Exercise 1557Calculus › Single-variable calculus › Differentiation › Taylor expansionsM1Added 3 Nov 2026
Bounding f′ by f and f″ (Landau's inequality)
#Taylor-Lagrange#inequalities#optimisation of a parameter
Statement
Let be twice differentiable, with and on . Prove that
Hint
Write Taylor–Lagrange at order for and , subtract, and then choose optimally.
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Solution
Taylor–Lagrange. For there exist and with
Subtracting.
Using the bounds, , that is
Optimising. The right side is minimal at , where it equals . (If , let : .)
Check. For : and the bound is ✓.
Remark. A function cannot be both small and have a small second derivative while having a large first derivative: this is a quantitative version of "a smooth bounded function cannot oscillate quickly with large amplitude". The sharp constant is .