Real find both roots of the equation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around finding the roots of the quadratic equation x^2 + 6x + k = 0, given that one root is complex and specifically takes the form of a + 2i, where a = 2. Participants are tasked with determining both roots and the value of k while ensuring k remains a real number.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants suggest using the quadratic formula and examining the implications of the imaginary part of the root. There is a discussion about the nature of complex roots being conjugates and how this relates to the sum of the roots. Some participants express confusion about the expansion of the equation and the subsequent steps needed to isolate variables.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing hints and guidance on how to approach the problem. There is a recognition of the need to expand the equation and set both real and imaginary parts to zero to derive equations for the unknowns b and k. However, there is no explicit consensus on the next steps or a resolution yet.

Contextual Notes

Some participants note potential typos in the original poster's calculations, specifically regarding the variable used in the expansion. There is an emphasis on the importance of showing work to facilitate further assistance.

UnD
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x^2 +6x +k=0 has one root (a) where I am (a) =2, If k is real find both roots of the equation and k

So i got b+ 2i is the root

(b+2i)^2 +6(x+2i) +k=0
and after expanding it out, i have no clue what to do. Please help. THanks
 
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Try using the quadratic formula and thinking about what comes underneath the square root in relation to Im(a) = 2
 
You know that if the roots are complex then the two roots are complex conjugates of each other. The sum of the roots is -6 (negative ratio of linear coefficient to quadratic coefficient) so you should be able figure out what what the real part has to be. Once you have a root you can find k.
 
UnD said:
x^2 +6x +k=0 has one root (a) where I am (a) =2, If k is real find both roots of the equation and k
So i got b+ 2i is the root
(b+2i)^2 +6(x+2i) +k=0
and after expanding it out, i have no clue what to do. Please help. THanks

I wish you had shown us what you got by expanding it! Clearly that "6(x+ 2i)" should be "6(b+ 2i)" but I don't know whether that's a typo or you actually left the x in your calculation.
Expand it out and set it equal to 0. For a complex number to be equal to 0, both real and imaginary parts must be 0. That gives you two (simple) equations for the two (real) unknown numbers, b and k.
 
sorry for bumping this topic

but could anyone please explain in detail how this question is done?
 
First try doing it yourself! You said "after expanding it out, i have no clue what to do." and I asked you to show what you got after expanding. You should get a complex number depending on b and k. As I said before, set real and imaginary parts equal to 0 and you get two equations for b and k. Solve those equations.
 

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