I have a problem solving a system of equations. The problem is that I don't know how to continue the process.

Question

I need help with a problem based on system of equations:

$$ \left\{ \begin{array}{c} -1=(-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac})/2a \\ 3=(-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac})/2a \\ \end{array} \right. $$

I tried to solve it and I arrived here: $$ \left\{ \begin{array}{c} a=-b/2 \\ \sqrt{b^2+2bc}=-2b \\ \end{array} \right. $$

then, I don't know how to continue to solve it, I tried to square both sides but It seems that it doesn't give the exact result.

Answer 1

Adding the two equations, we get $$\frac{-b}{a}=2.$$ Multiplying the two equations, we get $$\frac{c}{a}=-3.$$ So for any non-zero $a$, we have $b=-2a$ and $c=-3a$.

Answer 2

Let $x_1=\frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$ and $x_2=\frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}.$

Thus, $$x_1+x_2=2$$ and $$x_1x_2=-3,$$ which says that $x_1$ and $x_2$ they are roots of the eqation $$x^2-2x-3=0$$ and also $$ax^2+bx+c=0,$$ where $a\neq0$ by the given.

Finally, $b=-2a$ and $c=-3a$.

Answer 3

It might be that you were asked to find expressions for $b,c$ in $a$ (or something like that) under the condition that the quadratic equation $ax^2+bx+c=0$ has $-1$ and $3$ as roots.

If so then realize that: $$ax^2+bx+c=a(x-3)(x+1)=ax^2-2ax-3a$$telling you that $b=-2a$ and $c=-3a$.

Found is actually that: $$b:c:a=(-2):(-3):1$$

Answer 4

note that what you have is: $$\alpha=\frac{-b-\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=-1$$ $$\beta=\frac{-b+\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=3$$ and we know that the quadratic formula, solving the general equation: $$ax^2+bx+c=0$$ is given as: $$x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$ so we can also say that: $$f(x)=(x-\alpha)(x-\beta)=0$$ $$(x+1)(x-3)=0$$ $$x^2-2x-3=0$$ so:

$a=1$, $b=-2$ and $c=-3$