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CounterexampleConstruction: Literature-sourcedVerification: AI-adaptedprecheck passjudge pass (deepseek-v4-pro + claude-opus-5[1m])audited 2026-08-24
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The circular curve defeats the equality form of the vector-valued mean value theorem

Statement refuted

Refuted claim: if m∈N with m≥1, if a<b are real, and if f:[a,b]→Rm is continuous on [a,b] and differentiable on (a,b), then there is some ξ∈(a,b) such that

f(b)−f(a)=(b−a)f′(ξ).

The claim is false already for m=2. The curve

f:[0,2π]⟶R2,f(t)=(cos⁡t,sin⁡t),

is continuous on its interval and differentiable in its interior, its endpoint increment is zero, and ∥f′(t)∥2=1 for every t∈(0,2π). Hence no ξ∈(0,2π) satisfies the displayed equality.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The curve f(t)=(cos⁡t,sin⁡t) on [0,2π].

[L1]

The functions sin⁡ and cos⁡ are differentiable on R, with (sin⁡t)′=cos⁡t and (cos⁡t)′=−sin⁡t; also sin⁡0=0 and cos⁡0=1 (The derivatives of sine and cosine are cosine and minus sine).

[L2]

Let m∈N with m≥1, let A⊆R, and let c∈A be a limit point of A. A map g:A→Rm is differentiable at c if and only if every component is differentiable there, and its derivative then has the component derivatives as coordinates (The derivative and the Riemann integral of a vector-valued function: an intrinsic derivative and a componentwise integral).

[L3]

Let m∈N with m≥1, let A be a subspace of a metric space, and let g:A→Rm. The map g is continuous at a point of A if and only if every component is continuous there (A vector-valued function has a limit, or is continuous, if and only if each of its components does; with the algebra of continuous vector-valued functions).

[L4]

For a real-valued function on A⊆R, differentiability at a limit point c∈A implies continuity there (A function differentiable at c is continuous at c).

[L5]

For every real t, sin⁡2t+cos⁡2t=1 (Parity and the Pythagorean identity for sine and cosine).

[L7]
[L8]

Counterexample

technique · direct
1.1L1L3L4

By [L1] and [L4], both components of f are continuous on [0,2π], so f is continuous there by [L3].

1.2L1L6algebra

Periodicity and the values at zero give f(2π)=f(0)=(1,0), so f(2π)−f(0)=(0,0).

1.3L1L2

Componentwise differentiation gives f′(t)=(−sin⁡t,cos⁡t) for every t∈(0,2π).

1.4L8algebra

Since π>0, the scalar 2π is nonzero.

2.1step 1.3L5L7algebra

For every t∈(0,2π), ∥f′(t)∥2=sin⁡2t+cos⁡2t=1.

3.1step 1.2step 2.1step 1.4algebra∎

If the refuted equality held at some ξ∈(0,2π), step 1.2 would give (0,0)=2πf′(ξ); step 1.4 would then force f′(ξ)=(0,0), contradicting step 2.1. Thus no such ξ exists.

Remarks

The obstruction is geometric: the curve returns to its initial point while its velocity never vanishes. The scalar mean value theorem is not weakened by this example; the failure is the demand that one point encode a vector increment.

Depends on

Used by

Dependency tree · two levels

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Sources