230 Chapter 4: Applications of Derivatives

d. Evaluate the function at all points found in parts (b) and (c) and 94. ƒsxd = 2 + 2x - 3x 2>3, [- 1, 10>3]
at the endpoints of the interval.
95. ƒsxd = 2x + cos x, [0, 2p]
e. Find the function’s absolute extreme values on the interval and 1
identify where they occur. 96. ƒsxd = x 3>4
- sin x + , [0, 2p]
2
91. ƒsxd = x 4 - 8x 2 + 4x + 2, [- 20>25, 64>25] 97. ƒ(x) = px 2e - 3x>2, [0, 5]
92. ƒsxd = - x + 4x - 4x + 1,
4 3
[- 3>4, 3] 98. ƒ(x) = ln (2x + x sin x), [1, 15]
93. ƒsxd = x 2>3s3 - xd, [- 2, 2]

The Mean Value Theorem

4.2
We know that constant functions have zero derivatives, but could there be a more compli-
cated function whose derivative is always zero? If two functions have identical derivatives
over an interval, how are the functions related? We answer these and other questions in this
y chapter by applying the Mean Value Theorem. First we introduce a special case, known as
Rolle’s Theorem, which is used to prove the Mean Value Theorem.
f '(c)
0
Rolle’s Theorem
y
f (x)
As suggested by its graph, if a differentiable function crosses a horizontal line at two dif-
ferent points, there is at least one point between them where the tangent to the graph is
horizontal and the derivative is zero (Figure 4.10). We now state and prove this result.
x
0 a c b
(a)
THEOREM 3—Rolle’s Theorem Suppose that y = ƒsxd is continuous at every
y
point of the closed interval [a, b] and differentiable at every point of its interior
f '(c3 )
0 (a, b). If ƒsad = ƒsbd, then there is at least one number c in (a, b) at which
f '(c1 )
0 ƒ¿scd = 0.
f '(c2 )
0 y
f (x)

Proof Being continuous, ƒ assumes absolute maximum and minimum values on [a, b]
x by Theorem 1. These can occur only
0 a c1 c2 c3 b
(b) 1. at interior points where ƒ¿ is zero,
2. at interior points where ƒ¿ does not exist,
FIGURE 4.10 Rolle’s Theorem says that
a differentiable curve has at least one
3. at the endpoints of the function’s domain, in this case a and b.
horizontal tangent between any two points By hypothesis, ƒ has a derivative at every interior point. That rules out possibility (2), leav-
where it crosses a horizontal line. It may ing us with interior points where ƒ¿ = 0 and with the two endpoints a and b.
have just one (a), or it may have more (b). If either the maximum or the minimum occurs at a point c between a and b, then
ƒ¿scd = 0 by Theorem 2 in Section 4.1, and we have found a point for Rolle’s Theorem.
If both the absolute maximum and the absolute minimum occur at the endpoints,
then because ƒsad = ƒsbd it must be the case that ƒ is a constant function with
ƒsxd = ƒsad = ƒsbd for every x H [a, b]. Therefore ƒ¿sxd = 0 and the point c can be taken
anywhere in the interior (a, b).

HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHY The hypotheses of Theorem 3 are essential. If they fail at even one point, the graph
may not have a horizontal tangent (Figure 4.11).
Michel Rolle
Rolle’s Theorem may be combined with the Intermediate Value Theorem to show when
(1652–1719)
there is only one real solution of an equation ƒsxd = 0, as we illustrate in the next example.

EXAMPLE 1 Show that the equation

x 3 + 3x + 1 = 0
has exactly one real solution.
 4.2 The Mean Value Theorem 231

y y y

y
f (x) y
f (x) y
f(x)

x x x
a b a x0 b a x0 b
(a) Discontinuous at an (b) Discontinuous at an (c) Continuous on [a, b] but not
y endpoint of [a, b] interior point of [a, b] differentiable at an interior
(1, 5) point

FIGURE 4.11 There may be no horizontal tangent if the hypotheses of Rolle’s Theorem do not hold.

Solution We define the continuous function

1 y
x 3  3x  1

x
ƒsxd = x 3 + 3x + 1.
–1 0 1
Since ƒ(-1) = - 3 and ƒ(0) = 1, the Intermediate Value Theorem tells us that the graph
of ƒ crosses the x-axis somewhere in the open interval (-1, 0). (See Figure 4.12.) The
(–1, –3) derivative
ƒ¿sxd = 3x 2 + 3
FIGURE 4.12 The only real zero of the
polynomial y = x 3 + 3x + 1 is the one is never zero (because it is always positive). Now, if there were even two points x = a and
shown here where the curve crosses the x = b where ƒ(x) was zero, Rolle’s Theorem would guarantee the existence of a point
x-axis between - 1 and 0 (Example 1). x = c in between them where ƒ¿ was zero. Therefore, ƒ has no more than one zero.

Our main use of Rolle’s Theorem is in proving the Mean Value Theorem.

The Mean Value Theorem

The Mean Value Theorem, which was first stated by Joseph-Louis Lagrange, is a slanted
y Tangent parallel to chord
version of Rolle’s Theorem (Figure 4.13). The Mean Value Theorem guarantees that there
Slope f'(c)
is a point where the tangent line is parallel to the chord AB.
B

f (b)  f (a)
Slope
ba THEOREM 4—The Mean Value Theorem Suppose y = ƒsxd is continuous on a
A closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the interval’s interior (a, b). Then there
x is at least one point c in (a, b) at which
0 a c b
y
f(x) ƒsbd - ƒsad
= ƒ¿scd. (1)
b - a
FIGURE 4.13 Geometrically, the Mean
Value Theorem says that somewhere
between a and b the curve has at least one Proof We picture the graph of ƒ and draw a line through the points A(a, ƒ(a)) and
tangent parallel to chord AB. B(b, ƒ(b)). (See Figure 4.14.) The line is the graph of the function

ƒsbd - ƒsad
gsxd = ƒsad + sx - ad (2)
b - a

(point-slope equation). The vertical difference between the graphs of ƒ and g at x is

HISTORICAL BIOGRAPHY hsxd = ƒsxd - gsxd

Joseph-Louis Lagrange ƒsbd - ƒsad
(1736–1813) = ƒsxd - ƒsad - sx - ad. (3)
b - a

Figure 4.15 shows the graphs of ƒ, g, and h together.

232 Chapter 4: Applications of Derivatives

B(b, f (b))
y
f (x) y
f (x) B

A(a, f (a)) h(x)

A y
g(x)

h(x)
f (x)  g(x)

x x
y a b a x b

y
兹1  x 2, –1 ⱕ x ⱕ 1 FIGURE 4.14 The graph of ƒ and the FIGURE 4.15 The chord AB is the graph
1 chord AB over the interval [a, b]. of the function g(x). The function hsxd =
ƒsxd - g sxd gives the vertical distance
between the graphs of ƒ and g at x.
x
–1 0 1
The function h satisfies the hypotheses of Rolle’s Theorem on [a, b]. It is continuous
FIGURE 4.16 The function ƒsxd = on [a, b] and differentiable on (a, b) because both ƒ and g are. Also, hsad = hsbd = 0
21 - x 2 satisfies the hypotheses (and because the graphs of ƒ and g both pass through A and B. Therefore h¿scd = 0 at some
conclusion) of the Mean Value Theorem on point c H sa, bd. This is the point we want for Equation (1).
[⫺1, 1] even though ƒ is not differentiable To verify Equation (1), we differentiate both sides of Equation (3) with respect to x
at -1 and 1. and then set x = c:
y ƒsbd - ƒsad
h¿sxd = ƒ¿sxd - Derivative of Eq. (3) . . .
4
B(2, 4) b - a
ƒsbd - ƒsad
h¿scd = ƒ¿scd - . . . with x = c
b - a
3
y
x2
ƒsbd - ƒsad
0 = ƒ¿scd - h¿scd = 0
b - a
2
ƒsbd - ƒsad
ƒ¿scd = , Rearranged
b - a
1 (1, 1)
which is what we set out to prove.

x The hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem do not require ƒ to be differentiable at

A(0, 0) 1 2
either a or b. Continuity at a and b is enough (Figure 4.16).
FIGURE 4.17 As we find in Example 2,
c = 1 is where the tangent is parallel to EXAMPLE 2 The function ƒsxd = x 2 (Figure 4.17) is continuous for 0 … x … 2 and
the chord. differentiable for 0 6 x 6 2. Since ƒs0d = 0 and ƒs2d = 4, the Mean Value Theorem
says that at some point c in the interval, the derivative ƒ¿sxd = 2x must have the value
s s4 - 0d>s2 - 0d = 2. In this case we can identify c by solving the equation 2c = 2 to
s
f (t)
get c = 1. However, it is not always easy to find c algebraically, even though we know it
400 always exists.
(8, 352)
Distance (ft)

320
240
A Physical Interpretation
160 We can think of the number sƒsbd - ƒsadd>sb - ad as the average change in ƒ over [a, b]
At this point,
and ƒ¿scd as an instantaneous change. Then the Mean Value Theorem says that at some inte-
80 the car’s speed
was 30 mph. rior point the instantaneous change must equal the average change over the entire interval.
0 t
5
Time (sec) EXAMPLE 3 If a car accelerating from zero takes 8 sec to go 352 ft, its average veloc-
ity for the 8-sec interval is 352>8 = 44 ft>sec. The Mean Value Theorem says that at some
FIGURE 4.18 Distance versus elapsed point during the acceleration the speedometer must read exactly 30 mph (44 ft>sec)
time for the car in Example 3. (Figure 4.18).
 4.2 The Mean Value Theorem 233

Mathematical Consequences
At the beginning of the section, we asked what kind of function has a zero derivative over
an interval. The first corollary of the Mean Value Theorem provides the answer that only
constant functions have zero derivatives.

COROLLARY 1 If ƒ¿sxd = 0 at each point x of an open interval (a, b), then

ƒsxd = C for all x H sa, bd, where C is a constant.

Proof We want to show that ƒ has a constant value on the interval (a, b). We do so by
showing that if x1 and x2 are any two points in (a, b) with x1 6 x2, then ƒsx1 d = ƒsx2 d.
Now ƒ satisfies the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on [x1 , x2]: It is differentiable
at every point of [x1, x2] and hence continuous at every point as well. Therefore,
ƒsx2 d - ƒsx1 d
x2 - x1 = ƒ¿scd

at some point c between x1 and x2. Since ƒ¿ = 0 throughout (a, b), this equation implies
successively that
ƒsx2 d - ƒsx1 d
x2 - x1 = 0, ƒsx2 d - ƒsx1 d = 0, and ƒsx1 d = ƒsx2 d.

At the beginning of this section, we also asked about the relationship between two
functions that have identical derivatives over an interval. The next corollary tells us that
their values on the interval have a constant difference.

COROLLARY 2 If ƒ¿sxd = g¿sxd at each point x in an open interval (a, b), then
there exists a constant C such that ƒsxd = gsxd + C for all x H sa, bd. That is,
y 5 x2 1 C
y ƒ - g is a constant function on (a, b).
C52

C51

C50 Proof At each point x H sa, bd the derivative of the difference function h = ƒ - g is
C 5 –1
h¿sxd = ƒ¿sxd - g¿sxd = 0.
C 5 –2
2 Thus, hsxd = C on (a, b) by Corollary 1. That is, ƒsxd - gsxd = C on (a, b), so ƒsxd =
gsxd + C.
1
x Corollaries 1 and 2 are also true if the open interval (a, b) fails to be finite. That is,
0
they remain true if the interval is sa, q d, s - q , bd, or s - q , q d.
–1 Corollary 2 plays an important role when we discuss antiderivatives in Section 4.8. It
–2
tells us, for instance, that since the derivative of ƒsxd = x 2 on s - q , q d is 2x, any other
function with derivative 2x on s - q , q d must have the formula x 2 + C for some value of
FIGURE 4.19 From a geometric point C (Figure 4.19).
of view, Corollary 2 of the Mean Value
Theorem says that the graphs of functions
EXAMPLE 4 Find the function ƒ(x) whose derivative is sin x and whose graph passes
with identical derivatives on an interval
through the point (0, 2).
can differ only by a vertical shift there.
The graphs of the functions with derivative
2x are the parabolas y = x 2 + C , shown Solution Since the derivative of gsxd = - cos x is g¿(x) = sin x, we see that ƒ and
here for selected values of C. g have the same derivative. Corollary 2 then says that ƒsxd = - cos x + C for some
234 Chapter 4: Applications of Derivatives

constant C. Since the graph of ƒ passes through the point (0, 2), the value of C is deter-
mined from the condition that ƒs0d = 2:
ƒs0d = - cos s0d + C = 2, so C = 3.

The function is ƒsxd = - cos x + 3.

Finding Velocity and Position from Acceleration

We can use Corollary 2 to find the velocity and position functions of an object moving
along a vertical line. Assume the object or body is falling freely from rest with acceleration
9.8 m>sec2. We assume the position s(t) of the body is measured positive downward from
the rest position (so the vertical coordinate line points downward, in the direction of the
motion, with the rest position at 0).
We know that the velocity y(t) is some function whose derivative is 9.8. We also know
that the derivative of gstd = 9.8t is 9.8. By Corollary 2,
ystd = 9.8t + C
for some constant C. Since the body falls from rest, ys0d = 0. Thus
9.8s0d + C = 0, and C = 0.
The velocity function must be ystd = 9.8t . What about the position function s(t)?
We know that s(t) is some function whose derivative is 9.8t. We also know that the de-
rivative of ƒstd = 4.9t 2 is 9.8t. By Corollary 2,
sstd = 4.9t 2 + C
for some constant C. Since ss0d = 0,
4.9s0d2 + C = 0, and C = 0.
The position function is sstd = 4.9t until the body hits the ground.
2

The ability to find functions from their rates of change is one of the very powerful
tools of calculus. As we will see, it lies at the heart of the mathematical developments in
Chapter 5.

Proofs of the Laws of Logarithms

The algebraic properties of logarithms were stated in Section 1.6. We can prove those
properties by applying Corollary 2 of the Mean Value Theorem to each of them. The steps
in the proofs are similar to those used in solving problems involving logarithms.

Proof that ln bx ⴝ ln b ⴙ ln x The argument starts by observing that ln bx and ln x

have the same derivative:
d b 1 d
ln (bx) = = x = ln x.
dx bx dx
According to Corollary 2 of the Mean Value Theorem, then, the functions must differ by a
constant, which means that
ln bx = ln x + C
for some C.
Since this last equation holds for all positive values of x, it must hold for x = 1.
Hence,
ln (b # 1) = ln 1 + C
ln b = 0 + C ln 1 = 0
C = ln b.
 4.2 The Mean Value Theorem 235

By substituting we conclude,
ln bx = ln b + ln x.

Proof that ln x r ⴝ r ln x We use the same-derivative argument again. For all positive
values of x,
d 1 d r
ln x r = r (x ) Chain Rule
dx x dx
1
= r rx r - 1 Derivative Power Rule
x
= r# x =
1 d
(r ln x).
dx

Since ln x r and r ln x have the same derivative,

ln x r = r ln x + C
for some constant C. Taking x to be 1 identifies C as zero, and we’re done.

You are asked to prove the Quotient Rule for logarithms,

ln a x b = ln b - ln x,
b

in Exercise 75. The Reciprocal Rule, ln (1>x) = - ln x, is a special case of the Quotient
Rule, obtained by taking b = 1 and noting that ln 1 = 0.

Laws of Exponents
The laws of exponents for the natural exponential e x are consequences of the algebraic
properties of ln x. They follow from the inverse relationship between these functions.

Laws of Exponents for e x

For all numbers x, x1, and x2, the natural exponential e x obeys the following laws:
1. e x1 # e x2 = e x1 + x2
1
2. e -x = x
e
e x1
3. x2 = e x1 - x2 4. (e x1) x2 = e x1x2 = (e x2) x1
e

Proof of Law 1 Let

y1 = e x1 and y2 = e x2. (4)

Then
Take logs of both
x1 = ln y1 and x2 = ln y2 sides of Eqs. (4).
x1 + x2 = ln y1 + ln y2
= ln y1 y2 Product Rule for logarithms
x1 + x2
e = e ln y1 y2
Exponentiate.
= y1 y2 e ln u = u
= e x1e x2.

The proof of Law 4 is similar. Laws 2 and 3 follow from Law 1 (Exercises 77 and 78).
236 Chapter 4: Applications of Derivatives

Exercises 4.2
Checking the Mean Value Theorem Roots (Zeros)
Find the value or values of c that satisfy the equation 17. a. Plot the zeros of each polynomial on a line together with the
zeros of its first derivative.
ƒsbd - ƒsad
= ƒ¿scd i) y = x 2 - 4
b - a
ii) y = x 2 + 8x + 15
in the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem for the functions and in-
iii) y = x 3 - 3x 2 + 4 = sx + 1dsx - 2d2
tervals in Exercises 1–8.
1. ƒsxd = x 2 + 2x - 1, [0, 1] iv) y = x 3 - 33x 2 + 216x = xsx - 9dsx - 24d
b. Use Rolle’s Theorem to prove that between every two zeros of
2. ƒsxd = x 2>3, [0, 1]
x n + an - 1x n - 1 + Á + a1 x + a0 there lies a zero of
c , 2d
1 1
3. ƒsxd = x + x , nx n - 1 + sn - 1dan - 1x n - 2 + Á + a1.
2
4. ƒsxd = 2x - 1, [1, 3] 18. Suppose that ƒ– is continuous on [a, b] and that ƒ has three zeros
in the interval. Show that ƒ– has at least one zero in (a, b). Gener-
5. ƒsxd = sin-1 x, [ -1, 1] alize this result.
6. ƒsxd = ln (x - 1), [2, 4] 19. Show that if ƒ– 7 0 throughout an interval [a, b], then ƒ¿ has at
most one zero in [a, b]. What if ƒ– 6 0 throughout [a, b] instead?
7. ƒsxd = x - x ,
3 2
[ -1, 2]
20. Show that a cubic polynomial can have at most three real zeros.
3
-2 … x … 0
8. g(x) = e 2
x ,
x , 0 6 x … 2 Show that the functions in Exercises 21–28 have exactly one zero in
the given interval.
Which of the functions in Exercises 9–14 satisfy the hypotheses of the 21. ƒsxd = x 4 + 3x + 1, [- 2, -1]
Mean Value Theorem on the given interval, and which do not? Give 4
reasons for your answers. 22. ƒsxd = x 3 + + 7, s - q , 0d
x2
9. ƒsxd = x 2>3
, [ -1, 8]
23. g std = 2t + 21 + t - 4, s0, q d
10. ƒsxd = x 4>5
, [0, 1]
1
24. g std = + 21 + t - 3.1, s - 1, 1d
11. ƒsxd = 2xs1 - xd, [0, 1] 1 - t

25. r sud = u + sin2 a b - 8,

u
sin x
-p … x 6 0 s - q, q d
12. ƒsxd = x , 3
L
0, x = 0 26. r sud = 2u - cos2 u + 22, s - q, q d
x - x,
2
-2 … x … -1
13. ƒ(x) = e
1
27. r sud = sec u - + 5, s0, p>2d
2x 2 - 3x - 3, -1 6 x … 0 u3
2x - 3, 0 … x … 2 28. r sud = tan u - cot u - u, s0, p>2d
14. ƒ(x) = e
6x - x 2 - 7, 2 6 x … 3
15. The function Finding Functions from Derivatives
29. Suppose that ƒs -1d = 3 and that ƒ¿sxd = 0 for all x. Must
x, 0 … x 6 1
ƒsxd = e
ƒsxd = 3 for all x? Give reasons for your answer.
0, x = 1 30. Suppose that ƒs0d = 5 and that ƒ¿sxd = 2 for all x. Must ƒsxd =
2x + 5 for all x? Give reasons for your answer.
is zero at x = 0 and x = 1 and differentiable on (0, 1), but its de-
31. Suppose that ƒ¿sxd = 2x for all x. Find ƒ(2) if
rivative on (0, 1) is never zero. How can this be? Doesn’t Rolle’s
Theorem say the derivative has to be zero somewhere in (0, 1)? a. ƒs0d = 0 b. ƒs1d = 0 c. ƒs - 2d = 3.
Give reasons for your answer. 32. What can be said about functions whose derivatives are constant?
16. For what values of a, m, and b does the function Give reasons for your answer.
In Exercises 33–38, find all possible functions with the given derivative.
3, x = 0
33. a. y¿ = x b. y¿ = x 2 c. y¿ = x 3
ƒsxd = • - x 2 + 3x + a, 0 6 x 6 1
mx + b, 1 … x … 2 34. a. y¿ = 2x b. y¿ = 2x - 1 c. y¿ = 3x 2 + 2x - 1

satisfy the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the interval 1 1 1

35. a. y¿ = - b. y¿ = 1 - c. y¿ = 5 +
[0, 2]? x2 x2 x2
 4.2 The Mean Value Theorem 237

1 1 1 Theory and Examples

36. a. y¿ = b. y¿ = c. y¿ = 4x -
2 2x 2x 2x 57. The geometric mean of a and b The geometric mean of two
t t positive numbers a and b is the number 2ab . Show that the value
37. a. y¿ = sin 2t b. y¿ = cos c. y¿ = sin 2t + cos
2 2 of c in the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem for ƒsxd = 1>x
38. a. y¿ = sec2 u b. y¿ = 2u c. y¿ = 2u - sec2 u on an interval of positive numbers [a, b] is c = 2ab .
58. The arithmetic mean of a and b The arithmetic mean of two
In Exercises 39–42, find the function with the given derivative whose numbers a and b is the number sa + bd>2 . Show that the value of
graph passes through the point P. c in the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem for ƒsxd = x 2 on
39. ƒ¿sxd = 2x - 1, Ps0, 0d any interval [a, b] is c = sa + bd>2 .
1 T 59. Graph the function
40. g¿(x) = + 2x, P( -1, 1)
x2
ƒsxd = sin x sin sx + 2d - sin2 sx + 1d.
P a0, b
3
41. ƒ¿(x) = e 2x,
2 What does the graph do? Why does the function behave this way?
42. r¿std = sec t tan t - 1, Ps0, 0d Give reasons for your answers.
60. Rolle’s Theorem
Finding Position from Velocity or Acceleration
a. Construct a polynomial ƒ(x) that has zeros at x = - 2, - 1, 0,
Exercises 43–46 give the velocity y = ds>dt and initial position of a
1, and 2 .
body moving along a coordinate line. Find the body’s position at
time t. b. Graph ƒ and its derivative ƒ¿ together. How is what you see
related to Rolle’s Theorem?
43. y = 9.8t + 5, ss0d = 10
c. Do gsxd = sin x and its derivative g¿ illustrate the same
44. y = 32t - 2, ss0.5d = 4
phenomenon as ƒ and ƒ¿?
45. y = sin pt, ss0d = 0
61. Unique solution Assume that ƒ is continuous on [a, b] and dif-
2 2t ferentiable on (a, b). Also assume that ƒ(a) and ƒ(b) have opposite
46. y = p cos p , s(p2) = 1
signs and that ƒ¿ Z 0 between a and b. Show that ƒsxd = 0 ex-
actly once between a and b.
Exercises 47–50 give the acceleration a = d 2s>dt 2 , initial velocity,
and initial position of a body moving on a coordinate line. Find the 62. Parallel tangents Assume that ƒ and g are differentiable on
body’s position at time t. [a, b] and that ƒsad = g sad and ƒsbd = g sbd . Show that there is
at least one point between a and b where the tangents to the
47. a = e t, y(0) = 20, s(0) = 5
graphs of ƒ and g are parallel or the same line. Illustrate with a
48. a = 9.8, ys0d = - 3, ss0d = 0 sketch.
49. a = - 4 sin 2t, ys0d = 2, ss0d = - 3 63. Suppose that ƒ¿(x) … 1 for 1 … x … 4. Show that ƒ(4) -
ƒ(1) … 3.
9 3t
50. a = cos p , ys0d = 0, ss0d = - 1 64. Suppose that 0 6 ƒ¿(x) 6 1>2 for all x-values. Show that
p2
ƒ(- 1) 6 ƒ(1) 6 2 + ƒ(-1).
Applications 65. Show that ƒ cos x - 1 ƒ … ƒ x ƒ for all x-values. (Hint: Consider
51. Temperature change It took 14 sec for a mercury thermometer ƒ(t) = cos t on [0, x].)
to rise from -19°C to 100⬚C when it was taken from a freezer and 66. Show that for any numbers a and b, the sine inequality
placed in boiling water. Show that somewhere along the way the ƒ sin b - sin a ƒ … ƒ b - a ƒ is true.
mercury was rising at the rate of 8.5⬚C>sec. 67. If the graphs of two differentiable functions ƒ(x) and g(x) start at
52. A trucker handed in a ticket at a toll booth showing that in 2 hours the same point in the plane and the functions have the same rate
she had covered 159 mi on a toll road with speed limit 65 mph. of change at every point, do the graphs have to be identical? Give
The trucker was cited for speeding. Why? reasons for your answer.
53. Classical accounts tell us that a 170-oar trireme (ancient Greek or 68. If ƒ ƒ(w) - ƒ(x) ƒ … ƒ w - x ƒ for all values w and x and ƒ is a dif-
Roman warship) once covered 184 sea miles in 24 hours. Explain ferentiable function, show that - 1 … ƒ¿(x) … 1 for all x-values.
why at some point during this feat the trireme’s speed exceeded 69. Assume that ƒ is differentiable on a … x … b and that ƒsbd 6 ƒsad.
7.5 knots (sea miles per hour). Show that ƒ¿ is negative at some point between a and b.
54. A marathoner ran the 26.2-mi New York City Marathon in 70. Let ƒ be a function defined on an interval [a, b]. What conditions
2.2 hours. Show that at least twice the marathoner was running at could you place on ƒ to guarantee that
exactly 11 mph, assuming the initial and final speeds are zero.
55. Show that at some instant during a 2-hour automobile trip the car’s ƒsbd - ƒsad
speedometer reading will equal the average speed for the trip. min ƒ¿ … … max ƒ¿,
b - a
56. Free fall on the moon On our moon, the acceleration of gravity
is 1.6 m>sec2 . If a rock is dropped into a crevasse, how fast will it where min ƒ¿ and max ƒ¿ refer to the minimum and maximum
be going just before it hits bottom 30 sec later? values of ƒ¿ on [a, b]? Give reasons for your answers.