Let $p(x)$ be a real polynomial of least degree which has a local maximum at $x=1$ and a local minimum at…

Let $p(x)$ be a real polynomial of least degree which has a local maximum at $x=1$ and a local minimum at $x=3$. If $p(1)=6$ and $p(3)=2$, then $p^{\prime}(0)$ is

Solution

Since, $p(x)$ has a local maximum at $x=1$ and a local minimum at $x=3$ and $p(x)$ is a real polynomial of least degree. Hence, let $p^{\prime}(x)=k(x-1)(x-3)=k\left(x^{2}-4 x+3\right)$ $\Rightarrow p(x)=k\left(\frac{x^{3}}{3}-2 x^{2}+3 x\right)+c$ Now, $p(1)=6$ and $p(3)=2$ $\begin{array}{l} \Rightarrow \frac{4}{3} k+C=6 \text { and } 0+C=2 \Rightarrow k=3 \\ \therefore \quad p^{\prime}(x)=3(x-1)(x-3) \Rightarrow p^{\prime}(0)=9 \end{array}$

Asked in: JEE Advanced 2012 (Paper 1)

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