Perfect Square

Algebra Level 2

If the quadratic expression k x 2 3 k x + 9 kx^2-3kx+9 is a perfect square, what is the value of k k ?


The answer is 4.

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4 solutions

Maria Kozlowska
Jan 4, 2017

We can apply the formula: ( a b ) 2 = a 2 2 a b + b 2 (a-b)^2 = a^2 - 2 a b + b^2 . In our case a = k x , b = 3 a=\sqrt{k}x, b=3 .

k x 2 3 k x + 9 = ( k x 3 ) 2 = k x 2 6 k x + 9 3 k x = 6 k x k = 2 k k = 2 k = 4 k x^2 -3 k x + 9 = (\sqrt{k}x-3)^2 = k x^2 - 6 \sqrt{k}x + 9 \Rightarrow 3 k x = 6 \sqrt{k}x \Rightarrow k = 2 \sqrt{k} \Rightarrow \sqrt{k}=2 \Rightarrow k=\boxed{4}

Note: k = 0 k=0 is also a solution to the equation, but it would not be quadratic expression.

u are assuming that k cant be 0 because it wouldnt be a quadratic expression,then?

Rohith M.Athreya - 4 years, 5 months ago

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Yes, I have added it to a solution. Thanks.

Maria Kozlowska - 4 years, 5 months ago

To be a perfect square, its discriminant must equal 0 0 : 9 k 2 4 9 k = 0 k ( k 4 ) = 0 9k^2-4\cdot 9k=0 \Rightarrow k(k-4)=0 So the solutions should be, 0 0 or 4 4 , but if we use k = 0 k=0 the expression is not quadratic, so the answer is 4 4

Genis Dude
Jan 6, 2017

Kx²-3kx+9 is the expression.Therefore,

Zero of the equation is Kx²-3x+9=0

Let the roots be β&β.so,

β+β=3k/k (sum of roots are -b/a)

Therefore, β=3/2

β²=9/k (product of roots are c/a)

9/4=9/k

Therefore,K=4

Khushi Mehta
Jan 7, 2017

(2x-9)². =4x²-12x+9 Is the same as kx²-3kx+9. So k=4

It is ( 2 x 3 ) 2 = 4 x 2 12 x + 9 (2x-3)^{2}=4x^{2}-12x+9 , right?

Matthew Christopher Pohadi - 4 years, 4 months ago

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