x³ + ax² - 10x + b is divisible by x² + x - 12
The other solution is correct. Here is an alternate
approach:
Since x² + x - 12 can be factored as (x+4)(x-3)
which has roots (zeros) x=-4 and x=3. Both must be
roots (zeros) of x³ + ax² - 10x + b
So we substitute x=-4 in
x³ + ax² - 10x + b
(-4)³ + a(-4)² - 10(-4) + b
-64 + 16a + 40 + b
and set that equal to 0
-64 + 16a + 40 + b = 0
-24 + 16a + b = 0
16a + b = 24
We also substitute x=3 in
x³ + ax² - 10x + b
(3)³ + a(3)² - 10(3) + b
27 + 9a - 30 + b
and set that equal to 0
27 + 9a - 30 + b = 0
-3 + 9a + b = 0
9a + b = 3
Then we solve the system of equations;
16a + b = 24
9a + b = 3
Solve that by substitution or elimination
and get
a=3 and b = -24
Edwin