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I am trying to solve the following question: $\def\pih{{\frac{\pi}2}}$

Does there exist $\xi \in [\pih,\pi]$ such that $\int_{\frac{\pi}2}^{\pi}\sqrt{1+x^2}\cos{x}dx = -\sqrt{1+\xi^2}$ ? Prove the result and state all theorems used.

While trying to solve this I've immediately figured out that the mean value theorem for integrals should be applied. Knowing the statement of this theorem it can be proved (this was done as a part of the course) that if $f(x)$ is a continuous function, there exists $c\in [a,b]$ such that $\int_a^bf(x)dx = f(c)\cdot(b-a).$ This would imply that there is $ c\in[\pih,\pi]$ such that $\sqrt{1+c^2}\cos(c)\cdot\pih=-\sqrt{1+\xi^2}$. This is basically as far as I'v come to solving this. I can found bounds for $-\sqrt{1+\xi^2}$ from knowing the bounds for $\xi$. Using Desmos I've figured out which point satisfies $c$ but there is no approach that I can think off that definitely proves the required statement. Could someone be able to help?

1 Answers1

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hint

Here, you can use the second mean value theorem for integrals, which states that

If $ f $ is continuous at $ [a,b] $ and $ g $ is integrable at $ [a,b] $ satisfying $$(\forall x\in [a,b]) \;\; g(x)\ge 0 $$

THEN

$$\exists \xi\in [a,b]\;\; : \;\; \int_a^bfg=f(\xi)\int_a^bg$$

In your case $$g(x)=-\cos(x)$$