Chapter 8: Problem 26
Solve each equation by using the quadratic formula. $$\frac{3}{4} x^{2}-2 x+\frac{1}{2}=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
2.387 and 0.279
Step by step solution
01
Identify coefficients a, b, and c
In the given quadratic equation \(\frac{3}{4} x^2 - 2x + \frac{1}{2} = 0\), the coefficients are: \(a = \frac{3}{4}\), \(b = -2\), \(c = \frac{1}{2}\).
02
Write down the quadratic formula
The quadratic formula to solve for \(x\) is: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\].
03
Substitute the coefficients into the quadratic formula
Substitute \(a = \frac{3}{4}\), \(b = -2\), and \(c = \frac{1}{2}\) into the quadratic formula: \[x = \frac{-(-2) \pm \sqrt{(-2)^2 - 4 \cdot \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{1}{2}}}{2 \cdot \frac{3}{4}}\].
04
Simplify within the square root
Calculate within the square root: \((-2)^2 = 4\) and \(-4 \cdot \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{1}{2} = -1.5\). \[x = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{4 - 1.5}}{1.5}\].
05
Compute the discriminant
Simplify the expression under the square root: \[4 - 1.5 = 2.5\]. So we have: \[x = \frac{2 \pm \sqrt{2.5}}{1.5}\].
06
Solve for the values of x
Solve for \(x\) by computing each part: \[x = \frac{2 + \sqrt{2.5}}{1.5}\] and \[x = \frac{2 - \sqrt{2.5}}{1.5}\].
07
Simplify the solutions
Calculate the numerical values for the solutions: \[x = \frac{2 + 1.581}{1.5} \approx 2.387\] and \[x = \frac{2 - 1.581}{1.5} \approx 0.279\].
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
solving quadratic equations
When dealing with quadratic equations, the quadratic formula is a powerful tool. A quadratic equation is of the form: \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\] The quadratic formula solves for the variable \(x\) and is given by: \[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\] To use this formula, identify the coefficients \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) from the equation. These coefficients are: \[a, b, c\]. Input these values into the formula to find the solutions for \(x\). Remember, the \(\pm\) symbol implies that there are usually two solutions: one by adding the \( \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac }\) and one by subtracting it.
discriminant
The discriminant is a key part of the quadratic formula contained within the square root: \[b^2 - 4ac\]. It determines the nature of the roots of the quadratic equation:
- If \(b^2 - 4ac > 0\), there are two distinct real roots.
- If \(b^2 - 4ac = 0\), there is exactly one real root, also called a repeated or double root.
- If \(b^2 - 4ac < 0\), there are no real roots (the roots are complex or imaginary).
coefficients
Coefficients in a quadratic equation, denoted as \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\), are the constants that multiply the variable terms. In the generic form of a quadratic equation: \[ax^2 + bx + c = 0\]
- \(a\) is the coefficient of \(x^2\). It affects the width of the parabola when the quadratic is graphed.
- \(b\) is the coefficient of \(x\). It influences the location of the vertex along the x-axis.
- \(c\) is the constant term. It moves the parabola up or down on the graph.