This lesson includes 8 additional questions and 9 additional question variations for subscribers.
Lesson Worksheet: Intermediate Value Theorem Mathematics • 12th Grade
In this worksheet, we will practice interpreting the intermediate value theorem and using it to approximate a zero of a function.
Q1:
The function satisfies and . But there is no between and 1 where . Why does this not violate the intermediate value theorem?
- ABecause the function is not defined on the entire interval .
- BBecause the intermediate value theorem only applies on the interval .
- CBecause the intermediate value theorem only applies to cases where , not .
- DBecause the function is not continuous over its domain.
- EBecause the intermediate value theorem only applies to polynomial functions.
Q2:
The figure shows the graph of the function on the interval together with the dashed line .
and , but anywhere on . Why does this not violate the intermediate value theorem?
- Abecause the intermediate value theorem only applies to polynomial functions
- Bbecause the intermediate value theorem only applies to functions with at some value
- Cbecause the intermediate value theorem only applies to cases where not where
- Dbecause the function is not continuous at
- Ebecause the function is not defined on the entire interval
Q3:
The function is defined on the interval and is continuous there. It is known that and , and these are the only values of with . It is also known that . Explain why .
- ABecause should be greater than or equal to
- BBecause if , then would equal 3 at some point between and by the intermediate value theorem
- CBecause is an increasing function
- DBecause and we already know the two values where it is equal to 3
Q4:
The figure shows only a part of the graph of the function , which is defined on all of .
If we say that for every , what can we conclude about ? Why?
- A for and for , because of the way the graph is drawn
- Bthe function is differentiable, because the parts shown look like that
- CNo conclusion is possible with the information given.
- Dthe function is continuous, because the parts shown look like that
- Ethe function is not continuous, because of what the intermediate value theorem states
Q5:
The figure shows only parts of the curve .
We know that the function has the following properties: , is continuous, , and . By considering the difference , what can you conclude about this function?
- AThere must exist a point such that .
- BThe function is zero at some .
- CThe function takes the value 0.4 at some point.
- DThere is no conclusion possible.
- EThe function has an inflection point somewhere.
Q6:
Mia is studying the function . First, she wants to prove that a root exists between 5 and 6. She knows that the function is continuous and has calculated that , to two decimal places, and .
Explain how Miaβs calculations can be used to prove that a root exists between 5 and 6.
- AAs there is a sign change between the values of and , and the function is continuous, there is at least one root between 5 and 6.
- BAs there is a sign change between the values of and , and the function is continuous, there is exactly one root between 5 and 6.
- CAs there is a sign change between the values of and , there is at least one root between 5 and 6 regardless of whether or not the function is continuous.
- DAs the function increases between the values of and , there is exactly one root between 5 and 6 regardless of whether or not the function is continuous.
- EAs the function value decreases between the values of and , and the function is continuous, there is at least one root between 5 and 6.
Mia decides to approximate the root to 1 decimal place using linear interpolation, which uses properties of similar triangles. She draws the following diagram.
Mia uses the diagram to form the equation which she can solve to find a first approximation of the root. Calculate the value of to 3 decimal places.
Mia then uses her first approximation to improve the interval in which the root lies and then repeats the process with this new interval. Continue this process to find the value of the root accurate to 1 decimal place.
Q7:
Consider a polynomial .
Given that and , which of the following conclusions can you draw about the zeros of ?
- A for all , so it cannot be zero there.
- BThere is a zero in the interval .
- CYou cannot draw any conclusion.
- DThere is no zero in the interval .
- E for , so it cannot be zero there.
Given that what can you conclude about the zeros of in the interval ?
- AThere is exactly one zero in this interval.
- BThere is nothing we can conclude.
- CThere is at least one zero in this interval.
- DThere are no zeros in this interval.
- EThere are two zeros in this interval.
Q8:
James is studying the function . First, he wants to prove that a root exists between 6 and 7. He knows that the function is continuous and has calculated that and .
Explain how Jamesβs calculations can be used to prove that a root exists between 6 and 7.
- AAs there is a sign change between the values of and and the function is continuous, there is exactly one root between 6 and 7.
- BAs the function value decreases between the values of and and the function is continuous, there is at least one root between 6 and 7.
- CAs the function decreases between the values of and , there is exactly one root between 6 and 7 regardless of whether or not the function is continuous.
- DAs there is a sign change between the values of and and the function is continuous, there is at least one root between 6 and 7.
- EAs there is a sign change between the values of and , there is at least one root between 6 and 7 regardless of whether or not the function is continuous.
James decides to approximate the root accurate to one decimal place using interval bisection. His method is as follows.
He takes the endpoints of the interval, finds the middle, and then substitutes this value into the function to check its sign. He uses this sign to revise his interval and then repeats the steps with the new interval.
He has so far completed the following table, where and are the endpoints of the interval.
| 6 | 7 | 92 | 6.5 |
Use the information in Jamesβs table to find the next interval that James should consider.
- A
- B
Continue Jamesβs process to find the root accurate to 1 decimal place.