University Calculus: Early Transcendentals (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321999584
ISBN 13: 978-0-32199-958-0

Chapter 4 - Section 4.2 - The Mean Value Theorem - Exercises - Page 223: 32

Answer

If the derivative of a function is constant, the function is linear (it has the form$\quad f(x)=mx+b\quad)$

Work Step by Step

Let's find a function whose derivative is a constant, $a$. $f(x)=ax$ If another function is such that $g'(x)=a$, then by Corollary 2, it follows that $g(x)=f(x)+C$ where $C$ is some constant. So, if the derivative of a function is constant, it has the form $g(x)=ax+C$, which is a linear function (has a straight line as a graph). The choice of the constant $a$ was arbitrary, so we can conclude: If the derivative of a function is constant, the function is linear $(f(x)=mx+b)$
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