The vertical displacement hhh, in millimetres, of a high-precision mechanical component is modeled by the function
h(t)=t2(t+a)h(t) = t^2(t + a)h(t)=t2(t+a)
where ttt is the time in seconds and aaa is a positive constant.
Sketch the curve with equation y=t2(t+a)y = t^2(t + a)y=t2(t+a).
A second model for the displacement, H(t)H(t)H(t), includes a damping offset and is given by
H(t)=t2(t+a)+54H(t) = t^2(t + a) + 54H(t)=t2(t+a)+54
(i) Given that t+6t + 6t+6 is a factor of the polynomial H(t)H(t)H(t), use the factor theorem to show that a=4.5a = 4.5a=4.5.
State the single transformation which maps the curve with equation y=t2(t+4.5)y = t^2(t + 4.5)y=t2(t+4.5) onto the curve with equation y=t2(t+4.5)+54y = t^2(t + 4.5) + 54y=t2(t+4.5)+54.
The expression t2(t+4.5)+54t^2(t + 4.5) + 54t2(t+4.5)+54 can be written in the form (t+6)(t2+bt+c)(t + 6)(t^2 + bt + c)(t+6)(t2+bt+c). Without finding the values of bbb and ccc, use your knowledge of the transformation in part (b)(ii) and the sketch in part (a) to explain why
b2<4cb^2 < 4cb2<4c
Practise Edexcel A Level Maths 2.6 Combining Transformations with exam-style questions for A Level Maths. 17 questions, matched to the Edexcel A Level Maths (9MA0) specification and written in Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3 style. Every question includes a full worked solution and mark scheme, so you can see where marks are awarded rather than just whether you got the answer right.