SOLUTION: Determine the missing term for this quadratic equation so that it will have only one solution. 9x^2 − 24x + ? = 0

Algebra ->  Polynomials-and-rational-expressions -> SOLUTION: Determine the missing term for this quadratic equation so that it will have only one solution. 9x^2 − 24x + ? = 0      Log On


   

Question 252307: Determine the missing term for this quadratic equation so that it will have only
one solution.
9x^2 − 24x + ? = 0
Answer by drk(1908) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
In order to solve this, we need the quadratic equation which is -b%2B-sqrt%28b%5E2-4ac%29 / 2a.
step 1 - substitute what you know - -> (24 +- sqrt(24^2-4*9*?))/2(9)
we want only one solution, so the stuff under the sqrt, also called discriminant, must = 0.
step 2 -> 576 - 36? > = 0
solving for ? we get ? <= 16.
If ? = 16, our original equation is 9X%5E2+-+24X+%2B+16
which factors into %283x-4%29%5E2. This is only one solution.