The function $f(x)=(1-\frac{\sqrt{21-4a-a^2}}{a+1})x^3+5x+\sqrt7$ is increasing at every point of its domain.

109 Views Asked by At

Find the set of values of $a$ for which the function $f(x)=(1-\frac{\sqrt{21-4a-a^2}}{a+1})x^3+5x+\sqrt7$ is increasing at every point of its domain.


For $f(x)$ to be increasing,$f'(x)=3(1-\frac{\sqrt{21-4a-a^2}}{a+1})x^2+5\ge 0$

So,$(1-\frac{\sqrt{21-4a-a^2}}{a+1})\ge 0$ gives $(-\infty,-5)\bigcup(2,\infty)$ but the answer in my book is $[-7,-1)\bigcup[2,3]$

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

The domain gives $a^2+4a-21\leq0$ and $a\neq-1$, which gives $-7\leq a\leq3$ and $a\neq-1$.

Now, $1-\frac{\sqrt{21-4a-a^2}}{a+1}=0$ for $a=2$ and use the intervals method.

Maybe the mistake was in solving of the equation: $$a+1=\sqrt{21-4a-a^2}.$$

We have $a>-1$ and $21-4a-a^2\geq0$, which gives $-1<a\leq3$.

Now, after squaring of the both sides we obtain $(a-2)(a+5)=0$, which gives $a=2$.