What is the value of a to have double solutions in this quadratic equation?

AI Thread Summary
To achieve double solutions in the quadratic equation ax^2 - 4x + 4 = 0, the discriminant must equal zero (D = 0). This occurs when the equation 16 - 16a = 0 is solved, leading to the conclusion that a must equal 1. The term "double solutions" is clarified as referring to a repeated root rather than two distinct roots. Some participants expressed confusion over the terminology, emphasizing that "double" should indicate identical solutions. Ultimately, the correct value for a to yield double solutions is 1.
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Homework Statement


How should be the value of a so quadratic equation ax^2-4x+4=0 to have double solutions?
A)\;\;2
B)\;\;1
C)\;-1
D)\;-2

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


D=b^2-4ac
If:
D>0\;\;\rightarrow\; {x_1,x_2}\;\rightarrow\;\text{double solutions.}
D=0\;\;\rightarrow\; {x_1}\;\rightarrow\;\text{only one solution}
D<0\;\;\rightarrow\; \text{no solution.}

so:
(-4)^2-4*a*4=16-16*a
\text{If:}\;\;a=-1\;\;\rightarrow\;D=32
\text{If:}\;\;a=-2\;\;\rightarrow\;D=48

Which one should be?? thank you.
 
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Looks like both C and D work. Are you only allowed to choose one answer?
 
kreshnik said:
How should be the value of a so quadratic equation
ax^2-4x+4=0 to have

----> double <---- solutions?

\text{No, this word is misleading and must be instead be}
\text{meant for the solution to be repeated, and not be &quot;double,&quot;}
\text{as in two different solutions.}


A)\;\;2
B)\;\;1
C)\;-1
D)\;-2

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


D=b^2-4ac
If:
D&gt;0\;\;\rightarrow\; {x_1,x_2}\;\rightarrow\;\text{double solutions.}
D=0\;\;\rightarrow\; {x_1}\;\rightarrow\;\text{only one solution}
D&lt;0\;\;\rightarrow\; \text{no solution.}

so:
(-4)^2-4*a*4=16-16*a
\text{If:}\;\;a=-1\;\;\rightarrow\;D=32
\text{If:}\;\;a=-2\;\;\rightarrow\;D=48

Which one should be?? thank you.


"Double" here should mean the solutions are twins.


So, you need D = 0, so that there is a repeated solution.

So, \ set \ \ 16 - 16a \ \ equal \ to \ 0 \ and \ solve

\ for \ that \ value \ of \ a.


*** Edit


That means that a = 1.

So, the answer is B.



***2nd edit:

Curious3141 repeated the essence of what I already stated.
 
Last edited:
Terrible question. "Double solutions" is nonsensical. It's either "distinct real roots" for D>0 or "single repeated root" for D=0.
 
checkitagain said:
"Double" here should mean the solutions are twins.


So, you need D = 0, so that there is a repeated solution.

So, \ set \ \ 16 - 16a \ \ equal \ to \ 0 \ and \ solve

\ for \ that \ value \ of \ a.


*** Edit


That means that a = 1.

So, the answer is B.



***2nd edit:

Curious3141 repeated the essence of what I already stated.

No, by double, I meant: example: x_1=3\;\;,\;\;x_2=7 just example, not twins or the same but two different, sorry for that.

Curious3141 said:
Terrible question. "Double solutions" is nonsensical. It's either "distinct real roots" for D>0 or "single repeated root" for D=0.

"Terrible question??" let's see if you understand it in my Language.!

Sa duhet të jetë parametri a ashtuqë ekuacioni ax^2-4a+4=0 te kete dy zgjidhje te ndryshme?

Do you like that??... English is a FOREIGN language for me, and I'm not blaming you for anything, It's ok that you defined it "Terrible question" , but try to understand (ask me) before you judge! So I guess, C and D should be correct, am I wrong?
 
kreshnik said:
No, by double, I meant: example: x_1=3\;\;,\;\;x_2=7 just example, not twins or the same but two different, sorry for that.
"Terrible question??" let's see if you understand it in my Language.!

Sa duhet të jetë parametri a ashtuqë ekuacioni ax^2-4a+4=0 te kete dy zgjidhje te ndryshme?

Do you like that??... English is a FOREIGN language for me, and I'm not blaming you for anything, It's ok that you defined it "Terrible question" , but try to understand (ask me) before you judge! So I guess, C and D should be correct, am I wrong?

No need to get all grumpy. I was commenting on the question as it was phrased, and I naturally assumed that was how it had been presented to you. How was I supposed to know you had translated it in an ambiguous fashion? I am not a mindreader.:rolleyes:

In any case, if you meant TWO separate real roots, there is no unique answer, as LearninDaMath has already pointed out to you. C and D both fit.
 
kreshnik said:

Homework Statement


How should be the value of a so quadratic equation ax^2-4x+4=0 to have double solutions?
A)\;\;2
B)\;\;1
C)\;-1
D)\;-2

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


D=b^2-4ac
If:
D&gt;0\;\;\rightarrow\; {x_1,x_2}\;\rightarrow\;\text{double solutions.}
D=0\;\;\rightarrow\; {x_1}\;\rightarrow\;\text{only one solution}
D&lt;0\;\;\rightarrow\; \text{no solution.}

so:
(-4)^2-4*a*4=16-16*a
\text{If:}\;\;a=-1\;\;\rightarrow\;D=32
\text{If:}\;\;a=-2\;\;\rightarrow\;D=48

Which one should be?? thank you.

Kreshnik , here double roots means "real and distinct roots."
Here discriminant is greater than 0.

D>0
You have

D=b2−4ac
or
b2−4ac > 0
Plug in the values and find for a i.e. inequality in "a".
What do you get ?
 
Sankaplmittal,

double roots mean that the roots are equal. http://www.tpub.com/math1/17g.htm
Kreshnik has shown already at what values of parameter "a" the discriminant is greater than zero, so the equation has two real and distinct roots .

ehild
 
Curious3141 said:
No need to get all grumpy. I was commenting on the question as it was phrased, and I naturally assumed that was how it had been presented to you. How was I supposed to know you had translated it in an ambiguous fashion? I am not a mindreader.:rolleyes:

In any case, if you meant TWO separate real roots, there is no unique answer, as LearninDaMath has already pointed out to you. C and D both fit.

Curious3141 I hope I didn't offend you, if I did it, I'm sorry.
Thanks everyone for being patience. I think now I learned what I wanted to know.
Thank you everyone.
 
  • #10
kreshnik said:
Curious3141 I hope I didn't offend you, if I did it, I'm sorry.
Thanks everyone for being patience. I think now I learned what I wanted to know.
Thank you everyone.

No worries, didn't mean to offend you either, and glad you learned what you wanted to know. :smile:
 
  • #11
kreshnik said:
Sa duhet të jetë parametri a ashtuqë ekuacioni ax^2-4a+4=0 te kete dy zgjidhje te ndryshme?
Out of curiosity, what language is this? Hungarian?
 
  • #12
Curious3141 said:
No need to get all grumpy. I was commenting on the question as it was phrased, and I naturally assumed that was how it had been presented to you. How was I supposed to know you had translated it in an ambiguous fashion? I am not a mindreader.:rolleyes:

In any case, if you meant TWO separate real roots, there is no unique answer, as LearninDaMath has already pointed out to you. C and D both fit.


I never encountered a problem where I had to choose a number that produced two identical roots. I've only had to show whether there were two real, two complex, or 1 roots. I saw this question and thought i'd try my best to be productive by contributing while patiently waiting for my most recent thread to garner a little help lol.
 
  • #13
LearninDaMath said:
I never encountered a problem where I had to choose a number that produced two identical roots. I've only had to show whether there were two real, two complex, or 1 roots. I saw this question and thought i'd try my best to be productive by contributing while patiently waiting for my most recent thread to garner a little help lol.
If you're referring to a quadratic equation, then the case of "1 roots" is the same as the case of two identical real roots .
 
  • #14
SammyS said:
If you're referring to a quadratic equation, then the case of "1 roots" is the same as the case of two identical real roots .

Oh, so asking for "double solutions" or "two identical solutions" is the same thing as asking for 1 solution? If so, then of course, makes sense. Is it common for the x that yields 1 root to be asked in the terminology of finding "two identical solutions?" I don't recall hearing it put like that before.
 
  • #15
Mark44 said:
Out of curiosity, what language is this? Hungarian?

No, it is not. :smile:

But Google said it was Albanian, and "te kete dy zgjidhje te ndryshme" = "Have two different solutions"

Is it right, Kreshnik?

ehild
 
  • #16
ehild said:
No, it is not. :smile:

But Google said it was Albanian, and "te kete dy zgjidhje te ndryshme" = "Have two different solutions"

Is it right, Kreshnik?

ehild

Exactly...I hope you're convinced now. I'm albanian, Kosova.
Cheers!
 
  • #17
Mark44 wrote:

"Out of curiosity, what language is this? Hungarian? "

I think the value of the roots is the same in any language ;) .
 
  • #18
kreshnik said:
Exactly...I hope you're convinced now. I'm albanian, Kosova.
Cheers!

So we live quite close -I am Hungarian. :smile:

ehild
 
  • #19
ehild said:
So we live quite close -I am Hungarian. :smile:

ehild

I guess we do! I'm glad we're neighbour. Take care. :smile:
 

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