Solutions — Average Value of a Function (Ex 11J)

Year 12 Mathematical Methods Unit 3 · Cambridge §11J · Mr Wong

ANSWER KEY

Part A — Straight averages

Q1.

a $3$ $\tfrac{1}{3}[\tfrac{x^3}{3}]_0^3$
b $5$ $\tfrac{1}{4}[x^2+x]_0^4 = \tfrac{20}{4}$
c $\dfrac{2}{\pi} \approx 0.637$ $\tfrac{1}{\pi}[-\cos x]_0^{\pi}$
d $e - 1 \approx 1.718$ $[e^x]_0^1$
2 $\bar y = \dfrac{1}{e-1}[\ln x]_1^e = \dfrac{1}{e-1}(1-0) =$ $\dfrac{1}{e-1}$
3 $\bar y = \tfrac{1}{11}\bigl[\tfrac{2}{3}(x-5)^{3/2}\bigr]_{25}^{36} = \tfrac{2}{33}(31\sqrt{31} - 20\sqrt{20})$. Since $20\sqrt{20} = 40\sqrt 5$: $\bar y = \tfrac{2}{33}(31\sqrt{31} - 40\sqrt 5) \approx 5.04$

Part B — Graphical / period arguments

4 Period is exactly $\tfrac{2\pi}{5}$, so over one full period the sine bit averages to zero — only the constant remains. $\bar y = 4$
5 Period of $5\cos(3x) - 2$ is $\tfrac{2\pi}{3}$, exactly the interval. Cosine averages to $0$. $\bar y = -2$

Part C — Application contexts

6 Period of $\sin\!\left(\tfrac{\pi t}{6}\right)$ is $\tfrac{2\pi}{\pi/6} = 12$ — exactly one period. Sine averages to $0$, so $\bar D = 5$ m
7 $\bar T = \tfrac{1}{14}\int_0^{14}\bigl[t\sin(\tfrac{\pi t}{4})+20\bigr]dt$. CAS: $\int_0^{14} t\sin(\tfrac{\pi t}{4})\,dt = -\tfrac{16}{\pi^2}$. So $\bar T = \tfrac{1}{14}\bigl(280 - \tfrac{16}{\pi^2}\bigr) =$ $20 - \tfrac{8}{7\pi^2} \approx 19.88\,°$C
8 $\bar S = \tfrac{1}{8}[0.2t^2+t]_0^8 = \tfrac{20.8}{8} =$ $\$2.60$. $\bar B = \tfrac{1}{8}[-0.1t^3+1.35t^2-0.83t-\cos(2t)]_0^8 = \tfrac{29.56 - \cos 16}{8} \approx$ $\$3.81$. Blue stock averaged higher.

Part D — VCAA-style

9a $\int_1^5 (x+1)\,dx = 16$. $\int_5^8 6\,dx = 18$. $\int_8^{11}(14-x)\,dx = \tfrac{27}{2}$. Total $= \tfrac{95}{2}$. Divide by $10$: $\bar h = \tfrac{19}{4} = 4.75$
9b $h(1) = 2$, $h(11) = 14-11 = 3$. Average rate of change $= \dfrac{3-2}{11-1} =$ $\dfrac{1}{10}$. Different concepts: average value uses the area under the curve; average rate of change only looks at the endpoints.