Positive Roots of Quadratic Equations Yue Kwok Choy Question Given that the quadratic equation x2 + (k + 2)x + (k + 5) = 0 has

two positive roots !ind the ran"e o! k # "Solution" $et %e the roots o! the quadratic equation x2 + (k + 2)x + (k + 5) = 0 # &ince are %oth positive there!ore + ' 0 and ' 0 # (y )ieta*s +heore, we have + = (k + 2) > 0 k < 2 = k + 5 > 0 k > 5

Analysis

+he ran"e o! k is

.5 / k / .2 #

0 + ' 0 and ' 00 does not i,p1y that the quadratic equation has positive roots# +he reason is that the quadratic equation ,ay have co,p1ex roots (not rea1 roots)# 2n this case the su, and product o! roots can sti11 %e positive# +ake an exa,p1e i! k = .3 which is within the ran"e the quadratic equation %eco,es x2 . x + 2 = 0 # +he discri,inant = (.4)2 . 5(4)(2) = .6 / 0 the equation has co,p1ex rootsx= 4 6i 2

Solution $et %e the roots o! the quadratic equation x2 + (k + 2)x + (k + 5) = 0 # (y )ieta*s +heore, we have = ( k + 2 ) 2 5( k + 5) > 0 ( k + 5 )( k 5 ) > 0 k < 5 or k > 5 k < 2 k < 2 + = (k + 2) > 0 = k + 5 > 0 k > 5 k > 5

+he ran"e o! k is

.5 / k / .5 #

Lessons Given %e the roots o! the quadratic equation ax2 + %x + c = 0 (7) a 0 a % c are rea1 nu,%ers#
= % 2 5ac > 0 % (7) has positive roots + = > 0 a c = > 0 a = % 2 5ac > 0 % (7) has ne"ative roots + = < 0 a c = > 0 a
% 0 c = 0 % = 0 c = 0
2 = % 5ac > 0 c = < 0 a

1.

2.

3.

(7) has exact1y one 8ero root

4.

(7) has two 8ero roots

5.

(7) has one positive root and one ne"ative root