Question
Question: For what values of k, the equation \(9{x^2} - 24x + k = 0\) has equal roots? Find the roots....
For what values of k, the equation 9x2−24x+k=0 has equal roots? Find the roots.
Solution
In the given question, we are required to solve for the value of k such that the equation 9x2−24x+k=0 has equal roots. We will first compare the given equation with the standard form of a quadratic equation ax2+bx+c=0 and then apply the quadratic formula to find the condition for equal roots of a quadratic equation.
Complete step-by-step solution:
In the given question, we are provided with the equation 9x2−24x+k=0.
Now, comparing the equation with standard form of a quadratic equation ax2+bx+c=0
Here,a=9, b=−24 andc=k.
Now, using the quadratic formula, we get the roots of the equation as:
x=2a(−b)±b2−4ac
If both the roots of a quadratic equation are equal, then, we get,
x1=x2
⇒2a(−b)+b2−4ac=2a(−b)−b2−4ac]
Cross multiplying the terms of equation and simplifying further, we get,
⇒b2−4ac=−b2−4ac
Shifting all the terms to left side and dividing both sides of equation by two, we get,
⇒b2−4ac=0
Now, we can substitute the values of a, b and c in the expression. So, we get,
⇒(−24)2−4(9)(k)=0
⇒576−36k=0
Factoring out 36 from the expression and taking it out of the square root, we get,
⇒616−k=0
Now, dividing both the sides of equation by six and squaring both sides of the equation, we get,
⇒16−k=0
Squaring both sides of equation, we get,
⇒16−k=0
Now, shifting the terms in equation using method of transposition, we get,
⇒k=16
Hence, the value of k is 16.
Note: We must know algebraic factorization and simplification rules in order to simplify the equation. One should know the expression for discriminant as b2−4ac for a quadratic equation
ax2+bx+c=0. Care should be taken while doing the calculations in order to get to the final answer.