# Thread: Repeated factors

1. ## Repeated factors

Find the value of a for which the function $2x^3-ax^2-12x-7$ has repeated factors.

If $\alpha$ is the repeated root, $(x-\alpha)$ is the factor
$f(\alpha)\equiv 2\alpha^3-a\alpha^2-12\alpha-7=0$ ___(1)
$f'(\alpha)\eqiuv 6\alpha^2-2a\alpha-12=0$ ___(2)

$\alpha (2)-3\times (1)\longrightarrow (-2a\alpha^2-12\alpha)-(-3a\alpha^2-36\alpha - 7)=0$
$a\alpha^2+24\alpha+7=0$
This is as far as I got.
Thanks!

2. Originally Posted by arze
Find the value of a for which the function $2x^3-ax^2-12x-7$ has repeated factors.

If $\alpha$ is the repeated root, $(x-\alpha)$ is the factor
$f(\alpha)\equiv 2\alpha^3-a\alpha^2-12\alpha-7=0$ ___(1)
$f'(\alpha)\eqiuv 6\alpha^2-2a\alpha-12=0$ ___(2)

$\alpha (2)-3\times (1)\longrightarrow (-2a\alpha^2-12\alpha)-(-3a\alpha^2-36\alpha - 7)=0$
$a\alpha^2+24\alpha+7=0$
This is as far as I got.
Thanks!
That is a good way to start the problem. To continue, divide your equation (2) by 2, then multiply it by $\alpha$ and subtract the resulting equation from equation (1). That will get rid of the terms containing $a$, leaving you with a cubic equation for $\alpha$ (for which you ought to be able to spot one of the roots).