Another application of the derivative is the Mean Value Theorem (MVT). This theorem is very important. One of its most important uses is in proving the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus (FTC), which comes a little later in the year.
See last Fridays post Foreshadowing the MVT for an a series of problems that will get your students ready for the MVT.
Here are some previous post on the MVT:
Fermat’s Penultimate Theorem A lemma for Rolle’s Theorem: Any function extreme value(s) on an open interval must occur where the derivative is zero or undefined.
Rolle’s Theorem A lemma for the MVT: On an interval if a function is continuous on a closed interval [a, b] and differentiable on the open interval (a, b) and f(a) = f(b), there must exist a number c in the open interval (a, b) where f ‘(c) = 0.
Mean Value Theorem I Proof
Mean Value Theorem II Graphical Considerations
Darboux’s Theorem The Intermediate Value Theorem for derivatives.
Revised from a post of October 31, 2017
Teaching Calculus 