The Polynomial f(x) = x4 -2x3 +3x2 -ax + b when divided by (x-1) and (x+1) leaves the remainders 5 and 19 respectively. Find the values of a and b. Hence, find the remainder when f(x) is divided by (x-2).
Let f(x) = x4 – 2x3 + 3x2 – ax + b
Now,
f(1) = 14 – 2(1)3 + 3(1)2 – a(1) + b
5 = 1 – 2 + 3 – a + b
3 = - a + b (i)
And,
f(-1) = (-1)4 – 2(-1)3 + 3(-1)2 – a(-1) + b
19 = 1 + 2 + 3 + a + b
13 = a + b (ii)
Now,
Adding (i) and (ii),
8 + 2b = 24
2b = 16
b = 8
Now,
Using the value of b in (i)
3 = - a + 8
a = 5
Hence,
a = 5 and b = 8
Hence,
f(x) = x4 – 2(x)3 + 3(x)2 – a(x) + b
= x4 – 2x3 + 3x2 – 5x + 8
f(2) = (2)4 – 2(2)3 + 3(2)2 – 5(2) + 8
= 16 – 16 + 12 – 10 + 8
= 20 – 10
= 10
Therefore, remainder is 10