If f(x)=ax^(2)+b, f(−3)=4 and f′(−3)=4, find the coefficients a and b.

a =
b =

3 answers

f' = 2ax
so,
9a+b = 4
-6a = 4

f(x) = -2/3 x^2 + 10
from your f(x)
f'(x) = 2ax
given: f'(-3) = 4
4 = 2a(-3)
a = - 2/3

also f(-3) = 4
in original:
4 = (-2/3)(-3)^2 + b
4 + 6 = b
b = 10

check my arithmetic
f₍x₎ = a x² + b

f '₍x₎ = 2 a x

f(- 3) = 4 means:

x = - 3 , f₍- 3₎ = 4

a x² + b = 4

a ∙ ( - 3 )² + b = 4

a ∙ 9 + b = 4

9 a + b = 4

f′(- 3) = 4 means

x = - 3 , f '₍- 3₎ = 2 a x

2 a x = 4

2 a ∙ ( - 3 ) = 4

- 6 a = 4

Divide both sides by - 6

a = - 4 / 6 =

a = 2 ∙ ( - 2 ) / 2 ∙ 3

a = - 2 / 3

Put this value in equation:

9 a + b = 4

9 ∙ ( - 2 / 3 ) + b = 4

- 18 / 3 + b = 4

- 6 + b = 4

Add 6 to both sides

b = 10

The solutions are:

a = - 2 / 3 , b = 10

f₍x₎ = - 2 / 3 x² +10