6. (a) Given that
$$\frac{x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6}{x^2 + x - 6} \equiv x^2 + A + \frac{B}{x - 2}$$
find the values of the constants A and B - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 8 - 2016 - Paper 3
Question 8
6.
(a) Given that
$$\frac{x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6}{x^2 + x - 6} \equiv x^2 + A + \frac{B}{x - 2}$$
find the values of the constants A and B.
(b) Hence or o... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:6. (a) Given that
$$\frac{x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6}{x^2 + x - 6} \equiv x^2 + A + \frac{B}{x - 2}$$
find the values of the constants A and B - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 8 - 2016 - Paper 3
Step 1
Given that $$\frac{x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6}{x^2 + x - 6} \equiv x^2 + A + \frac{B}{x - 2}$$, find the values of the constants A and B.
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Answer
To find the constants A and B, we first need to perform polynomial long division of the numerator by the denominator:
Polynomial Long Division:
Divide x4+x3−3x2+7x−6 by x2+x−6.
This will yield a quotient and a remainder.
We start by dividing the leading term:
The leading term x4 divided by the leading term x2 gives us x2.
This makes the first part of the quotient.
Multiply and Subtract:
Multiply x2 by x2+x−6, which results in: x4+x3−6x2.
Now subtract this from the original polynomial:
(x4+x3−3x2+7x−6)−(x4+x3−6x2)=3x2+7x−6.
Repeat the Process:
Next, divide 3x2+7x−6 by x2+x−6.
The leading term 3x2 divided by x2 gives us 3.
Final Remainder:
Multiplying 3 by x2+x−6 gives us 3x2+3x−18.
Subtract this from 3x2+7x−6: (3x2+7x−6)−(3x2+3x−18)=4x+12.
Setting Up the Equation:
With the polynomial division complete, we have:
x2+x−6x4+x3−3x2+7x−6=x2+3+x2+x−64x+12.
Compare this with the provided equation: x2+A+x−2B.
Identifying Constants:
From the equation, we can infer by identifying that:
A=3
The remainder x2+x−64x+12 indicates we need to rearrange to obtain a remainder of the form x−2B.
Factor the denominator: x2+x−6=(x−2)(x+3).
Finding B:
Now, express 4x+12 in terms of the factors of the denominator and find the value of B. Solving gives us:
B=18.
Therefore, the constants are:
A=3
B=18.
Step 2
Hence or otherwise, using calculus, find an equation of the normal to the curve with equation y = f(x) at the point where x = 3.
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Answer
To find the equation of the normal at the point where x=3, we follow these steps:
Find f(3):
Substitute x=3 into the original function f(x) to determine the corresponding y-value:
f(3)=32+3−634+33−3(32)+7(3)−6.
Calculate:
=9+3−681+27−27+21−6=696=16.
Thus, the point is (3,16).
Calculate f'(x):
Differentiate f(x) using the quotient rule:
f′(x)=(h(x))2(g(x)h′(x)−h(x)g′(x)),
where g(x)=x4+x3−3x2+7x−6 and h(x)=x2+x−6.
Find f′(3):
After calculating, we obtain:
f′(3)=2.
Find the Slope of the Normal Line:
The slope of the normal line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the tangent:
m=−f′(3)1=−21.
Equation of the Normal:
Use the point-slope form of the line equation:
y−y1=m(x−x1), where (x1,y1)=(3,16):