Proving MVT: Continuity and Differentiability of f and g on [0,1] and (0,1)

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a statement related to the Mean Value Theorem (MVT) involving two functions, f and g, which are continuous on the interval [0,1] and differentiable on (0,1). The original poster seeks to understand the implications of the condition that the derivatives of the product of these functions differ, specifically in relation to establishing the existence of a point c in [0,1] such that g(c) = 0.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the necessity of the continuity and differentiability conditions for f and g. Some express confusion about how to merge the given information and the implications of the derivative conditions. Others question the validity of the problem statement and offer counterexamples to illustrate their points.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify the problem's requirements and the reasoning behind the proof structure. Some have suggested that the proof may involve a contradiction based on the assumptions made about g(c). There is a recognition of the need to better understand the relationship between the functions and their derivatives.

Contextual Notes

Participants note potential confusion regarding the application of the quotient rule and the implications of assuming g(c) ≠ 0 throughout the interval. There is also mention of the need to verify the accuracy of the problem statement as presented.

transgalactic
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suppose f and g are continues on [0,1]
and differentiable on (0,1)
and f'(x)g(x) differs f(x)g'(x)
for every x existing in (0,1)
prove that there is a point c in [0,1] so g(c)=0

??

for what purpose do i need to know that
"f and g are continues on [0,1]
and differentiable on (0,1)
??"

g(c)=0 is the use of MVT

i don't know how to merge the peaces
??
 
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Your problem as presented doesn't make any sense to me, since it gives information about the derivative of (fg)(x), but then doesn't ask you to do anything with that information.

As written, it's not possible to prove what you're asked to prove. Here's a counterexample.
Let f(x) = x + 1, and g(x) = x^2 + 1
Both functions are continuous for all reals, so a fortiori they are continuous on [0, 1].
Both functions are differentiable everywhere, which certainly implies they are differentiable on (0, 1).

(fg)'(x) = d/dx[x^3 + x^2 + x + 1] = 3x^2 + 2x + 1 is positive for all reals.

g(x) >= 1 for all reals, which implies there does not exist a number c in [0, 1] so that g(c) = 0.
 
for what purpose do i need to know that
"f and g are continues on [0,1]
and differentiable on (0,1)
??"
 
transgalactic said:
for what purpose do i need to know that
"f and g are continues on [0,1]
and differentiable on (0,1)
??"
I have no idea.

Also, one regular on this forum noticed that my counterexample doesn't work. I took the condition that f'(x)g(x) not equal to f(x)g'(x) to mean that (fg)'(x) was not zero. I'll have to think about this problem some more.

This condition does mean that the numerator in the result from the quotient rule is not zero, but how that figures into the problem I haven't the faintest idea.

Transgalactic, are you sure that what you posted is the same as what's in your book or that your were given?
 
this is the question:

suppose f and g are continues on [0,1]
and differentiable on (0,1)
and [tex]f'(x)g(x)\neq f(x)g'(x)[/tex]for every x existing in (0,1)
prove that there is a point c in [0,1] so g(c)=0

??
 
the solution starts with
"suppose there is no point c on [0,1]then we define a new function
[tex]T(x)=\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}[/tex] ..."

why are they defining a new function how is that linked with not having a point??
 
Last edited:
Now it starts to make sense. The conclusion of the statement you're trying to prove is "for some number c in [0, 1], g(c) = 0.

The proof you are looking at, or the suggestion for a start is a proof by contradiction, for which the hypothesis part of your statement is assumed to be true, but the conclusion is assumed to be false. In other words, the conclusion is now "for every number c in [0, 1], g(c) is not 0."

The function T is a quotient, and to find T'(x), you need the quotient rule. As I mentioned in an earlier post, this problem seemed to have something to do with the quotient rule, but I didn't at the time know what it was, since you hadn't presented this new information.

There are certain conditions that have to be met before you can use the quotient rule. If you don't know what they are, look at how the quotient rule is defined.
 
here is the full prove :
suppose there is no point c on [0,1] so g(c)=0 then we define a new function
[tex]T(x)=\frac{f(x)}{g(x)}[/tex]
so because its an elementary function so its differentiable on [0,1] interval.
and because we assumed that g(x) differs zero on [0,1]
[tex] T'(x)=\frac{f'(x)g(x)-f(x)g'(x)}{g^2(x)}[/tex]

and because we are given
[tex] f'g(x)\neq f(x)g'(x)[/tex]
from that equation we can get
[tex] f'g(x)-f(x)g'(x)\neq0 [/tex]
now because we are given that [tex]g(x)\neq0[/tex]
then for all [0,1] interval [tex]T'(x)\neq0[/tex]

now we look at the ends of the interval
x=0
[tex]T(0)=\frac{f(0)}{g(0)}=0[/tex] its true because we assume that [tex]g(x)\neq0[/tex]
and f(0)=0 are given
the same thing for T(1)=0
so there is a point "c" on T for which T'(c)=0
and that contradicts our assumption that [tex]g(x)\neq0[/tex]
i can't see how it contradicts
in the end we talk about T(x) not g(x)

how its a contradiction??

i see that we proved that on one hand we can't have extreme point on T(x)
but on the other hand we have to because of rolls theorem

but its a contradiction about T(x) not g(x)

??
 
Last edited:
Go back and look at your first post. What are you (or they) trying to prove in that post?
 
  • #10
we need to prove that there is a point in g(x) for which g(c)=0

thats what i told before

i can't see how its a contradiction
 
  • #11
So they assumed that for all numbers c in [0, 1] g(c) != 0, then then set up the function T(x) = f(x)/g(x). The work you showed shows that with the original hypotheses, it must be that g(c) = 0. That's the contradiction.
 
  • #12
thanks :)
 

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