Solve the equation 3a^2+4a+1=3 for all values of a. Give your answers to 3 significant figures.
First take the 3 over the other side to make the right hand side zero, turning it into a homogeneous equation: 3a2+4a-2=0. Since the expression on the left hand side cannot be factorised, we have to use quadratic formula. Applying the quadratic formula gives the following solutions for a: a1= (-4 + sqrt(42 - (4 x 3 x -2)))/ (2 x 3) = (-4 + sqrt(40) / 6 = 0.3874... and a2= (-4 - sqrt(42 - (4 x 3 x -2)))/ (2 x 3) = (-4 - sqrt(40) / 6 = -1.7207... . Hence, final solutions are a = 0.387 and a = -1.72.
NA
Related Maths GCSE answers
All answers ▸3 teas and 2 coffees have a total cost of £7.80; 5 teas and 4 coffees have a total cost of £14.20. Work out the individual cost of one tea and one coffee.
solve the equation x^2 -5x +1 = 25
How do I plot a line on a graph, given the equation y=2x+1 ?
John ran a 450m race (2sf) in a time of 62 seconds (nearest second). Calculate the difference between his maximum and minimum average speed. (3sf)