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Math Forum » Discussions » Math Topics » alt.math.undergrad.independent

Topic: quadratic formula
Replies: 5   Last Post: Oct 21, 2012 11:06 AM

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Stan Brown

Posts: 1,318
Registered: 12/6/04
Re: quadratic formula
Posted: Oct 17, 2012 9:46 PM
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On Wed, 17 Oct 2012 20:14:05 -0500, stoneboy wrote:
>
> Hi,
>
> I have a little problem that I have not been able to get to the form
> required. I may need some help.
>
> here is the problem:
>
> if p(x) = ax^2+bx+c is a second degree polynomial, then prove
>
> p(x) = a(x+b/2a)^2 - ((b^2 - 4ac)/2a)

= a(x^2 + 2xb/2a + b^2/4a^2) - b^2/2a + 2c
= ax^2 + bx + b^2/4a - b^2/2a + 2c
= ax^2 + bx - b^2/4a + 2c

So either -b^2/4a + 2c = c, which means b^2/4a must equal c (which
doesn't seem right), or you've transcribed the formula incorrectly or
left out some condition, or I've made a mistake in my algebra.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com
Shikata ga nai...

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