Chapter 1: Problem 41
Find the solutions of the equation. $$x^{2}+4 x+13=0$$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The solutions are complex: \(-2 + 3i\) and \(-2 - 3i\).
Step by step solution
01
Identify the coefficients
Given the quadratic equation is \(x^2 + 4x + 13 = 0\). Identify the coefficients: \(a = 1\), \(b = 4\), and \(c = 13\).
02
Calculate the discriminant
The discriminant \(\Delta\) of a quadratic equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) is given by \(\Delta = b^2 - 4ac\). Substitute the coefficients into this formula: \(\Delta = 4^2 - 4 \times 1 \times 13\). Calculate: \(\Delta = 16 - 52 = -36\).
03
Determine the nature of the roots
Since the discriminant \(\Delta = -36\) is less than zero, the quadratic equation \(x^2 + 4x + 13 = 0\) has complex roots.
04
Use the quadratic formula
The quadratic formula to find the roots is \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}\). Substitute the values: \(x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{-36}}{2}\).
05
Solve for the complex roots
Calculate \(\sqrt{-36} = 6i\), where \(i\) is the imaginary unit. Substitute into the formula: \(x = \frac{-4 \pm 6i}{2}\). Simplify to find the roots: \(x = -2 \pm 3i\).
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 crucial component in determining the nature of the roots for any quadratic equation. It's found using the formula \(\Delta = b^2 - 4ac\), where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are coefficients from \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). In this equation:
Since \(\Delta = -36\) is negative, it tells us the quadratic equation will have complex roots instead of real ones.
The sign of the discriminant is an essential clue:
- \(a = 1\)
- \(b = 4\)
- \(c = 13\)
Since \(\Delta = -36\) is negative, it tells us the quadratic equation will have complex roots instead of real ones.
The sign of the discriminant is an essential clue:
- Positive: Two distinct real roots
- Zero: One real root (repeated)
- Negative: No real roots – results in complex roots
Complex Numbers
When a quadratic equation has a negative discriminant, as in this case with \(\Delta = -36\), the solutions are complex numbers. Complex numbers take the form \(a + bi\), where \(a\) and \(b\) are real numbers, and \(i\) is the imaginary unit satisfying \(i^2 = -1\).
For the given equation, the discriminant's square root is \(\sqrt{-36} = 6i\). This involves understanding that \(\sqrt{-1} = i\). Complex roots often come in conjugate pairs – if \(a + bi\) is a root, then \(a - bi\) is also a root.
Understanding complex numbers helps:
For the given equation, the discriminant's square root is \(\sqrt{-36} = 6i\). This involves understanding that \(\sqrt{-1} = i\). Complex roots often come in conjugate pairs – if \(a + bi\) is a root, then \(a - bi\) is also a root.
Understanding complex numbers helps:
- Explaining phenomena that real numbers cannot
- Providing solutions to equations that thought to have no "real" answers
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is an invaluable tool for solving any quadratic equation. It's expressed as \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{2a}\). Here, it's used to find the roots of \(x^2 + 4x + 13 = 0\).
By substituting the known values:
Simplifying yields the two complex solutions \(-2 + 3i\) and \(-2 - 3i\). The quadratic formula not only helps in getting the precise solutions but also indicates the nature of the solutions based on the discriminant value.
Steps to remember:
By substituting the known values:
- \(b = 4\)
- \(a = 1\)
- \(\Delta = -36\)
Simplifying yields the two complex solutions \(-2 + 3i\) and \(-2 - 3i\). The quadratic formula not only helps in getting the precise solutions but also indicates the nature of the solutions based on the discriminant value.
Steps to remember:
- Plug coefficients into the formula
- Handle the square root of the discriminant
- Simplify the expression carefully