By the remainder theorem, $f(x) - f(a)$ is divisible by $x - a,$ so we can take out a factor of $x - a$ accordingly:
\begin{align*}
f(x) - f(a) &= (x^3 + 3x^2 + 1) - (a^3 + 3a^2 + 1) \\
&= (x^3 - a^3) + 3(x^2 - a^2) \\
&= (x - a)(x^2 + ax + a^2) + 3(x - a)(x + a) \\
&= (x - a)(x^2 + ax + a^2 + 3x + 3a) \\
&= (x - a)(x^2 + (a + 3) x + a^2 + 3a).
\end{align*}Thus, we want
\[x^2 + (a + 3) x + a^2 + 3a = (x - a)(x - b) = x^2 - (a + b) x + ab.\]Matching coefficients, we get
\begin{align*}
a + 3 &= -a - b, \\
a^2 + 3a &= ab.
\end{align*}Since $a \neq 0,$ we can divide both sides of the second equation by $a,$ to get $a + 3 = b.$  Then $-a - b = b,$ so $a = -2b.$  Then
\[-2b + 3 = 2b - b,\]which gives us $b = 1$.  Then $a = -2,$ so $(a,b) = \boxed{(-2,1)}.$
<|im_start|>system
You are a helpful assistant.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>user
Let $f(x) = x^3 + 3x^2 + 1.$  There exist real numbers $a \neq 0$ and $b,$ such that
\[f(x) - f(a) = (x - a)^2 (x - b).\]Enter the ordered pair $(a,b).$
Please reason step by step, and put your final answer within \boxed{{}}.<|im_end|>
<|im_start|>assistant

user
(-2,1)
Let $f(x) = x^3 + 3x^2 + 1.$  There exist real numbers $a \neq 0$ and $b,$ such that
\[f(x) - f(a) = (x - a)^2 (x - b).\]Enter the ordered pair $(a,b).$
test