Consider the function f(x)=10sqrt(x)+8on the interval [3,9]. Find the average or mean slope of the function on this interval.

By the Mean Value Theorem, we know there exists a c in the open interval (3,9) such that f'(c) is equal to this mean slope. For this problem, there is only one c that works. Find it.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

You need to use mean value theorem over interval [3,9] such that:

`f'(c) = (f(b)-f(a))/(b-a)`

`f'(c) = (f(9)-f(3))/(9-3)`

You need to evaluate f(9) and f(3) such that:

`f(9) = 10sqrt9 + 8`

`f(9) = 38`

`f(3) = 10sqrt3 + 8`

`f'(c) = (38 - 10sqrt3 - 8)/6 =gt f'(c) = (30 - 10sqrt3)/6`

You need to find derivative of the function such that:

`f'(x) = 10/(2sqrtx)`

`f'(x) = 5/sqrt x`

You need to evaluate f'(x) at x=c such that:

`f'(c) = 5/sqrt c`

Since `f'(c) = (30 - 10sqrt3)/6` , then `5/sqrt c = (30 - 10sqrt3)/6`  such that:

`5/sqrt c = 10(3 - sqrt3)/6 =gt 1/sqrt c =2(3 - sqrt3)/6` 

`1/sqrt c = (3 - sqrt3)/3 =gt 3sqrt c - sqrt (3c) = 3`

You need to factor out `sqrt c`  such that:

`sqrt c(3 - sqrt 3) = 3 =gt sqrt c = 3/(3 - sqrt 3) `

`sqrt c = 3(3+sqrt3)/(9-3) =gt sqrt c = 3(3+sqrt3)/6`

`sqrt c = (3+sqrt3)/2 =gt c = ((3+sqrt3)^2)/4`

Hence, evaluating the mean slope over interval (3,9) yields `f'(c) = 5(3-sqrt3)/3` .

See eNotes Ad-Free

Start your 48-hour free trial to get access to more than 30,000 additional guides and more than 350,000 Homework Help questions answered by our experts.

Get 48 Hours Free Access
Approved by eNotes Editorial