MHB Limit Definitions and Extreme Value Theorem Help Needed

Click For Summary
The discussion revolves around questions related to limits, derivatives, and the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT). For question 1a, the derivative calculation using the limit definition is confirmed as correct, yielding -4/(√(1-8x)). In question 1b, the tangent line equation is clarified, emphasizing the correct use of the derivative at the specific point. For question 2a, it's noted that a closed interval is necessary for applying the IVT, and an example function is provided to illustrate that a real root exists. Lastly, the intercept points found in question 2b are acknowledged as accurate.
ardentmed
Messages
158
Reaction score
0
Hey guys,

I have a couple more questions about this problem set I've been working on. I'm doubting some of my answers and I'd appreciate some help.

Question:
08b1167bae0c33982682_10.jpg


For 1a, I just took \lim_{{h}\to{0}} of the function using
[ f(x+h)-f(x) / h ]
and simplified.

Ultimately, this gave me -8/(2√(1-8x)) which equals:

f(x) = -4/(√1-8x)
As for 1b, I just used the slope form of the function and substituted 1a's answer into the function to get:

y-3 = [-4/(√1-8x)] * (x+1)


As for 2a, I used the intermediate value theorem, stating that if f is continuous on [a,b] then N is any number between f(b) and f(a_ and thus f(c) = N exists.

To prove this f -> infinity as x-> 0+
and f -> infinity as x-> infinity proves that one real root must exist by the IVT. Is this right? I'm somewhat doubtful of my solution.

As for 2b, I just found the intercepting points to be [1.34,1.35] Did I estimate this properly? Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
ardentmed said:
Hey guys,

I have a couple more questions about this problem set I've been working on. I'm doubting some of my answers and I'd appreciate some help.

Question:For 1a, I just took \lim_{{h}\to{0}} of the function using
[ f(x+h)-f(x) / h ]
and simplified.

Ultimately, this gave me -8/(2√(1-8x)) which equals:

f(x) = -4/(√1-8x)
As for 1b, I just used the slope form of the function and substituted 1a's answer into the function to get:

y-3 = [-4/(√1-8x)] * (x+1)


As for 2a, I used the intermediate value theorem, stating that if f is continuous on [a,b] then N is any number between f(b) and f(a_ and thus f(c) = N exists.

To prove this f -> infinity as x-> 0+
and f -> infinity as x-> infinity proves that one real root must exist by the IVT. Is this right? I'm somewhat doubtful of my solution.

As for 2b, I just found the intercepting points to be [1.34,1.35] Did I estimate this properly? Thanks in advance.

1a. The derivative is correct!

1b. The formula of the equation of the tangent line to $f$ at $x=x_0$ is
$$y-f(x_0)=f'(x_0)(x-x_0)$$2a. To use the intermediate value theorem you have to find a closed interval $[a,b]$. The interval that you used is not closed.

Using the interval that you chose, you could do the following:
$f=\ln{x}+2x-3$
The domain of $f$ is $(0, +\infty)$.
$f$ is increasing on this interval.
So the range of the function is $\displaystyle{R= \left ( \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} f(x), \lim_{x \rightarrow +\infty} f(x) \right )=(-\infty, +\infty)=\mathbb{R}}$

So, since $0 \in R$, the function has at least one root.To use the intermediate value theorem, you could use the interval $[1,2]$.

2b. It is correct!
 
mathmari said:
1a. The derivative is correct!

1b. The formula of the equation of the tangent line to $f$ at $x=x_0$ is
$$y-f(x_0)=f'(x_0)(x-x_0)$$2a. To use the intermediate value theorem you have to find a closed interval $[a,b]$. The interval that you used is not closed.

Using the interval that you chose, you could do the following:
$f=\ln{x}+2x-3$
The domain of $f$ is $(0, +\infty)$.
$f$ is increasing on this interval.
So the range of the function is $\displaystyle{R= \left ( \lim_{x \rightarrow 0} f(x), \lim_{x \rightarrow +\infty} f(x) \right )=(-\infty, +\infty)=\mathbb{R}}$

So, since $0 \in R$, the function has at least one root.To use the intermediate value theorem, you could use the interval $[1,2]$.

2b. It is correct!

Thanks for the insightful response. Could you please clarify what you're referring to for 1b?
 
$$y-f(x_0)=f'(x_0)(x-x_0)$$ is just a fancy way of writing $$y=mx+b$$, where b is $f(x_0)$, and m is the derivative of the tangent or $f'(x_0)$
 
ardentmed said:
Thanks for the insightful response. Could you please clarify what you're referring to for 1b?

When you calculated the tangent line at $x=-1$, you used the formula: y-f(-1)=f'(x)(x-(-1))

but it should be:
y-f(-1)=f'(-1)(x-(-1))
 
Last edited by a moderator: