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Algebra Level 5

y = x 2 x + c x 2 + x + 2 c \large y=\dfrac{x^2-x+c}{x^2+x+2c}

If x x is real , then the above expression can take all real values for c ( a , b ) c\in (a,b) , then find a + b a+b .


The answer is -6.

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1 solution

Akshat Sharda
Jun 10, 2016

y = x 2 x + c x 2 + x + 2 c y x 2 + y x + 2 c y = x 2 x + c x 2 ( y 1 ) + x ( y + 1 ) + 2 c y c = 0 y=\dfrac{x^2-x+c}{x^2+x+2c} \\ yx^2+yx+2cy=x^2-x+c \\ x^2(y-1)+x(y+1)+2cy-c=0

As x x is real, discriminant of the above equation must be more than or equal to 0 0 .

( y + 1 ) 2 4 ( y 1 ) ( 2 c y c ) 0 y 2 ( 1 8 c ) + 2 ( 1 + 6 c ) y + 1 4 c 0 (y+1)^2-4(y-1)(2cy-c)≥0 \\ y^2(1-8c)+2(1+6c)y+1-4c≥0

Now the above must be true y R \forall y\in \mathbb{R} , so the discriminant of this equation must be 0 ≤0 and 1 8 c > 0 c < 1 8 1-8c>0\Rightarrow c<\frac{1}{8} .

2 2 ( 1 + 6 c ) 2 4 ( 1 8 c ) ( 1 4 c ) 0 4 c ( c + 6 ) 0 c [ 6 , 0 ] 2^2(1+6c)^2-4(1-8c)(1-4c)≤0 \\ 4c(c+6)≤0 \Rightarrow c\in [-6,0]

Now, we have to check the boundary points, at c = 6 c=-6 , y = ( x 3 ) ( x + 2 ) ( x 3 ) ( x + 4 ) y = x + 2 x + 4 , x 3 y=\frac{(x-3)(x+2)}{(x-3)(x+4)}\Rightarrow y= \frac{x+2}{x+4}, x≠3

Therefore, 3 + 2 3 + 4 = 5 7 \frac{3+2}{3+4}=\frac{5}{7} will not be included in the range of y y as it is only possible for x = 3 x=3 but x x should not be equal to 3 3 , so c = 6 c=-6 should not be included in our answer.

Similarly, checking for c = 0 c=0 ,

y = x 2 x x 2 + x y = x 1 x + 1 , x 0 y=\frac{x^2-x}{x^2+x}\Rightarrow y=\frac{x-1}{x+1},x≠0

Therefore, 0 1 0 + 1 = 1 \frac{0-1}{0+1}=-1 will not be included in the range of y y as it is possible only for x = 0 x=0 but x x should not be equal to 0 0 , so c = 0 c=0 will also not be included in our answer.

c ( 6 , 0 ) 6 + 0 = 6 \therefore c\in (-6,0) \\ \Rightarrow -6+0=\boxed{-6}

The question would have been better if you made it a multiple type taking care of boundary conditions in options... Otherwise no would take care of why there isn't equalities on boundaries.... BTW (+1)

Rishabh Jain - 5 years ago

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I see! I think I should ask for integer values for c c , let it be =k=5. Then find -(k+1).

What do you think?

Akshat Sharda - 5 years ago

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Not much of the people would bother abt open and closed interval since there could be only three possible answers in case of [ 6 , 0 ] ; ; ( 6 , 0 ] o r [ 6 , 0 ) ; ; ( 6 , 0 ) [-6,0];;(-6,0] or [-6,0);; (-6,0) hence there could be only three possible values of k k and you've got only three attempts so no effect of modifying the ques...... Rather next time if you post such a good problem do take care of not to benefit flukemasters.. ;-)

Rishabh Jain - 5 years ago

nice Question+Solution..+1

Sabhrant Sachan - 5 years ago

@Akshat Sharda Why did you check for only the boundary points , why did not you check for any other interior value ?

space sizzlers - 4 years, 11 months ago

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I check only the boundary points as there was a chance that something can become common in the numerator and denominator.

Akshat Sharda - 4 years, 11 months ago

@Akshat Sharda yes but what I wanted to know is how can you be sure that only the boundary point can bring a common factor why cannot any point lying between -6 and 0 can bring a common factor ?

space sizzlers - 4 years, 11 months ago

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