Math Problem Statement

A line with equation y equals MX - 6 intersects with the curve with equation y equals 2x - 4x + 3. Find the possible values of the constant m.

Solution

We are given two equations:

  1. Line equation: y=mx6y = mx - 6
  2. Curve equation: y=2x4x+3y = 2x - 4x + 3 (which I believe should be y=2x24x+3y = 2x^2 - 4x + 3, as this looks like a quadratic expression).

To find the possible values of mm, let's follow these steps:

  1. Set the equations equal to each other, since at the points of intersection, the yy-values are the same.

    mx6=2x24x+3mx - 6 = 2x^2 - 4x + 3

  2. Rearrange the equation to set it equal to 0:

    2x24x+3mx+6=02x^2 - 4x + 3 - mx + 6 = 0

    Simplifying the terms:

    2x2+(4m)x+9=02x^2 + (-4 - m)x + 9 = 0

    Now, we have a quadratic equation in the form 2x2+(4m)x+9=02x^2 + (-4 - m)x + 9 = 0.

  3. Analyze the discriminant of this quadratic equation to find the possible values of mm. The discriminant, Δ\Delta, is given by:

    Δ=b24ac\Delta = b^2 - 4ac

    Here, a=2a = 2, b=4mb = -4 - m, and c=9c = 9.

    Substitute these values into the discriminant formula:

    Δ=(4m)24(2)(9)\Delta = (-4 - m)^2 - 4(2)(9)

    Simplifying:

    Δ=(16+8m+m2)72\Delta = (16 + 8m + m^2) - 72

    Δ=m2+8m56\Delta = m^2 + 8m - 56

  4. Determine the number of solutions. For the line to intersect the curve, the quadratic equation must have real solutions. This happens when the discriminant is non-negative:

    m2+8m560m^2 + 8m - 56 \geq 0

  5. Solve the inequality:

    First, solve the equality m2+8m56=0m^2 + 8m - 56 = 0 using the quadratic formula:

    m=8±824(1)(56)2(1)m = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{8^2 - 4(1)(-56)}}{2(1)}

    m=8±64+2242m = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{64 + 224}}{2}

    m=8±2882m = \frac{-8 \pm \sqrt{288}}{2}

    m=8±1222m = \frac{-8 \pm 12\sqrt{2}}{2}

    m=4±62m = -4 \pm 6\sqrt{2}

  6. Interpret the result: The two possible values of mm where the line intersects the curve are m=4+62m = -4 + 6\sqrt{2} and m=462m = -4 - 6\sqrt{2}.

Would you like further details on any of these steps or have any questions? Here are some related questions:

  1. How do you determine the discriminant of a quadratic equation?
  2. What is the importance of the discriminant in solving quadratic equations?
  3. Can you explain how to solve quadratic inequalities?
  4. What happens when the discriminant is exactly zero?
  5. How do different values of mm change the line's slope?

Tip: Always check the discriminant to determine how many real solutions a quadratic equation has!

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Discriminant
Intersection of Line and Curve

Formulas

Quadratic equation: ax^2 + bx + c = 0
Discriminant formula: Δ = b^2 - 4ac
Quadratic formula: m = (-b ± √(b^2 - 4ac)) / 2a

Theorems

Quadratic formula
Properties of Discriminant

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-11