Question #fe61a

1 Answer
Mar 15, 2017

Please see below.

Explanation:

f(x) = tanx on [-2pi, 2pi] does not satisfy the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem. It also does not satisfy the conclusion.

The hypotheses call for a function that is continuous on [a,b] (and differentiable on (a,b)).

Tangent is undefined for odd multiples of pi/2, so tanx is not continuous on [-2pi,2pi].

f(x) = tanx on [-2pi, 2pi] does not satisfy the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem.

f'(x) = sec^2x and (f(2pi)-f(-2pi))/(2pi-(-2pi)) = (0-0)/(4pi) = 0.

Since sec^2 x >= 1 for all x, there is no c anywhere for which f'(c) = (f(2pi)-f(-2pi))/(2pi-(-2pi))