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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves finding values for A and B that make a piecewise function differentiable. The function is defined as f(x) = Ax^2 - Bx for x ≤ 1 and f(x) = Alnx + B for x > 1.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to set the two pieces of the function equal to each other and derive conditions for differentiability. They explore equations derived from substituting x = 1 into the function and its derivative, leading to conflicting results regarding the values of A and B.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaged in exploring the problem, with some expressing confusion about the original problem statement. There is a suggestion of a potential typo in the problem, which may change the approach to finding A and B. The discussion reflects a lack of consensus on the correct interpretation of the problem.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a possible typo in the problem statement that could affect the values of A and B, as indicated by the original poster's update regarding the function's definition.

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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