Verify Lagrange’s mean value theorem for the following functions on the indicated intervals. In each find a point ‘c’ in the indicated interval as stated by the Lagrange’s mean value theorem :

Lagrange’s mean value theorem states that if a function f(x) is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b), then there is at least one point x=c on this interval, such that


f(b)−f(a)=f′(c)(b−a)



This theorem is also known as First Mean Value Theorem.



Here,



25 – x2 >0


x2 < 25


– 5 < x < 5



f(x) is continuous in [ – 3, 4]



Differentiating with respect to x:







Here also,



– 5 < x < 5


f(x) is differentiable in ( – 3, 4)


So both the necessary conditions of Lagrange’s mean value theorem is satisfied.







On differentiating with respect to x:



For f’(c), put the value of x=c in f’(x):



For f(4), put the value of x=4 in f(x):





f(4) = 3


For f( – 3), put the value of x= – 3 in f(x):





f( – 3) = 4






Squaring both sides:



49c2 = 25 – c2


50c2 = 25





Hence, Lagrange’s mean value theorem is verified.


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