Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Instantaneous Velocity
Instantaneous velocity refers to the velocity of an object at a specific moment in time. It is defined mathematically as the limit of the average velocity as the time interval approaches zero. This concept is crucial for understanding how an object's speed changes at any given point, and it is represented by the derivative of the position function with respect to time.
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Average Velocity
Average velocity is defined as the total displacement divided by the total time taken over a specific interval. It provides a measure of the overall change in position of an object during that interval. The average velocity can be calculated using the formula (s(b) - s(a)) / (b - a), where s(t) is the position function at times a and b.
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Mean Value Theorem
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) where the instantaneous velocity (the derivative) equals the average velocity over that interval. This theorem is essential for understanding the relationship between instantaneous and average velocities, and it provides a counterexample to the statement in the question.
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