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Differentiability- System of Equations
Level: Calculus AB
Question in photo attached

Differentiability- System of Equations Level: Calculus AB Question in photo attached-example-1

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To ensure differentiability of f(x) at x=-4 , set the left- and right-hand derivatives equal: a = 8b + 5 . The quadratic equation resulting from continuity yields b = 2 and a = 17 .

To determine the values of `a` and `b` which would result in the function `f(x)` being differentiable at `x=-4`, we need to make sure that the left- and right-hand derivatives of `f(x)` at `x=-4` are equal.

Left-hand derivative:

f'(-4)=a

Right-hand derivative:

f'(-4)=2b(-4)+5=8b+5

Setting these two derivatives equal, we get:

a=8b+5

This is one equation with two unknowns, so we need another equation in order to solve for `a` and `b`.

We can use the fact that `f(x)` is continuous at `x=-4`. This means that the two expressions for `f(x)` at `x=-4` must be equal.


ax+5=bx^2+5x+9

Substituting `a=8b+5` into this equation, we get:


(8b+5)x+5=bx^2+5x+9

Simplifying both sides of this equation, we get:


7bx^2+(3b-5)x-4=0

This is a quadratic equation in `x`. In order for `f(x)` to be differentiable at `x=-4`, the roots of this quadratic equation must be equal. This means that the discriminant of the quadratic equation must be zero.


(3b-5)^2-4*7b*(-4)=0

Solving for `b`, we get:

b=2

Substituting `b=2` into the equation `a=8b+5`, we get:

a=17`

Therefore, the values of `a` and `b` which would result in the function `f(x)` being differentiable at `x=-4` are a=17` and b=2`.

User FredRoger
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