Chapter 16: Problem 34
Solve by using the quadratic formula. $$9 t^{2}=30 t+17$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions to the quadratic equation are \(t_1 = \frac{30 + \sqrt{288}}{18}\) and \(t_2 = \frac{30 - \sqrt{288}}{18}\)
Step by step solution
01
Identify the coefficients
In the quadratic equation \(9t^{2} - 30t + 17 = 0\), the coefficients are \(a = 9\), \(b = -30\), and \(c = 17\).
02
Calculate the discriminant
The discriminant \(D\) in the quadratic formula is given by \(D = b^{2}-4ac\). So, substitute the given coefficients into the equation to get: \(D = (-30)^{2} - 4*9*17 = 900 - 612 = 288\).
03
Apply the quadratic formula
The quadratic formula is given by \(t = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4ac}}{2a}\). Use this formula along with the calculated discriminant to find the solution to the problem. Now, we’ll substitute \(a = 9\), \(b = -30\), and \(D = 288\) into the quadratic formula which gives us two solutions: \(t_1 = \frac{30 + \sqrt{288}}{18}\) and \(t_2 = \frac{30 - \sqrt{288}}{18}\)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Solving Quadratic Equations
Quadratic equations are a staple of algebra and come in the standard form of \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \), where \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are known values, and \( x \) represents the unknown variable that we wish to solve for. One powerful tool for solving these equations is the quadratic formula. It provides a straightforward solution for finding the roots of any quadratic equation.
The general steps for solving a quadratic using the quadratic formula include setting the equation to zero, identifying the coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \), computing the discriminant, and then applying the formula itself:
The general steps for solving a quadratic using the quadratic formula include setting the equation to zero, identifying the coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \), computing the discriminant, and then applying the formula itself:
- Set to Zero: Ensure that the quadratic equation is in the form \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \).
- Identify Coefficients: Recognize the coefficients of \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) in your equation.
- Compute Discriminant: Calculate the discriminant, \( D \), which helps determine the nature and number of solutions.
- Apply Formula: Use the coefficients and discriminant in the quadratic formula, \( x = \frac{{-b \pm \sqrt{{b^2-4ac}}}}{{2a}} \), and simplify to find the values of \( x \).
Discriminant in Quadratics
The discriminant in the context of quadratic equations is a specific expression denoted as \( D = b^2 - 4ac \). It plays a crucial role in determining not just the solutions, but also the nature of the solutions. There are three different scenarios:
- Positive Discriminant: If the discriminant is positive, it means there are two distinct real solutions to the quadratic equation.
- Zero Discriminant: If the discriminant is zero, the quadratic has exactly one real solution, sometimes referred to as a repeated or double root.
- Negative Discriminant: A negative discriminant indicates that the equation has complex solutions, which means they have a real part and an imaginary part.
Identifying Coefficients
In the realm of quadratic equations, identifying the correct coefficients is essential for applying the quadratic formula accurately. The coefficients of a quadratic equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \) are as follows:
- \( a \): The coefficient of \( x^2 \), which determines the equation's leading term and influences its shape and orientation on a graph.
- \( b \): The coefficient of \( x \), which affects the equation's symmetry and the location of its vertex along the x-axis.
- \( c \): The constant term, which determines where the parabola intersects the y-axis.