• Congratulations to the Class of 2024 on your results!
    Let us know how you went here
    Got a question about your uni preferences? Ask us here

Preliminary mathematics marathon (1 Viewer)

edmundsung

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
31
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
sorry, even more confused now

so im asking the question again.
If a, b and c are consecutive positive integers show that
ax^2 + bx + c = 0 cannnot have real roots. (hint: write b and c in terms of 'a' and consider the sign of the discriminant as the sign of a quadratic.

what i have written:
Let b=a+1
c=a+2
therefore, delta=(a+1)^2 - 4a(a+2)
=-3a^2-6a+1 (corrected)
 

hscishard

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
2,033
Location
study room...maybe
Gender
Male
HSC
2011
Re: sorry, even more confused now

so im asking the question again.
If a, b and c are consecutive positive integers show that
ax^2 + bx + c = 0 cannnot have real roots. (hint: write b and c in terms of 'a' and consider the sign of the discriminant as the sign of a quadratic.

what i have written:
Let b=a+1
c=a+2
therefore, delta=(a+1)^2 - 4a(a+2)
=-3a^2-6a+1 (corrected)
Well it is a show question..

-3a^2 is < 0
Since a^2 is positive and positive x negative = negative

-6a+1 = -(6a-1). Since a > 0 then 6a-1 is > 0 (positive).
(a> 0 is given)
Negative - Positive = Even more negative
Therefore discriminant is always < 0
Therefore there is no real roots.
 

edmundsung

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
31
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
Re: sorry, even more confused now

Well it is a show question..

-3a^2 is < 0
Since a^2 is positive and positive x negative = negative

-6a+1 = -(6a-1). Since a > 0 then 6a-1 is > 0 (positive).
(a> 0 is given)
Negative - Positive = Even more negative
Therefore discriminant is always < 0
Therefore there is no real roots.
oh i get it now thanks :)


ps. im not smart as someone said in private msg :)
 

edmundsung

Member
Joined
Dec 16, 2009
Messages
31
Gender
Undisclosed
HSC
2012
Re: sorry, even more confused now

post deleted
 
Last edited:

gurmies

Drover
Joined
Mar 20, 2008
Messages
1,209
Location
North Bondi
Gender
Male
HSC
2009
Re: sorry, even more confused now

I'm not sure if anybody solved that sin@ = 3@/4 question so here's my solution:

l = r@

r = 400/@

Other angles inside triangle are 90-@

Also note that angle at centre = 90

Using simple trig:

cos(90-@) = (400/@)/300

= 3@/4

However, cos(90-@) = sin@ ===> sin@ = 3@/4
 

hscishard

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
2,033
Location
study room...maybe
Gender
Male
HSC
2011
Sorry exploit, I got a trig question. How can you show in b i) without using the double angle forumale?
I'm not sure if anybody solved that sin@ = 3@/4 question so here's my solution:

l = r@

r = 400/@

Other angles inside triangle are 90-@

Also note that angle at centre = 90

Using simple trig:

cos(90-@) = (400/@)/300

= 3@/4

However, cos(90-@) = sin@ ===> sin@ = 3@/4
Nice method. Omg..you gotta be a bit more clearer next time, lol.
 
Last edited:

hscishard

Active Member
Joined
Aug 4, 2009
Messages
2,033
Location
study room...maybe
Gender
Male
HSC
2011
Yay I got it.
Draw a line that bisects 2theta.
The two triangles will be congruent, Side(radius) angle(bisected) Side(common)

x= theta
L= r x angle
400=r2x
r=200/x

Then cos(90-x) = 150/(200/x)
=3x/4
But cos(90-x) = sinx
Therefore sinx = 3x/4.

Crap. Now I forgot the double angle way.
 

lordinance

Member
Joined
Jun 6, 2007
Messages
49
Gender
Male
HSC
2010
PQ is a focal chord of the parabola
P is the point (6,3). Find the co-ordinates of Q.

Actually i have found Q is (6,3).

Just wondering if it is possible for both P and Q be (6,3).

thanks :)
 

Users Who Are Viewing This Thread (Users: 0, Guests: 1)

Top