14. The function \( f \) is continuous on the closed interval \( [-1,5] \) and differentiable on the open interval \( (-1,5) \). If \( f(-1) = 4 \) and \( f(5) = -2 \), which of the following statements could be false?






Answer is: option3

There exist \( c \) on \( (-1,5) \), such that \( f'(c) = 0 \).

Solution:

Given Information:

  1. \( f \) is continuous on \([-1,5]\).
  2. \( f \) is differentiable on \((-1,5)\).
  3. \( f(-1) = 4 \) and \( f(5) = -2 \).

We need to determine which of the statements could be false.

(A) There exists \( c \) in \([-1,5]\) such that \( f(c) \leq f(x) \) for all \( x \) in \([-1,5]\).

  1. This statement claims the existence of an absolute minimum.
  2. Since \( f \) is continuous on a closed interval, the Extreme Value Theorem guarantees that \( f \) attains both a maximum and a minimum somewhere in \([-1,5]\).
  3. Thus, (A) must be true and cannot be false.

(B) There exists \( c \) in \((-1,5)\) such that \( f(c) = 0 \).

  1. We check whether \( f \) satisfies the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT).
  2. Since \( f(-1) = 4 \) and \( f(5) = -2 \), by IVT, there must be some \( c \) in \((-1,5)\) such that \( f(c) = 0 \) (since the function must cross the x-axis at least once).
  3. Thus, (B) must be true and cannot be false.

(C) There exists \( c \) in \((-1,5)\) such that \( f'(c) = 0 \).

  1. The function is continuous on \([-1,5]\) and differentiable on \((-1,5)\).
  2. The Mean Value Theorem (MVT) applies because \( f(x) \) satisfies the conditions.
  3. By MVT, there exists some \( c \) in \((-1,5)\) such that:
  4. \[ f'(c) = \frac{f(5) - f(-1)}{5 - (-1)} = \frac{-2 - 4}{6} = -1 \]

  5. However, MVT does not necessarily guarantee that \( f'(c) = 0 \).
  6. While \( f'(c) = 0 \) could happen, it is not guaranteed.
  7. So, (C) could be false.

(D) There exists \( c \) in \((-1,5)\) such that \( f(c) = 2 \).

  1. Again, we use IVT.
  2. Since \( f(-1) = 4 \) and \( f(5) = -2 \), the function must take on all values between 4 and -2 at least once.
  3. Since 2 is in the range \((-2,4)\), IVT guarantees some \( c \) in \((-1,5)\) where \( f(c) = 2 \).
  4. Thus, (D) must be true and cannot be false.

Conclusion:

  1. (A), (B), and (D) must be true.
  2. (C) could be false, because we cannot guarantee \( f'(c) = 0 \) without additional information.

Final Answer: (C) could be false.

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