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The function f is defined by $$f(x) = \frac{e^{3x}}{4x^2 + k}$$ where k is a positive constant - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 2

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The function f is defined by $$f(x) = \frac{e^{3x}}{4x^2 + k}$$ where k is a positive constant. (a) Show that $$f'(x) = (12x^2 - 8x + 3k)g(x)$$ where g(x) is a ... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:The function f is defined by $$f(x) = \frac{e^{3x}}{4x^2 + k}$$ where k is a positive constant - Edexcel - A-Level Maths Pure - Question 13 - 2022 - Paper 2

Step 1

Show that $f'(x) = (12x^2 - 8x + 3k)g(x)$

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Answer

To find the derivative of the function, we apply the quotient rule:

f(x)=(4x2+k)(3e3x)e3x(8x)(4x2+k)2f'(x) = \frac{(4x^2 + k)(3e^{3x}) - e^{3x}(8x)}{(4x^2 + k)^2}

This simplifies to:

f(x)=3e3x(4x2+k)8xe3x(4x2+k)2f'(x) = \frac{3e^{3x}(4x^2 + k) - 8xe^{3x}}{(4x^2 + k)^2}

Factoring out e3xe^{3x}:

f(x)=e3x(12x28x+3k)(4x2+k)2f'(x) = e^{3x} \frac{(12x^2 - 8x + 3k)}{(4x^2 + k)^2}

Letting g(x)=e3x(4x2+k)2g(x) = \frac{e^{3x}}{(4x^2 + k)^2}, we demonstrate that:

f(x)=(12x28x+3k)g(x)f'(x) = (12x^2 - 8x + 3k)g(x).

Step 2

Given that $y = f(x)$ has at least one stationary point, find the range of possible values of k

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Answer

A stationary point occurs where the derivative is zero:

12x28x+3k=012x^2 - 8x + 3k = 0

This is a quadratic equation of the form ax2+bx+c=0ax^2 + bx + c = 0, and has at least one solution when the discriminant is non-negative:

D=b24ac=(8)24(12)(3k)=64144kD = b^2 - 4ac = (-8)^2 - 4(12)(3k) = 64 - 144k

Setting the discriminant greater than or equal to zero for real roots:

64144k0k64144=4964 - 144k \geq 0 \Rightarrow k \leq \frac{64}{144} = \frac{4}{9}

Since k is a positive constant:

0<k49.0 < k \leq \frac{4}{9}.

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