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Printjmc
algebra senior
Problem
Find the product of all real values of for which has exactly one real solution.
Solution
Observe first that is not a solution to the equation since it makes the denominator of equal to 0. For , we may multiply both sides by both denominators and move all the resulting terms to the left-hand side to get . Observe that there are two ways the original equation could have exactly one solution. Either has two solutions and one of them is 0, or else has exactly one nonzero solution. By trying , we rule out the first possibility.
Considering the expression for the solutions of , we find that there is exactly one solution if and only if the discriminant is zero. Setting equal to 0 gives . Add 4(14) and divide by 4 to find . The two solutions of this equation are and , and their product is .
Considering the expression for the solutions of , we find that there is exactly one solution if and only if the discriminant is zero. Setting equal to 0 gives . Add 4(14) and divide by 4 to find . The two solutions of this equation are and , and their product is .
Final answer
-14