Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2002 / ia / Paper 1 / 11C / Solution

The mean value theorem states that, if $f$ is continuous on $[a,b]$ and differentiable on $(a,b)$, with $a<b$, there is $c\in (a,b)$ such thatTo deduce it from Rolle's theorem, subtract the secant line: $k(t)=f(t)-f(a)-\frac{f(b)-f(a)}{b-a}(t-a)$. This function has the same continuity and differentiability properties and satisfies $k(a)=k(b)=0$. Rolle's theorem gives an interior point with $k^{\prime }(c)=0$, which is precisely the required equality.

If $h^{\prime }=0$ on $\mathbb{R}$, apply the mean value theorem on any $[x,y]$ with $x<y$. It gives $h(y)-h(x)=(y-x)h^{\prime }(c)=0$. Hence $h$ is constant.

For the differential equation, the product rule givesThe preceding result makes this product constant. Thus all solutions are $f(x)=C{e}^{ax}$, and differentiation verifies every such solution.

For the integral assertion, continuity ensures that $f$ is Riemann integrable on every finite closed interval. Use the usual orientation for an integral with negative upper endpoint. For $h\ne 0$, additivity of the integral givesThe absolute value of this expression is at most the supremum of $|f(t)-f(x)|$ on the segment joining $x$ and $x+h$. Continuity at $x$ makes this bound tend to zero for either sign of $h$. Consequently $F^{\prime }(x)=f(x)$, proving this form of the fundamental theorem of calculus.

Finally, a differentiable solution of the integral equation is continuous, so the fundamental theorem of calculus yields $g^{\prime }=g$; setting $x=0$ gives $g(0)=A$. The differential-equation calculation above now forcesConversely, $A+{\int }_0^{x}A{e}^{t}dt=A+A(e^x-1)=A{e}^x$, so this function satisfies the original integral equation. It is unique because every differentiable solution has already been forced to this form and this initial condition.