explain why there must be a value of c for 1< c < 3 such that h'(c) = -5.
Since h is continuous and differentiable, by the MVT, there exists a value c, 1 < c < 3, such that h' (c) = -5.