Chapter 9: Problem 145
Determine the number of real solutions for each quadratic equation. (a) \(4 x^{2}-5 x+16=0\) (b) \(36 y^{2}+36 y+9=0\) (c) \(6 m^{2}+3 m-5=0\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Equation (a) has no real solutions, equation (b) has one real solution, and equation (c) has two real solutions.
Step by step solution
01
- Understand the Discriminant
The number of real solutions for a quadratic equation of the form \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) is determined by its discriminant, which is given by \(D = b^2 - 4ac\). The discriminant tells us the nature of the roots: if \(D > 0\), there are two distinct real roots; if \(D = 0\), there is exactly one real root (a repeated root); if \(D < 0\), there are no real solutions (the roots are complex numbers).
02
- Apply the Discriminant to Equation (a)
For the quadratic equation \(4x^2 - 5x + 16 = 0\), identify \(a = 4\), \(b = -5\), and \(c = 16\). Plugging these values into the discriminant formula gives: \[D = (-5)^2 - 4(4)(16) = 25 - 256 = -231\]Since \(D < 0\), equation (a) has no real solutions.
03
- Apply the Discriminant to Equation (b)
For the quadratic equation \(36y^2 + 36y + 9 = 0\), identify \(a = 36\), \(b = 36\), and \(c = 9\). Plugging these values into the discriminant formula gives: \[D = 36^2 - 4(36)(9) = 1296 - 1296 = 0\]Since \(D = 0\), equation (b) has exactly one real solution.
04
- Apply the Discriminant to Equation (c)
For the quadratic equation \(6m^2 + 3m - 5 = 0\), identify \(a = 6\), \(b = 3\), and \(c = -5\). Plugging these values into the discriminant formula gives: \[D = 3^2 - 4(6)(-5) = 9 + 120 = 129\]Since \(D > 0\), equation (c) has two distinct real solutions.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Discriminant
The discriminant is a key concept in understanding the nature of solutions for quadratic equations. Given a quadratic equation in the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the discriminant (\( D \)) is calculated using the formula: \[ D = b^2 - 4ac \]. This simple calculation can provide crucial insight into the type and number of roots the equation has. The discriminant helps us determine if the quadratic equation has:
- Two distinct real roots (\( D > 0 \))
- One real root, also known as a repeated root (\( D = 0 \))
- No real roots, implying the solutions are complex numbers ( \(D < 0 \)).
Real Solutions
Real solutions of a quadratic equation are found when the discriminant (\( D \)) is greater than or equal to zero. Let's break down how the discriminant indicates the number of real solutions:
- If \( D > 0 \), the quadratic equation has two distinct real solutions. This typically means the graph of the quadratic function will intersect the x-axis at two points.
- If \( D = 0 \), the quadratic equation has exactly one real solution. In this case, the graph of the quadratic function touches the x-axis at just one point, referred to as a repeated root.
Roots of Quadratic Equations
The roots of a quadratic equation are the values of the variable that satisfy the equation, where the quadratic expression equals zero. Roots can be found using the quadratic formula: \[x = \frac{-b \text{±} \sqrt{D}}{2a}\]. Depending on the value of the discriminant (\( D \)), the formula provides different roots:
- For \( D > 0 \), substituting the discriminant into the formula gives two distinct real roots.
- For \( D = 0 \), the formula simplifies to yield one real root because the square root of zero is zero, eliminating the ± aspect.
- For \( D < 0 \), the roots involve complex numbers because the square root of a negative number is imaginary.
Nature of Roots
The nature of roots in a quadratic equation is closely tied to the discriminant (\( D \)). The nature, whether real or complex, distinct or repeated, is deduced by evaluating \( D \). Here's a quick recap:
- When \( D > 0 \), the roots are real and distinct, meaning they are two different solutions.
- When \( D = 0 \), the root is real and repeated, indicating the same solution occurs twice.
- When \( D < 0 \), the roots are complex conjugates, featuring a pair of imaginary numbers expressed as \( a + bi \) and \( a - bi \).