Proof
The expression (f(b) − f(a)) / (b − a) gives the slope of the line joining the points (a, f(a)) and (b, f(b)), which is a chord of the graph of f, while f′(x) gives the slope of the tangent to the curve at the point (x, f(x)). Thus the Mean value theorem says that given any chord of a smooth curve, we can find a point lying between the end-points of the curve such that the tangent at that point is parallel to the chord. The following proof illustrates this idea.
Define g(x) = f(x) − rx, where r is a constant. Since f is continuous on and differentiable on (a, b), the same is true for g. We now want to choose r so that g satisfies the conditions of Rolle's theorem. Namely
By Rolle's theorem, since g is continuous and g(a) = g(b), there is some c in (a, b) for which, and it follows from the equality g(x) = f(x) − rx that,
as required.
Read more about this topic: Mean Value Theorem
Famous quotes containing the word proof:
“From whichever angle one looks at it, the application of racial theories remains a striking proof of the lowered demands of public opinion upon the purity of critical judgment.”
—Johan Huizinga (1872–1945)
“War is a beastly business, it is true, but one proof we are human is our ability to learn, even from it, how better to exist.”
—M.F.K. Fisher (1908–1992)
“The thing with Catholicism, the same as all religions, is that it teaches what should be, which seems rather incorrect. This is “what should be.” Now, if you’re taught to live up to a “what should be” that never existed—only an occult superstition, no proof of this “should be”Mthen you can sit on a jury and indict easily, you can cast the first stone, you can burn Adolf Eichmann, like that!”
—Lenny Bruce (1925–1966)