Verified Solution • 2025–26 Session moderate

QJEEM17Maf195: JEE Main 2017 Mathematics - Class 12 JEEM17Maf195 Solution: Let f be a polynomial function such that f (3x) = f ' (x) . f…

Let f be a polynomial function such that

f (3x) = f ' (x) . f '' (x), for all x ∈\in R. Then :

Multiple Choice Options

  • A f (2) + f ' (2) = 28
  • B f '' (2) −- f ' (2) = 0
  • C f '' (2) −- f (2) = 4
  • D f (2) −- f ' (2) + f '' (2) = 10

Step-by-Step Verified Solution

Let f(x)=a0xn+a1xn−1+a2xn−1+  ....  +an−1x+anf(x) = {a_0}{x^n} + {a_1}{x^{n - 1}} + {a_2}{x^{n - 1}} + \,\,....\,\, + {a_{n - 1}}x + {a_n}

f′(x)=a0nxn−1+a1(n−1)xn−2+  .....  +an−1f'(x) = {a_0}n{x^{n - 1}} + {a_1}(n - 1){x^{n - 2}} + \,\,.....\,\, + {a_{n - 1}}

f′′(x)=a0n(n−1)xn−2+a1(n−1)(n−2)xn−3+  ....  +an−2f''(x) = {a_0}n(n - 1){x^{n - 2}} + {a_1}(n - 1)(n - 2){x^{n - 3}} + \,\,....\,\, + {a_{n - 2}}

Now,

f(3x)=3na0xn+3n−1a1xn−1+3n−2a2xn−2+  ....  +3an−1+anf(3x) = {3^n}{a_0}{x^n} + {3^{n - 1}}{a_1}{x^{n - 1}} + {3^{n - 2}}{a_2}{x^{n - 2}} + \,\,....\,\, + 3{a_{n - 1}} + {a_n}

f′(x) . f′′(x)=[a0nxn−1+a1(n−1)xn−2+  ....  +an−1]f'(x)\,.\,f''(x) = [{a_0}n{x^{n - 1}} + {a_1}(n - 1){x^{n - 2}} + \,\,....\,\, + {a_{n - 1}}]

[a0n(n−1)xn−2+a1(n−1)(n−2)xn−3+  ....  +an−2][{a_0}n(n - 1){x^{n - 2}} + {a_1}(n - 1)(n - 2){x^{n - 3}} + \,\,....\,\, + {a_{n - 2}}]

Comparing highest powers of x, we get

3na0xn=a02(n−1)xn−1+n−2=a02n2(n−1)x2n−3{3^n}{a_0}{x_n} = a_0^2(n - 1){x^{n - 1 + n - 2}} = a_0^2{n^2}(n - 1){x^{2n - 3}}

Therefore, 2n−3=n2n - 3 = n

⇒\Rightarrow n = 3 and 3na0=a02n2(n−1){3^n}{a_0} = a_0^2{n^2}(n - 1)

⇒a0=27=32\Rightarrow {a_0} = 27 = {3 \over 2}

Therefore, f(x)=32x3+a1x2+a2x+a3f(x) = {3 \over 2}{x^3} + {a_1}{x^2} + {a_2}x + {a_3}

f′(x)=92x2+2a1x+a2f'(x) = {9 \over 2}{x^2} + 2{a_1}x + {a_2}

f′′(x)=9x+2a1f''(x) = 9x + 2{a_1}

f(3x)=812x3+9a1x2+3a2x+a3f(3x) = {{81} \over 2}{x^3} + 9{a_1}{x^2} + 3{a_2}x + {a_3}

Now, f(3x)=f′(x) . f′′(x)f(3x) = f'(x)\,.\,f''(x)

⇒812x3+9a1x2+3a2x+a3\Rightarrow {{81} \over 2}{x^3} + 9{a_1}{x^2} + 3{a_2}x + {a_3}

⇒(92x2+2a1x+a2)(9x+2a1)\Rightarrow \left( {{9 \over 2}{x^2} + 2{a_1}x + {a_2}} \right)(9x + 2{a_1})

⇒812x3+9a1x2+3a2x+a3=812x3+[9a1+18a1]x2+[4a12+9a2]x+2a1a2\Rightarrow {{81} \over 2}{x^3} + 9{a_1}{x^2} + 3{a_2}x + {a_3} = {{81} \over 2}{x^3} + [9{a_1} + 18{a_1}]{x^2} + [4a_1^2 + 9{a_2}]x + 2{a_1}{a_2}

Comparing the coefficients, we get

9a1=27a19{a_1} = 27{a_1}

⇒a1=0, 3a2=4a12+9a2=9a2\Rightarrow {a_1} = 0,\,3{a_2} = 4a_1^2 + 9{a_2} = 9{a_2}

⇒a2=0\Rightarrow {a_2} = 0

Therefore, f(x)=32x3f(x) = {3 \over 2}{x^3}

f′(x)=92x2f'(x) = {9 \over 2}{x^2}

f′′(x)=9xf''(x) = 9x

Hence, f′′(2)−f′(x)=18−18=0f''(2) - f'(x) = 18 - 18 = 0

Related Learning Resources & Exam Preparation