Section 4.1: MVT

The Mean Value Theorem

  1. Which of the following functions satisfy the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the given intervals? Explain.  solution

    (a) \( f(x)=\frac{x^2-1}{x-1},\; [0,2] \)   (b) \( f(x)=|x|,\; [-1,1] \)   (c) \( f(x)=\frac{1}{x-1},\; [2,4] \)   (d) \( f(x)=\ln x,\; [-1,2] \)   (e) \( f(x)=\sqrt{x},\; [-1,1] \)

  2. The Mean Value Theorem guarantees a number \(c\in(0,4)\) for \( f(x)=\sqrt{x} \). Find the number \(c\).  solution

  3. The Mean Value Theorem guarantees a number \(c\in(0,16)\) for \( f(x)=\sqrt{x} \). Find the number \(c\).  solution

  4. Why is \( f(x)=3x^2+2x+5 \) continuous on \([-1,1]\) and differentiable on \((-1,1)\)? Find all numbers \(c\in(-1,1)\) satisfying the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem.  solution

  5. Does the function satisfy the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the given interval? If it does, find all numbers \(c\) that satisfy the conclusion. \( f(x)=\ln(2x),\; [1/2,16] \)  solution

  6. Given that \( f(x)=\sqrt{2x+1} \) satisfies the hypotheses of the MVT on \([0,4]\), find the value of \(c\in(0,4)\) satisfying the conclusion.  solution

  7. Does the function satisfy the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the given interval? If it does, find all numbers \(c\) that satisfy the conclusion. \( f(x)=\frac{x}{x+9},\; [1,18] \)  solution