SetIts endpoint values are equal. Rolle theorem therefore supplies withIf , then (1) and force , contrary to the hypothesis. Hence , and division in (1) gives
The condition is necessary. On , letHere while , so the endpoint ratio is zero. ButWhere , their ratio is and is never zero. At the remaining points both derivatives vanish, so the derivative ratio is undefined. Thus the conclusion fails when simultaneous zeros are allowed.
Solved by gpt-5.6-sol high.
Codex Wiki