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If both (x+1) and (x-1) are factors of ax3 +x2 -2x +b, find ‘a’ and ‘b’

Answer» f(x) =ax^3 + x^2 -2x + b
x+1 is a factor
Applying factor theorem,
x + 1 = 0
x = -1
f(-1) = 0
a(-1)^3 +(-1)^2 -2(-1) + b = 0
-a + 1 + 2 + b = 0
b - a + 3 = 0
b = a - 3 (equation 1)
x - 1 is a factor

Applying factor theorem
x - 1 = 0
x = 1
f(1) = 0
a(1)^3 + (1)^2  - 2(1) + b = 0
a + 1 - 2 + b = 0
a + b - 1 = 0
a + b = 1 (equation 2)
substitute equation 1 into equation 2
a + a - 3 = 1
2a = 1 + 3
2a = 4
a = 4/2
a = 2
b = a - 3
b = 2 - 3
b = -1


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