Prove the Given Statement....2

  • Context: MHB 
  • Thread starter Thread starter mathdad
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving a mathematical statement related to the intercepts of a circle defined by the equation x² + 2Ax + y² + 2By = C. Participants explore the relationship between the x-intercepts (a, b) and y-intercepts (c, d), specifically aiming to demonstrate that a•b - c•d = 0. The conversation includes elements of quadratic equations, Vieta's formulas, and properties of roots.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant proposes that the product of the x-intercepts and y-intercepts should satisfy the equation a•b - c•d = 0.
  • Another participant discusses the quadratic formula and its implications for the product of roots, questioning if the product can be expressed as -ba.
  • Several participants calculate the product of the roots using the quadratic formula, leading to expressions involving a, b, c, and their relationships.
  • One participant introduces the concept of cyclic orthodiagonal quadrilaterals and relates it to the angles formed by the intercepts, suggesting that the tangent ratio leads to the conclusion ab = cd.
  • Another participant expresses a lack of familiarity with Vieta's formulas but provides a product expression for the roots, seeking further steps in the proof.
  • There are mentions of formatting issues with LaTeX in the posts, affecting the clarity of mathematical expressions.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the proof of the statement. Multiple approaches and interpretations are presented, with some participants agreeing on certain mathematical relationships while others remain uncertain or seek clarification.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the intercepts and their relationships. Some mathematical steps remain unresolved, and the dependence on specific definitions of intercepts and quadratics is noted.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to those studying quadratic equations, mathematical proofs, or properties of geometric figures related to intercepts in coordinate geometry.

mathdad
Messages
1,280
Reaction score
0
Suppose that the circle x^2 + 2Ax + y^2 + 2By = C has two intercepts, a and b, and two y-intercepts, c and d.
Prove that a•b - c•d = 0.

How is this started?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
In the general quadratic:

$$ax^2+bx+c$$

Use the quadratic formula to obtain the product of the roots...what do you find?
 
In the last example, the sum of the roots turned to be s = -b/a. Can the product p be -ba?
 
RTCNTC said:
In the last example, the sum of the roots turned to be s = -b/a. Can the product p be -ba?

The product $P$ of the roots would be:

$$P=\frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\cdot\frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=?$$
 
I had a hunch that you were talking about multiplying the quadratic formula. I will be back later with the product.
 
Mark is offering you a proof of Vieta's formulas (see example for application to quadratic polynomials).
 
I know nothing about Vieta.

Here is the product P:

P = (4a^2b^2 + 4ac - b^2)/(4a^2)

What is the next step?
 
RTCNTC said:
I know nothing about Vieta.
That's why I provided a link. In my opinion, this information is useful, at least to verify the answers, i.e., formulas for sum and product of roots of a quadratic polynomial.

RTCNTC said:
Here is the product P:

P = (4a^2b^2 + 4ac - b^2)/(4a^2)
No, using the formula $(x+y)(x-y)=x^2-y^2$ we get

$$\frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\cdot\frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=\frac{b^2-(b^2-4ac)}{4a^2}=\frac{4ac}{4a^2}=\frac{c}{a}$$.
 
What do I do with c/a?
 
  • #10
Going back to the original equation $x^2 + 2Ax + y^2 + 2By = C$ with $x$-intercepts $a$, $b$ and $y$-intercepts $c$, $d$, you can express $ab$ and $cd$ through $A$, $B$ and $C$ just like in the solved thread.
 
Last edited:
  • #11
Your typed letters are blocking your Latex work.
 
  • #12
RTCNTC said:
Your typed letters are blocking your Latex work.
I am not sure what you mean (LaTeX formulas are also typed). If my post is displayed incorrectly, the best thing would be to post a screenshot to illustrate the problem.
 
  • #13
Evgeny.Makarov said:
I am not sure what you mean (LaTeX formulas are also typed). If my post is displayed incorrectly, the best thing would be to post a screenshot to illustrate the problem.

Inline latex throws RTCNTC's cell phone off (he does not use a desktop).

In regards to the problem,

Label the positive x-intercept a, the negative x-intercept b, the positive y-intercept c and the negative y-intercept d. These four points around the origin are the vertices of a cyclic orthodiagonal quadrilateral, so angle bdc is equivalent to angle bac and angle acd is equivalent to angle abd. Using the tangent ratio, b/d = c/a which implies ab = cd, ab - cd = 0; QED.
 
  • #14
greg1313 said:
Inline latex throws RTCNTC's cell phone off (he does not use a desktop).

In regards to the problem,

Label the positive x-intercept a, the negative x-intercept b, the positive y-intercept c and the negative y-intercept d. These four points around the origin are the vertices of a cyclic orthodiagonal quadrilateral, so angle bdc is equivalent to angle bac and angle acd is equivalent to angle abd. Using the tangent ratio, b/d = c/a which implies ab = cd, ab - cd = 0; QED.

Thanks for completing the problem. It's not that I do not use a desktop. I really do not have a computer or laptop. My cell phone is my desktop and laptop.
 
  • #15
In post #10 I wrote the following.

Going back to the original equation x^2 + 2Ax + y^2 + 2By = C with x-intercepts a, b and y-intercepts c, d, you can express ab and cd through A, B and C just like in the solved thread.
 
  • #16
Suppose we wish to find the sum and product of the (distinct) roots of the general quadratic, and we know nothing of the quadratic formula. Let the two roots be $x_1$ and $x_2$. Since they are roots, we know:

$$ax_1^2+bx_1+c=0$$

$$ax_2^2+bx_2+c=0$$

Now, subtracting the former from the latter, we obtain:

$$a\left(x_2^2-x_1^2\right)+b\left(x_2-x_1\right)=0$$

Since the roots are distinct, then we may divide through by $x_2-x_1$ as it is not zero, and we obtain:

$$a\left(x_1+x_2\right)+b=0\implies x_1+x_2=-\frac{b}{a}$$

Now, if $c=0$, then we know the product of the roots is also 0. Then assuming neither root is 0, we may write:

$$ax_1+b=-\frac{c}{x_1}$$

$$ax_2+b=-\frac{c}{x_2}$$

Multiplying corresponding sides of these to equations together, we obtain:

$$a^2x_1x_2+ab\left(x_1+x_2\right)+b^2=\frac{c^2}{x_1x_2}$$

Using our formula for the sum of the roots, there results:

$$a^2x_1x_2-b^2+b^2=\frac{c^2}{x_1x_2}$$

$$a^2x_1x_2=\frac{c^2}{x_1x_2}$$

$$\left(x_1x_2\right)^2=\frac{c^2}{a^2}$$

Let's consider the case where the two roots have the same sign. Picture a parabola with both roots on the same side of the origin. We realize then that $a$ and $c$ must also have the same sign.

And likewise, when the two roots have opposite signs, then so too must $a$ and $c$ have opposite signs, and so we may write:

$$x_1x_2=\frac{c}{a}$$
 
  • #17
Thank you everyone. Great work, Mark!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
4
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
650
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
7K
Replies
10
Views
3K