PLZ HELP, DUE TONIGHT!! Find the values of a and b such that f(x) is continuous at x=

Answers:

a = 2 and b = -4

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Explanation:

Let's define the three helper functions

which are drawn from the piecewise function. The g(x) function will change depending on what the input is.

Since we want g(x) to be continuous at x = 1, this must mean the three functions f(x), h(x), j(x) must have the same output value when the input is x = 1.

Because h(x) = 6 is a constant function, the output is always 6 regardless of the input. Therefore, we want f(x) and j(x) to have 6 as their output when x = 1. Or else, the pieces won't connect.

Plug x = 1 into the f(x) function to get

f(x) = ax^2 - b

f(1) = a(1)^2 - b

f(1) = a - b

Set this equal to the desired output of 6 and we end up with the equation a-b = 6. Solving for 'a' leads to a = b+6.

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We'll use the same idea for j(x)

j(x) = 5ax + b

j(1) = 5a(1) + b

j(1) = 5a + b

5a+b = 6

5(b+6) + b = 6 ... plug in a = b+6; solve for b

5b+30+b = 6

6b+30 = 6

6b = 6-30

6b = -24

b = -24/6

b = -4

Which then leads to,

a = b+6

a = -4+6

a = 2

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Since a = 2 and b = -4, we go from this

to this

Meaning

f(x) = 2x^2+4 and j(x) = 10x-4

You should find that plugging x = 1 into each of those two functions leads to 6 as the output.

The graph is shown below. Note the red graph f(x) is only drawn when x < 1. Similarly, j(x) is only drawn when x > 1. The orange point represents h(x) which only happens when x = 1. So as the name implies, the piecewise function g(x) is composed of pieces of the three functions f(x), h(x), j(x).

answer: a and c are correct

step-by-step explanation:

the +5 is the vertical translation

the added negative symbol in front is the reflection over the y-axis

the answer will be the last one