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jmc

algebra senior

Problem

Let be a constant, and let be defined by Find the values of for which there exists an such that but
Solution
We have that so we want to solve

Note that if then so any roots of will also be roots of Thus, we should expect to be a factor of Indeed, The discriminant of is This is nonnegative when or

If then for all

If then the equation becomes The roots of are both which satisfy

On the other hand, for the roots of are and Clearly is not a root of Also, if then Furthermore, the product of the roots is which is positive, so either both roots are positive or both roots are negative. Since the sum of the roots is both roots are positive. Also, so at least one root must be less than 1.

Therefore, the set of that satisfy the given condition is
Final answer
(3,4]