The graph of $f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx - 5$ is drawn below - NSC Mathematics - Question 9 - 2024 - Paper 1
Question 9
The graph of $f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx - 5$ is drawn below. E(-1 ; 0) and G(5 ; 0) are the x-intercepts of $f$.
9.1 Show that $a = 1$, $b = -3$ and $c = -9$.
9.2 Ca... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The graph of $f(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx - 5$ is drawn below - NSC Mathematics - Question 9 - 2024 - Paper 1
Step 1
Show that $a = 1$, $b = -3$ and $c = -9$
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Answer
To find the values of a, b, and c, we substitute the x-intercept values from points E and G into the function:
At x=−1, f(−1)=0:
f(−1)=a(−1)3+b(−1)2+c(−1)−5=−a+b−c−5=0
Rearranging gives:
ightarrow b - c - a = 5 ag{1}$$
At x=5, f(5)=0:
f(5)=a(5)3+b(5)2+c(5)−5=125a+25b+5c−5=0
Rearranging gives:
125a+25b+5c=5ag2
Substituting a=1 into equations (1) and (2):
From (1):
ightarrow b - c = 6 ag{3}$$
From (2):
ightarrow 25b + 5c = -120$$
Dividing throughout by 5 gives:
$$5b + c = -24 ag{4}$$
Now, solving equations (3) and (4) together gives:
Substituting (3) into (4), we find:
$$5b + (b - 6) = -24$$
$$6b - 6 = -24
ightarrow 6b = -18
ightarrow b = -3$$
Now substituting back to find $c$:
$$b - c = 6
ightarrow -3 - c = 6
ightarrow c = -9$$
Hence, $a = 1$, $b = -3$, and $c = -9$.
Step 2
Calculate the value of $x$ for which $f$ has a local minimum value.
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Answer
To find the x-values for local minimum, we need to compute the first derivative and set it to zero:
The first derivative of f(x) is:
f′(x)=3ax2+2bx+c
With a=1, b=−3, and c=−9, the derivative becomes:
f′(x)=3x2−6x−9
Setting f′(x)=0 gives:
ightarrow x^2 - 2x - 3 = 04.Factoring:(x - 3)(x + 1) = 0 So, $x = 3$ or $x = -1$
5. To determine if these points correspond to a minimum, we compute the second derivative:
f''(x) = 6x - 6$$
Evaluating at x=3:
ightarrow ext{Local minimum at } x = 3.$$
At $x = -1$:
$$f''(-1) = 6(-1) - 6 = -12 < 0
ightarrow ext{Local maximum at } x = -1.$$
Step 3
Use the graph to determine the values of $x$ for which $f''(x) > 0$.
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Answer
From the second derivative:
f′′(x)=6x−6
We set this greater than zero:
ightarrow x > 1$$
Hence, $f''(x) > 0$ for $x > 1$. This indicates that the function is concave up in that interval.
Step 4
For which values of $x$ will the graph of $p(x) = f(x) + t$ have two distinct positive roots and one negative root?
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For the cubic p(x)=f(x)+t to have two distinct positive roots and one negative root, the following conditions must be fulfilled:
t must be adjusted so that the function cuts the x-axis three times.
Since f(−1)=0 and f(5)=0, we need to ensure that p(t) shifts the graph up or down in most scenarios by less than 32 units, as indicated by the preceding behavior of the function, to achieve the desired root patterns.