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.




f(x) is continuous in [1, 3]



Differentiating with respect to x:





Here,



f’(x) exists for all values except 0


f(x) is differentiable in (1, 3)


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





For f(1), put the value of x=1 in f(x):



f(1) = 2







6(c2 – 1) = 4c2


6c2 – 6 = 4c2


6c2 – 4c2 = 6


2c2 = 6



c2 = 3



Hence, Lagrange’s mean value theorem is verified.


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