Math Problem Statement

Στα ελληνικα

Given the continuous function f: [0, 3] → (0, +∞), prove that there exists ξ in (0, 3) such that f(ξ) = √(f(1) * f(2)).

Solution

The question you provided is written in Greek and states:

"Given the continuous function f:[0,3](0,+)f : [0, 3] \rightarrow (0, +\infty). Prove that there exists ξ(0,3)\xi \in (0, 3) such that:
f(ξ)=f(1)f(2).f(\xi) = \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)}."

This is a typical problem where we need to apply the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT), since the function ff is continuous and maps the interval [0,3][0, 3] to positive real values (0,+)(0, +\infty). Let's go step by step through the proof:

Proof:

  1. Define a new function:
    Define a new function g(x)=f(x)f(1)f(2)g(x) = f(x) - \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)}. Notice that g(x)g(x) is continuous because f(x)f(x) is continuous.

  2. Evaluate g(x)g(x) at the endpoints:
    Let's check the values of g(1)g(1) and g(2)g(2): g(1)=f(1)f(1)f(2)=f(1)f(1)f(2)g(1) = f(1) - \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)} = f(1) - \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)} g(2)=f(2)f(1)f(2)=f(2)f(1)f(2)g(2) = f(2) - \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)} = f(2) - \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)}

  3. Analyze the signs:
    Since f(1)f(1) and f(2)f(2) are both positive (as ff maps to (0,+)(0, +\infty)), the values of g(1)g(1) and g(2)g(2) will have opposite signs. This is because:

    • If f(1)>f(1)f(2)f(1) > \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)}, then g(1)>0g(1) > 0.
    • If f(2)<f(1)f(2)f(2) < \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)}, then g(2)<0g(2) < 0.
  4. Apply the Intermediate Value Theorem:
    By the IVT, since g(x)g(x) is continuous and g(1)g(1) and g(2)g(2) have opposite signs, there must exist some ξ(1,2)\xi \in (1, 2) such that: g(ξ)=0.g(\xi) = 0. This implies: f(ξ)=f(1)f(2).f(\xi) = \sqrt{f(1) \cdot f(2)}.

Therefore, we have proven that such a ξ(0,3)\xi \in (0, 3) exists.


Would you like further clarification on any of the steps?

Here are 5 follow-up questions to explore the concept further:

  1. What conditions are necessary for the Intermediate Value Theorem to apply?
  2. How would the proof change if the function ff were not continuous?
  3. Can the function ff ever take negative values in this scenario?
  4. What would happen if f(1)=f(2)f(1) = f(2)?
  5. How does the range (0,+)(0, +\infty) of the function affect the problem?

Tip: The Intermediate Value Theorem is a powerful tool for proving the existence of solutions, but it requires the function to be continuous on the given interval.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Calculus
Continuous Functions

Formulas

f(ξ) = √(f(1) * f(2))

Theorems

Intermediate Value Theorem

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 11-12