Examine the applicability of Mean Value Theorem for all three functions given in the above exercise 2.

 

Mean Value Theorem states that for a function, if

(a) f is continuous on [a, b]

(b) f is differentiable on (a, b)

then, there exists some c ∈ (a, b) such that

Therefore, Mean Value Theorem is not applicable to those functions that do not satisfy any of the two conditions of the hypothesis.

(i)

It is evident that the given function f (x) is not continuous at every integral point.

In particular, f(x) is not continuous at x = 5 and x = 9

⇒ f (x) is not continuous in [5, 9].

The differentiability of f in (5, 9) is checked as follows.

Let n be an integer such that n ∈ (5, 9).

Since the left and right hand limits of f at x = n are not equal, f is not differentiable at x = n

∴f is not differentiable in (5, 9).

It is observed that f does not satisfy all the conditions of the hypothesis of Mean Value Theorem.

Hence, Mean Value Theorem is not applicable for .

(ii)

It is evident that the given function f (x) is not continuous at every integral point.

In particular, f(x) is not continuous at x = −2 and x = 2

⇒ f (x) is not continuous in [−2, 2].

The differentiability of f in (−2, 2) is checked as follows.

Let n be an integer such that n ∈ (−2, 2).

Since the left and right hand limits of f at x = n are not equal, f is not differentiable at x = n

∴f is not differentiable in (−2, 2).

It is observed that f does not satisfy all the conditions of the hypothesis of Mean Value Theorem.

Hence, Mean Value Theorem is not applicable for .

(iii)

It is evident that f, being a polynomial function, is continuous in [1, 2] and is differentiable in (1, 2).

It is observed that f satisfies all the conditions of the hypothesis of Mean Value Theorem.

Hence, Mean Value Theorem is applicable for.

It can be proved as follows.