Let be the integer solution to the quadratic equation . Evaluate .
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a x 2 + b x + c − a b c = 0 a x 2 + b x + c − ( 1 0 0 a + 1 0 b + c ) = 0 a x 2 + b x − 1 0 0 a − 1 0 b = 0 x = 2 a − b ± b 2 − 4 a ( − 1 0 0 a − 1 0 b ) = 2 a − b ± 4 0 0 a 2 + 4 0 a b + b 2 = 2 a − b ± ( 2 0 a ) 2 + 2 ( 2 0 a ) ( b ) + b 2 = 2 a − b ± ( 2 0 a + b ) 2 = 2 a − b ± ( 2 0 a + b )
Now, let's try the solution with + ( 2 0 a + b )
x = 2 a − b + ( 2 0 a + b ) = 2 a 2 0 a = 1 0
This solution is an integer, therefore k = 1 0
k 3 + 7 k 2 + 2 k + 9 = 1 0 3 + 7 ( 1 0 ) 2 + 2 ( 1 0 ) + 9 = 1 7 2 9
The other solution, however, can also be an integer.
x = 2 a − b − ( 2 0 a + b ) = 2 a − 2 b − 2 0 a = − a b − 1 0
This solution will be an integer too if ∣ b ∣ is a multiple of ∣ a ∣
For example, a = 2 , b = 4
x = − 2 4 − 1 0 = − 1 2
In this case, k can also be − 1 2 .
Then, k 3 + 7 k 2 + 2 k + 9 = ( − 1 2 ) 3 + 7 ( − 1 2 ) 2 + 2 ( − 1 2 ) + 9 = − 7 3 5
Of course, there are many other possible answers.
The only way to ensure that this question has a unique answer is to add the condition: ∣ b ∣ is not a multiple of ∣ a ∣