# Rolle's Theorem

Mean Value Theorem:

If a function f  is defined on the closed interval [a,b] satisfying the following conditions –

i) The function f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b]

ii)The function f  is differentiable on the open interval (a, b)

Then there exists a value  x =  c in such a way that

$~~~~~~~~~~~$ f'(c) = $\frac {f(b) – f(a)}{b-a}$

This theorem is also known as first mean value theorem or Lagrange’s mean value theorem.

Geometrical Interpretation of Lagrange’s Mean Value Theorem:

In the given graph the curve y = f(x)  is continuous from x = a and x = b and differentiable within the closed interval [a,b] then according to Lagrange’s mean value theorem,for any function that is continuous on [ab] and differentiable on (ab) there exists some c in the interval (ab) such that the secant joining the endpoints of the interval [ab] is parallel to the tangent at c.

$~~~~~~~~~~$ $f'(c)$ = $\frac {f(b) – f(a) }{b -a}$<

Rolle’s Theorem:

A special case of Lagrange’s mean value theorem is Rolle ’s Theorem which states that:

If a function f  is defined in the closed interval [a,b] in such a way that it satisfies the following conditions.

i) The function f is continuous on the closed interval [a, b]

ii)The function  f is differentiable on the open interval (a, b)

iii) Now if f (a) = f (b) , then there exists at least one value of x, let us assume this value to be c, whereas  lies between  a and b i.e. (a < c < b )  in such a way that f‘(c) = 0 .

Precisely, if a function is continuous on the closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b) then there exists a point x = c  in (a, b) such that f'(c) = 0

Geometric interpretation of Rolle’s Theorem:

In the given graph, the curve y = f(x)  is continuous between x =a  and x = b and at every point within the interval it is possible to draw a tangent and ordinates corresponding to the abscissa and are equal then there exists at least one tangent to the curve which is parallel to the x-axis.

Algebraically, this theorem tells us that if f (x) is representing a polynomial function in x and the two roots of the equation f(x) = 0 are x =a and x = b, then there exists at least one root of the equation f‘(x) = 0  lying between the values.

Now I assume we are clear with what actually Rolle’s Theorem is. It should also be duly noted that the converse of Rolle’s theorem is not true and it is also possible that there exists more than one value of x = v for which the theorem holds good but there is a definite chance of the existence of one such value.

This is all about mean value theorem and Rolle’s theorem. Explore more concepts of Differential Calculus with BYJU’S.

#### Practise This Question

f(x) and g(x) are continuous functions such that limxa[3f(x)+g(x)]=6 and limxa[2f(x)g(x)]=4. Given that the function h(x).g(x) is continuous at x = a and h(a)=4,  which of the following must be true?