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| Question 204946:  Find b^2-4ac adn the number of real solutions to this equation:
 9m^2 + 16 = 24m
 I am confused !!!  Can you help me?  :-)
 Thanks,
 Answer by RAY100(1637)
      (Show Source): 
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Let  D = Discriminant = (b^2 -4 ac) .
 basic  form  is  ax^2 +bx+c =0
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 when  D=0,,,one  solution,  line  touches  x  axis  one  time
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 when D>0,,,two  solutions,  line  intercepts  x  axis  2  times
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 when D<0,,,no  (REAL) solutions, line  does  not  touch  x  axis
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 in this  case,, 9m^2 +16 = 24m
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 9m^2 -24m +16 =0
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 D= { (-24)^2 -4(9)(16)} = {576 - 576} =0,,,,,and  one  solution
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 solving  for  m  using  the  quadratic  equation  demonstrates  the  use  of  D
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 m=[-b +/- sqrt D] /2(a) = {-(-24) +/- sqrt(0) }/2(9)= 24/18 = 4/3=1 1/3
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 NOTE: @ D=0, m= {(-b) +/- 0 }/2a = -b/2a,,,,or  one  number
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 @ D >0,,m= { (-b) +/- sqrt(+#) } /2a,,,or  two  #'s
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 @ D <0,,,m= { (-b) +/- sqrt(-#) }/2a = complex  number
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 to  check : factor,,, 9m^2 -24m +16,,(3m-4)(3m-4),,
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 set  equal  to  zero,,,,3m-4=0,,,m=4/3 (twice),,,,but  only  one  solution
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