When Are There Continuous Choices for the Mean Value Abscissa?

MaRDI QIDQ6320028zbMATH OpenFDO

Authors David Lowry-Duda, Miles H. Wheeler

Publication date 5 June 2019

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

One-variable calculus (26A06) Implicit function theorems, Jacobians, transformations with several variables (26B10)

Abstract: The mean value theorem of calculus states that, given a differentiable function $f$ on an interval $[a,b]$, there exists at least one mean value abscissa $c$ such that the slope of the tangent line at $c$ is equal to the slope of the secant line through $(a,f(a))$ and $(b,f(b))$. In this article, we study how the choices of $c$ relate to varying the right endpoint $b$. In particular, we ask: When we can write $c$ as a continuous function of $b$ in some interval? Drawing inspiration from graphed examples, we first investigate this question by proving and using a simplified implicit function theorem. To handle certain edge cases, we then build on this analysis to prove and use a simplified Morse's lemma. Finally, further developing the tools proved so far, we conclude that if $f$ is analytic, then it is always possible to choose mean value abscissae so that $c$ is a continuous function of $b$, at least locally.

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