The polynomial f(x)f(x) is such that f(x)=6x3+ax2−50x+bf(x)=6x^3+ax^2-50x+b, where aa and bb are integers. It is given that f(x)f(x) is divisible by 2x−32x-3 and that f′(1)=6f'(1)=6.

  1. ((a))

    Find the values of aa and bb.

  2. ((b))

    Using your values of aa and bb, solve the equation f(x)=0f(x)=0.

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Worked solution

7((a))

1. Find the derivative of $f(x)$.

f(x)=6x3+ax2−50x+bf(x) = 6x^3 + ax^2 - 50x + b
f′(x)=18x2+2ax−50f'(x) = 18x^2 + 2ax - 50

2. Use the given condition $f'(1) = 6$ to find $a$.

f′(1)=18(1)2+2a(1)−50=6f'(1) = 18(1)^2 + 2a(1) - 50 = 6
18+2a−50=618 + 2a - 50 = 6
2a−32=62a - 32 = 6
2a=382a = 38
a=19a = 19

3. Apply the factor theorem to set up an equation for $b$.

Since f(x)f(x) is divisible by 2x−32x - 3, by the factor theorem, f(32)=0f\left(\frac{3}{2}\right) = 0.
6(32)3+a(32)2−50(32)+b=06\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^3 + a\left(\frac{3}{2}\right)^2 - 50\left(\frac{3}{2}\right) + b = 0

4. Substitute $a = 19$ and solve for $b$.

6(278)+19(94)−75+b=06\left(\frac{27}{8}\right) + 19\left(\frac{9}{4}\right) - 75 + b = 0
814+1714−75+b=0\frac{81}{4} + \frac{171}{4} - 75 + b = 0
2524−75+b=0\frac{252}{4} - 75 + b = 0
63−75+b=063 - 75 + b = 0
−12+b=0-12 + b = 0
b=12b = 12

Answer

a=19a = 19, b=12b = 12

7((b))

1. Substitute the values of $a$ and $b$ from part (a) and factorise $f(x)$ using the given linear factor

From part (a), a=19a = 19 and b=12b = 12.
f(x)=6x3+19x2−50x+12f(x) = 6x^3 + 19x^2 - 50x + 12
Since 2x−32x - 3 is a factor, we can write:
6x3+19x2−50x+12=(2x−3)(3x2+cx−4)6x^3 + 19x^2 - 50x + 12 = (2x - 3)(3x^2 + cx - 4)
Comparing the coefficients of x2x^2:
−9+2c=19-9 + 2c = 19
2c=28  ⟹  c=142c = 28 \implies c = 14
So, f(x)=(2x−3)(3x2+14x−4)f(x) = (2x - 3)(3x^2 + 14x - 4)

2. Solve the quadratic factor equal to zero

For f(x)=0f(x) = 0, either 2x−3=02x - 3 = 0 or 3x2+14x−4=03x^2 + 14x - 4 = 0.
2x−3=0  ⟹  x=1.52x - 3 = 0 \implies x = 1.5
For 3x2+14x−4=03x^2 + 14x - 4 = 0, using the quadratic formula:
x=−14±142−4(3)(−4)2(3)x = \frac{-14 \pm \sqrt{14^2 - 4(3)(-4)}}{2(3)}
x=−14±196+486x = \frac{-14 \pm \sqrt{196 + 48}}{6}
x=−14±2446x = \frac{-14 \pm \sqrt{244}}{6}

3. Evaluate the roots to 3 significant figures

x=−14+2446≈0.27008≈0.270x = \frac{-14 + \sqrt{244}}{6} \approx 0.27008 \approx 0.270
x=−14−2446≈−4.9367≈−4.94x = \frac{-14 - \sqrt{244}}{6} \approx -4.9367 \approx -4.94
The solutions are x=1.5x = 1.5, x=0.270x = 0.270, and x=−4.94x = -4.94.

Answer

x=1.5x = 1.5, x=0.270x = 0.270, or x=−4.94x = -4.94

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