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The polynomial 4x⁴+ax²+11x+b, where a and b are constants, is denoted by p(x). It is given by p(x) is divisible by x²-x+2. Find the values of a and b.

a) a = 6, b = -2
b) a = -6, b = 2
c) a = 6, b = 2
d) a = -6, b = -2

1 Answer

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Final answer:

To find the constants a and b such that 4x⁴+ax²+11x+b is divisible by x²-x+2, we set the remainder of the division to zero and solve the resulting system of equations.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the polynomial 4x⁴+ax²+11x+b is divisible by x²-x+2, we can use the remainder theorem to find the values of a and b. According to the theorem, if a polynomial f(x) is divisible by x-k, then f(k) = 0. The roots of x²-x+2 = 0 are complex and cannot be used directly for simple substitution; however, we can perform polynomial division to divide p(x) by x²-x+2, setting the remainder equal to zero to solve for a and b. Performing polynomial long division or using synthetic division, we set up:

(4x⁴ + ax² + 11x + b) ÷ (x² - x + 2)

The remainder of this division must equal zero; hence the coefficients of x and the constant term in the remainder must both be zero. By equating these to zero and solving the resulting system of equations, we can find the exact values of a and b. This will involve finding values for a and b such that the terms x and the constant in the remainder disappear.

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