Exercise · ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-001 · ★☆☆ Basic

Find the value c guaranteed by the mean value theorem for \(f(x)=x^{2}\) on \([1,3]\).

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  • D. \(2\)

Explanation

The slope of the secant is \(\dfrac{f(3)-f(1)}{3-1}=4\). Solve \(f'(c)=4\) with \(f'(x)=2 x\) and the solution inside \((1,3)\) is c = 2.

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Review the concept: Mean value theorem

If \(f\) is continuous on \([a,b]\) and differentiable on \((a,b)\), there is a \(c\in(a,b)\) such that the slope of the tangent at \(c\) equals the slope of the secant line joining \((a,f(a))\) and \((b,f(b))\).

\[f'(c)=\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}\]

More practice problems: mean value theorem

ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-002 →