Find A and B so that F(x) is a Differentiable Function

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around finding the values of A and B that make the piecewise function F(x) differentiable. Initially, the equations Ax^2 - Bx and Alnx + B were set equal at x=1, leading to the relationships A - B = B and A - 2B = 0, which resulted in A = 2B. However, the user struggled to find valid values for A and B, concluding that both must equal zero, which was incorrect. The issue was resolved when a typo was identified, correcting the function to Ax^2 - Bx - 2 for x ≤ 1, ultimately yielding A = -2 and B = -2 as the correct solution.

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Jakey214
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Homework Statement


Find the values of a and b that make f a differentiable function.

Note: F(x) is a piecewise function

f(x):
Ax^2 - Bx, X ≤ 1
Alnx + B, X > 1

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


Made the two equations equal each other.
Ax^2 - Bx = Alnx + B
Inserting x=1 gives,
A - B = B, which is also A - 2B = 0, which also means A = 2B

Deriving the equation,
2Ax - B = A/X
Inserting x=1 here gives,
2A - B = A, which is also A - B = 0, which also means A = B

By then I'm stumped here.
I try to eliminate either A and B with,
A - B = 0
A - 2B = 0
In the end, both A and B would have to equal zero, both of which doesn't work.

If I have A = 2B then,
F'(x): A - B = 0 ⇒ 2B - B = 0 ⇒ B = 0
As said before, B = 0 would not be the right answer, as far as I know at least.

If A = B, then
F(x): A - 2B = 0 ⇒ B - 2B = 0 ⇒ B = 0
Once Again, B equaling zero would not work.

Right now, I'm convinced this problem is virtually impossible.
 
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Are you sure you copied the problem down correctly?
 
PetSounds said:
Are you sure you copied the problem down correctly?
Yep, that's exactly what it says.
 
Jakey214 said:
Yep, that's exactly what it says.
Then I'm stumped too. Perhaps someone else will have a solution.
 
So what is wrong with ##f(x) \equiv 0##? That's a perfectly good differentiable function.
 
UPDATE:

My Math Teacher just said it was a typo, where he forgot to add a negative two, so that the piecewise function would be:

f(x):
Ax^2 - Bx - 2, X ≤ 1
Alnx + B, X > 1

Now solving it, I got A = -2 and B = -2.
 
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