For a real number a, let Which of the following statements are true?

2026

For a real number a, let

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Which of the following statements are true?

  1. A.

    The value of I(a) is independent of the value of a

  2. B.

    The value of I(a) can vary with the value of a

  3. C.

    There exists a such that I(a) is positive

  4. D.

    There exists a such that I(a) is negative

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A, C

I(a) = ∫ from -1 to 1 (3x² - ax + 1) dx. Split the integral: ∫3x² dx - a∫x dx + ∫1 dx over [-1, 1]. The middle term is 0 because x is an odd function on a symmetric interval. Therefore I(a) = [x³] from -1 to 1 + [x] from -1 to 1 = (1 - (-1)) + (1 - (-1)) = 2 + 2 = 4. Hence I(a) is independent of a and is always positive. The true statements are options 1 and 3.

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