Determining how the given number lies in relation

rijstmeel7d4t

rijstmeel7d4t

Answered question

2022-03-25

Determining how the given number lies in relation to the roots of a quadratic equation
Say we have a quadratic x2+px+q=0
If this quadratic has 2 roots, then:
For any number, λ, if λ2+pλ+q<0 then λ lies between both roots.
and for any number λ, if λ2+pλ+q>0 then if 2λ+p>0, then λ< either of the roots.
1) I don't understand graphical (physical) meaning - What is (2λ+p) and what is 2λ+p<0 and 2λ+p>0
2) Also, what is λ2+pλ+q>0 and λ2+pλ+q<0.

Answer & Explanation

Jazlyn Mitchell

Jazlyn Mitchell

Beginner2022-03-26Added 14 answers

Since your equation has 2 distinct real roots we can write x2+px+q=(xα)(xβ) with α>β and α+β=p.
Case 1: Let be λ such that λ2+pλ+q<0. If we use the second writing of the polynomial we have (λα)(λβ)<0 and it is possible if and only if β<λ<α. This means that λ lies between the two roots.
Case 2: Let be λ such that λ2+pλ+q>0. Consider 2 subcases:
- If 2λ+p>0 then you have: λ>α+β2>β+β2>β. Using the second writing you have now (λα)(λβ)>0 and using the above inequality, the second factor is more than 0. Then also the first factor has to be more than 0. So β<α<λ.
- If 2λ+p<0 then you have: λ<α+β2<α+α2<α. Using the second writing you have now (λα)(λβ)>0 and using the above inequality, the first factor is less than 0. Then also the second factor has to be less than 0. So α>β>λ.
The meaning of the condition 2λ+p>0 is that λ lies at the right of the x coordinate of the vertex of the parabola. Simmetrically 2λ+p<0 means that λ lies at the left of the x coordinate of the vertex of the parabola.

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