If (m+8)(x^2)+m=7-8x has two real roots show that (m+9)(m-8)<0 where m is an arbitrary constant

For this we are going to test our knowledge of discriminats and factorisation. Firstly we will format the equation as (m+8)x2+8x+(m-7)=0From here we can see it takes the form ax2+bx+c, and as we know the equation has two real roots we know that the discriminant D is greater than 0. Therfore b2-4ac>0a=(m+8)    b=8     c=(m-7)82-4(m+8)(m-7)>0   Pluggin in a,b,c64-4(m2+m-54)>0   expanding brackets and squaring 816-(m2+m-54)>0    dividing both sides by a factor of 40>(m2+m-54)-16     moving left handside to right handside by addition / subtraction0>m2+m-72        collecting terms0>(m+9)(m-8)      factorisingWe have now shown that (m+9)(m-8)<0 for the above equation when it has two real roots.

MJ
Answered by Marcus J. Maths tutor

4902 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

Sketch the function (x^4 + 2x^3 - x -2)/(x+2)


Two lines have equations r = (1,4,1)+s(-1,2,2) and r = (2,8,2)+t(1,3,5). Show that these lines are skew.


Find dy/dx for y=5x^3-2x^2+7x-15


A circle is given by the equation x^2+y^2-20x-24y+195=0. Draw this circle.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning