Mean Value Theorem

The mean value theorem is one of the most important theorems in calculus. It is here discussed through examples and graphs. Once you finish with this tutorial you might want to solve problems related to the mean value theorem.

Mean Value Theorem

Let f(x) be a continuous function on the interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b). Then there is at least one value c of x in the interval (a, b) such that
f '(c) = [ f(b) - f(a) ] /(b - a)
or
f(b) - f(a) = f '(c) (b - a)

In other words, the tangent line to the graph of f at c and the secant through points (a,f(a)) and (b,f(b)) have equal slopes and are therefore parallel.
mean value theorem

Figure 1. Graphical Meaning of Mean Value Theorem


Examples on the Applications of the Mean Value Theorem

Example 1

Use the mean value theorem to find the value c of x in the interval [1 , 5] such that the tangent at the point (c , f(c)) to the of curve f(x) = - x2 + 7 x - 6 is parallel to the secant through the points (1 , f(1)) and (5 , f(5)).

Solution to Example 1

The slope of the tangent at point (c , f(c)) is given by
f '(x) where f ' is the first derivative.
The slope of the secant through (1 , f(1)) and (5 , f(5)) is given by
[ f(5) - f(1) ] /(5 - 1)
For the tangent to be parallel to the secant their slope have to be equal hence
f '(c) = [ f(5) - f(1) ] /(5 - 1)
Function f is a polynomial (quadratic) function and is therefore continuous and differentiable of the interval [1 , 5] hence the mean value theorem predicts that there is a least one value of x (= c) such that the above equality is true.
The slope of the tangent is given by the value of the first derivative at x = c.
The first derivative : f ' (x) = - 2 x + 7
slope m1 of the tangent to the curve at x = c is equal to m1 = f ' (c) = - 2 c + 7
The slope m2 of the secant through the points (1 , f(1)) and (5 , f(5)) is given by
m2 = (f(5) - f(1)) / (5 - 1) = (4 - 0) / ( 4 ) = 1
m1 = m2 gives the equation
- 2 c + 7 = 1
c = 3
Check answer graphically
Point of tangency at x = c is given by (3 , f(3)) = (3 , 6)
Equation of tangent:
y - 6 = (x - 3)
y = x + 3
In figure 1 below are shown the graphs of the given function and the graph of the tangent to the curve of f. The tangent and secant have equal slopes and are therefore parallel.
graph of function, secant and tangent in example 1 mean value theorem problem

Figure 2. Mean Value Theorem used in example 1

There may be more that one value of x ( = c) that satisfies the mean value theorem, see example 2 below.

Example 2

Use the mean value theorem to find all values of x in the interval [0 , 3] such that the tangent at the points (c , f(c)) to the of curve f(x) = x3 - 5 x2 + 7 x + 1 is parallel to the secant through the points (0 , f(0)) and (3 , f(3)).

Solution to Example 2

Function f is a polynomial function and is therefore continuous and differentiable of the interval [1 , 3] and therefore the mean value theorem predicts that there is at least one value of x ( = c) such that the tangent to the curve of f at x = c and the secant are parallel and therefore their slopes are equal.
slope of tangent
The first derivative : f ' (x) = 3 x 2 - 10 x + 7
The slope m1 of the tangent at x = c is equal to m1 = f ' (c) = 3 c 2 - 10 c + 7
The slope m2 of the secant through the points (0 , f(0)) and (3 , f(3))
m2 = (f(3) - f(0)) / (3 - 0) = (4 - 1) / (3 - 0) = 1
For the tangent to the curve at x = c and the secant through (0 , f(0)) and (3 , f(3)) to be parallel, their slopes have to be equal.
3 c 2 - 10 c + 7 = 1
which may be written as
3 c 2 - 10 c + 6 = 0
Solve using quadratic formulas to obtain two solutions
c1 = (5 - √7) / 3 ≈ 0.78 and c2 = (5 + √7) / 3 ≈ 2.55
Check answer graphically
In figure 2 below are shown the graphs of the given function and the graph of the two tangents to the curve of f parallel to the secant through the points A(0 , f(0)) and B(3 , f(3)).
graph of function, secant and tangent in example 2 mean value theorem problem

Figure 3. Mean Value Theorem used in example 2

More References and links

problems related to the mean value theorem
Solve Tangent Lines Problems in Calculus
Continuous Functions in Calculus
Slopes of Parallel Lines Questions