Chapter 11: Problem 23
Solve each of the following quadratic equations, and check your solutions. $$y^{2}-2 y=-19$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions are complex: \( y = 1 \pm 3\sqrt{2}i \).
Step by step solution
01
Write the Equation in Standard Form
Given the quadratic equation is \( y^2 - 2y = -19 \). To write it in standard form, move all terms to one side of the equation. Add 19 to both sides: \( y^2 - 2y + 19 = 0 \).
02
Identify the Coefficients
With the equation in standard form \( y^2 - 2y + 19 = 0 \), identify the coefficients: \( a = 1 \), \( b = -2 \), and \( c = 19 \).
03
Apply the Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is \( y = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \). Substitute the coefficients: \( a = 1 \), \( b = -2 \), \( c = 19 \).
04
Calculate the Discriminant
Calculate the discriminant \( b^2 - 4ac \): \( (-2)^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 19 = 4 - 76 = -72 \).
05
Evaluate the Square Root of the Discriminant
Since the discriminant is negative, \( \sqrt{-72} = \sqrt{72}i = 6\sqrt{2}i \) where \( i \) is the imaginary unit.
06
Compute the Solutions Using the Quadratic Formula
Substitute the values back into the quadratic formula: \( y = \frac{-(-2) \pm 6\sqrt{2}i}{2 \times 1} \).Thus, the solutions are \( y = \frac{2 \pm 6\sqrt{2}i}{2} \), which simplifies to \( y = 1 \pm 3\sqrt{2}i \).
07
Interpret the Solutions
The solutions \( y = 1 + 3\sqrt{2}i \) and \( y = 1 - 3\sqrt{2}i \) are complex numbers, indicating there are no real number solutions for the given equation.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Imaginary Numbers
When solving quadratic equations, especially with a negative discriminant, imaginary numbers become central. An imaginary number is formed when we take the square root of a negative number. This happens because the product of two identical real numbers is always positive. Thus, we introduce 'i' as the imaginary unit, representing the square root of -1, where \( i^2 = -1 \).
- For instance, \( \sqrt{-1} = i \).
- The complex number system extends the real number system and includes numbers such as 3 + 4i or -2i.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is a fundamental tool in mathematics for solving quadratic equations of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). This formula, \( x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \), allows us to find the roots (solutions) of the equation by simply plugging in the coefficients a, b, and c.
- If the discriminant (\(b^2 - 4ac\)) is positive, you'll get two real solutions.
- If it's zero, one real solution exists.
- If it's negative, as in our example, you'll find two complex solutions.
Discriminant
The discriminant, found within the quadratic formula, is crucial for predicting the nature of solutions we will obtain. Calculated as \( b^2 - 4ac \), it tells us whether our equation has real or complex solutions.
- A positive discriminant means two distinct real solutions.
- Zero means exactly one real (repeated) solution.
- A negative discriminant, as in this exercise, yields two complex solutions.
Complex Solutions
Complex solutions in quadratic equations arise when the discriminant is less than zero. These non-real solutions combine a real part and an imaginary part. A complex number takes the form \( a + bi \), where 'a' is the real part, and 'bi' is the imaginary part.
When solving the equation from the example, we obtained the solutions \( y = 1 \pm 3\sqrt{2}i \). Here, 1 is the real part, and \( 3\sqrt{2}i \) comprises the imaginary portion.
When solving the equation from the example, we obtained the solutions \( y = 1 \pm 3\sqrt{2}i \). Here, 1 is the real part, and \( 3\sqrt{2}i \) comprises the imaginary portion.
- Complex solutions always come in conjugate pairs: \( a + bi \) and \( a - bi \).
- These solutions mean there is no point where the equation crosses the x-axis, useful in graphing functions.