sven 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo 4 Defining the average value of a continuous function is not as easy as finding the average ofa fnite set of data. Average Value of Functions ‘Suppose fis a continuous function defined over an interval [a,b]. In particular 10d exists at every one of the infinitely-many points xbetween and including a and b. So, if you're looking for the average value of Fon that interval, it wor't do any good to try adding up those infnitely-many data points, Instead, the way to tame the infinity is to use calculus. Specifically, we define the average value ofa function Fas the following definite integral f Fle) de Average Value of f on [a,b] pesimasaeah coming ablasven 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo The Theory Behind the Formula But where does the integral formula for average come from? The key is sampling. If you included enough of the function values, say a thousand, a million, or even more, then that should approximate the average of all infinitely-many points! Lets illustrate with the following example. Estimate the average value of the function f(x) = v(x) + 1 over the interval [1,3] Since we're just estimating, let's pick four sample points. (The more sample points you pick, the better your estimated average will be.) Divide the interval [1,3] into four equal subintervals, and let's agree to choose the ‘midpoint of each subinterval. Then plug those midpoints into /to find the sample values. MigpointsHeight: £20 = v0) +2 125 Va.25)+1=212 178 VU.75)+1=2.32 225 V(2.28)+1=250 275 V(2.75)+1=2.66 Finally, use the familiar old averaging formula. Add up the data and divide by the number of data points: (212+ 2.32 +250 + 2.68)/ 4 So the (approximate) average of the function is 2.4 Taking it to the Limit However, what we've just done will not give us an exact answer because we've ‘essentially ignored most of the function! What about (1.3) or (2.95234)? No matter pesimasaeah coming abla72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo how many sample points we include, there will always be some missing... Unless we can use the magic of calculus to catch them all The sampling process should remind you of a Riemann Sum, For a quick reminder, fee! free to check out AP Calculus Review: Riemann Sums. Midpoint Riemann sum. In the limit as the number of sample points goes to =, the Riemann sum becomes a definite integral Lot m be any whole number and x" stand for the various sample xvalues. Then the estimated average is the sum: Save ® 1S sei) Next, allow n— ® using alimit. We also need to get Axinto the act somehow. The trick is to multiply and divide by (b~ a). Remember, Ax= (b-a)/n. psiimaazeahcomtalapataa2sven 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo fave = Jim 2° fai) Examples (Ok, now that you've seen the theory, let's use the formula in practice! Problem 1 Find the exact average value of x) = v(x) + 1 over the interval [1,3] Solution Above, we only estimated the average to be 2.4. Now well use the integral formula to determine the average value precisely. psuimasieeh coming aba apne rove averages isin! sinanan 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo foo Gy f tora ash f Warne 1 ae F = +), CECE) (it's interesting to compare our estimate with the exact value above. V(3) + 2/3 2.39871747, which means that our estimate of 2.4 was actually pretty good!) Problem 2 The amount of energy associated with a certain chemical reaction is given by E= xin x, where 1 s xs ¢,and xrepresents the amount of one of the reactants. Find the average ‘energy of the reaction over the range of possible levels of reactant. Solution This problem seers more like chemistry than math!~~! Chemistry can be fun too! But what does this have to do with calculus?? However, the keyword average tells us that mathematics plays a major role in this, problem. Infact, they are simply asking for the average value of fx) = xIn x, over the interval [1 € First set up the integral formula with a= 1 and b= e, Then work out the integration, which involves Integration By Parts in this case. ipsinagacsh combing akshatZolapcakuk even avrgeleciowsven 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo rine de Thus the average energy of the reaction is (e? + 1)/[ 4(e~ 1) ],or roughly 1.22 Mean Value Theorem for Integrals Averages ate also called means, So you may use the same formula to find the mean value of a function, ‘There is also an important result in calculus that relates the mean value to a particular funetion value on the given interval ‘The Mean Value Theorem for Integrals (MVT). If fis continuous on a closed interval [a ‘then there is at least one point x= cin that interval such that the mean value of the function is equal to Kc). Thatis, psuimasieeh coming aba apne rove averages isin! sinasven 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo a a= fred [fo «= s0b-0 (Caution: There is also a Mean Value Theorem for Derivatives. It's important not to confuse the two.) Problem 3 Let (9) = 6x2 8x+ 1. Determine the value of cat which the mean value of Fon [-1, is the same as fc) Solution ‘According to the Mean Value Theorem for Integrals, there must be at least one such value c Let's set up the formula and find it! flo = [ fir) de ta 1 6 —8e+1 ? 8 om [6-849 a 134224) 6c? — 841 = 5 (2x? — 42? +2] | 6? —8e+1=3 At this point, we will need to solve a quadratic equation. Dor't forget your Quadratic Formula! 62 - oe psuimasieeh coming aba apne rove averages isin! inasven 72 clas Reve Avernge te of ater agra Bog| Hg Schoo c= (22/3 It seems as though there may be two answers. However, only one lies within the given interval [-1, 11 c= (2+ V(7))/3 = 1.549, notin the interval = (2 V(D)/3 =-0.215, inthe interval. ‘Therefore, the only value that satisfies the MVTIis ¢= (2- ¥(7))/3. Summary Although average value and the Mean Value Theorem for Integrals are specialized topics and only show up in a few problems on any given AP Calculus test, they are important concepts to master. For one thing, they illustrate how integral calculus can be used in applications. Moreover, working out the average value of a function is no more difficult than ‘computing a definite integral. So now when you see these kinds of problems on the AP Calculus Exam, you can rise to the challenge! Get a Great AP Calc Score! Start Here. More from Magoosh + AP Coulis BC Exam Study Tips + SAT Test for Gifted and Talented Programs pesiagaeah coming tei