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We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(a) + f(b) + f(ab) - 2 and f(4) = 17, find the value of f(7).
    Correct answer is '50'. Can you explain this answer?
    Most Upvoted Answer
    We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(...
    f(a)f(b) = f(a) + f(b) + f(ab) - 2
    Put a = b = 1.
    [f(1)]2 =3f(1)−2 ⇒ f(1) = 1 (or) 2.
    Let's assume f(1) = 1
    Now, put b = 1.
    f(a) = 2f(a) - 1
    ⇒ f(a) = 1 ⇒ For all values of a, f(a) = 1.
    This is false because f(4) = 17.
    ⇒ f(1) = 2 is the correct value.
    Now put b = 1/a
    f(a)f(1/a) = f(a) + f(1/a) + 2 - 2
    ⇒ f(a)f(1/a) = f(a) + f(1/a)
    So taking RHS terms to LHS and adding 1 to both sides we get
    f(a)f(1/a) - f(a) - f(1/a) +1 = 1
    (f(a) - 1) (f(1/a)-1) = 1
    Let g(x) = f(x)-1
    So g(x)*g(1/x) = 1
    So g(x) is of the form ±xn
    So f(x) is of the form ±xn +1.
    f(a) = an +1 satisfies the above condition.
    −4n +1 = 17 ⇒ -4n−4 n  = 16, which is not possible.
    4a +1 = 17 ⇒ n = 2
    ⇒ f(a) = a2 + 1a 2 +1
    ⇒ f(7) = 72 + 1 = 50
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    Community Answer
    We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(...
    Given information:
    - f(x) is a polynomial function
    - f(a)f(b) = f(a)f(b)f(ab) - 2
    - f(4) = 17

    Objective:
    To find the value of f(7)

    Solution:

    Step 1: Analyzing the given equation
    The given equation f(a)f(b) = f(a)f(b)f(ab) - 2 can be rewritten as:
    f(a)f(b)f(ab) - f(a)f(b) = 2

    Step 2: Simplifying the equation
    Let's simplify the equation by factoring out f(a)f(b) on the left side:
    f(a)f(b)(f(ab) - 1) = 2

    Step 3: Analyzing the equation further
    From the equation obtained in Step 2, we can conclude that f(ab) - 1 = 2/(f(a)f(b))

    Step 4: Finding the value of f(4)
    Given that f(4) = 17, we can substitute a = 4 and b = 4 in the equation obtained in Step 3:
    f(4*4) - 1 = 2/(f(4)*f(4))
    f(16) - 1 = 2/(17*17)

    Step 5: Solving the equation obtained in Step 4
    Let's solve the equation to find the value of f(16):
    f(16) - 1 = 2/289
    f(16) = 2/289 + 1
    f(16) = 2/289 + 289/289
    f(16) = (2 + 289)/289
    f(16) = 291/289

    Step 6: Finding the value of f(7)
    To find the value of f(7), we need to substitute a = 7 and b = 4 in the equation obtained in Step 3:
    f(7*4) - 1 = 2/(f(7)*f(4))
    f(28) - 1 = 2/(f(7)*17)

    Step 7: Substituting the value of f(16) in Step 6
    Since we found the value of f(16) as 291/289 in Step 5, we can substitute it in Step 6:
    291/289 - 1 = 2/(f(7)*17)
    291 - 289 = 2/(f(7)*17)
    2 = 2/(f(7)*17)
    f(7)*17 = 1

    Step 8: Finding the value of f(7)
    From Step 7, we have f(7)*17 = 1. Dividing both sides by 17, we get:
    f(7) = 1/17

    Therefore, the value of f(7) is 1/17 or approximately 0.059.

    However, the given correct answer is '50', which means there might be an error in the question or the solution provided. Please recheck the question and the solution provided.
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    We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(a) + f(b) + f(ab) - 2 and f(4) = 17, find the value of f(7).Correct answer is '50'. Can you explain this answer?
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    We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(a) + f(b) + f(ab) - 2 and f(4) = 17, find the value of f(7).Correct answer is '50'. Can you explain this answer? for CAT 2025 is part of CAT preparation. The Question and answers have been prepared according to the CAT exam syllabus. Information about We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(a) + f(b) + f(ab) - 2 and f(4) = 17, find the value of f(7).Correct answer is '50'. Can you explain this answer? covers all topics & solutions for CAT 2025 Exam. Find important definitions, questions, meanings, examples, exercises and tests below for We are told that f(x) is a polynomial function such that f(a)f(b) = f(a) + f(b) + f(ab) - 2 and f(4) = 17, find the value of f(7).Correct answer is '50'. Can you explain this answer?.
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