How do you verify the intermediate value theorem over the interval [0,3], and find the c that is guaranteed by the theorem such that f(c)=4 where f(x)=x3x2+x2?

2 Answers
Aug 14, 2017

f is a polynomial so f is continuous on the interval [0,3].

f(0)=2 and f(3)=19

4 is between f(0) and f(3) so IVT tells us that there is a c in (0,3) with f(c)=4

Finding the c requires solving

x3x2+x2=4. Which is equivalent to

x3x2+x6=0

Possible rational zeros are ±1, ±2, ±3, and ±6.

Testing shows that 2 is a solution.

So c=2

Aug 14, 2017

The value of c(0,3) and is c=2

Explanation:

The intermediate value theorem states that if f(x) is a continuous function on the interval [a,b], then there is a number p between f(a) and f(b), (f(a)f(b)) such that there is a number c(a,b) such that p=f(c)

Here, f(x)=x3x2+x2, which is a polynomial function continuous on the Interval [0,3]

f(0)=00+02=2

f(3)=3332+32=279+32=19

f(c)(f(0,f(3)))

f(c)=4 such that c(0,3)

Therefore,

f(c)=c3c2+c2=4

, c3c2+c6=0

f(2)=2322+22=84+22=4