<PRE><B>Question 1180170</B>
&lt;br&gt;
When the discriminant b^2-4ac is negative.&lt;br&gt;
a=9
b=3k
c=k&lt;br&gt;
{{{b^2-4ac=(3k)^2-4(9)(k)=9k^2-36k}}}&lt;br&gt;
{{{9k^2-36k&lt;0}}}
{{{k^2-4k&lt;0}}}
{{{k(k-4)&lt;0}}}&lt;br&gt;
The graph of k(k-4) is a parabola that opens upward, with zeros at k=0 and k=4.  So the value of the expression is negative only between 0 and 4.&lt;br&gt;
ANSWER: 0 &lt; k &lt; 4&lt;br&gt;
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