An algebra problem by Dane Humiwat

Algebra Level 2

Given this equation:

x 2 + 3 x + 6 = 0 x^2 + 3x +6 = 0

What are the characteristics of the roots?

Repeated, Complex Imaginary, Complex Linear Real, Positive

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2 solutions

Kay Xspre
Oct 5, 2015

You can convert this into the form of perfect square. x 2 + 3 x + 6 = ( x + 1.5 ) 2 + 3.75 x^2+3x+6 = (x+1.5)^2+3.75 . Given the value of n 2 0 n^2 \geq 0 for real number n n , there will be no real solution as the form of this equation never goes below 3.75. The answer to this equation will then be the complex number of x = 3 ± i 15 2 x= \frac{-3\pm i \sqrt{15}}{2}

Andy Wong
Oct 4, 2015

You can tell whether the roots of a trinomial are real or imaginary by finding whether the discriminant is positive or negative, respectively.

D i s c r i m i n a n t : b 2 4 a c a = 1 b = 3 c = 6 P l u g g i n g i n t o t h e e q u a t i o n : 3 2 4 ( 1 ) ( 6 ) = 9 24 = 15 Discriminant:\quad { b }^{ 2 }-\quad 4ac\\ a\quad =\quad 1\\ b\quad =\quad 3\\ c\quad =\quad 6\\ \\ Plugging\quad into\quad the\quad equation:\\ { 3 }^{ 2 }\quad -\quad 4(1)(6)\quad =\quad 9\quad -\quad 24\quad =\quad -15

Because the discriminant is negative, we can conclude that the trinomial is imaginary/complex.

As you said, b²-4ac, not a²-4bc. So the ∆ = 3²- 4 1 6 = 9-24 = -16. So the discriminant is -16, anyways it's negative, and the number is complex.

Vitor Curtarelli - 5 years, 8 months ago

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Yup, did it in my head correctly, put it on paper incorrectly. I'll edit it.

Andy Wong - 5 years, 8 months ago

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