Edexcel C12 2016 June — Question 7

Exam BoardEdexcel
ModuleC12 (Core Mathematics 1 & 2)
Year2016
SessionJune
TopicFactor & Remainder Theorem
TypeTwo unknowns with show-that step

7. $$f ( x ) = 3 x ^ { 3 } + a x ^ { 2 } + b x - 10 \text {, where } a \text { and } b \text { are constants. }$$ Given that \(( x - 2 )\) is a factor of \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\),
  1. use the factor theorem to show that \(2 a + b = - 7\) Given also that when \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) is divided by \(( x + 1 )\) the remainder is - 36
  2. find the value of \(a\) and the value of \(b\).
    \(\mathrm { f } ( x )\) can be written in the form $$\mathrm { f } ( x ) = ( x - 2 ) \mathrm { Q } ( x ) \text {, where } \mathrm { Q } ( x ) \text { is a quadratic function. }$$
    1. Find \(\mathrm { Q } ( x )\).
    2. Prove that the equation \(\mathrm { f } ( x ) = 0\) has only one real root. You must justify your answer and show all your working.