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12. Find the values of \( p \) and \( q \) if both \( (x-1) \) and \( (x+2) \) are factors of the cubic \( x^{3}+p x^{3}+q x+4 \).

Ask by Warner Summers. in New Zealand
Jan 01,2025

Real Tutor Solution

Tutor-Verified Answer

Answer

\( p = -1 \) and \( q = -4 \).

Solution

Let's consider the cubic polynomial: \[ P(x) = x^3 + p x^2 + q x + 4 \] Given that both \( (x - 1) \) and \( (x + 2) \) are factors of \( P(x) \), it means that \( x = 1 \) and \( x = -2 \) are roots of the polynomial. Therefore, we can set up the following equations by substituting these values into \( P(x) \): 1. **For \( x = 1 \):** \[ 1^3 + p(1)^2 + q(1) + 4 = 0 \\ 1 + p + q + 4 = 0 \\ p + q + 5 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad p + q = -5 \quad \text{(Equation 1)} \] 2. **For \( x = -2 \):** \[ (-2)^3 + p(-2)^2 + q(-2) + 4 = 0 \\ -8 + 4p - 2q + 4 = 0 \\ -4 + 4p - 2q = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad 4p - 2q = 4 \quad \text{(Equation 2)} \] Now, we have a system of two equations: \[ \begin{cases} p + q = -5 \quad \text{(Equation 1)} \\ 4p - 2q = 4 \quad \text{(Equation 2)} \end{cases} \] To solve this system, let's simplify Equation 2 by dividing all terms by 2: \[ 2p - q = 2 \quad \text{(Equation 3)} \] Now, add Equation 1 and Equation 3: \[ \begin{align*} (p + q) + (2p - q) &= -5 + 2 \\ 3p &= -3 \\ p &= -1 \end{align*} \] Substitute \( p = -1 \) into Equation 1: \[ -1 + q = -5 \\ q = -4 \] **Final Answer:** \( p = -1 \) and \( q = -4 \).

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Beyond the Answer

To find the values of \( p \) and \( q \) such that both \( (x-1) \) and \( (x+2) \) are factors of the cubic polynomial \( x^3 + px^2 + qx + 4 \), we can use the Factor Theorem. According to the theorem, if \( (x-a) \) is a factor of a polynomial, then substituting \( x = a \) into the polynomial should yield 0. 1. First, evaluate the polynomial at \( x = 1 \): \[ 1^3 + p(1^2) + q(1) + 4 = 0 \implies 1 + p + q + 4 = 0 \implies p + q + 5 = 0 \quad \text{(Equation 1)} \] 2. Next, evaluate the polynomial at \( x = -2 \): \[ (-2)^3 + p(-2)^2 + q(-2) + 4 = 0 \implies -8 + 4p - 2q + 4 = 0 \implies 4p - 2q - 4 = 0 \quad \text{(Equation 2)} \] Now, we simplify Equation 2: \[ 4p - 2q = 4 \implies 2p - q = 2 \quad \text{(Equation 3)} \] Now, we have a system of equations: **Equation 1:** \( p + q + 5 = 0 \) (So, \( q = -p - 5 \)) **Equation 3:** \( 2p - q = 2 \) Substituting \( q \) from Equation 1 into Equation 3: \[ 2p - (-p - 5) = 2 \quad \implies 2p + p + 5 = 2 \quad \implies 3p + 5 = 2 \quad \implies 3p = -3 \quad \implies p = -1 \] Now substitute \( p \) back into Equation 1 to find \( q \): \[ -1 + q + 5 = 0 \quad \implies q + 4 = 0 \quad \implies q = -4 \] Thus, the values are \( p = -1 \) and \( q = -4 \).

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