Given the function #f(x)=x-cosx#, how do you determine whether f satisfies the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on the interval [-pi/2,pi/2] and find the c?

1 Answer
Dec 15, 2016

You determine whether it satisfies the hypotheses by determining whether #f(x) = x-cosx# is continuous on the interval #[-pi/2,pi/2]# and differentiable on the interval #(-pi/2,pi/2)#. (Those are the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem)

You find the #c# mentioned in the conclusion of the theorem by solving #f'(x) = (f(pi/2)-f(-pi/2))/(pi/2-(-pi/2))# on the interval #(-pi/2,pi/2)#.

#f# is continuous on its domain, which includes #[-pi/2,pi/2]#

#f'(x) = 1+sinx# which exists for all #x# so it exists for all #x# in #(-pi/2,pi/2)#

Therefore this function satisfies the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem on this interval.

To find #c# solve the equation #f'(x) = (f(pi/2)-f(-pi/2))/(pi/2-(-pi/2))# . Discard any solutions outside #(-pi/2,pi/2)#.

You should get #c = 0#.