SOLUTION: What is the largest value of k such that the equation x2 – 5x + k has at least one real root?

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Question 922555: What is the largest value of k such that the equation x2 – 5x + k has at least one real root?
Found 2 solutions by jim_thompson5910, josmiceli:
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!
is in the form where , ,





Plug in , ,





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We will have at least one real solution when





Plug in . Solve for k.














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The answer as a fraction is


The answer as a decimal is


If you insist on having k be a whole number, then round to the nearest whole number to get


In terms of a decimal, the largest k can be is 6.25 or 6 (depending on if you want a whole number or not).



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Let me know if that helps or not. Thanks.

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Answer by josmiceli(19441)   (Show Source): You can put this solution on YOUR website!

The quadratic formula is:

The "discriminant" is:

For at least 1 real root,




-----------



----------------
check:
suppose



which means 1 real root
and if , there are 2 real roots


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