Jose Monterroso

Math 1210 Signature Assignment 1

The Mean Value Theorem

1. The Mean Value Theorem states that if is defined and continuous on the interval
, and differentiable on (, ), then there is at least one number in the interval (, )
- . /-(0)
(that is < < ) such that * = .
./0
123
2. The function = on the interval [3, 7] meets the conditions of the Mean Value
124

Theorem because it is continuous on the closed interval [3, 7], and its differentiable on
the open interval 3, 7 . However, there is a whole at = 5, but because the interval
is from -3 to 7 it does not interfere with the continuity nor the differentiability.
3. First, we need to find the average rate of change of () on [3, 7]. To do that we use
C E? F
;< => /=? ;< - A / -(/B) ;< / G
the formula = so, = so, = D >
= D
= . Second, we
;1 @> / @? ;1 A / (/B) ;1 A / (/B) GH I

need to find the equation of the line segment that connects the points 3, 3 and
(7, 7 ). Since we already found the average rate of change or the slope of the 2 points
we now use the point slope formula ( G = ( G )) to find our linear equation. M
G
in the equation is the slope or the average rate of change, so m = , for G and G we pick a
I
B G G G
point from one of the 2 above. = ( 7) then we solve for y so, =
L I I I

4. Now we want to find any numbers , which are guaranteed by the Mean Value Theorem.
To do that we need to find , but first we find * , then set it equal to * and solve
- . /- 0 - A - /B G
for c. So, * = = so, * = . Now we find * . Because
./0 A /B I

N- O /-NO
is a quotient we use the quotient rule * = to find its derivative. So,
N>
124 G / 123 G B
* = >
= Now we set * = * and solve for . So,
124 124 >
B G
>
= , = 0.101, 9.899. Since -9.899 is not in our interval we exclude it, our
Q24 I

only c is = 0.101. Now we need to find the equation of the tangent line to the
function at the value c. First, we need the slope. To find the slope at c, we can plug
B G
it into * . So, * 0.101 = > = Now we use the point slope formula.
/H.GHG 24 I
 To get the G and G we plug in -0.101 to and get the point 0.101, 0.388 next
G G 3
we plug everything in and solve for y. 0.388 = 0.101 y = x +
I I 4
123
5. (Red original function) =
124
G G
(Blue line segment that connects the 2 points) =
I I
G 3
(Purple tangent line to the function at c) = +
I 4

6. The Mean Value Theorem tells us that there is a point c in the open interval (, ) where
the functions instantaneous rate of change is the same as its average rate of change over
the closed interval [, ]. For example, in my graph the purple line is the tangent line to
the function at c. The point c (0.101, 0.388) on the open interval (3, 7) is where the
functions instantaneous velocity equals the average rate of change over the closed
interval [3, 7]. A real-world example that I can think about is in the case of speeding. If
you leave point A at 1:30, and get to point B at 2:30, with a distance of 100 miles. And
the speed limit is 45 MPH, technically speaking a cop can give you a ticket because you
arrived at point B faster than you should have; you just went 100 MPH. With the help of
the Mean Value Theorem you can find that * = 100 . With the help of little
more information, you can find out c; where the functions instantaneous and average rate
of change equal each other.