Author Question: Challenge question about quadratics? (Read 3398 times)

Sandstorm

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 268
If the vertex of a quadratic equation is (6, -1) and the product of the roots is 35, what are the roots?



Hawke

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 679
Reply #1 on: Jun 18, 2013
Let a and b represent the two roots to the quadratic equation. Then, since the x-coordinate of the vertex is the average of the two zeroes, we have:

(a + b)/2 = 6
==> a + b = 12. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(1)

We are then given that the product of the roots is 35. So:

ab = 35. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..(2)

Solving (1) for b gives:

b = 12 - a. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .(3)

Substituting (3) into (2) yields:

a(12 - a) = 35
==> 12a - a^2 = 35
==> a^2 - 12a + 35 = 0
==> (a - 5)(a - 7) = 0
==> a = 5 and a = 7.

Then:
i) a = 5 ==> b = 12 - a = 12 - 5 = 7
ii) a = 7 ==> b = 12 - a = 12 - 7 = 5.
(Either way, the roots are 5 and 7)

Therefore, the roots are 5 and 7.

I hope this helps!



Related Topics

Need homework help now?

Ask unlimited questions for free

Ask a Question
 

Did you know?

Serum cholesterol testing in adults is recommended every 1 to 5 years. People with diabetes and a family history of high cholesterol should be tested even more frequently.

Did you know?

Asthma cases in Americans are about 75% higher today than they were in 1980.

Did you know?

Urine turns bright yellow if larger than normal amounts of certain substances are consumed; one of these substances is asparagus.

Did you know?

In women, pharmacodynamic differences include increased sensitivity to (and increased effectiveness of) beta-blockers, opioids, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and typical antipsychotics.

Did you know?

Warfarin was developed as a consequence of the study of a strange bleeding disorder that suddenly occurred in cattle on the northern prairies of the United States in the early 1900s.

For a complete list of videos, visit our video library