Final answer:
The values of α and β are determined by ensuring that the left-hand and right-hand limits at the boundaries of the piecewise function f(x) are equal, making the function continuous.
Step-by-step explanation:
To ensure that the function f(x) is continuous, we need to find the values of a and b that make the function f(x) seamless at its piecewise boundaries, which are at x = -1 and x = 12. Continuity at a point requires that the left-hand limit equals the right-hand limit, and these both equal the function's value at that point.
For continuity at x = -1:
These two expressions must equal the same value for the function to be continuous at x = -1.
For continuity at x = 12:
These expressions must equal for the function to be continuous at x = 12. In summary, the values for α and β can be found by solving the equations created from setting the two expressions on either side of the piecewise boundaries to equal one another.