Chapter 8: Problem 16
Solve each equation by using the quadratic formula. $$4 x^{2}-12 x+9=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solution is \(x = \frac{3}{2}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify coefficients
In a quadratic equation of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), identify the coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\). For the equation \(4x^2 - 12x + 9 = 0\), we have \(a = 4\), \(b = -12\), and \(c = 9\).
02
Write down the quadratic formula
The quadratic formula is \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\). This formula is used to find the solutions of any quadratic equation.
03
Substitute coefficients into the formula
Substitute \(a = 4\), \(b = -12\), and \(c = 9\) into the quadratic formula: \(x = \frac{-(-12) \pm \sqrt{(-12)^2 - 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 9}}{2 \cdot 4}\).
04
Simplify inside the square root
Calculate the discriminant: \((-12)^2 - 4 \cdot 4 \cdot 9 = 144 - 144 = 0\). Now the equation becomes: \(x = \frac{12 \pm \sqrt{0}}{8}\).
05
Solve the equation
Since the discriminant is 0, there is only one solution: \(x = \frac{12}{8} = \frac{3}{2}\). Therefore, the solution to the equation \(4x^2 - 12x + 9 = 0\) is \(x = \frac{3}{2}\).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
quadratic formula
The quadratic formula is a powerful tool that allows us to find the solutions to any quadratic equation of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). The formula is given by:
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
To use this formula, you merely need to identify the coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\).
For example, in the equation \(4x^2 - 12x + 9 = 0\), the coefficients are:
\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]
To use this formula, you merely need to identify the coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\).
For example, in the equation \(4x^2 - 12x + 9 = 0\), the coefficients are:
- \(a = 4\)
- \(b = -12\)
- \(c = 9\)
discriminant
The discriminant is a crucial part of the quadratic formula that helps us determine the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. It is represented by:
\[\text{Discriminant} = b^2 - 4ac\]
The discriminant tells us how many solutions (or roots) the quadratic equation has and what type they are:
\[(-12)^2 - 4 \times 4 \times 9 = 144 - 144 = 0\]
Since the discriminant is zero, the equation has one real root.
\[\text{Discriminant} = b^2 - 4ac\]
The discriminant tells us how many solutions (or roots) the quadratic equation has and what type they are:
- If the discriminant is positive (\( > 0 \)), there are two distinct real roots.
- If the discriminant is zero (\( = 0 \)), there is exactly one real root.
- If the discriminant is negative (\( < 0 \)), there are two complex roots.
\[(-12)^2 - 4 \times 4 \times 9 = 144 - 144 = 0\]
Since the discriminant is zero, the equation has one real root.
coefficients
Coefficients are the numerical constants that multiply the variables in an equation. In a quadratic equation of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\):
For the equation \(4x^2 - 12x + 9 = 0\), we have:
- \(a\) is the coefficient of \(x^2\), which we call the quadratic coefficient.
- \(b\) is the coefficient of \(x\), known as the linear coefficient.
- \(c\) is the constant term, also known as the constant coefficient.
For the equation \(4x^2 - 12x + 9 = 0\), we have:
- Quadratic coefficient \(a = 4\)
- Linear coefficient \(b = -12\)
- Constant coefficient \(c = 9\)