What is the value of k if the equation x^2 + kx + 9 = 0 has roots that are both

Practice Questions

Q1
What is the value of k if the equation x^2 + kx + 9 = 0 has roots that are both negative?
  1. -6
  2. -5
  3. -4
  4. -3

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What is the value of k if the equation x^2 + kx + 9 = 0 has roots that are both negative?
  • Step 1: Understand that we have a quadratic equation in the form of x^2 + kx + 9 = 0.
  • Step 2: Identify that the roots of the equation are the values of x that make the equation equal to zero.
  • Step 3: Recall that for a quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0, the roots can be found using the formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a).
  • Step 4: In our equation, a = 1, b = k, and c = 9.
  • Step 5: Calculate the discriminant, which is b² - 4ac. Here, it is k² - 4(1)(9) = k² - 36.
  • Step 6: For the roots to be real numbers, the discriminant must be greater than or equal to zero: k² - 36 ≥ 0.
  • Step 7: Solve the inequality k² - 36 ≥ 0. This gives us k ≤ -6 or k ≥ 6.
  • Step 8: Since we want both roots to be negative, we need to ensure that k is negative.
  • Step 9: Therefore, we focus on the part of the solution where k ≤ -6, which means k must be less than -6.
  • Step 10: Conclude that for both roots to be negative, k must be less than -6.
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