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: 36

Answer

See proof

Work Step by Step

Take: $$h(x)=f(x)-x$$ $$h'(x)=f'(x)-1\ne 0$$ Using the mean value theorem, there $c$ in $(a,b)$ such that: $$h'(c)=\frac{h(b)-h(a)}{b-a}\ne 0 \to h(b)-h(a)\ne0 \to f(b)-b-(f(a)-a)\ne0\to f(b)-b\ne f(a)-a $$ If we suppose that $f$ has two fixed points $a$ and $b$ thus: $$f(b)-b\ne f(a)-a \to 0\ne0 $$ which is false so the function $f$ has at most one fixed point.
Update this answer!

You can help us out by revising, improving and updating this answer.

Update this answer

After you claim an answer you’ll have 24 hours to send in a draft. An editor will review the submission and either publish your submission or provide feedback.