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Mathematics LibreTexts

7.2: Proof of the Intermediate Value Theorem

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Learning Objectives
  • Proof of Intermediate value theorem

We now have all of the tools to prove the Intermediate Value Theorem (IVT).

Theorem 7.2.1: Intermediate Value Theorem

Suppose f(x) is continuous on [a,b] and v is any real number between f(a) and f(b). Then there exists a real number c[a,b] such that f(c)=v.

Sketch of Proof

We have two cases to consider: f(a)vf(b) and f(a)vf(b).

We will look at the case f(a)vf(b). Let x1=a and y1=b, so we have x1y1 and f(x1)vf(y1). Let m1 be the midpoint of [x1,y1] and notice that we have either f(m1)v or f(m1)v. If f(m1)v, then we relabel x2=m1 and y2=y1. If f(m1)v, then we relabel x2=x1 and y2=m1. In either case, we end up with x1x2y2y1,y2x2=12(y1x1), f(x1)vf(y1), and f(x2)vf(y2).

Now play the same game with the interval [x2,y2]. If we keep playing this game, we will generate two sequences (xn) and (yn), satisfying all of the conditions of the nested interval property. These sequences will also satisfy the following extra property: n,f(xn)vf(yn). By the NIP, there exists a c such that xncyn,n. This should be the c that we seek though this is not obvious. Specifically, we need to show that f(c)=v. This should be where the continuity of f at c and the extra property on (xn)and (yn) come into play.

Exercise 7.2.1

Turn the ideas of the previous paragraphs into a formal proof of the IVT for the case f(a)vf(b).

Exercise 7.2.2

We can modify the proof of the case f(a)vf(b) into a proof of the IVT for the case f(a)vf(b). However, there is a sneakier way to prove this case by applying the IVT to the function f. Do this to prove the IVT for the case f(a)vf(b).

Exercise 7.2.3

Use the IVT to prove that any polynomial of odd degree must have a real root.


This page titled 7.2: Proof of the Intermediate Value Theorem is shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Eugene Boman and Robert Rogers (OpenSUNY) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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