Find α and β if x+1 and x+2 are factors of x3+3x2-2αx+β.

Let, f (x) = x3+3x2-2αx+β be the given polynomial,

From factor theorem,


If (x + 1) and (x + 2) are factors of f (x) then f (-1) = 0 and f (-2) = 0


f (-1) = 0


(-1)3 + 3 (-1)2 – 2 α (-1) + β = 0


-1 + 3 + 2 α + β = 0


2 α + β + 2 = 0 (i)


Similarly,


f (-2) = 0


(-2)3 + 3 (-2)2 – 2 α (-2) + β = 0


-8 + 12 + 4 α + β = 0


4 α + β + 4 = 0 (ii)


Subtract (i) from (ii), we get


4 α + β + 4 – (2 α + β + 2) = 0 – 0


4 α + β + 4 - 2 α - β - 2 = 0


2 α + 2 = 0


α = -1


Put α = -1 in (i), we get


2 (-1) + β + 2 = 0


β = 0


Hence, α = -1 and β = 0.


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