If f(x) = x3 + ax2 + bx + c has a maximum at x = – 1 and minimum at x = 3. Determine a, b and c.

consider the function f(x) = x3 + ax2 + bx + c


Then f’(x) = 3x2 + 2ax + b


It is given that f(x) is maximum at x = – 1


f’(– 1) = 3(– 1)2 + 2a(– 1) + b = 0


f’(– 1) = 3 – 3a + b = 0 ……(1)


it is given that f(x) is minimum at x = 3


f’(x) = 3(3)2 + 2a(3) + b = 0


f’(3) = 27 + 6a + b = 0 …… (2)


solving equation (1) and (2) we have


a = – 3 and b = – 9


since f’(x) is independent of constant c, it can be any real number


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