(a) If
f(x) = aβ + aβ x + aβ x Β² + aβ x Β³
then from the given conditions we get the system of equations,
f (-1) = aβ - aβ + aβ - aβ = -1
f (1) = aβ + aβ + aβ + aβ = 2
f (2) = aβ + 2aβ + 4aβ + 8aβ = 1
f (3) = aβ + 3aβ + 9aβ + 27x Β³ = 5
(b) Similarly, if
f(x) = aβ + aβ x + aβ x Β² + aβ x Β³
then
f'(x) = aβ + 2aβ x + 3aβ x Β²
so that the given conditions yield the system,
f (1) = aβ + aβ + aβ + aβ = 0
f' (1) = aβ + 2aβ + 3aβ = 2
f (2) = aβ + 2aβ + 4aβ + 27aβ = 3
f' (2) = aβ + 4aβ + 12aβ = -1