Finding the average value given the graph of the derivative

In summary: I just have this thought right now. Is it right if I add all the values from g(2) to g(6) and then divide it by 5 to find the average value?They goofed up. They know less about the correct way to solve the problem than you do. You were right, you need to integrate twice. I'd have to see your integration to know if it is correct, but it is the right method.In summary, the conversation is about a specific math problem involving the average value of a function and how to solve it correctly. The person asking the question shares their attempt at a solution and expresses confusion about the given answer key. Another person suggests a different approach, but the first person is
  • #1
fireblasting
6
0

Homework Statement


Since there is a graph and many things, I will post the link of my question.
http://ibhl1-bccalculus.wikispaces.com/file/view/Solutions+to+optional+HL1+practice+for+final+(Larson+text).pdf
Please scroll down to the last page (page 16) and my question is 6c.


Homework Equations


g(x)=3+∫(2,x)f(t)dt


The Attempt at a Solution


Here is what I attempt to do: I try to take the integral of g(x) from 2 to 6 and then divide the solution by 4 to find the average value. However, I need to do a double integration on f(t), which I haven't learn yet. I think my approach is too complicated, so is there another way to do the problem? I also think the answer key provided in the link is wrong, can anybody tell me if it is?
 
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  • #2
fireblasting said:

Homework Statement


Since there is a graph and many things, I will post the link of my question.
http://ibhl1-bccalculus.wikispaces.com/file/view/Solutions+to+optional+HL1+practice+for+final+(Larson+text).pdf
Please scroll down to the last page (page 16) and my question is 6c.


Homework Equations


g(x)=3+∫(2,x)f(t)dt


The Attempt at a Solution


Here is what I attempt to do: I try to take the integral of g(x) from 2 to 6 and then divide the solution by 4 to find the average value. However, I need to do a double integration on f(t), which I haven't learn yet. I think my approach is too complicated, so is there another way to do the problem? I also think the answer key provided in the link is wrong, can anybody tell me if it is?

Yes, it's wrong. The smallest value of g in [2,6] is g(4)=3-pi/2. The given answer (5-pi)/4 is smaller than that. The average can't be smaller than the minimum of the function. As you say, they should be integrating g, looks like they are sort of integrating f and doing a bad job of it.
 
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  • #3
Dick said:
Yes, it's wrong. The smallest value of g in [2,6] is g(4)=3-pi/2. The given answer (5-pi)/4 is smaller than that. The average can't be smaller than the minimum of the function. As you say, they should be integrating g, looks like they are sort of integrating f and doing a bad job of it.

Can you tell me how to integrate g, though, I have trouble with that.
 
  • #4
fireblasting said:
Can you tell me how to integrate g, though, I have trouble with that.

You can't just read it off the graph. You'd need to actually write down a formula for f(x) on each interval and integrate it. The circle part makes it hard. f(x) on [2,4] is given by -sqrt(1-(x-3)^2). You'd need to integrate that to get g(x) which takes a trig substitution that gives an answer involving arcsins and sqrts. The you need to integrate that to get the average. It looks pretty nasty to me. If it were just line segments it would be manageable. I don't think you would be expected to do this.
 
  • #5
Dick said:
You can't just read it off the graph. You'd need to actually write down a formula for f(x) on each interval and integrate it. The circle part makes it hard. f(x) on [2,4] is given by -sqrt(1-(x-3)^2). You'd need to integrate that to get g(x) which takes a trig substitution that gives an answer involving arcsins and sqrts. The you need to integrate that to get the average. It looks pretty nasty to me. If it were just line segments it would be manageable. I don't think you would be expected to do this.

I did that before, but I can only integrate the first part because the second part is pretty complex for my level. I am wondering if there is another way to do this problem. I also seek help from another forum before and the helper tells me the following:
The mean of g(x) between x=2 and x=6 is = 3 + mean of f(x)

f(x) has negative value between 2 and 4 with area = (1/2).pi x 1^2
= pi/2

f(x) is positive between 4 and 6 and area (1/2) x 2 x 2 = 2

Total area between 2 and 6 = 2 - pi/2 = 0.4292

Mean of f(x) = 0.4292/4 = 0.1073

Mean of g(x) = 3 + 0.1073 = 3.1073 <------

Yet, I still don't think it is right. Can you please tell if what he did is right?
 
  • #6
fireblasting said:
I did that before, but I can only integrate the first part because the second part is pretty complex for my level. I am wondering if there is another way to do this problem. I also seek help from another forum before and the helper tells me the following:
The mean of g(x) between x=2 and x=6 is = 3 + mean of f(x)

f(x) has negative value between 2 and 4 with area = (1/2).pi x 1^2
= pi/2

f(x) is positive between 4 and 6 and area (1/2) x 2 x 2 = 2

Total area between 2 and 6 = 2 - pi/2 = 0.4292

Mean of f(x) = 0.4292/4 = 0.1073

Mean of g(x) = 3 + 0.1073 = 3.1073 <------

Yet, I still don't think it is right. Can you please tell if what he did is right?

Try it out on a simpler example. Let's skip the 3 part. Suppose f(x)=x for x in [0,1]. The average of f(x) in [0,1] is 1/2. g(x)=x^2/2. Check that the average of g(x) is 1/6. Not equal to the average of f(x).
 
  • #7
Dick said:
Try it out on a simpler example. Let's skip the 3 part. Suppose f(x)=x for x in [0,1]. The average of f(x) in [0,1] is 1/2. g(x)=x^2/2. Check that the average of g(x) is 1/6. Not equal to the average of f(x).

I just have this thought right now. Is it right if I add all the values from g(2) to g(6) and then divide it by 5 to find the average value?
 
  • #8
fireblasting said:
I just have this thought right now. Is it right if I add all the values from g(2) to g(6) and then divide it by 5 to find the average value?

They goofed up. They know less about the correct way to solve the problem than you do. You were right, you need to integrate twice. I don't see any easy way to solve this problem. You can approximate the answer by finding some points on g(x) and averaging them. The more points you average the better the approximation, but that still not the real answer. I would move on.
 
  • #9
Dick said:
They goofed up. They know less about the correct way to solve the problem than you do. You were right, you need to integrate twice. I don't see any easy way to solve this problem. You can approximate the answer by finding some points on g(x) and averaging them. The more points you average the better the approximation, but that still not the real answer. I would move on.

I managed to do the double integral yesterday and got (56-3pi)/24, which is about 1.94, as the final average. Thank you for all your help.
 
  • #10
fireblasting said:
I managed to do the double integral yesterday and got (56-3pi)/24, which is about 1.94, as the final average. Thank you for all your help.

Hmm. I got 10/3-3pi/8. About 2.16. But I had to correct a few mistakes while I was doing it. Could still be a few left.
 

1. How do you find the average value given the graph of the derivative?

The average value is found by taking the definite integral of the derivative over the given interval and dividing it by the length of the interval.

2. Why is finding the average value given the graph of the derivative important?

It gives us a measure of the overall trend or rate of change of a function over a given interval. This can be useful in analyzing real-world data and making predictions.

3. Can the average value be negative?

Yes, the average value can be negative if the derivative is negative over the given interval. This indicates a decreasing trend in the function.

4. Is the average value the same as the average rate of change?

No, the average value is a measure of the overall trend of a function over a given interval, while the average rate of change is the average slope of the function over the same interval.

5. How does the shape of the graph of the derivative affect the average value?

The shape of the graph of the derivative can indicate the behavior of the function. If the graph is mostly positive, the average value will likely be positive, indicating an increasing trend in the function. If the graph is mostly negative, the average value will likely be negative, indicating a decreasing trend in the function.

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