5

By MVT, $$\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}=f'(c)$$ $$\frac{g(b)-g(a)}{b-a}=g'(c)$$ so, $$\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{g(b)-g(a)} = \frac{\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a} }{\frac{g(b)-g(a)}{b-a}}=\frac{f'(c)}{g'(c)}$$

I think it is not a valid proof but I am having a discussion with a classmate and I am not sure anymore...

MathIsHard
  • 2,833
  • 6
    It is not valid. What you can say is $\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}=f'(c)$ and $\frac{g(b)-g(a)}{b-a}=g'(d).$ But you have to prove that $c=d.$ – mfl Dec 13 '16 at 21:42
  • That is what I was thinking as well. Thank you! – MathIsHard Dec 13 '16 at 21:45
  • 2
    To convince your classmate consider $f(x)=x^2$ and $g(x)=x^3$ on $[0,1].$ Note that $c=1/2\ne d=1/\sqrt{3}.$ – mfl Dec 13 '16 at 21:47
  • 1
    Just linking this so it is easeir to find, took me some time .https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/114694/proving-cauchys-generalized-mean-value-theorem?noredirect=1&lq=1 – Milan May 23 '19 at 16:16

0 Answers0