Application of Lagrange Theorem

f is a real-valued differentiable function defined on [0,1]. If f(0)=0 and f(1)=1, then prove that there exist distinct points x1,x2 in [0,1] satisfying

1/f'(x1) + 1/f'(x2) = 2

29 Answers

1
Ricky ·

Please Ignore Post No. 11 And 14 .

1
Ricky ·

Yep , that's ok , infact a fine proof for me at least

21
Shubhodip ·

I meant to say some x1 , x2 in the interval (0,p) and (p,1) respectively does the job

where f(p) = 0.5

1
Ricky ·

Me dear friend , if " f ( 12 ) ≠12 " , how is equality condition achieved ?

21
Shubhodip ·

@ Ricky Nice work

I had the following

let f(1/2) = K

so Applying LMVT both sides we get

2K = f'(x1) and 2(1-k) = f'(x2)

so 12K = 1f'(x1)

12(1-k) = 1f'(x2)

so 1f'(x1) + 1f'(x2) ≥ 2 (by AM≥HM)

If f(1/2) ≠1/2 , then also some other x1 , x2 satisfy the equality condition ...

1
Ricky ·

My head obviously agrees with you Sir " :) " , but my heart most certainly doesn't " :( ". Please forgive me for utter nonsense , Sir . . Still , I think my proof's a little bit more " fullproof " , Sir , please respond if you enjoy it as well :) :)

Let another function " g " be defined such that ,

g ( x ) = 1 - f ( x )

It is now clear as water that ,

g ( 0 ) = 1 ............ And g ( 1 ) = 0

So , " g " must have a fixed point lying between ( 0 , 1 ) .

Hence , let that fixed point be " c " .

So , g ( c ) = 1 - f ( c ) = c

Or , f ( c ) = 1 - c .

Apply Langrange's Theorem for two intervals , " ( 0 , c ) " and " ( c , 1 ) " .

Clearly , for some " x1 , x2 " in the respective said intervals ,

f ' ( x1 ) = 1 - cc

And , f ' ( x2 ) = c1 - c

Clearly , " f ' ( x1 ) + f ' ( x2 ) = c1 - c + 1 - cc ≥ 2"

And obviously , " 1f ' ( x1 ) + 1f ' ( x2 ) = 1 - cc + c1 - c ≥ 2 "

Both inequalities are readily established by " AM - GM " inequality , with equality being achieved at " c = 12 " .

I don't know how obvious it is , but spotting the equality condition , I immediately thought of using a point " x " for which " f ( x ) = 12 " in Langrange's theorem and solved the initial question .

341
Hari Shankar ·

Ricky, they would certainly have taught you that when a =2, it is valid to say that a≥2 is also true.

1
Ricky ·

But Sir , how would you prove the first part of the question ? I refer to the first inequality of post no. 15 .

341
Hari Shankar ·

First, Rohan's solution:

By Intermediate Value Theorem, there will exist an xo, 0<x_0<1 such that f(x_0)= \frac{1}{2}

No by Lagrange's, we will find x_1 \in (0,x_0) such that f'(x1) = 1/2xo

and x_2 \in (x_0,1) with f'(x_2) = 1/2(1-x0)

Its easy to see that 1/f'(x1) + 1/f'(x2) = 2.

Now f'(x1) + f'(x2) = 1/2 [ 1/xo + 1/(1-x0) ] ≥ 1/2 X 4 = 2 (by Cauchy Schwarz inequality)

both equalities occur if f(1/2) = 1/2

1
Ricky ·

I am really sorry Sir , but it seems to me as if I don't understand a bit what you are trying to say sir . Can you please write down the full thing , sir ? Obviously I know that you have precious time , but still , if possible , plz do write the solution sir.

341
Hari Shankar ·

You have two inequalities there. In one case its an equality, for the second one, the inequality condition will hold. where's the problem?

1
Ricky ·

But sir , that pair only proves the equality , doesn't it ? Does it prove the inequality as well , sir ?

341
Hari Shankar ·

the same pair indicated in rohan's post (pinked) does the job

1
Ricky ·

I said , there is at least one pair of values , not that any " x1 , x2" will satisfy the conditions .

21
Shubhodip ·

Seems i am not getting ur question..

Actually f'(x) can be negtive , so the least value is not 2 , is it?

39
Dr.House ·

ah! good one

1
Ricky ·

Okies , I think I have written some confusing and wrong statements . I 'll restate the problem .

Let " f " be a real valued , differentiable function such that ,

f ( 0 ) = 0 ; And f ( 1 ) = 1 .

Prove that there exists at least one pair of " x1 , x2 E ( 0 , 1 ) " such that , for the above said function , the following inequalities hold simultaneously .

1 . 1f ' ( x1 ) + 1f ' ( x2 ) ≥ 2

2 . f ' ( x1 ) + f ' ( x2 ) ≥ 2

1
Ricky ·

Ever so sorry , both " f ( x 1 ) " and " f ( x 2 ) " have to be positive . Thank you .

21
Shubhodip ·

counter example..

341
Hari Shankar ·

Ricky, i wouldnt bet on that

1
Ricky ·

Can I make one of my own little extension to this beautiful problem , Bhatt sir ?

My extension - Prove that at least one pair of x1 , x2 exists such that the least value of

" 1f ( x1 ) + 1f ( x2 ) " is 2 .

Also show that , for this pair , the least value of

" f ( x1 ) + f ( x2 ) " is also 2 .

EDIT - Please read post no. 14

21
Shubhodip ·

if it was given that the function is invertible i had the following

f-1(f(x)) = x lets write f-1 as G

so Gf(x) = x

G'f(x) = 1/f'(x)

Its easy to prove that there exists points x1,x2 such that

G'(f(x1) + G'(f(x2) = 2 = 1/f'(x1) + 1/f'(x2)

but its not given ;(

341
Hari Shankar ·

oh heck, pretty careless of me again. What you said about the fixed pointwould be true if we had for instance, f(0)=1 and f(1)=0. I got mixed up with this. I had the same soln as Rohan's.

21
Shubhodip ·

I didn't get you sir

I think i am wrong..there may not exist any fixed point

because G(x) = f(x) - x , G(0) = G(1)= 0 and there exists functions like that ---:D

341
Hari Shankar ·

wow! do i need say more?

21
Shubhodip ·

let c be a point such that f(c) = c 0<c<1

so f(1) - f(c)/1-c = f'(x1)

f(c) - f(0) / c = f'(x2)

we prove both f'(x1) + f'(x2) = 2 and 1/f'(x1) + 1/f'(x2) = 2

@ sir is it right?

21
Shubhodip ·

Alternative :

there exists a fixed point of F

applying LMVT on both sides and taking reciprocal we get the result..

341
Hari Shankar ·

that's right! welcome back after such a long time!

1
Rohan Ghosh ·

just take a point between where f(c)=1/2 .. then apply langrange on both sides and sum up the inverted forms of both equations ...

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