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

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the value of the parameter 'a' in the quadratic equation ax2 - 4x + 4 = 0 that results in double solutions. Participants explore the implications of the discriminant (D) in relation to the nature of the roots.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the conditions under which the discriminant D = b2 - 4ac leads to double solutions, with some suggesting that D should equal zero for repeated roots. Others question the terminology used in the problem, debating whether "double solutions" refers to identical roots or distinct roots.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with various interpretations of the term "double solutions" being explored. Some participants have provided insights into the discriminant's role, while others have expressed confusion regarding the phrasing of the question. There is no explicit consensus on the correct interpretation or answer.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the question's wording may lead to misunderstandings, particularly regarding the distinction between double (identical) roots and distinct roots. The discussion includes references to language barriers and the potential for misinterpretation based on translation.

kreshnik
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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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