Using the Integral Mean Value Theorem
Use the integral mean value theorem to estimate or relate integrals to function values.
Example: Estimate
Because is continuous and decreasing, there exists such that the integral equals . Hence .
Exercise 1
Use the integral mean value theorem to estimate .
Approach: Since is continuous on , the integral mean value theorem guarantees some with . Pin down by evaluating the integral exactly and dividing by the length of the interval.
Steps:
- Apply the theorem: for some .
- Evaluate the true value: .
- Divide by the interval length: .
Answer: There exists with ; the integral is approximately .
Symbols Used in This Article
| Symbol | Type | Pronunciation/Explanation | Meaning in This Article |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek letter | Xi(ksee) | The point where the mean value is attained | |
| mathematical symbol | integral | Definite integral sign | |
| mathematical symbol | e to the minus x squared | The continuous decreasing integrand that is estimated | |
| mathematical symbol | e to the minus xi squared | The integrand evaluated at the mean-value point | |
| mathematical symbol | e to the minus one | The lower bound of the estimated integral | |
| constant | one | The upper bound of the estimated integral | |
| mathematical symbol | cosine of x | The integrand of the exercise, evaluated exactly to pin down | |
| interval | closed interval | The interval over which the example integral is estimated | |
| interval | closed interval | The interval over which the exercise mean value is sought | |
| mathematical symbol | b minus a | The length of the interval, multiplying the attained mean value | |
| mathematical symbol | differential of x | The differential element of the integration variable |
