Question 1209488: Find the range of values of k for which the expression x^2 + kx + (k+3) is positive for all real values of x. Hence, fine the range of values of x for which (2x-1)(3-x)/x^2+4x+7 < 0
Answer by ikleyn(52832) (Show Source):
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(a) Find the range of values of k for which the expression x^2 + kx + (k+3) is positive for all real values of x.
(b) Hence, find the range of values of x for which (2x-1)(3-x)/(x^2+4x+7) < 0
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In this assignment, there are two tasks: (a) and (b).
I will solve them separately to avoid mess.
Also notice that I edited your inequality in part (b) according to common sense.
Part (a)
Consider the discriminant of the quadratic polynomial x^2 + kx + (k+3).
The discriminant is d = b^2 - 4ac = k^2 - 4*(k+3) = k^2 - 4k - 12 = (k-6)*(k+2).
We see that the discriminant is negative in the interval -2 < k < 6.
It means that the polynomial does not have real zeroes if -2 < k < 6.
From the other side hand, its leading coefficient at x^2, "1", is positive.
It means that the polynomial x^2 + kx + (k+3) is always positive, for all real values of x,
if k is in the open interval (-2,6).
Thus, part (a) is solved/answered completely.
Part (b)
Consider this rational function .
Its denominator is of the form x^2 + kx + (k+3) at k = 4.
We considered such polynomials in part (a) and proved that for k from the interval (-2,6) the polynomial is always positive,
for all real values of x. The value of k= 4 is from this interval - so, the polynomial x^2 + 4x + 7 in the denominator
is always positive, for all real values of x.
Therefore, inequality
< 0 (1)
is equivalent to this simplified inequality
(2x-1)*(3-x) < 0. (2)
This inequality (2) has the leading coefficient -2 at x^2 and the roots 1/2 and 3,
so the left side is the downward parabola with x-intercepts 1/2 and 3.
So, the inequality (2) has the solution set < x < 3.
It implies that inequality (1) has the same solution set < x < 3.
Thus the range of values of x for which < 0 is ( , ). ANSWER
At this point, part (b) is solved completely.
The solution is complete and all questions are answered.
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