SOLUTION: Find the value of "a" such that the equation ax^2 + 2x + 4 = 0 has exactly one solution. I'm not sure how to go about solving this problem. Any help is much appreciated.

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Question 1118185: Find the value of "a" such that the equation ax^2 + 2x + 4 = 0 has exactly one solution.
I'm not sure how to go about solving this problem. Any help is much appreciated.

Found 2 solutions by ikleyn, Alan3354:
Answer by ikleyn(52781)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
.
The necessary and sufficient condition is

    the discriminant of the quadratic equation is zero:  d = b^2 - 4ac = 0,

    referring to the standard form of the quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0.



In your case b= 2,  c= 4,  therefore the discriminant d =  = 4 - 16a.


The condition d= 0 gives you an equation  4 - 16a = 0,   or   16a = 4,

which implies   a =  = 0.25.


It is your


Answer.  a =  = 0.25.

Solved.

----------------
To get introductory knowledge on quadratic equations, see the lessons
    - Introduction into Quadratic Equations
    - PROOF of quadratic formula by completing the square
in this site.


Answer by Alan3354(69443)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Quadratics always have 2 solutions.
Sometimes the 2 are equal.

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