Let g(x) be continuous in [a,b] and 0<=r<=1 I need to prove that there is x_0 in [a,b] that for him exists: g(x_0)=rg(a)+(1−r)g(b)

Jaylene Hunter

Jaylene Hunter

Answered question

2022-07-22

I am struggling with the following questions:

Let g ( x ) be continuous in [ a , b ] and 0 r 1 I need to prove that there is x 0 [ a , b ] that for him exists: g ( x 0 ) = r g ( a ) + ( 1 r ) g ( b )

I know that for r = 0 and r = 1. I am getting immediate proof of that(it is the easy part). Where I am struggling is finding and understanding the values of r I need to use. I've tried defining a helping function g ( x ) = r g ( a ) + ( 1 r ) g ( b ) g ( x 0 ) but no success on that end. I need to show that for 2 different values in the range of 0 < r < 1 one time I am getting a positive result and for the other a negative.
I am not asking for the solution, asking for guidance on how it can be done.

Answer & Explanation

LitikoIDu6

LitikoIDu6

Beginner2022-07-23Added 10 answers

Consider f ( r ) = r g ( a ) + ( 1 r ) g ( b ) . Note that for r [ 0 , 1 ] , f ( r ) is necessarily between g ( a ) and g ( b ). Then because f ( r ) is between g ( a ) and g ( b ), by the Intermediate Value Theorem applied to g, we know that for some x 0 [ a , b ] , g ( x 0 ) = f ( r ) = r g ( a ) + ( 1 r ) g ( b ), as requiblack.
asigurato7

asigurato7

Beginner2022-07-24Added 1 answers

Key Realization: In general for any interval [ x , y ], any point z [ x , y ] can be expressed by
z = ( 1 λ ) x + λ y
for some λ [ 0 , 1 ]. (Think of λ as measuring a percentage distance traveled from x to y.)

Sketch:
1. With the above, what can you conclude about where r g ( a ) + ( 1 r ) g ( b ) lives, regardless of the value of r [ 0 , 1 ]?
2. Since g is continuous on [ a , b ], alongside the realization from the previous line, the intermediate value theorem applies and therefore what follows?

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