Chapter 9: Problem 23
Choose the appropriate method to solve the following. $$ 12 x 2-2 x+52=0 $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The equation has no real solutions due to a negative discriminant.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Equation Type
The given equation is a quadratic equation, which has the standard form of \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). In this equation, \( a = 12 \), \( b = -2 \), and \( c = 52 \).
02
Calculate the Discriminant
For a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the discriminant \( D \) is given by \( D = b^2 - 4ac \). Substitute \( a = 12 \), \( b = -2 \), and \( c = 52 \) into this formula: \( D = (-2)^2 - 4 \times 12 \times 52 \). Calculate these values to get \( D = 4 - 2496 \), which simplifies to \( D = -2492 \).
03
Analyze the Discriminant
Since the discriminant \( D = -2492 \) is less than zero, the quadratic equation does not have real solutions. The solutions would be complex numbers.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Discriminant
In the realm of quadratic equations, the discriminant plays a crucial role in determining the nature of the solutions. Every quadratic equation follows the archetype formula: \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]Here, \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are known as the coefficients of the equation. The discriminant, represented by \( D \), can be calculated with the expression:\[ D = b^2 - 4ac \]Understanding the value of the discriminant provides insight into the nature of the roots of the equation:
- If \( D > 0 \), the equation has two distinct real roots.
- If \( D = 0 \), the equation has exactly one real root, also known as a repeated or double root.
- If \( D < 0 \), the equation has no real roots, but instead two complex conjugate roots.
Complex Numbers
When discussing quadratic equations, complex numbers often emerge as solutions, especially when the discriminant is negative. A complex number takes the form:\[ a + bi \]where \( a \) and \( b \) are real numbers, and \( i \) is the imaginary unit which is defined by the property \( i^2 = -1 \). When we say a quadratic has complex solutions due to a negative discriminant, it means the roots are not visible on the real number line but exist in the complex plane.Here's how complex solutions manifest:
- They appear as a pair of conjugates: \( z = a + bi \) and \( \bar{z} = a - bi \).
- The real part gives the horizontal placement on the complex plane, while the imaginary part represents vertical placement.
Standard Form of Quadratic Equation
The standard form of a quadratic equation is a specific arrangement of terms that allows for straightforward analysis and solution discovery. It is written as:\[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]where:
- \( a \) is the coefficient of \( x^2 \), indicating the curvature of the parabola created by the equation.
- \( b \) is the coefficient of \( x \), which influences the parabola's horizontal placement and direction.
- \( c \) is the constant, dictating the parabola's vertical placement on a graph.