9709 P32 - Jun 2014 - Q5
1690
(i) The polynomial \(f(x)\) is of the form \((x - 2)^2 g(x)\), where \(g(x)\) is another polynomial. Show that \((x - 2)\) is a factor of \(f'(x)\).
(ii) The polynomial \(x^5 + ax^4 + 3x^3 + bx^2 + a\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are constants, has a factor \((x - 2)^2\). Using the factor theorem and the result of part (i), or otherwise, find the values of \(a\) and \(b\).
