Solve for a,b,c in y = ax(cubed) + bx(squared) + c

[mathmann]

Homework Statement

The slope of the curve y = ax(cubed) + bx(squared) + c is -12 at its point of inflection (2,-11), find a,b,c.

Homework Equations

f ' (x) = 3ax(squared) + 2bx
f " (x) = 3ax + 2b

The Attempt at a Solution

f ' (x) = 3ax(squared) + 2bx
-12 = 3a2(squared) + 2b(2)
-12 = 12a + 4b
b = -3a - 3

-12 = 3a(2)(sqrd) + 2(-3a -3)
a = -1

b = 0

-11 = ax(cubed) + bx(sqrd) + c
c = -3

 

[neutrino]

That is correct.

Another way to do it, and probably the one "expected" from you, is to use the fact that at the point of inflection, f''(x)=0.

 

[mathmann]

not exactly sure how to do that..

6ax + 2b = 0?

 

[neutrino]

Yes, that's right. Therefore b = -6a. Solve for a.

 

[mathmann]

so b = 6 not 0?

 

[neutrino]

so b = 6 not 0?

No, no!
b = -6a is one relation, and is b = -3a - 3 is another. Now solve for a. Sorry for the confusion.

 

[Sourabh N]

ur solution in OP is wrong . Check out step 5.

 

[mathmann]

which do you consider step 5?

 

[Sourabh N]

-12 = 3a(2)(sqrd) + 2(-3a -3)(?)
a 2 is missing in (?)

 

[mathmann]

ok so a = 0 now

 

[neutrino]

Sorry, my bad. As Sourabh has pointed out, your solution in the first post is in fact incorrect. a is not 0. What you would get from "step 5" is 0=0. That is because you got the relation bet. a and b from that very equation.

As I said earlier, use b = -6a and b = -3a -3 to solve for a.

 

[mathmann]

-12=3ax(sqrd)+2(-6a)x
a=-1
b=6
c=-27

 

[neutrino]

a=-1

Check again.

Once you get values for a, b and c, you can check if they are right by putting x=2 in the original equation and looking at the value you end up with.

 

[mathmann]

ok I am confused now.. I've found new values fro a(1),b(6) and c(5) but x doesn't = 2 when i enter it into the original equation.

 

[Sourabh N]

i think there's again a calculation mistake in #12.
-12 = 3a2(sqrd) + 2(-6a)2
-12 = -12a
a=1.

 

[mathmann]

ok i got that one are the other two right? b=6 and c=5?

 

[neutrino]

b = -6 (b = -6a, remember?)

 

[Sourabh N]

no. b=-6a=-6

-11 = 1*2(cubed) - 6*2(sqrd) +c

 

[mathmann]

a=1, b=-6, c =5

 

[mathmann]

is this correct?

 

[pki15]

You should get 3 equations:

12a + 2b = 0 (from 2nd derivative)
12a + 4b = -12 (from 1st derivative)
8a + 4b + c = -11 (from original equation)

Just solve for a,b,c from that info... I think you have all the right ideas, just getting wrong values.