AP Calculus BC : The Mean Value Theorem

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Calculus BC

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

Since the interval is,satisfies the MVT.

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

Multiple solutions will solve this function, but on the interval, onlyfits within, satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

which falls within the interval, satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #4 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

, which falls between, satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

which falls within the intervalsatisfying the mean value theorem.

Example Question #2 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

, which falls within the interval, satisfying the MVT.

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

There are multiple solutions; within the interval,satisfies the mean value theorem.

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

This solution falls within, validating the mean value theorem.

Example Question #1 :The Mean Value Theorem

Leton the interval. Find a value for the number(s) that satisfies the mean value theorem for this function and interval.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The mean value theorem states that for a planar arc passing through a starting and endpoint, there exists at a minimum one point,, within the intervalfor which a line tangent to the curve at this point is parallel to the secant passing through the starting and end points.

Meanvaluetheorem

In other words, if one were to draw a straight line through these start and end points, one could find a point on the curve where the tangent would have the same slope as this line.

Note that the value of the derivative of a function at a point is the function'sslopeat that point; i.e. the slope of the tangent at said point.

First, find the two function values ofon the interval

Then take the difference of the two and divide by the interval.

Now find the derivative of the function; this will be solved for the value(s) found above.

Derivative of an exponential:

Derivative of a natural log:

Product rule:

Using a calculator, we find the solution, which fits within the interval, satisfying the mean value theorem.

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