$x^2+ax-a=0$ Find the value of parameter $a$, so that one root is $3$ times bigger than the other

59 Views Asked by At

My thoughts were:

$$ x^2+ax-a=0 -p=-ax (x1x2= -ax) \ -->\ 3x2^2=-ax $$ $q=-a (x1+x2= -a) $--> $4x= -a$

$x2= -a/4, \ 3((-a/4)^2)=-ax ,\ a(3a+16x)=0$

$a=0\ a=-16x/3 $

But i dont think this is the answer ..

Sorry for such a confusing describtion, i dont know how to use this system yet

1

There are 1 best solutions below

0
On BEST ANSWER

$$ x^2 + a x - a = 0 $$

Let $x_{1,2}$ be the solutions

$$ (x-x_1)(x-x_2) = x^2 + (-x_1-x_2) x + (x_1 x_2) $$

The coefficients must match. This is where you made the mistake it should have been $3x_2^2=-a$ not $-ax$.

$$ -x_1-x_2=a\\ x_1 x_2 = -a\\ $$

Now suppose that one root is 3 times the other. Without loss of generality $x_1=3x_2$ (you can always switch names if it is $x_2=3x_1$)

$$ -4x_2=a\\ 3x_2^2=-a\\ $$

Add the two equations and you get

$$ 3x_2^2-4x_2=x_2 (3x_2-4)=0 $$

so $x_2=0$ in which case you get $a=0$ or $x_2=\frac{4}{3}$ in which case $a=-\frac{4}{3}-\frac{12}{3}=\frac{-16}{3}$.

You just made that error with the $-ax$ rather than $-a$.