Written Homework 6 Solutions

Section 3.10
30. Explain in terms of linear approximations or differentials why the approximation is reasonable:

(1.01)6 ≈ 1.06

Solution: First start by finding the linear approximation of f (x) = x6 about 1.

L(x) = f (a) + f 0 (a) · (x − a) = f (1) + f 0 (1) · (x − 1) = (1)6 + 6(1)5 (x − 1) = 1 + 6(x − 1)

Now to plug in the value to approximate, 1.01.

L(1.01) = 1 + 6(1.01 − 1) = 1 + 6(0.01) = 1.06

The approximation is reasonable because the linear approximation is a good approximation as long as ∆x is
reasonably small. In this case ∆x = 0.1.
Homework 6 Solutions

Section 4.1
54. Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of f (x) = x
x2 −x+1
on the interval [0,3]

Solution: First find the value at the endpoints:

0
f (0) = =0
0−0+1
3 3
f (3) = =
9−3+1 7
Just to be sure the function does not diverge on the interval check where the roots of the denominator are.
But note the following:

Ax2 + Bx + C = 1 · x2 + (−1) · x + 1 ⇒ B2 − 4AC = 1 − 4 · 1 · 1 = −3 < 0

So the roots are imaginary and the function does not diverge on the interval. Now to find the critical points
of the function.
(x2 − x + 1) − x(2x − 1) −x2 + 1
f 0 (x) = =
(x2 − x + 1)2 (x2 − x + 1)2
It is clear that f 0 (x) = 0 for x = ±1. Since -1 is not in the domain we can throw this value out. Calculate the
value of f at the critical points:
1
f (1) = =1
1−1+1
We now compare all of the values we have calculated (from endpoints and critical points):
Absolute max is 1, occurs at x = 1.
Absolute min is 0, occurs at x = 0.
√3
56. Find the absolute maximum and absolute minimum values of f (t) = t(8 − t) on the interval [0,8]

Solution: Begin by checking the value of the endpoints.

√3
f (0) = 0(8 − 0) = 0
√3
f (8) = 8(8 − 8) = 2 · 0 = 0
Now to find the critical points.
t−2/3 · (8 − t) 1/3
f 0 (t) = −t
3
Find the roots of the derivative.
t−2/3 · (8 − t) 1/3 t−2/3 · (8 − t)
−t =0⇔ = t1/3 ⇔ (8 − t) = 3t ⇔ t = 2
3 3
Test this value √3 √3
f (2) = 2(8 − 2) = 6 2 > 0.
We now compare all of the values we have calculated (from endpoints and critical points):
√3
Absolute max is 6 2, occurs at t = 2.
Absolute min is 0, occurs at x = 0 and x = 8.

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Homework 6 Solutions

63. If a and b are positive numbers, find the maximum values of f (x) = xa (1 − x)b , 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.

Solution: Begin by checking the endpoints.

f (0) = 0a (1 − 0)b = 0

f (1) = 1a (1 − 1)b = 1a (0)b = 0

Now to find the critical points.

f 0 (x) = axa−1 (1 − x)b + xa · b(1 − x)b−1 · (−1)

= axa−1 (1 − x)b − bxa (1 − x)b−1
= xa−1 (1 − x)b−1 (a(1 − x) − bx)
= xa−1 (1 − x)b−1 (a − (a + b)x)

Now, f 0 (x) is defined for all x in (0, 1). f 0 (0) will be zero if a > 1, and similarly f 0 (1) will be zero if b > 1.
But we already checked the values at the endpoints, so we only need to look for critical points in the interior
of the domain (0, 1). The only zero of f 0 (x) in (0, 1) is at x = a+b a
.
Now plug in that value.
!b
 a   a a  a b  a a b aa bb
f = 1− = = .
b+a b+a b+a b+a b+a (a + b)(a+b)

Because a and b are positive and nonzero, this is the maximum.

aa bb
Answer: Maximum of (a+b)(a+b)
occurs at x = a
a+b .

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Homework 6 Solutions

Problem 4.2
18. Show that the equation has exactly one real root: x3 + e x = 0.

Solution: Let f (x) = x3 + e x . Note that f (x) is continuous for all x. First use the Intermediate Value Theorem
to show that a root does exist. For the problem in question let a = −1 and b = 0. Note that:
1
(−1)3 + e−1 = −1 + <0
e
03 + e0 = 1 > 0
So then by the Intermediate Value Theorem there exists a value c ∈ [−1, 0] such that f (c) = 0. As we know,
this guarantees that at least one such c to exist but there could be more. Assume there were two roots c1 and
c2 such that c1 < c2 , f (c1 ) = f (c2 ) = 0. Now we apply Rolle’s theorem on the interval [c1 , c2 ]. Note that:
f 0 (x) = 3x2 + e x for all x ∈ [c1 , c2 ]
Hence f 0 (x) is continuous and defined on the interval (c1 , c2 ). By assumption, f (c1 ) = 0 = f (c2 ). So all of
the conditions for Rolle’s theorem are met. Thus, there is a number d ∈ (c1 , c2 ) such that f 0 (d) = 0. However,
f 0 (x) = 3x2 + e x > 0 for all x.
In particular f 0 (d) > 0. This is a contradiction so the assumption that two roots exist is wrong and there must
be exactly one root.

24. Suppose that 3 ≤ f 0 (x) ≤ 5 for all values of x. Show that 18 ≤ f (8) − f (2) ≤ 30.

Solution: Use the Mean Value Theorem. The problem states that f 0 (x) exists and is between two values for
all x. Therefore the function f (x) is continuous and differentiable everywhere, particularly on [2, 8]. Then
there exists c such that:
f (8) − f (2)
f 0 (c) =
8−2
However 3 ≤ f 0 (x) ≤ 5 for all x. In particular, 3 ≤ f 0 (c) ≤ 5.
f (8) − f (2)
3 ≤ f 0 (c) ≤ 5 =⇒ 3 ≤ ≤ 5 =⇒ 18 ≤ f (8) − f (2) ≤ 30
6
This proves the required statement.

26. Suppose that f and g are continuous on [a, b] amd differentiable on (a, b). Suppose also that f (a) = g(a) and
f 0 (x) < g0 (x) for a < x < b. Prove that f (b) < g(b).

Solution: Using the hint in the text look at the function h(x) = f (x) − g(x). Note if h(b) < 0 then the
desired result follows. Now apply the Mean Value Theorem to h. Since f and g are continuous on [a, b]
and differentiable on (a, b) then so is h (the derivative is linear and the difference of continuous functions is
continuous). The conditions of the Mean Value Theorem are statisfied for h so then there exists a c ∈ [a, b]
such that:
h(b) − h(a) = h0 (c) · (b − a)
However recall that
h(a) = f (a) − g(a) = 0
since f (a) = g(a). Also note that
h0 (c) = f 0 (c) − g0 (c) < 0
because, by assumption f 0 (x) < g0 (x) for all x. Finally, because b > a, we have that b − a > 0. Then:
h(b) = h(a) + h0 (c) · (b − a) = 0 + h0 (c) · (b − a) < 0.
Thus f (b) − g(b) < 0, so f (b) < g(b).

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Homework 6 Solutions

Problem A
Let f (x) be differentiable at x = a. The linearization of f at x = a is given by L(x) = f (a) + f 0 (a)(x − a). In class
we said that a good linear approximation should have the property that f (x) − L(x) → 0 faster than x − a → 0.
Show that this is true. That is, show that
f (x) − L(x)
lim =0
x→a x−a
Solution: Recall that the linear approximation about a is given by:

L(x) = f (a) − f 0 (a)(x − a)

Then:
f (x) − L(x) f (x) − ( f (a) + f 0 (a)(x − a))
lim = lim
x→a x−a x→a x−a
f (x) − f (a) − f 0 (a)(x − a)
= lim
x→a x−a
f (x) − f (a) f 0 (a)(x − a)
!
= lim −
x→a x−a x−a
!
f (x) − f (a)
= lim 0
− f (a)
x→a x−a
!
f (x) − f (a)
= lim − f 0 (a)
x→a x−a
= f 0 (a) − f 0 (a)
= 0.

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