Calculus: Early Transcendentals
Calculus: Early Transcendentals
8th Edition
ISBN: 9781285741550
Author: James Stewart
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Bartleby Related Questions Icon

Related questions

Question

3. Let f(x) = 1/x2
. Then f(−1) = f(1). Explain why it is not possible to use Rolle’s Theorem to
show that f
0
(c) = 0 for some c in (−1, 1).

**3. Let \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2} \). Then \( f(-1) = f(1) \). Explain why it is *not* possible to use Rolle’s Theorem to show that \( f'(c) = 0 \) for some \( c \) in \((-1, 1)\).**

### Explanation:

Rolle’s Theorem states that if a function \( f \) is continuous on the closed interval \([a, b]\), differentiable on the open interval \((a, b)\), and if \( f(a) = f(b) \), then there exists at least one \( c \) in the interval \((a, b)\) such that \( f'(c) = 0 \).

- **Continuity Requirement:** The function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2} \) is not continuous on the interval \([-1, 1]\) because it is not defined at \( x = 0 \). The function has a discontinuity or an asymptote at \( x = 0 \).

- **Differentiability Requirement:** Since the function is not continuous on \([-1, 1]\), it cannot be differentiable on \((-1, 1)\).

Thus, due to the discontinuity at \( x = 0 \), the function fails to meet the continuity (and, consequently, the differentiability) requirements necessary for applying Rolle's Theorem.
expand button
Transcribed Image Text:**3. Let \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2} \). Then \( f(-1) = f(1) \). Explain why it is *not* possible to use Rolle’s Theorem to show that \( f'(c) = 0 \) for some \( c \) in \((-1, 1)\).** ### Explanation: Rolle’s Theorem states that if a function \( f \) is continuous on the closed interval \([a, b]\), differentiable on the open interval \((a, b)\), and if \( f(a) = f(b) \), then there exists at least one \( c \) in the interval \((a, b)\) such that \( f'(c) = 0 \). - **Continuity Requirement:** The function \( f(x) = \frac{1}{x^2} \) is not continuous on the interval \([-1, 1]\) because it is not defined at \( x = 0 \). The function has a discontinuity or an asymptote at \( x = 0 \). - **Differentiability Requirement:** Since the function is not continuous on \([-1, 1]\), it cannot be differentiable on \((-1, 1)\). Thus, due to the discontinuity at \( x = 0 \), the function fails to meet the continuity (and, consequently, the differentiability) requirements necessary for applying Rolle's Theorem.
Expert Solution
Check Mark
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Calculus: Early Transcendentals
Calculus
ISBN:9781285741550
Author:James Stewart
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Thomas' Calculus (14th Edition)
Calculus
ISBN:9780134438986
Author:Joel R. Hass, Christopher E. Heil, Maurice D. Weir
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Calculus: Early Transcendentals (3rd Edition)
Calculus
ISBN:9780134763644
Author:William L. Briggs, Lyle Cochran, Bernard Gillett, Eric Schulz
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Calculus: Early Transcendentals
Calculus
ISBN:9781319050740
Author:Jon Rogawski, Colin Adams, Robert Franzosa
Publisher:W. H. Freeman
Text book image
Precalculus
Calculus
ISBN:9780135189405
Author:Michael Sullivan
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Calculus: Early Transcendental Functions
Calculus
ISBN:9781337552516
Author:Ron Larson, Bruce H. Edwards
Publisher:Cengage Learning