Chapter 8: Problem 7
Evaluate each expression. a. \(\frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{2^{2}-4(1)(-8)}}{2(1)}\) b. \(\frac{-(-1) \pm \sqrt{(-1)^{2}-4(2)(-4)}}{2(2)}\)
Short Answer
Expert verified
Solutions for a are 2 and -4; solutions for b are \(\frac{1 + \sqrt{33}}{4}\) and \(\frac{1 - \sqrt{33}}{4}\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Expressions
We have two separate expressions to evaluate:a. \(\frac{-2 \pm \sqrt{2^{2}-4(1)(-8)}}{2(1)}\)b. \(\frac{-(-1) \pm \sqrt{(-1)^{2}-4(2)(-4)}}{2(2)}\)
02
Simplify Expression a
For expression a:- Identify each component: \(-b = -2\), \(b = 2\), \(a = 1\), and \(c = -8\).- Calculate the discriminant: \(b^2 - 4ac = 2^2 - 4(1)(-8)\).- Simplification gives: \(4 + 32 = 36\).- Calculate the square root: \(\sqrt{36} = 6\).- Apply the values into the quadratic formula: \(\frac{-2 \pm 6}{2}\).
03
Evaluate Both Solutions for Expression a
Now, perform the calculations:- Positive case: \(\frac{-2 + 6}{2} = \frac{4}{2} = 2\).- Negative case: \(\frac{-2 - 6}{2} = \frac{-8}{2} = -4\).Thus, the solutions for a are 2 and -4.
04
Simplify Expression b
For expression b:- Identify each component: \(-b = -(-1) = 1\), \(b = -1\), \(a = 2\), and \(c = -4\).- Calculate the discriminant: \((-1)^2 - 4(2)(-4) = 1 + 32 = 33\).- Calculate the square root: \(\sqrt{33}\).- Apply into the quadratic formula: \(\frac{1 \pm \sqrt{33}}{4}\).
05
Evaluate Both Solutions for Expression b
Evaluate the solutions:- Positive case: \(\frac{1 + \sqrt{33}}{4}\).- Negative case: \(\frac{1 - \sqrt{33}}{4}\).These are the solutions for expression b.
Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!
-
Full Textbook Solutions
Get detailed explanations and key concepts
-
Unlimited Al creation
Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...
-
Ads-free access
To over 500 millions flashcards
-
Money-back guarantee
We refund you if you fail your exam.
Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with 91Ó°ÊÓ!
Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Discriminant
The discriminant is a key part of the quadratic formula, which determines the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. In a standard quadratic equation of the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), the discriminant is given by the formula \( b^2 - 4ac \). This value tells us a lot about the solutions of the equation because it helps us understand the nature of the roots:
- If the discriminant is positive, the quadratic equation has two distinct real roots.
- If the discriminant is zero, the equation has exactly one real root, also known as a repeated or double root.
- If the discriminant is negative, there are no real roots, but instead two complex conjugate roots.
Roots of Quadratic Equations
Finding the roots of a quadratic equation is one of the main goals when solving these equations. The roots are the solutions to the equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \) and can be found using the quadratic formula:\[x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\]By substituting the coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) from the quadratic equation into this formula, we get the values of \( x \) that satisfy the equation. These roots can be:
- Real and distinct if the discriminant is positive, which means the graph of the quadratic function intersects the x-axis at two points.
- Real and repeated if the discriminant is zero, in which case the vertex of the parabola touches the x-axis.
- Complex and not real if the discriminant is negative, indicating the parabola does not intersect the x-axis at all.
Square Roots
Square roots are a fundamental concept in mathematics, especially when solving quadratic equations. The square root of a number \( x \) is a value that, when multiplied by itself, gives \( x \). For example, \( \sqrt{36} = 6 \) because \( 6 \times 6 = 36 \).
- Square roots appear in the quadratic formula under the square root sign, \( \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac} \).
- The positive and negative symbols (\( \pm \)) represent two possible solutions: one with the positive square root and another with the negative.
- The square root of the discriminant influences the nature of the roots, as we discussed earlier.