123k views
23 votes
The equation w^2+bw+36=0 has a unique solution if b=___ or b=____

1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

At either b = -12 or b = +14, the equation has a unique solution.

Explanation:

The quadratic equation w^2 + bw + 36 = 0 has three coefficients: a = 1, b and c = 36. This equation will have a unique solution (which is also real, not complex) if the discriminant b^2 - 4ac is zero. Here b^2 - 4ac can be rewritten as

b^2 - 4(1)(36). Setting this equal to zero, we get

b^2 - 144 = 0, which is equivalent to b^2 = 144. Thus, b = ± 12.

At either b = -12 or b = +14, the equation has a unique solution.

User Puneet Kathuria
by
5.1k points