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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

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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.png

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:

  1. Polynomial Long Division:
    Divide x4+x33x2+7x6x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6 by x2+x6x^2 + x - 6.
    This will yield a quotient and a remainder.

    We start by dividing the leading term:

    • The leading term x4x^4 divided by the leading term x2x^2 gives us x2x^2.
      This makes the first part of the quotient.
  2. Multiply and Subtract:
    Multiply x2x^2 by x2+x6x^2 + x - 6, which results in:
    x4+x36x2x^4 + x^3 - 6x^2.
    Now subtract this from the original polynomial: (x4+x33x2+7x6)(x4+x36x2)=3x2+7x6\left( x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6 \right) - \left( x^4 + x^3 - 6x^2 \right) = 3x^2 + 7x - 6.

  3. Repeat the Process:
    Next, divide 3x2+7x63x^2 + 7x - 6 by x2+x6x^2 + x - 6.
    The leading term 3x23x^2 divided by x2x^2 gives us 33.

  4. Final Remainder:
    Multiplying 33 by x2+x6x^2 + x - 6 gives us 3x2+3x183x^2 + 3x - 18.
    Subtract this from 3x2+7x63x^2 + 7x - 6:
    (3x2+7x6)(3x2+3x18)=4x+12\left( 3x^2 + 7x - 6 \right) - \left( 3x^2 + 3x - 18 \right) = 4x + 12.

  5. Setting Up the Equation:
    With the polynomial division complete, we have: x4+x33x2+7x6x2+x6=x2+3+4x+12x2+x6\frac{x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6}{x^2 + x - 6} = x^2 + 3 + \frac{4x + 12}{x^2 + x - 6}.
    Compare this with the provided equation:
    x2+A+Bx2x^2 + A + \frac{B}{x - 2}.

  6. Identifying Constants:
    From the equation, we can infer by identifying that:

    • A=3A = 3
    • The remainder 4x+12x2+x6\frac{4x + 12}{x^2 + x - 6} indicates we need to rearrange to obtain a remainder of the form Bx2\frac{B}{x - 2}.
      Factor the denominator:
      x2+x6=(x2)(x+3)x^2 + x - 6 = (x - 2)(x + 3).
  7. Finding B:
    Now, express 4x+124x + 12 in terms of the factors of the denominator and find the value of B. Solving gives us: B=18B = 18.

    Therefore, the constants are:

    • A=3A = 3
    • B=18B = 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=3x = 3, we follow these steps:

  1. Find f(3):
    Substitute x=3x = 3 into the original function f(x)f(x) to determine the corresponding y-value: f(3)=34+333(32)+7(3)632+36f(3) = \frac{3^4 + 3^3 - 3(3^2) + 7(3) - 6}{3^2 + 3 - 6}.
    Calculate:

    =81+2727+2169+36=966=16= \frac{81 + 27 - 27 + 21 - 6}{9 + 3 - 6} = \frac{96}{6} = 16. Thus, the point is (3,16)(3, 16).

  2. Calculate f'(x):
    Differentiate f(x)f(x) using the quotient rule:

    f(x)=(g(x)h(x)h(x)g(x))(h(x))2f'(x) = \frac{(g(x)h'(x) - h(x)g'(x))}{(h(x))^2},
    where g(x)=x4+x33x2+7x6g(x) = x^4 + x^3 - 3x^2 + 7x - 6 and h(x)=x2+x6h(x) = x^2 + x - 6.
    Find f(3)f'(3):

    After calculating, we obtain: f(3)=2f'(3) = 2.

  3. Find the Slope of the Normal Line:
    The slope of the normal line is the negative reciprocal of the slope of the tangent: m=1f(3)=12m = -\frac{1}{f'(3)} = -\frac{1}{2}.

  4. Equation of the Normal:
    Use the point-slope form of the line equation: yy1=m(xx1)y - y_1 = m(x - x_1), where (x1,y1)=(3,16)(x_1, y_1) = (3, 16):

    y16=12(x3)y - 16 = -\frac{1}{2}(x - 3).
    Rearranging gives:

    y=12x+32+16y = -\frac{1}{2}x + \frac{3}{2} + 16
    =12x+352= -\frac{1}{2}x + \frac{35}{2}.

  5. Final Answer:
    The equation of the normal line is:

    y=12x+352y = -\frac{1}{2}x + \frac{35}{2}.

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