Given that x2+2x−3x^2 + 2x - 3 is a factor of f(x)\text{f}(x), where f(x)=x4+4x3+2x2+ax−b\text{f}(x) = x^4 + 4x^3 + 2x^2 + ax - b.

  1. (a)

    Find the values of aa and bb.

  2. (b)

    Hence, find the other quadratic factor of f(x)\text{f}(x).

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Worked solution

1(a)

1. Factorise the given quadratic factor to find the linear factors.

Let g(x)=x2+2x−3g(x) = x^2 + 2x - 3.
g(x)=(x−1)(x+3)g(x) = (x - 1)(x + 3)
Since g(x)g(x) is a factor of f(x)\text{f}(x), both (x−1)(x - 1) and (x+3)(x + 3) are factors of f(x)\text{f}(x).

2. Apply the Factor Theorem for the first linear factor.

By the Factor Theorem, f(1)=0\text{f}(1) = 0.
(1)4+4(1)3+2(1)2+a(1)−b=0(1)^4 + 4(1)^3 + 2(1)^2 + a(1) - b = 0
1+4+2+a−b=01 + 4 + 2 + a - b = 0
a−b=−7— (1)a - b = -7 \quad \text{--- (1)}

3. Apply the Factor Theorem for the second linear factor.

By the Factor Theorem, f(−3)=0\text{f}(-3) = 0.
(−3)4+4(−3)3+2(−3)2+a(−3)−b=0(-3)^4 + 4(-3)^3 + 2(-3)^2 + a(-3) - b = 0
81−108+18−3a−b=081 - 108 + 18 - 3a - b = 0
−9−3a−b=0-9 - 3a - b = 0
3a+b=−9— (2)3a + b = -9 \quad \text{--- (2)}

4. Solve the simultaneous equations to find $a$ and $b$.

Adding equation (1) and equation (2):
(a−b)+(3a+b)=−7+(−9)(a - b) + (3a + b) = -7 + (-9)
4a=−164a = -16
a=−4a = -4

Substitute a=−4a = -4 into equation (1):
−4−b=−7-4 - b = -7
b=3b = 3

Answer

a=−4a = -4, b=3b = 3

1(b)

1. Set up an identity to find the other quadratic factor using the values of $a$ and $b$ from part (a)

From part (a), a=−4a = -4 and b=3b = 3, so f(x)=x4+4x3+2x2−4x−3\text{f}(x) = x^4 + 4x^3 + 2x^2 - 4x - 3.
Let the other quadratic factor be x2+px+qx^2 + px + q.
x4+4x3+2x2−4x−3=(x2+2x−3)(x2+px+q)x^4 + 4x^3 + 2x^2 - 4x - 3 = (x^2 + 2x - 3)(x^2 + px + q)

2. Compare coefficients to find $p$ and $q$

Comparing the constant terms:
−3q=−3  ⟹  q=1-3q = -3 \implies q = 1
Comparing the coefficients of x3x^3:
p+2=4  ⟹  p=2p + 2 = 4 \implies p = 2
Thus, the other quadratic factor is x2+2x+1x^2 + 2x + 1.

Answer

x2+2x+1x^2 + 2x + 1

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