Math Problem Statement

If x > y > 0, 6x²-5xy-4y² = 0, find the value of the fraction x-y÷x+y

Solution

Given the conditions x>y>0x > y > 0 and the equation:

6x25xy4y2=0,6x^2 - 5xy - 4y^2 = 0,

we need to find the value of the fraction:

xyx+y.\frac{x - y}{x + y}.

Step-by-Step Solution

  1. Rewrite the quadratic equation in terms of a single variable:

    The given equation is:

    6x25xy4y2=0.6x^2 - 5xy - 4y^2 = 0.

    Let's treat this as a quadratic equation in xx:

    6x25xy4y2=0.6x^2 - 5xy - 4y^2 = 0.

    The standard form of a quadratic equation ax2+bx+c=0ax^2 + bx + c = 0 has solutions given by:

    x=b±b24ac2a.x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}.

    Here, a=6a = 6, b=5yb = -5y, and c=4y2c = -4y^2. Substituting these values gives:

    x=(5y)±(5y)246(4y2)26.x = \frac{-(-5y) \pm \sqrt{(-5y)^2 - 4 \cdot 6 \cdot (-4y^2)}}{2 \cdot 6}.

    Simplify inside the square root:

    x=5y±25y2+96y212.x = \frac{5y \pm \sqrt{25y^2 + 96y^2}}{12}.

    Combine like terms:

    x=5y±121y212.x = \frac{5y \pm \sqrt{121y^2}}{12}.

    Since 121y2=11y\sqrt{121y^2} = 11y, we have:

    x=5y±11y12.x = \frac{5y \pm 11y}{12}.

  2. Find the possible values of xx:

    There are two possible values for xx:

    x1=5y+11y12=16y12=4y3,x_1 = \frac{5y + 11y}{12} = \frac{16y}{12} = \frac{4y}{3}, x2=5y11y12=6y12=y2.x_2 = \frac{5y - 11y}{12} = \frac{-6y}{12} = -\frac{y}{2}.

    Since x>y>0x > y > 0, xx must be positive. Therefore, we discard x2=y2x_2 = -\frac{y}{2} because it is negative.

    So, we have:

    x=4y3.x = \frac{4y}{3}.

  3. Compute the fraction xyx+y\frac{x - y}{x + y}:

    Substitute x=4y3x = \frac{4y}{3}:

    xyx+y=4y3y4y3+y.\frac{x - y}{x + y} = \frac{\frac{4y}{3} - y}{\frac{4y}{3} + y}.

    Simplify the numerator and the denominator:

    xy=4y3y=4y3y3=y3,x - y = \frac{4y}{3} - y = \frac{4y - 3y}{3} = \frac{y}{3}, x+y=4y3+y=4y+3y3=7y3.x + y = \frac{4y}{3} + y = \frac{4y + 3y}{3} = \frac{7y}{3}.

    Thus:

    xyx+y=y37y3=y337y=17.\frac{x - y}{x + y} = \frac{\frac{y}{3}}{\frac{7y}{3}} = \frac{y}{3} \cdot \frac{3}{7y} = \frac{1}{7}.

Final Answer

The value of the fraction xyx+y\frac{x - y}{x + y} is:

xyx+y=17.\frac{x - y}{x + y} = \frac{1}{7}.

Would you like further details or have any questions?

Here are some related questions to consider:

  1. How would the solution change if the equation was 6x25xy+4y2=06x^2 - 5xy + 4y^2 = 0?
  2. What are the possible values of xx if x<yx < y?
  3. How do we find the roots of a quadratic equation using the discriminant?
  4. Can you explain why we discarded the negative value for xx?
  5. How can this problem be solved using a different method, such as factoring?

Tip: Always check the conditions of a problem before deciding which solutions are valid.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Fractions
Simplification

Formulas

Quadratic equation formula: ax^2 + bx + c = 0
Quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a

Theorems

Quadratic formula

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 9-12