Math 1210 Signature Assignment 1

The Mean Value Theorem

Begin by making a complete statement of the Mean Value Theorem.


“It states that if f(x) is defined and continuous on the interval [a,b] and
differentiable on (a,b), then there is at least one number c in the interval
(a,b) (that is a < c < b).”

Consider the function f (x)= x+2/x+5 on the interval [ -3, 7]. Explain
how this meets the Mean Value Theorem.
The mean value theorem is met with this function because it is defined
and continuous on the closed interval [-3,7], and differentiable on the
open interval (-3,7).
Find the average rate of change of 𝑓(𝑥) on [- 3, 7], and find the equation
of the line segment that connects the points (- 3, f ( -3)) and (7, f (7)).
You will find the values f(-3) and f(7) because those are the interval
values given.
F(-3)= -3+2/-3+5 which is -1/2
F(7)= 7+2/7+5 which is 9/12, which simplifies down to 3/4
The equation for the rate of change is f(y)-f(x)/ y-x, so for the function it
will be f(7)-f-(3)/7-(-3).
3/4- (-1/2)/ 7-(-3) =(5/4)/10= 1/8.
M=1/8
To find the equation of the line, you use the equation y-y1=m(x-x1)
y-7=1/8(x-3)
To solve, you will distribute the 1/8 to the x and the 7, then you will add
the 7 over to the other side.
The equation is y=1/8x-1/8.
Now you find the derivative of the function given which will be used in
the following step. With this example you must use the quotient rule,
g(x)d/dx[f(x)]-f(x)d/dx[g(x)]/g(x)^2
F’(x)= 3/(x+5)^2
Find any numbers c, which are guaranteed by the Mean Value Theorem,
and find the equation of the tangent line to the function 𝑓(𝑥) at each
value of c.
F’(x)= 3/(x+5)^2
F’(c)= 1/8=3/(x^2+10x+25) * you get that bottom part by multiplying
out the (x+5)(x+5)
1/8^2+5/4x+25/8=3
1/8^2+5/4x+1/8=0
1/8(x^2+10x+1)=1/8(x-9.9)(x-0.1)
c=0,9.9,0.1
Tangent lines:
F’(0)= 3/25 f(0)= 2/5 m= 3/25
y-2/5=3/25(x-0)
y=3/25x-2/5
F’(9.9) = 8.9 m=0.014 f(9.9)=0.8
y-0.8=0.014(x-9.9)
y=0.014x+.66
F’(0.1)= 0.12 m= 0.12 f(0.1)=0.41
y-0.41=0.12(x-0.1)
y=0.1x+0.398
Using technology, graph the function f (x)= x+2/x+5 and the lines from
above on the same axes.

Explain what the Mean Value Theorem tells us about rates of change
referring to your graph as an example. Give one “real world” example of
an application of the Mean Value Theorem. Cite any sources used.
The mean value theorem tells us that for every value that we found of c,
all the rates of change are the same as shown by the tangent lines on the
graph.
The real world application that has an application of the mean value
theorem is you can use it to test speeds between two different points. Say
you drove your car from one point to another, you can see what the
average speed would be between the too by taking the speed limits at
both destination points.