Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Mean Value Theorem (MVT)
The Mean Value Theorem states that if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b), then there exists at least one point c in (a, b) such that the derivative at that point equals the average rate of change of the function over the interval. This theorem is fundamental in understanding the relationship between a function's behavior and its derivative.
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Differentiability and Continuity
A function is differentiable at a point if it has a defined derivative there, which implies that the function is also continuous at that point. However, a function can be continuous without being differentiable. In the context of the MVT, if a function is not differentiable at any point in the interval, it cannot satisfy the conditions of the theorem, which is crucial for determining the existence of such a point c.
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Behavior of the Function ƒ(x) = x²/3
The function ƒ(x) = x²/3 is continuous everywhere but is not differentiable at x = 0, where it has a cusp. This means that while the function meets the continuity requirement of the MVT on the interval [-1, 8], it fails the differentiability requirement at c = 0. Therefore, there is no value of c in (-1, 8) that satisfies the MVT, which does not violate the theorem since the conditions are not fully met.
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