Calculus 8th Edition

Published by Cengage
ISBN 10: 1285740629
ISBN 13: 978-1-28574-062-1

Chapter 3 - Applications of Differentiation - 3.2 The Mean Value Theorem - 3.2 Exercises - Page 220: 21

Answer

The values $d=±\sqrt 5$ are not in the interval $(−2,2)$, this contradicts the assumption that there are two distinct roots in the interval $[−2,2]$. Hence, $f(x)=0$ has at most one solution in $[−2,2]$

Work Step by Step

Suppose that $f(x)= x^{3}−15x+c=0$ has 2 solutions $x=a, x=b, f(a)=f(b)=0$ By the Rolle Theorem, there exists a number $d∈(a,b)$ such that $f′(d)=0=3d^{2}−15$ So, $d=±\sqrt 5$ But the values are not in the interval $(−2,2)$, this contradicts the assumption that there are two distinct roots in the interval $[−2,2]$. Hence, $f(x)=0$ has at most one solution in $[−2,2]$
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