Exploring Rolle's Theorem

Explore conditions of the Rolle's Theorem. The applet shows the graph of continuous differentiable function f(x) on a closed interval  [a, b]. Case 1.  f(x) < f(a) for some x inside the interval (a, b). Can you find the number c such that f'(c)=0? What did you notice about the point when f'(c)=0? Case 2.  f(x) > f(a) for some x inside the interval (a, b). Can you find the number  c such that f'(c)=0? What did you notice about the point when f'(c)=0? Can a given function have more than one number on a given interval such that f'(c)=0?

Tags: Calclulus

Epic Circle Trace

A line passes intersects a circle at two points. Each point is located proportionally around the circle in terms of a given function of t. The path of the line’s movement is traced as t varies. Try changing/animating t. Can you figure out how each point is constrained, in terms of t? Look at the gx source file for the answer. Hint: look at the period of the movement, and how it changes as t changes.

Tags: Trace, puzzler, circle, proportional-points, functions