50 CHAPTER 3.

APPLICATIONS OF DIFFERENTIATION

source, so that is given by y = kP x−2 , where y is the sound level, P is the

source power, x is the distance form the source, and k is a positive constant.
Two beach parties, 100 meters apart, are playing loud music on their portable
stereos. The second party’s stereo has 64 times as much power as the first.
The music approximates the white noise, so the power from the two sources
arriving at a point between them adds, without any concern about whether
the sources are in or out of phase. To what point on the line segment between
the two parties should I go, if I wish to enjoy as much quiet as possible?
Demonstrate that you have found an absolute minimum, not just a relative
minimum.

3.4 Mean Value Theorem

1. Verify that the function
3x
g(x) =
x+7
satisfies the hypothesis of the Mean Value Theorem on the interval [−1, 2].
Then find all numbers c that satisfy the conclusion of the Mean Value Theorem.
Leave your final answer(s) exact.

2. Use the Mean Value Theorem to show that | sin b − sin a| ≤ |b − a|, for all real
numbers a and b.

3. Two horses start a race at the same time and finish in a tie. Prove that at
some time during the race they have the same speed.

4. (a) Complete the following statement of the Mean Value Theorem precisely.
Let f be a function that is continuous on the interval . . . . . . . and
differentiable on the interval . . . . . . . Then there is a number c in
(a, b) such that f (b) − f (a) = . . . . . . . . . . .
(b) Suppose that −1 ≤ f 0 x(x) ≤ 3 for all x. Find similar lower and upper
bounds for the expression f (5) − f (3).
(c) Suppose g(x) is a function that is differentiable for all x. Let h(x0 be a
new function defined by h(x) = g(x) + g(2 − x). Prove that h0 (x) has a
root in the interval (0, 2).