Question Details

Let denote the set of all real numbers. Let ai, bi for i {1,2,3} .

Define the functions f: , g: , and h: by

f(x) = a1 + 10x + a2x2 + a3x3 + x4

g(x) = b1 + 3x + b2x2 + b3x3 + x4

h(x) = f(x+1) g(x+2)

If f(x) = g(x) for every x , then the coefficient of x3 in h(x) is

Options

A

8

B

2

C

-4

D

-6

Show Answer

Correct Answer :

Option C

-4

-4

Solution :

We are given the functions f,g,h: defined by:

f ( x ) = x 4 + a 3 x 3 + a 2 x 2 + 10 x + a 1

g ( x ) = x 4 + b 3 x 3 + b 2 x 2 + 3 x + b 1

and the function h(x) is given by:

h ( x ) = f ( x + 1 ) g ( x + 2 )

We are told that f(x)=g(x) for all x. For these two polynomial functions to be equal for all real numbers, their corresponding coefficients must be equal. In particular, the coefficients of the x3 terms must be equal:
a 3 = b 3

Now, let's determine the coefficient of x3 in both f(x+1) and g(x+2).

Step 1: Coefficient of x3 in f(x+1)
We substitute x+1 into f(x):
f ( x + 1 ) = ( x + 1 ) 4 + a 3 ( x + 1 ) 3 + a 2 ( x + 1 ) 2 + 10 ( x + 1 ) + a 1

Using the binomial expansion, the only terms that can produce x3 are:
1. From (x+1)4: The x3 term is 41x3(1)=4x3.
2. From a3(x+1)3: The x3 term is a3x3.
Therefore, the coefficient of x3 in f(x+1) is:
4 + a 3

Step 2: Coefficient of x3 in g(x+2)
We substitute x+2 into g(x):
g ( x + 2 ) = ( x + 2 ) 4 + b 3 ( x + 2 ) 3 + b 2 ( x + 2 ) 2 + 3 ( x + 2 ) + b 1

Using the binomial expansion, the only terms that can produce x3 are:
1. From (x+2)4: The x3 term is 41x3(2)=8x3.
2. From b3(x+2)3: The x3 term is b3x3.
Therefore, the coefficient of x3 in g(x+2) is:
8 + b 3

Step 3: Coefficient of x3 in h(x)
Using the definition of h(x), the coefficient of x3 is:
( 4 + a 3 ) ( 8 + b 3 ) = 4 + a 3 b 3

Since we established that a3=b3, we have:
a 3 b 3 = 0

Substituting this back into our expression for the coefficient of x3 in h(x) yields:
4 + 0 = 4

Therefore, the coefficient of x3 in h(x) is -4.

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