Photo AI

The functions f and g are defined by $f : x \mapsto 7x - 1, \quad x \in \mathbb{R}$ g : x \mapsto \frac{4}{x - 2}, \quad x \neq 2, \ x \in \mathbb{R}$ (a) Solve the equation fg(x) = x (b) Hence, or otherwise, find the largest value of a such that g(a) = f^{-1}(a) - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 3 - 2016 - Paper 3

Question icon

Question 3

The-functions-f-and-g-are-defined-by--$f-:-x-\mapsto-7x---1,-\quad-x-\in-\mathbb{R}$--g-:-x-\mapsto-\frac{4}{x---2},-\quad-x-\neq-2,-\-x-\in-\mathbb{R}$--(a)-Solve-the-equation-fg(x)-=-x--(b)-Hence,-or-otherwise,-find-the-largest-value-of-a-such-that-g(a)-=-f^{-1}(a)-Edexcel-A-Level Maths Pure-Question 3-2016-Paper 3.png

The functions f and g are defined by $f : x \mapsto 7x - 1, \quad x \in \mathbb{R}$ g : x \mapsto \frac{4}{x - 2}, \quad x \neq 2, \ x \in \mathbb{R}$ (a) Solve t... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The functions f and g are defined by $f : x \mapsto 7x - 1, \quad x \in \mathbb{R}$ g : x \mapsto \frac{4}{x - 2}, \quad x \neq 2, \ x \in \mathbb{R}$ (a) Solve the equation fg(x) = x (b) Hence, or otherwise, find the largest value of a such that g(a) = f^{-1}(a) - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 3 - 2016 - Paper 3

Step 1

Solve the equation fg(x) = x

96%

114 rated

Answer

To solve the equation fg(x)=xfg(x) = x, we first need to find the expression for fg(x)fg(x):

  1. Calculate g(x)g(x):
    [ g(x) = \frac{4}{x - 2} ]

  2. Then, substitute g(x)g(x) into f(x)f(x):
    [ f(g(x)) = f\left(\frac{4}{x - 2}\right) = 7\left(\frac{4}{x - 2}\right) - 1 ] [ = \frac{28}{x - 2} - 1 = \frac{28}{x - 2} - \frac{x - 2}{x - 2} = \frac{28 - (x - 2)}{x - 2} = \frac{30 - x}{x - 2} ]

  3. Set this equal to xx:
    [ \frac{30 - x}{x - 2} = x ]

  4. Cross-multiply to eliminate the fraction:
    [ 30 - x = x(x - 2) ] [ 30 - x = x^2 - 2x ]

  5. Rearranging gives us a quadratic equation:
    [ x^2 - x - 30 = 0 ]

  6. Factor the quadratic:
    [ (x - 6)(x + 5) = 0 ]

  7. Thus, the solutions are:
    [ x = 6 \text{ and } x = -5 ]

Step 2

Hence, or otherwise, find the largest value of a such that g(a) = f^{-1}(a)

99%

104 rated

Answer

To find the largest value of aa such that g(a)=f1(a)g(a) = f^{-1}(a), we first need to determine f1(x)f^{-1}(x):

  1. Start with the function f(x)=7x1f(x) = 7x - 1:
    [ y = 7x - 1 ]

  2. Solve for xx:
    [ x = \frac{y + 1}{7} \to f^{-1}(y) = \frac{y + 1}{7} ]

  3. Now, we set g(a)=f1(a)g(a) = f^{-1}(a):
    [ g(a) = \frac{4}{a - 2} ]
    [ f^{-1}(a) = \frac{a + 1}{7} ]

  4. Equate the two expressions:
    [ \frac{4}{a - 2} = \frac{a + 1}{7} ]

  5. Cross-multiply:
    [ 4 \cdot 7 = (a - 2)(a + 1) ]
    [ 28 = a^2 - a - 2 ]

  6. Rearranging gives us:
    [ a^2 - a - 30 = 0 ]

  7. Factor this quadratic:
    [ (a - 6)(a + 5) = 0 ]

  8. Thus, the possible solutions are:
    [ a = 6 \text{ and } a = -5 ]

Therefore, the largest value of aa such that g(a)=f1(a)g(a) = f^{-1}(a) is [ a = 6 ].

Join the A-Level students using SimpleStudy...

97% of Students

Report Improved Results

98% of Students

Recommend to friends

100,000+

Students Supported

1 Million+

Questions answered

;