Lebl-Basic-Analysis-I · Problem 4.2.11

The Derivative

Mathematics · rolle-theorem-original

Problem

Prove the theorem Rolle actually proved in 1691: If ff is a polynomial, f′(a)=f′(b)=0f'(a) = f'(b) = 0 for some a<ba < b, and there is no c∈(a,b)c \in (a,b) such that f′(c)=0f'(c) = 0, then there is at most one root of ff in (a,b)(a,b), that is at most one x∈(a,b)x \in (a,b) such that f(x)=0f(x) = 0. In other words, between any two consecutive roots of f′f' is at most one root of ff. Hint: Suppose there are two roots and see what happens.

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