Chapter 1: Problem 122
Find \(k\) so that the equation \(x^{2}-k x+4=0\) has a repeated real solution.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The values of \(k\) are 4 and -4.
Step by step solution
01
Understand the condition for repeated real solutions
A quadratic equation has repeated real solutions if and only if its discriminant is zero. The general form of a quadratic equation is given by: \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\]The discriminant (Δ) of this equation is calculated as: \[Δ = b^2 - 4ac\]
02
Identify the coefficients
Identify the coefficients from the given equation \(x^2 - kx + 4 = 0\). Here, \(a = 1\), \(b = -k\), and \(c = 4\).
03
Set the discriminant to zero
Set the discriminant to zero for there to be repeated real solutions: \[Δ = b^2 - 4ac = 0\]Substitute the identified values: \[( -k )^2 - 4 (1) (4) = 0\]
04
Solve for k
Solve the equation from Step 3: \[k^2 - 16 = 0\]Add 16 to both sides: \[k^2 = 16\]Take the square root of both sides: \[k = \pm 4\]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Quadratic Equation
A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of degree 2. It typically has the form:
They usually have two solutions which can be real or complex, depending on the discriminant.
To solve a quadratic equation, you can use different methods like factoring, completing the square, or using the quadratic formula: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
- \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\]
They usually have two solutions which can be real or complex, depending on the discriminant.
To solve a quadratic equation, you can use different methods like factoring, completing the square, or using the quadratic formula: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
Discriminant
The discriminant of a quadratic equation provides crucial information about the nature of its solutions. For the quadratic equation \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\], the discriminant (∆) is given by:
- \[∆ = b^2 - 4ac\]
- If \[∆ > 0\], there are two distinct real solutions.
- If \[∆ = 0\], there is exactly one repeated real solution (or a real solution with multiplicity 2).
- If \[∆ < 0\], there are two complex solutions.
Solving Quadratic Equations
Solving quadratic equations involves finding the values of x that satisfy \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\]. Here are the methods you can use:
- **Factoring**: This works when the quadratic can be factored into two binomial expressions.
- **Completing the Square**: This transforms the quadratic into a perfect square trinomial which can then be solved for x.
- **Quadratic Formula**: This method works for all quadratics and is given by: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]