If y=f(x) is a monotonic function in (a,b), then the area bounded by the ordinates at x=a,x=b,y=f(x)andy=f(c)(where c∈(a,b)) is minimum when c=2a+b.
Proof : A=a∫c(f(c)−f(x))dx+c∫b(f(c))dx
=f(c)(c−a)−a∫c(f(x))dx+a∫b(f(x))dx−f(c)(b−c)
⇒ A=[2c−(a+b)]f(c)+c∫b(f(x))dx−a∫c(f(x))dx
Differentiating w.r.t. c, we get
dcdA=[2c−(a+b)]f′(c)+2f(c)+0−f(c)−(f(c)−0)
For maxima and minima , dcdA=0
⇒ f′(c)[2c−(a+b)]=0(asf′(c)=0)
Hence, c=2a+b
Also for c<2a+b,dcdA<0 and for c>2a+b,dcdA>0
Hence, A is minimum when c=2a+b.
The value of the parameter a for which the area of the figure bounded by the abscissa axis, the graph of the function y=x3+3x2+x+a, and the straight lines, which are parallel to the axis of ordinates and cut the abscissa axis at the point of extremum of the function, which is the least, is
