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4x² + 8x + 3 ≡ a(x + b)² + c (a) Find the values of the constants a, b and c - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 2 - 2013 - Paper 3

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4x²-+-8x-+-3-≡-a(x-+-b)²-+-c--(a)-Find-the-values-of-the-constants-a,-b-and-c-Edexcel-A-Level Maths Pure-Question 2-2013-Paper 3.png

4x² + 8x + 3 ≡ a(x + b)² + c (a) Find the values of the constants a, b and c. (b) On the axes on page 27, sketch the curve with equation y = 4x² + 8x + 3, showing ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:4x² + 8x + 3 ≡ a(x + b)² + c (a) Find the values of the constants a, b and c - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 2 - 2013 - Paper 3

Step 1

Find the values of the constants a, b and c.

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Answer

To find the constants a, b, and c in the equation given, we first need to observe the quadratic expression:

4x2+8x+34x^2 + 8x + 3.

  1. Identify a: The coefficient of x2x^2 is 4, so we have: a=4a = 4.

  2. Complete the square:

    The expression 4x2+8x4x^2 + 8x can be rewritten using the completing square method:

    4(x2+2x)4(x^2 + 2x) can be rewritten as:

    4((x+1)21)=4(x+1)244((x + 1)^2 - 1) = 4(x + 1)^2 - 4

    Adding 3 gives: 4(x+1)24+3=4(x+1)21.4(x + 1)^2 - 4 + 3 = 4(x + 1)^2 - 1.

    Hence, the expression becomes: 4(x+1)21.4(x + 1)^2 - 1.

    We can now clearly see that:

    • b is 1 (from (x+1)(x + 1))
    • c is -1.

Thus, the values are:

  • a=4a = 4
  • b=1b = 1
  • c=1c = -1.

Step 2

On the axes on page 27, sketch the curve with equation y = 4x² + 8x + 3, showing clearly the coordinates of any points where the curve crosses the coordinate axes.

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Answer

To sketch the curve defined by the equation y=4x2+8x+3y = 4x^2 + 8x + 3, follow these steps:

  1. Find the x-intercepts: Set y=0y = 0:

    4x2+8x+3=0.4x^2 + 8x + 3 = 0.

    Using the quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2ax = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}
    where a=4a = 4, b=8b = 8, c=3c = 3:

    x=8±8244324=8±64488=8±168=8±48.x = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{8^2 - 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 3}}{2 \cdot 4} = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{64 - 48}}{8} = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{16}}{8} = \frac{-8 \pm 4}{8}.

    This gives two roots:

    • x=12x = -\frac{1}{2}
    • x=2x = -2.
  2. Find the y-intercept: Set x=0x = 0:

    y=4(0)2+8(0)+3=3.y = 4(0)^2 + 8(0) + 3 = 3. So the curve crosses the y-axis at (0, 3).

  3. Sketch the curve: The curve will:

    • Open upwards (since a>0a > 0)
    • Cross the y-axis at (0, 3)
    • Cross the x-axis at points (-2, 0) and (-0.5, 0).

Make sure to label the intercepts on the sketch to clearly show the coordinates.

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