167k views
2 votes
Find the value of c, in terms of a, which satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the function

f(x) = ax/(a-x)
2/3

User Katayoun
by
7.6k points

1 Answer

6 votes

Final answer:

To find the value of c in terms of a that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem, we use the formula for average rate of change and set up an equation. By simplifying and solving for c, we get c = b - 2a.

Step-by-step explanation:

To find the value of c in terms of a that satisfies the Mean Value Theorem for the function f(x) = ax/(a-x), we need to use the formula for the average rate of change of a function.

According to the Mean Value Theorem, there exists a value c in the interval (a, b) such that f'(c) = (f(b) - f(a))/(b - a).

We can start by finding the derivative of f(x):

f'(x) = [a(a-x) - ax]/(a-x)^2

= -a^2/(a-x)^2

Now we can set up the equation for the average rate of change:

-a^2/(a-c)^2 = (f(b) - f(a))/(b - a)

Substituting f(a) = (a*a)/(a-a)

= a, f(b)

= (b*a)/(b-a)

= -a*b/(b-a),

we get:

-a^2/(a-c)^2 = (-a*b/(b-a) - a)/(b - a)

Cross multiplying and simplifying, we find:

a*(b-a-c) = -a*b

Canceling out the a terms, we have:

b - a - c = -b

Solving for c, we get:

c = b - 2a

User Mkrause
by
8.3k points