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How do you find 2p(a) + p(a - 1) if #p(x) = x^2 + x#?

Answer 1

Lincoln Anderson

#2p(a)+p(a-1)=3a^2+a#.

Given poly. #p(x)=x^2+x#

To find #p(a)#, we have to just put #a#, in place of #x#,

Hence, #p(a)=a^2+a#, and, #p(a-1)=(a-1)^2+(a-1)=(a-1)(a-1+1)=a(a-1)#.

Therefore, #2p(a)+p(a-1)=2(a^2+a)+a(a-1)=2a^2+2a+a^2-a=3a^2+a#.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.

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