Quadratic equation

**magaski** · January 17th 2010, 09:22 AM

1)For what value of a,quadratic equation x^2(a^2-5a+6)+x(a^2-3a+2)+a^2-4 =0 will have more than two roots.

2)if the equation x^2(a^2+a-2)+x(a^2+m-3)+(a^2-1)=0 is satisfied by more than two values of x. find the values of a and m.

MENTION ALL THE STEPS .

**e^(i*pi)** · January 17th 2010, 09:31 AM

Originally Posted by magaski

1)For what value of a,quadratic equation x^2(a^2-5a+6)+x(a^2-3a+2)+a^2-4 =0 will have more than two values of x.

2)if the equation x^2(a^2+a-2)+x(a^2+m-3)+(a^2-1)=0 is satisfied by more than two values of x. find the values of a and m.

MENTION ALL THE STEPS .

I don't get what you mean by "more than two values of x". By my understanding quadratics only have two roots (ie: cross the x axis). These can be real and different, real and equal or complex

**HallsofIvy** · January 17th 2010, 05:15 PM

Originally Posted by magaski

1)For what value of a,quadratic equation x^2(a^2-5a+6)+x(a^2-3a+2)+a^2-4 =0 will have more than two roots.

Normally, a quadatic (the coefficient of $x^2$ not equal to 0) will have two roots and a linear equation (the coefficient of $x^2$ equal to 0 but the coefficient of x not equal to 0) will have 1. This will have an infinite number of solutions only if $a^2- 5a+ 6= 0$ , $a^2- 3a+ 2= 0$ and $a^2- 4= 0$ . What is a common factor of all of those?

2)if the equation x^2(a^2+a-2)+x(a^2+m-3)+(a^2-1)=0 is satisfied by more than two values of x. find the values of a and m.

Same thing: for what values of m do $a^2+ a- 2$ , $a^2+ m- 2= 0$ , and $a^2- a$ have a common factor and what is that common factor?

MENTION ALL THE STEPS .

Since this is your exercise, why don't you at least try before asking someone to do it for you?

**magaski** · January 17th 2010, 08:15 PM

I had tried these questions,but I didnot get the answer. Please help me in solving these problems.

**Prove It** · January 17th 2010, 08:17 PM

The only way I can think of for you to have more than 2 $x$ intercepts in either case is to have $a$ be a function of $x$ ...

**HallsofIvy** · January 18th 2010, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by magaski

I had tried these questions,but I didnot get the answer. Please help me in solving these problems.

Apparently you have NOT tried doing exactly what I told you to do: "This will have an infinite number of solutions only if $a^2- 5a+ 6= 0<br />$ , $a^2- 3a+ 2= 0$ and $a^2- 4= 0$ . What is a common factor of all of those?" For what value of a will all of those be 0?

**HallsofIvy** · January 18th 2010, 05:11 AM

Originally Posted by Prove It

The only way I can think of for you to have more than 2 $x$ intercepts in either case is to have $a$ be a function of $x$ ...

No. This problem will have an infinite number of solutions (in fact, every real number will be a solution) for a single value of a.

**matsci0000** · January 18th 2010, 07:47 AM

For this quadratic eqn to have more than two roots,this quadratic eqn. must be an identity. Is my statement correct?

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