I have a test tomorrow and can't solve this problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter Anne_Boleyn
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Test
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving the inequality 2x² - x + 1 < 9, which has been transformed into the form 2x² - x - 8 < 0. Participants are exploring methods to analyze the quadratic inequality and its roots.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to manipulate the quadratic expression and are questioning the correctness of their transformations. Some are exploring different methods, including factoring and using the quadratic formula, while others are discussing the implications of the leading coefficient on the sign of the function.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing dialogue about the correctness of the algebraic manipulations. Some participants have offered guidance on using a specific formula for quadratics, while others are trying to clarify their understanding of the inequality's behavior based on the roots.

Contextual Notes

Participants express confusion regarding the transformations and the application of methods to solve the inequality. There is a sense of urgency due to an impending test, which may be influencing the level of stress and the need for clarity in the discussion.

Anne_Boleyn
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Can anyone please help? :cry:

2x² - x + 1 < 9Edit: This is what I've done so far

2x² - x - 8 < 0
2 [ x² - 1/2x - 4] < 0
2(x - 1/2)² - 17/4 < 0
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
This line is incorrect:

2 [ x² - 1/2x - 4] = 2(x - 1/2)² - 17/4

Start by getting the right one, then we'll go foward.
 
Then should it be: 2 [ x² - 1/2x - 4] = 2(x - 1/2)² + 15/4

:confused: I'm really lost :frown:
 
The formula you should memorize if you have difficulty with this is

[tex]ax^2+bx+c= a\left[ \left( x+\frac{b}{2a} \right) ^2 - \left( \frac{b}{2a} \right) ^2 + \frac{c}{a} \right][/tex]

Apply this formula to your equation. (i.e. plug a=2, b=-1 and c=-8)
 
Anne_Boleyn said:
Can anyone please help? :cry:

2x² - x + 1 < 9


Edit: This is what I've done so far

2x² - x - 8 < 0
2 [ x² - 1/2x - 4] < 0
2(x - 1/2)² - 17/4 < 0

another method is to solve [itex]2x^{2} - x - 8 = 0[/itex] by dividing both sides by 2 and solve the quadratic equation using

[tex]x = \frac {-b ^{+}_{-} {\sqrt {b^{2} - 4ac}}} {2a}[/tex]

and then investigate for what x this inequality is valid.
 
Last edited:
Anne_Boleyn said:
Can anyone please help? :cry:

2x² - x + 1 < 9Edit: This is what I've done so far

2x² - x - 8 < 0
2 [ x² - 1/2x - 4] < 0
2(x - 1/2)² - 17/4 < 0
Uhmm, let f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, and let the equation f(x) = 0 has 2 real roots x1, and x2, such that x1 < x2. We choose a arbitrary x0 value. We have:
[tex]af(x_0) < 0 \Leftrightarrow x_0 \in ]x_1 , \ x_2[[/tex]
[tex]af(x_0) > 0 \Leftrightarrow x_0 \notin ]x_1 , \ x_2[[/tex]
Or in other words:
x0 is in the interval ]x1, x2[ if and only if the leading coefficient a, and f(x0) takes different signs, i.e if a is positive, then f(x0) is negative, and vice versa.
x0 is not in the interval ]x1, x2[ if and only if the leading coefficient a, and f(x0) takes the same sign, i.e if a is positive, then f(x0) is also positive, and vice versa.
---------------
I'll give you an example:
Example:
Solve the inequality:
x2 + 5x + 4 < 0
<=> (x + 4) (x + 1) < 0
-4, and -1 are the 2 roots for this equation.
Let f(x) = x2 + 5x + 4
The leading coefficient of f(x) is 1 > 0
And you have to solve for f(x) < 0, i.e, you will have to find all the value x such that f(x) and the coefficient take different signs, so the solution is
<=> -4 < x < -1
Can you get this? :)
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 24 ·
Replies
24
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
10
Views
2K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K