| Date | November 2009 | Marks available | 5 | Reference code | 09N.1.hl.TZ0.1 |
| Level | HL only | Paper | 1 | Time zone | TZ0 |
| Command term | Find | Question number | 1 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
When 3x5−ax+b is divided by x −1 and x +1 the remainders are equal. Given that a , b∈R , find
(a) the value of a ;
(b) the set of values of b .
Markscheme
(a) f(1)=3−a+b (A1)
f(−1)=−3+a+b (A1)
3−a+b=−3+a+b M1
2a=6
a=3 A1 N4
(b) b is any real number A1
[5 marks]
Examiners report
Many candidates answered part (a) successfully. For part (b), some candidates did not consider that the entire set of real numbers was asked for.
