Porisma

Worked solution

Use a remainder and a stationary point as constraints

A cubic polynomial p(x)p(x) leaves a remainder of 52 when divided by x−2x-2. Given that the curve with equation y=p(x)y=p(x) passes through the point (1.5,32.375)(1.5,32.375) and has a stationary point at (−1,−2)(-1,-2), find p(x)p(x). marks

[2018/EJC/Promo/2]

CJC · Review Problems · Question 8

Answer

p(x)=x3+6x2+9x+2p(x)=x^3+6x^2+9x+2.

Four independent conditions

Let p(x)=ax3+bx2+cx+dp(x)=ax^3+bx^2+cx+d. The remainder theorem gives p(2)=52p(2)=52, so 8a+4b+2c+d=528a+4b+2c+d=52. The given point gives 3.375a+2.25b+1.5c+d=32.3753.375a+2.25b+1.5c+d=32.375. The stationary point supplies both −a+b−c+d=−2-a+b-c+d=-2 and p′(−1)=3a−2b+c=0p^\prime(-1)=3a-2b+c=0.

How did this part go?

Solve and check the remainder label

The source GC solution is a=1,b=6,c=9,d=2a=1,b=6,c=9,d=2, hence p(x)=x3+6x2+9x+2p(x)=x^3+6x^2+9x+2. It gives p(2)=52p(2)=52, p(1.5)=32.375p(1.5)=32.375, p(−1)=−2p(-1)=-2, p′(−1)=0p^\prime(-1)=0. The source working’s label “p(2)=54p(2)=54” is a typo: its actual coefficient equation, prompt and final polynomial all use 52. Original 54 retained in the native source.

How did this part go?

Common mistakes

A stationary point supplies an ordinate and a derivative condition. Do not omit either.

Solution notes

The printed p(2)=54 label conflicts with the correct equation p(2)=52; the working qualifies this without overwriting the raw source.

Also printed as Review 8 in both CJC Linear Equations lecture copies: question PDF page 14 / printed 174; answer PDF 15 / Student printed 175, Teacher visible footer 15 (extracted 175). Compared in evidence/review-cjc-linear-equations-lecture.md; the repeated asks, tables and marks retain this existing identity.

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