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I am reading about second mean value theorem and have questions about some parts of the proof

Here $f$ is decreasing and positive function on $[a,b]$ and $g$ is integrable on $[a,b]$

$p=\sum_{i=0}^{n-1}\int_{x_i}^{x_{i+1}}[f(x)-f(x_i)]g(x)dx$

Author says because $g$ is bounded $|g(x)|\leq L$

Therefore

$|p|$ $\leq$ $\sum_{i=0}^{n-1}\int_{x_i}^{x_{i+1}}|f(x)-f(x_i)||g(x)|dx$ $\leq$$L\sum_{i=0}^{n-1}w_i(f)\Delta x_i$

where $w_i(f)$ is oscilation of function on $i$-th interval.

Can you in detail explain how last inequality is derived?

unit 1991
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1 Answers1

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Recall the definition of the oscillation of $f$ on an interval and its equivalent form

$$\omega_i(f) := \sup_{t\in [x_i,x_{i+1}]}f(t) - \inf_{t\in [x_i,x_{i+1}]}f(t) = \sup_{s,t\in [x_i,x_{i+1}]}|f(s) - f(t)|,$$

Thus, $|f(x) - f(x_i)| \leqslant \omega_i(f)$ for all $x \in [x_i,x_{i+1}]$, and

$$\int_{x_i}^{x_{i+1}}|f(x)-f(x_i)| \, dx \leqslant \omega_i(f)(x_{i+1}-x_i)= \omega_i(f) \Delta x_i$$

That along with $|g(x)| \leqslant L$ yields your last inequality.

RRL
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  • thank you.If we have that $mf(a) \leq \int_a ^b f(x)g(x)dx \leq Mf(a)$ why from this follows that there exists $c \in [m,M]$ s.t. $I$(integral) = $cf(a)$.I know IVT but can't conclude from that – unit 1991 Feb 12 '22 at 17:31
  • @unit1991: I was addressing your actual question. You are now raising a different question. – RRL Feb 12 '22 at 17:34
  • Sorry I thought answer of second question would be short,and you could answer in the comments – unit 1991 Feb 12 '22 at 17:39
  • @unit1991: OK I see what you mean by the "second mean value theorem ". – RRL Feb 12 '22 at 17:43
  • It should be that if $g$ is integrable and $f$ is decreasing then there exists $c$ such that $\int_a^b f(x) g(x) , dx = f(a)\int_a^c g(x) , dx$. – RRL Feb 12 '22 at 17:45
  • Yes that's second mean value theorem. – unit 1991 Feb 12 '22 at 17:46
  • @unit1991: Here is one way to prove it by converting to a Riemann-Stieltjes integral. I think you also want to do it with Riemann sums. That is shown here. This is also called Bonnet's theorem. – RRL Feb 12 '22 at 17:48
  • Yep @RRL I don't know about RIemann-Stieltijes integral yet. – unit 1991 Feb 12 '22 at 17:51
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    OK look at the second approach. – RRL Feb 12 '22 at 17:51