Worked solution
Use a cosine amplitude bound that works for every phase and frequency
Sketch with all turning points, axial intercepts and asymptotes. Hence state the values of a for which , x≠1, has no real solution for all b,c. marks
[2010/RI(JC)/Promo/3]
CJC · Review problems · Question 4
Answer
Exact amplitude range ; source rounded bounds approximately −0.899<a<0.899.
Divide and find the graph features
, with asymptotes x=1 and y=2 x+2. There is no x-intercept since 2 x²+1>0; the y-intercept is (0,−1). The turns are , maximum≈(−0.225,−0.899), and , minimum≈(2.22,8.90), retaining the source labels.
Compare with a bounded cosine
Dividing the equation by x−1 gives . The source instructs sketching the cosine on the rational graph. For any b,c, its outputs lie in[−|a|,|a|]. The rational curve has outputs y≤4−2√6 or y≥4+2√6. Thus the symmetric cosine band avoids it if .
Keep the exact strict boundary
The exact range is . The source writes −0.899<a<0.899 using the rounded maximum magnitude; these are approximate boundary labels, not exact endpoints. At |a|=2√6−4 one can choose a phase giving the rational curve’s maximum; for larger |a|one can also choose b=0 and a phase attaining an available negative output. Therefore the strict bound is necessary for the guarantee for all b,c.
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Common mistakes
Keep the exact endpoints when stating a strict parameter range; rounding can admit forbidden values.
Solution notes
The source decimal endpoints are rounded versions of the exact strict bounds.
The cosine plotted is only an illustration; the amplitude argument covers every b,c.