Intermediate value theorem: show there exists c in [0,2/3] such that f(c+1/3)=f(c)

sublimnes9

sublimnes9

Answered question

2022-08-09

Intermediate value theorem: show there exists c [ 0 , 2 / 3 ] such that f ( c + 1 3 ) = f ( c )
Let f : [ 0 , 1 ] [ 0 , 1 ] be continuous and f ( 0 ) = f ( 1 )
This is pretty straight forward and the other ones ive done it was easier to find why IVT applies, namely find why it changes signs.
Letting g ( x ) = f ( x + 1 3 ) f ( x ) then this is only defined for the interval [ 0 , 2 3 ] b/c not sure what g ( 1 ) = f ( 4 3 ) f ( 1 ) may be.
Now, g ( 0 ) = f ( 1 3 ) f ( 0 )
and g ( 2 3 ) = f ( 1 ) f ( 2 3 ) = f ( 0 ) f ( 2 3 ).
I can't (at least I don't see why I can) conclude this is equal to g ( 0 ) which has been the case in other exercises, which is what I used to apply the IVT and get the wanted result.

Answer & Explanation

kilinumad

kilinumad

Beginner2022-08-10Added 21 answers

HINT:
You were on the right track by defining g ( x ) f ( x + 1 / 3 ) f ( x ) for x [ 0 , 2 / 3 ].
Now, note that
g ( 0 ) + g ( 1 / 3 ) + g ( 2 / 3 ) = f ( 1 ) f ( 0 ) = 0
Then either g ( 0 ) = g ( 1 / 3 ) = g ( 2 / 3 ) = 0 or at least one of the three is positive and one of the three is negative. Now, use the IVT.

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