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Balzano's Theorem

A particular case of the intermediate value theorem is Bolzano's theorem. This theorem proposes that if a function is continuous on a closed interval, and and have opposite sign then there is at least one value of x for which . Usually, that value of x is denoted with "c" in many textbooks.

Bolzano's theorem does not indicate the value or values of c, it only confirms their existence. Let's prove this theorem.

Bolzano's Theorem Proof

Imagine a continuous function where point a is the minimum point and point b is the maximum point, and . Now we will divide the interval into two equal parts and call the mid point c, therefore, there will be two intervals, . There are three possibilities in this scenario and they are:

If the first condition occurs then you already proved this theorem's existence. On the other hand, the last two possibilities have some contradictions. Let's say that , since , we will consider the interval. If then we will consider the interval where . In both conditions, there is one term a negative entity while the other term is a positive entity.

Now we will select a sub-interval such that at its negative end points and at its positive end points. We will denote this sub-interval by where .

The next step is to bisect the close intervals into two equal parts as shown above. This can either result in or new sub-interval which we will name . Where , now we will again bisect the sub-interval.

Since, , therefore:

This is following a sequence which is . This process can go till infinity. Thus we get a sequence of nested intervals.

Example

Verify that the equation has at least one real solution in the interval .

We consider the function , which is continuous on because it is polynomial. We study the sign in the extremes of the interval:

First, consider the function , which is continuous in because it is polynomial. Then, study the sign in the extremes of the interval:

As the signs are different, Bolzano's theorem can be applied which determines that there is a such that . This process demonstrates that there is a solution in this interval.

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Emma

Emma

I am passionate about travelling and currently live and work in Paris. I like to spend my time reading, gardening, running, learning languages and exploring new places.