At what points on the following curves, is the tangent parallel to x-axis?
(i) $y=x^{2}$ on $[-2,2]$
(ii) $y=e^{1-x^{2}}$ on $[-1,1]$
(iii) $y=12(x+1)(x-2)$ on $[-1,2]$.
(i) Let $f(x)=x^{2}$
Since $f(x)$ is a polynomial function, it is continuous on $[-2,2]$ and differentiable on $(-2,2)$.
Also, $f(2)=f(-2)=4$
Thus, all the conditions of Rolle's theorem are satisfied.
Consequently, there exists at least one point $c \in(-2,2)$ for which $f^{\prime}(c)=0$.
But $f^{\prime}(c)=0 \Rightarrow 2 c=0 \Rightarrow c=0$
$\therefore f(c)=f(0)=0$
By the geometrical interpretation of Rolle's theorem, $(0,0)$ is the point on $y=x^{2}$, where the tangent is parallel to the $x$-axis.
(ii) Let $f(x)=e^{1-x^{2}}$
Since $f(x)$ is an exponential function, which is continuous and derivable on its domain, $f(x)$ is continuous on $[-1,1]$ and differentiable on $(-1,1)$.
Also, $f(1)=f(-1)=1$
Thus, all the conditions of Rolle's theorem are satisfied.
Consequently, there exists at least one point $c \in(-1,1)$ for which $f^{\prime}(c)=0$.
But $f^{\prime}(c)=0 \Rightarrow-2 c e^{1-c^{2}}=0 \Rightarrow c=0 \quad\left(\because e^{1-c^{2}} \neq 0\right)$
$\therefore f(c)=f(0)=e$
By the geometrical interpretation of Rolle's theorem, $(0, e)$ is the point on $y=e^{1-x^{2}}$ where the tangent is parallel to the $x$-axis.
(iii) Let $f(x)=12(x+1)(x-2)$ ......(1)
$\Rightarrow f(x)=12\left(x^{2}-x-2\right)$
$\Rightarrow f(x)=12 x^{2}-12 x-24$
Since $f(x)$ is a polynomial function, $f(x)$ is continuous on $[-1,2]$ and differentiable on $(-1,2)$.
Also, $f(2)=f(-1)=0$
Thus, all the conditions of Rolle's theorem are satisfied.
Consequently, there exists at least one point $c \in(-1,2)$ for which $f^{\prime}(c)=0$.
But $f^{\prime}(c)=0 \Rightarrow 24 c-12=0 \Rightarrow c=\frac{1}{2}$
$\therefore f(c)=f\left(\frac{1}{2}\right)=-12\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)=-27 \quad($ using $(1))$
By the geometrical interpretation of Rolle's theorem, $\left(\frac{1}{2},-27\right)$ is the point on $y=12(x+1)(x-2)$ where the tangent is parallel to the $x$-axis.