Find all $a, b in mathbb R$, ($bne0)$, such that the roots of $x^2+ax+a=b$ and $x^2+ax+a=-b$ are 4...
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Find all $a, b in Bbb R$, ($bne0)$, such that the roots of
$$x^2+ax+a=b$$ $$x^2+ax+a=-b$$
are 4 consecutive numbers.
We have: $$x^2+ax+a-b=0$$ $$x^2+ax+a+b=0$$
$x_1, x_2$ - roots of first equation; $x_3, x_4$ - roots of second equation.
By logic I wrote: $x_2<x_4<x_3<x_1$ (Is there a way to prove this?)
Using Vieta's formulas: $$x_1+x_2+x_3+x_4=2a$$ and because they are consecutive numbers we have $$x=frac{a-3}2$$
$$frac{a-3}2=x_2<frac{a-1}2=x_4<frac{a+1}2=x_3<frac{a+3}2=x_1$$
Using Vieta's formulas again: $$frac{a^2-9}4=a-b,quad frac{a^2-1}4=a+b$$
$$implies b=-1$$
$$implies a_{1/2}=2pmfrac{sqrt{58}}2,quad a_3=5,quad a_4=-1$$
My question is are these all the solutions? Or are there more?
algebra-precalculus quadratics
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add a comment |
$begingroup$
Find all $a, b in Bbb R$, ($bne0)$, such that the roots of
$$x^2+ax+a=b$$ $$x^2+ax+a=-b$$
are 4 consecutive numbers.
We have: $$x^2+ax+a-b=0$$ $$x^2+ax+a+b=0$$
$x_1, x_2$ - roots of first equation; $x_3, x_4$ - roots of second equation.
By logic I wrote: $x_2<x_4<x_3<x_1$ (Is there a way to prove this?)
Using Vieta's formulas: $$x_1+x_2+x_3+x_4=2a$$ and because they are consecutive numbers we have $$x=frac{a-3}2$$
$$frac{a-3}2=x_2<frac{a-1}2=x_4<frac{a+1}2=x_3<frac{a+3}2=x_1$$
Using Vieta's formulas again: $$frac{a^2-9}4=a-b,quad frac{a^2-1}4=a+b$$
$$implies b=-1$$
$$implies a_{1/2}=2pmfrac{sqrt{58}}2,quad a_3=5,quad a_4=-1$$
My question is are these all the solutions? Or are there more?
algebra-precalculus quadratics
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You need to try the other products. Try $x_2cdot x_4$ for example.
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– Don Thousand
Dec 4 '18 at 17:40
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Although you already received answers, I think your question should be clarified: (1) 4 consecutive numbers: Do you mean integers ´$n, n+1, n+2, n+3$? (2) What are the $x_i$? Certainly the solutions of the two equations, but which $x_i$ of which equation? (3) Typo: $x = ...$.
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– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:21
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I edited for $x_i$. Can consecutive numbers not be integers? (I got confused) @PaulFrost
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– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:27
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I do not think so, but in your comment to Math Lover' s answer ending with "In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers" you said "$a,b$ can be real numbers". This confused me. Perhaps you edit once more and write "4 consecutive integers".
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– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:35
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The problem / task says: $a, b in Bbb R$, ... the roots of the equations are 4 consecutive numbers. I guess what Math Lover was saying is that the roots won't be integers if $a, b$ are not integers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Find all $a, b in Bbb R$, ($bne0)$, such that the roots of
$$x^2+ax+a=b$$ $$x^2+ax+a=-b$$
are 4 consecutive numbers.
We have: $$x^2+ax+a-b=0$$ $$x^2+ax+a+b=0$$
$x_1, x_2$ - roots of first equation; $x_3, x_4$ - roots of second equation.
By logic I wrote: $x_2<x_4<x_3<x_1$ (Is there a way to prove this?)
Using Vieta's formulas: $$x_1+x_2+x_3+x_4=2a$$ and because they are consecutive numbers we have $$x=frac{a-3}2$$
$$frac{a-3}2=x_2<frac{a-1}2=x_4<frac{a+1}2=x_3<frac{a+3}2=x_1$$
Using Vieta's formulas again: $$frac{a^2-9}4=a-b,quad frac{a^2-1}4=a+b$$
$$implies b=-1$$
$$implies a_{1/2}=2pmfrac{sqrt{58}}2,quad a_3=5,quad a_4=-1$$
My question is are these all the solutions? Or are there more?
algebra-precalculus quadratics
$endgroup$
Find all $a, b in Bbb R$, ($bne0)$, such that the roots of
$$x^2+ax+a=b$$ $$x^2+ax+a=-b$$
are 4 consecutive numbers.
We have: $$x^2+ax+a-b=0$$ $$x^2+ax+a+b=0$$
$x_1, x_2$ - roots of first equation; $x_3, x_4$ - roots of second equation.
By logic I wrote: $x_2<x_4<x_3<x_1$ (Is there a way to prove this?)
Using Vieta's formulas: $$x_1+x_2+x_3+x_4=2a$$ and because they are consecutive numbers we have $$x=frac{a-3}2$$
$$frac{a-3}2=x_2<frac{a-1}2=x_4<frac{a+1}2=x_3<frac{a+3}2=x_1$$
Using Vieta's formulas again: $$frac{a^2-9}4=a-b,quad frac{a^2-1}4=a+b$$
$$implies b=-1$$
$$implies a_{1/2}=2pmfrac{sqrt{58}}2,quad a_3=5,quad a_4=-1$$
My question is are these all the solutions? Or are there more?
algebra-precalculus quadratics
algebra-precalculus quadratics
edited Dec 4 '18 at 18:25
Pero
asked Dec 4 '18 at 17:19
PeroPero
1207
1207
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You need to try the other products. Try $x_2cdot x_4$ for example.
$endgroup$
– Don Thousand
Dec 4 '18 at 17:40
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Although you already received answers, I think your question should be clarified: (1) 4 consecutive numbers: Do you mean integers ´$n, n+1, n+2, n+3$? (2) What are the $x_i$? Certainly the solutions of the two equations, but which $x_i$ of which equation? (3) Typo: $x = ...$.
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– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:21
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I edited for $x_i$. Can consecutive numbers not be integers? (I got confused) @PaulFrost
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– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:27
$begingroup$
I do not think so, but in your comment to Math Lover' s answer ending with "In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers" you said "$a,b$ can be real numbers". This confused me. Perhaps you edit once more and write "4 consecutive integers".
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:35
$begingroup$
The problem / task says: $a, b in Bbb R$, ... the roots of the equations are 4 consecutive numbers. I guess what Math Lover was saying is that the roots won't be integers if $a, b$ are not integers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:38
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You need to try the other products. Try $x_2cdot x_4$ for example.
$endgroup$
– Don Thousand
Dec 4 '18 at 17:40
$begingroup$
Although you already received answers, I think your question should be clarified: (1) 4 consecutive numbers: Do you mean integers ´$n, n+1, n+2, n+3$? (2) What are the $x_i$? Certainly the solutions of the two equations, but which $x_i$ of which equation? (3) Typo: $x = ...$.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:21
$begingroup$
I edited for $x_i$. Can consecutive numbers not be integers? (I got confused) @PaulFrost
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:27
$begingroup$
I do not think so, but in your comment to Math Lover' s answer ending with "In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers" you said "$a,b$ can be real numbers". This confused me. Perhaps you edit once more and write "4 consecutive integers".
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:35
$begingroup$
The problem / task says: $a, b in Bbb R$, ... the roots of the equations are 4 consecutive numbers. I guess what Math Lover was saying is that the roots won't be integers if $a, b$ are not integers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:38
$begingroup$
You need to try the other products. Try $x_2cdot x_4$ for example.
$endgroup$
– Don Thousand
Dec 4 '18 at 17:40
$begingroup$
You need to try the other products. Try $x_2cdot x_4$ for example.
$endgroup$
– Don Thousand
Dec 4 '18 at 17:40
$begingroup$
Although you already received answers, I think your question should be clarified: (1) 4 consecutive numbers: Do you mean integers ´$n, n+1, n+2, n+3$? (2) What are the $x_i$? Certainly the solutions of the two equations, but which $x_i$ of which equation? (3) Typo: $x = ...$.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:21
$begingroup$
Although you already received answers, I think your question should be clarified: (1) 4 consecutive numbers: Do you mean integers ´$n, n+1, n+2, n+3$? (2) What are the $x_i$? Certainly the solutions of the two equations, but which $x_i$ of which equation? (3) Typo: $x = ...$.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:21
$begingroup$
I edited for $x_i$. Can consecutive numbers not be integers? (I got confused) @PaulFrost
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:27
$begingroup$
I edited for $x_i$. Can consecutive numbers not be integers? (I got confused) @PaulFrost
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:27
$begingroup$
I do not think so, but in your comment to Math Lover' s answer ending with "In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers" you said "$a,b$ can be real numbers". This confused me. Perhaps you edit once more and write "4 consecutive integers".
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:35
$begingroup$
I do not think so, but in your comment to Math Lover' s answer ending with "In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers" you said "$a,b$ can be real numbers". This confused me. Perhaps you edit once more and write "4 consecutive integers".
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:35
$begingroup$
The problem / task says: $a, b in Bbb R$, ... the roots of the equations are 4 consecutive numbers. I guess what Math Lover was saying is that the roots won't be integers if $a, b$ are not integers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:38
$begingroup$
The problem / task says: $a, b in Bbb R$, ... the roots of the equations are 4 consecutive numbers. I guess what Math Lover was saying is that the roots won't be integers if $a, b$ are not integers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:38
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
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oldest
votes
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You made a mistake while solving $b$. Specifically, $b=1$. As such, $$a^2-4a-5 = (a-5)(a+1)=0 implies a = -1,5.$$
Regarding $x_2 < x_4 < x_3 < x_1$, you could argue by using the following argument.
Note that one of the roots is the minimum among them. Say that is $x_2$. Since
$$x_1 + x_2 = a = x_3 + x_4,$$
we have
$$x_1 = x_3 + (x_4 - x_2) implies x_1 > x_3$$
because $x_4 > x_2$. Likewise, $x_1 > x_4$.
You are looking for integer solutions. In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
$begingroup$
Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Let four integer roots be $n-1,n,n+1,n+2$. Write
$$ (x^2+ax+a-b)(x^2+ax+a+b)=(x-n+1)(x-n)(x-n-1)(x-n-2).$$
or
$$ x^4+2ax^3+(a^2+2a)x^2+2a^2x+(a^2-b^2)=x^4-2(2n+1)x^3+(6n^2+6n-1)x^2-2(2n^3+3n^2-n-1)x+(n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n). tag{1} $$
Comparing the coefficients of $x^3$ and $x^2$ and the constants of (1) gives
$$ 2a=-2(2n+1), a^2+2a=6n^2+6n-1, a^2-b^2=n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n.$$
From these equations, one can solve
$$ a=-1,b=pm1,n=0,text{ or } a=5,,b=pm1,n=-3.$$
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As pointed out by Math Lover, you made a mistake in your computations. The correct solutions for $a, b$ are $a = -1,5$ and $b = 1$. But if you look at xpaul's answer, there are two more solutions $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. Where do they come from?
Observe that neccessarily $b ne 0$, otherwise we would not obtain 4 solutions. But if we get 4 solutions for some $b$, we get the same solutions if we replace $b$ by $-b$ (this replacement is equivalent to permuting the two equations). That explains the occurrence of $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. But why didn't you find them?
This comes from your ordering assumption $x_2 < x_4 < x_1 < x_3$. We have $x_{1/2} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a + 4b}$, $x_{3/4} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a - 4b}$. Now let us assume $b > 0$. Then we see that $x_2 < x_4 < -frac{1}{2}a < x_3 < x_1$. It also shows that your ordering is not correct, although it does not matter for your further computations. If we assume $b < 0$, we get $x_4 < x_2 < x_1 < x_3$ which leads to the "missing" solutions for $a, b$.
Finally note that $a = -1$ and $b = pm1$ yield the 4 solutions $-1,0,1,2$ and $a = 5$ and $b = pm1$ yield $-4,-3,-2,-1$.
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3 Answers
3
active
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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active
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active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
You made a mistake while solving $b$. Specifically, $b=1$. As such, $$a^2-4a-5 = (a-5)(a+1)=0 implies a = -1,5.$$
Regarding $x_2 < x_4 < x_3 < x_1$, you could argue by using the following argument.
Note that one of the roots is the minimum among them. Say that is $x_2$. Since
$$x_1 + x_2 = a = x_3 + x_4,$$
we have
$$x_1 = x_3 + (x_4 - x_2) implies x_1 > x_3$$
because $x_4 > x_2$. Likewise, $x_1 > x_4$.
You are looking for integer solutions. In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
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Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You made a mistake while solving $b$. Specifically, $b=1$. As such, $$a^2-4a-5 = (a-5)(a+1)=0 implies a = -1,5.$$
Regarding $x_2 < x_4 < x_3 < x_1$, you could argue by using the following argument.
Note that one of the roots is the minimum among them. Say that is $x_2$. Since
$$x_1 + x_2 = a = x_3 + x_4,$$
we have
$$x_1 = x_3 + (x_4 - x_2) implies x_1 > x_3$$
because $x_4 > x_2$. Likewise, $x_1 > x_4$.
You are looking for integer solutions. In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers
$endgroup$
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
$begingroup$
Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
You made a mistake while solving $b$. Specifically, $b=1$. As such, $$a^2-4a-5 = (a-5)(a+1)=0 implies a = -1,5.$$
Regarding $x_2 < x_4 < x_3 < x_1$, you could argue by using the following argument.
Note that one of the roots is the minimum among them. Say that is $x_2$. Since
$$x_1 + x_2 = a = x_3 + x_4,$$
we have
$$x_1 = x_3 + (x_4 - x_2) implies x_1 > x_3$$
because $x_4 > x_2$. Likewise, $x_1 > x_4$.
You are looking for integer solutions. In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers
$endgroup$
You made a mistake while solving $b$. Specifically, $b=1$. As such, $$a^2-4a-5 = (a-5)(a+1)=0 implies a = -1,5.$$
Regarding $x_2 < x_4 < x_3 < x_1$, you could argue by using the following argument.
Note that one of the roots is the minimum among them. Say that is $x_2$. Since
$$x_1 + x_2 = a = x_3 + x_4,$$
we have
$$x_1 = x_3 + (x_4 - x_2) implies x_1 > x_3$$
because $x_4 > x_2$. Likewise, $x_1 > x_4$.
You are looking for integer solutions. In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers
edited Dec 4 '18 at 17:51
answered Dec 4 '18 at 17:35
Math LoverMath Lover
14k31436
14k31436
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
$begingroup$
Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
$begingroup$
Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
$begingroup$
$a, b$ can be real numbers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
$begingroup$
Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
Oh wait $a, b in Bbb R$, but because they are consecutive they must be integers right?
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:28
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
$begingroup$
The $x_i$ are integers, hence by Vieta's formulas $a, b$ must be integers.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:39
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Let four integer roots be $n-1,n,n+1,n+2$. Write
$$ (x^2+ax+a-b)(x^2+ax+a+b)=(x-n+1)(x-n)(x-n-1)(x-n-2).$$
or
$$ x^4+2ax^3+(a^2+2a)x^2+2a^2x+(a^2-b^2)=x^4-2(2n+1)x^3+(6n^2+6n-1)x^2-2(2n^3+3n^2-n-1)x+(n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n). tag{1} $$
Comparing the coefficients of $x^3$ and $x^2$ and the constants of (1) gives
$$ 2a=-2(2n+1), a^2+2a=6n^2+6n-1, a^2-b^2=n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n.$$
From these equations, one can solve
$$ a=-1,b=pm1,n=0,text{ or } a=5,,b=pm1,n=-3.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Let four integer roots be $n-1,n,n+1,n+2$. Write
$$ (x^2+ax+a-b)(x^2+ax+a+b)=(x-n+1)(x-n)(x-n-1)(x-n-2).$$
or
$$ x^4+2ax^3+(a^2+2a)x^2+2a^2x+(a^2-b^2)=x^4-2(2n+1)x^3+(6n^2+6n-1)x^2-2(2n^3+3n^2-n-1)x+(n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n). tag{1} $$
Comparing the coefficients of $x^3$ and $x^2$ and the constants of (1) gives
$$ 2a=-2(2n+1), a^2+2a=6n^2+6n-1, a^2-b^2=n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n.$$
From these equations, one can solve
$$ a=-1,b=pm1,n=0,text{ or } a=5,,b=pm1,n=-3.$$
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
Let four integer roots be $n-1,n,n+1,n+2$. Write
$$ (x^2+ax+a-b)(x^2+ax+a+b)=(x-n+1)(x-n)(x-n-1)(x-n-2).$$
or
$$ x^4+2ax^3+(a^2+2a)x^2+2a^2x+(a^2-b^2)=x^4-2(2n+1)x^3+(6n^2+6n-1)x^2-2(2n^3+3n^2-n-1)x+(n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n). tag{1} $$
Comparing the coefficients of $x^3$ and $x^2$ and the constants of (1) gives
$$ 2a=-2(2n+1), a^2+2a=6n^2+6n-1, a^2-b^2=n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n.$$
From these equations, one can solve
$$ a=-1,b=pm1,n=0,text{ or } a=5,,b=pm1,n=-3.$$
$endgroup$
Let four integer roots be $n-1,n,n+1,n+2$. Write
$$ (x^2+ax+a-b)(x^2+ax+a+b)=(x-n+1)(x-n)(x-n-1)(x-n-2).$$
or
$$ x^4+2ax^3+(a^2+2a)x^2+2a^2x+(a^2-b^2)=x^4-2(2n+1)x^3+(6n^2+6n-1)x^2-2(2n^3+3n^2-n-1)x+(n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n). tag{1} $$
Comparing the coefficients of $x^3$ and $x^2$ and the constants of (1) gives
$$ 2a=-2(2n+1), a^2+2a=6n^2+6n-1, a^2-b^2=n^4+2n^3-n^2-2n.$$
From these equations, one can solve
$$ a=-1,b=pm1,n=0,text{ or } a=5,,b=pm1,n=-3.$$
answered Dec 4 '18 at 18:05
xpaulxpaul
22.7k24455
22.7k24455
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$begingroup$
As pointed out by Math Lover, you made a mistake in your computations. The correct solutions for $a, b$ are $a = -1,5$ and $b = 1$. But if you look at xpaul's answer, there are two more solutions $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. Where do they come from?
Observe that neccessarily $b ne 0$, otherwise we would not obtain 4 solutions. But if we get 4 solutions for some $b$, we get the same solutions if we replace $b$ by $-b$ (this replacement is equivalent to permuting the two equations). That explains the occurrence of $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. But why didn't you find them?
This comes from your ordering assumption $x_2 < x_4 < x_1 < x_3$. We have $x_{1/2} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a + 4b}$, $x_{3/4} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a - 4b}$. Now let us assume $b > 0$. Then we see that $x_2 < x_4 < -frac{1}{2}a < x_3 < x_1$. It also shows that your ordering is not correct, although it does not matter for your further computations. If we assume $b < 0$, we get $x_4 < x_2 < x_1 < x_3$ which leads to the "missing" solutions for $a, b$.
Finally note that $a = -1$ and $b = pm1$ yield the 4 solutions $-1,0,1,2$ and $a = 5$ and $b = pm1$ yield $-4,-3,-2,-1$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As pointed out by Math Lover, you made a mistake in your computations. The correct solutions for $a, b$ are $a = -1,5$ and $b = 1$. But if you look at xpaul's answer, there are two more solutions $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. Where do they come from?
Observe that neccessarily $b ne 0$, otherwise we would not obtain 4 solutions. But if we get 4 solutions for some $b$, we get the same solutions if we replace $b$ by $-b$ (this replacement is equivalent to permuting the two equations). That explains the occurrence of $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. But why didn't you find them?
This comes from your ordering assumption $x_2 < x_4 < x_1 < x_3$. We have $x_{1/2} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a + 4b}$, $x_{3/4} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a - 4b}$. Now let us assume $b > 0$. Then we see that $x_2 < x_4 < -frac{1}{2}a < x_3 < x_1$. It also shows that your ordering is not correct, although it does not matter for your further computations. If we assume $b < 0$, we get $x_4 < x_2 < x_1 < x_3$ which leads to the "missing" solutions for $a, b$.
Finally note that $a = -1$ and $b = pm1$ yield the 4 solutions $-1,0,1,2$ and $a = 5$ and $b = pm1$ yield $-4,-3,-2,-1$.
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
As pointed out by Math Lover, you made a mistake in your computations. The correct solutions for $a, b$ are $a = -1,5$ and $b = 1$. But if you look at xpaul's answer, there are two more solutions $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. Where do they come from?
Observe that neccessarily $b ne 0$, otherwise we would not obtain 4 solutions. But if we get 4 solutions for some $b$, we get the same solutions if we replace $b$ by $-b$ (this replacement is equivalent to permuting the two equations). That explains the occurrence of $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. But why didn't you find them?
This comes from your ordering assumption $x_2 < x_4 < x_1 < x_3$. We have $x_{1/2} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a + 4b}$, $x_{3/4} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a - 4b}$. Now let us assume $b > 0$. Then we see that $x_2 < x_4 < -frac{1}{2}a < x_3 < x_1$. It also shows that your ordering is not correct, although it does not matter for your further computations. If we assume $b < 0$, we get $x_4 < x_2 < x_1 < x_3$ which leads to the "missing" solutions for $a, b$.
Finally note that $a = -1$ and $b = pm1$ yield the 4 solutions $-1,0,1,2$ and $a = 5$ and $b = pm1$ yield $-4,-3,-2,-1$.
$endgroup$
As pointed out by Math Lover, you made a mistake in your computations. The correct solutions for $a, b$ are $a = -1,5$ and $b = 1$. But if you look at xpaul's answer, there are two more solutions $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. Where do they come from?
Observe that neccessarily $b ne 0$, otherwise we would not obtain 4 solutions. But if we get 4 solutions for some $b$, we get the same solutions if we replace $b$ by $-b$ (this replacement is equivalent to permuting the two equations). That explains the occurrence of $a = -1,5$ and $b = -1$. But why didn't you find them?
This comes from your ordering assumption $x_2 < x_4 < x_1 < x_3$. We have $x_{1/2} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a + 4b}$, $x_{3/4} = -frac{1}{2}a pm frac{1}{2}sqrt{a^2 - 4a - 4b}$. Now let us assume $b > 0$. Then we see that $x_2 < x_4 < -frac{1}{2}a < x_3 < x_1$. It also shows that your ordering is not correct, although it does not matter for your further computations. If we assume $b < 0$, we get $x_4 < x_2 < x_1 < x_3$ which leads to the "missing" solutions for $a, b$.
Finally note that $a = -1$ and $b = pm1$ yield the 4 solutions $-1,0,1,2$ and $a = 5$ and $b = pm1$ yield $-4,-3,-2,-1$.
answered Dec 4 '18 at 20:03
Paul FrostPaul Frost
10.3k3933
10.3k3933
add a comment |
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
You need to try the other products. Try $x_2cdot x_4$ for example.
$endgroup$
– Don Thousand
Dec 4 '18 at 17:40
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Although you already received answers, I think your question should be clarified: (1) 4 consecutive numbers: Do you mean integers ´$n, n+1, n+2, n+3$? (2) What are the $x_i$? Certainly the solutions of the two equations, but which $x_i$ of which equation? (3) Typo: $x = ...$.
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:21
$begingroup$
I edited for $x_i$. Can consecutive numbers not be integers? (I got confused) @PaulFrost
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:27
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I do not think so, but in your comment to Math Lover' s answer ending with "In that case, $a$ and $b$ must be integers" you said "$a,b$ can be real numbers". This confused me. Perhaps you edit once more and write "4 consecutive integers".
$endgroup$
– Paul Frost
Dec 4 '18 at 18:35
$begingroup$
The problem / task says: $a, b in Bbb R$, ... the roots of the equations are 4 consecutive numbers. I guess what Math Lover was saying is that the roots won't be integers if $a, b$ are not integers.
$endgroup$
– Pero
Dec 4 '18 at 18:38