Precalculus problems, don't understand

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    Precalculus
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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around solving equations in precalculus, specifically focusing on finding solutions for a variable in a given equation, solving quadratic equations, and addressing potential misunderstandings in the problem setup.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the original poster's attempts to solve for the variable n in the equation S = n(n + 1)/3, questioning the correctness of the provided solutions. There is a request for clarification on the quadratic equation being solved for y and the solutions for x^(4/3) are noted as partially correct, prompting further exploration of additional solutions.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the original poster's attempts, providing feedback on the solutions presented. Some guidance has been offered regarding the need for clarity in the expression for n and the importance of including S in the final answer. Multiple interpretations of the problem setup are being explored, particularly concerning the role of S as a parameter.

Contextual Notes

There is an ongoing discussion about the implications of treating S as a function versus a parameter, and whether it should be set to zero in the context of solving the equations. Participants are also noting the need for parentheses in mathematical expressions to avoid ambiguity.

Niaboc67
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1.) Solve the equation for the indicated variable. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)

S = n(n + 1)/3; for n

My answer: n = 1+√(1+12s)/2 , 1+√(1+12s)/2

For some reason I keep getting this as incorrect?

2.) Find all real solutions of the quadratic equation. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there is no real solution, enter NO REAL SOLUTION.)
7y^2 − y − 1/7 = 0

My answer: y= 1/14 (1-3√53) , 1/14(1+3√53)

3.) Find all real solutions of the equation. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there is no real solution, enter NO REAL SOLUTION.)
x^(4/3) − 5x^(2/3) + 6 = 0

My answer: 2√2 , 3√3

I don't understand why I keep getting these wrong. Please explain, thank you in advance.
 
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Niaboc67 said:
1.) Solve the equation for the indicated variable. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)

S = n(n + 1)/3; for n

My answer: n = 1+√(1+12s)/2 , 1+√(1+12s)/2
The two answers you wrote are both the same.
Show us the quadratic equation you're working with.
Niaboc67 said:
For some reason I keep getting this as incorrect?

2.) Find all real solutions of the quadratic equation. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there is no real solution, enter NO REAL SOLUTION.)
7y^2 − y − 1/7 = 0

My answer: y= 1/14 (1-3√53) , 1/14(1+3√53)
Both of these are wrong. Show us the work you did to solve for y.
Niaboc67 said:
3.) Find all real solutions of the equation. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there is no real solution, enter NO REAL SOLUTION.)
x^(4/3) − 5x^(2/3) + 6 = 0

My answer: 2√2 , 3√3
These two solutions are correct, but there are two more solutions. Show us what you did.
Niaboc67 said:
I don't understand why I keep getting these wrong. Please explain, thank you in advance.
 
Niaboc67 said:
1.) Solve the equation for the indicated variable. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list.)

S = n(n + 1)/3; for n

My answer: n = 1+√(1+12s)/2 , 1+√(1+12s)/2

For some reason I keep getting this as incorrect?

2.) Find all real solutions of the quadratic equation. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there is no real solution, enter NO REAL SOLUTION.)
7y^2 − y − 1/7 = 0

My answer: y= 1/14 (1-3√53) , 1/14(1+3√53)

3.) Find all real solutions of the equation. (Enter your answers as a comma-separated list. If there is no real solution, enter NO REAL SOLUTION.)
x^(4/3) − 5x^(2/3) + 6 = 0

My answer: 2√2 , 3√3

I don't understand why I keep getting these wrong. Please explain, thank you in advance.

For the first question: what you wrote is
n = 1 + \frac{\sqrt{1+12s}}{2}.
This is wrong; did you mean to write
n = \frac{1+\sqrt{1+12s}}{2} \, ?
If so, you need to USE PARENTHESES, like this: n = (1 + 12√(1+12s)/2.
 
If S is the function then just set S=0 and then solve the quadratic. That will give you your answer.
 
dumplump said:
If S is the function then just set S=0 and then solve the quadratic. That will give you your answer.
No it won't. The goal of the exercise is to solve for n, which will give an expression that involves S.
 
Mark44 said:
No it won't. The goal of the exercise is to solve for n, which will give an expression that involves S.
I did not see that from his Original post. He just said that he needed to solve the quadratic.
 
dumplump said:
I did not see that from his Original post. He just said that he needed to solve the quadratic.
Yes, but where S is an unknown parameter. You can't just set it to zero. It must appear in the answer.
 
haruspex said:
Yes, but where S is an unknown parameter. You can't just set it to zero. It must appear in the answer.
I just thought that maybe it was a function like S(x), but he just forgot to put that.
 

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