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It is known that x=7 is a root of the equation ax^2+bx+2=0, where a<0. Solve the inequality ax^4+bx^2+2>0.

User Snympi
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Answer:

|x| < √7

Explanation:

The product of the roots of the given quadratic equation is 2/a, so the other root (the one not given) is 2/(7a). It will be negative, since "a" is negative.

The roots of ax^2 +bx +2 = 0 are the values of x^2 that satisfy ax^4 +bx^2 +2 = 0. That is, roots of the latter equation will be the square root of the roots of the former equation.

We know that two of the zeros of the quartic are ±√7, and the other two are complex, as they are the square roots of a negative number. So, the graph of the quartic opens downward (because a < 0), and has real zeros at x=±√7.

The solution to the inequality must be ...

-√7 < x < √7

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The graph shows an example of the quadratic (green) and quartic (black). The ripple in the quartic changes amplitude with different values of "a", but the locations of the zeros do not change.

It is known that x=7 is a root of the equation ax^2+bx+2=0, where a<0. Solve the-example-1
User Catherine Hwang
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