Exercise · ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-018 · ★★☆ Intermediate
Can the mean value theorem be applied to \(f(x)=|x|\) on \([-1,2]\)?
Choose one option.
Show answer
- A. It does not apply: |x| is not differentiable at 0 in (-1,2)
Explanation
\(|x|\) is continuous but not differentiable at \(0\), which lies inside the interval. Also the chord slope is \(\frac13\) while \(f'\) only takes the values \(\pm1\) where it exists, so the conclusion fails.
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-001 Find the value c guaranteed by the mean value theorem for f(x)=x^2 on [1,3].
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-002 Find the value c guaranteed by the mean value theorem for f(x)=x^3 on [0,2].
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-003 Find the value c guaranteed by the mean value theorem for f(x)=√x on [1,4].
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-004 Which hypothesis does the mean value theorem require for f on [a,b]?
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-005 Compute the slope of the secant line of f(x)=x^3 between x=1 and x=2.
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-006 According to the mean value theorem, what slope must the tangent at the point c have?
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-007 Find the value c guaranteed by the mean value theorem for f(x)=x^2-4x on [0,4].
- ZW-MEAN-VALUE-THEOREM-008 Find the value c guaranteed by the mean value theorem for f(x)=x^3-3x on [0,2].