MA 3972-MA-Book April 11, 2018 16:5
More Applications of Definite Integrals 317
Example 2
Givenf(x)=x^2 , verify the hypotheses of the Mean Value Theorem for Integrals for fon
[0, 6] and find the value ofcas indicated in the theorem.
Sincefis a polynomial, it is continuous and differentiable everywhere, thus,
∫ 6
0
x^2 dx= f(c)(6−0)
x^3
3
] 6
0
= f(c)6
72 = 6 f(c); 12= f(c); 12=c^2
c=±
√
12 =± 2
√
3
(
± 2
√
3 ≈± 3. 4641
)
.
Since only 2
√
3 is in the interval [0, 6],c= 2
√
3.
TIP • Remember: If f′ is decreasing, then f′′ < 0 and the graph of f is concave
downward.
Average Value of a Function on [a, b]
Average Value of a Function on an Interval
If f is a continuous function on [a,b], then the Average Value of f on [a,b]
=
1
b−a
∫b
a
f(x)dx.
Example 1
Find the average value ofy=sinxbetweenx=0 andx=π.
Average value=
1
π− 0
∫π
0
sinxdx
=
1
π
[−cosx]π 0 =
1
π
[−cosπ−(−cos(0))]
=
1
π
[1+1]=
2
π