16. If x2 – 3x + 2 is a factor of x4 – ax? + b, then find a and b.​

1 thought on “16. If x2 – 3x + 2 is a factor of x4 – ax? + b, then find a and b.​”

1. Answer:

   a = 15/7, b = 8/7

   Step-by-step explanation:

   x^2 – 3x + 2 = (x – 2)(x – 1)

   x = 1, x = 2 make f(x) zero :

   x = 1,

   1^4 – a(1)^3 + b = 0

   a – b = 1

   x = 2,

   2^4 – a(2)^3 + b = 0

   16 – 8a + b = 0

   -8a + b = -16

   =>

   a – b = 1

   -8a + b = -16

   a = 15/7, b = 8/7

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