MHB 5.t.11 find x for the imaginary factors

  • Thread starter Thread starter karush
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Factors Imaginary
AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving the equation f(x)=0 with roots 5+i and 5-i, highlighting errors in the original calculations. It points out that the function was incorrectly stated as quadratic when it should be cubic due to the missing factor (x-1). The correct expansion of the quadratic should yield a constant term of 24 instead of 26, impacting the quadratic formula's results. Additionally, the coefficient b was misidentified, leading to further calculation errors. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of accurately stating the function and carefully executing algebraic operations.
karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$\textbf{5.t.11 }$ McKinley HS

Find x for $f(x)=0 \quad 5+i\quad 5-i\quad $
$\begin{array}{rl}
\textsf{factored} &f(x)=(x-1)[x-(5+i))(x-(5-i)]\\
\textsf{foil} &x^2-x(5+i)-x(5-i)+(5-i)^2\\
\textsf{expand} &x^2-5x-xi-5x+xi+25-2i+i^2 \\
\textsf{simplify} &x^2-10x+26\\
\textsf{observation } &(x-1)=0,\quad x=1\\
\textsf{quadratic formula} &=\dfrac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\\
&=\dfrac{-(10)\pm\sqrt{(10)^2-4(1)(26)}}{2(1)}\\
&=\dfrac{-1\pm\sqrt{100-96}}{2}
=\dfrac{-10\pm2i}{2}=5\pm i
\end{array}$

can't seem to get the errors out of this;)
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$\textbf{5.t.11 }$ McKinley HS

Find x for $f(x)=0 \quad 5+i\quad 5-i\quad $
$\begin{array}{rl}
\textsf{factored} &f(x)=(x-1)[x-(5+i))(x-(5-i)]\\
\textsf{foil} &x^2-x(5+i)-x(5-i)+(5-i)^2\\
\textsf{expand} &x^2-5x-xi-5x+xi+25-2i+i^2 \\
\textsf{simplify} &x^2-10x+26\\
\textsf{observation } &(x-1)=0,\quad x=1\\
\textsf{quadratic formula} &=\dfrac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\\
&=\dfrac{-(10)\pm\sqrt{(10)^2-4(1)(26)}}{2(1)}\\
&=\dfrac{-1\pm\sqrt{100-96}}{2}
=\dfrac{-10\pm2i}{2}=5\pm i
\end{array}$

can't seem to get the errors out of this;)
First: Your problem didn't state that f(1) = 0.

Second: [math]f(x)=(x-1)[x-(5+i))(x-(5-i))][/math] gives the zeros 1, 5 - i, and 5 + i but is a cubic. You left out the (x - 1) factor and got a quadratic. You never stated f(x).

Third: The last term in the quadratic expansion is [math](5 + i)(5 - i) = 25 - i^2 = 26[/math]

(Fourth: 25 + i^2 = 25 - 1 = 24. Your wrote 26 in the quadratic formula, which is correct but your work would have set c = 24 and given the wrong answer.)

Fifth: b = -10, not b = 10.

Sixth: [math]100 - 4 \cdot 26 = -4[/math], not 4.

You need to drink more coffee when you are doing these.

-Dan
 
ok thanks
 
Thread 'Video on imaginary numbers and some queries'
Hi, I was watching the following video. I found some points confusing. Could you please help me to understand the gaps? Thanks, in advance! Question 1: Around 4:22, the video says the following. So for those mathematicians, negative numbers didn't exist. You could subtract, that is find the difference between two positive quantities, but you couldn't have a negative answer or negative coefficients. Mathematicians were so averse to negative numbers that there was no single quadratic...
Insights auto threads is broken atm, so I'm manually creating these for new Insight articles. In Dirac’s Principles of Quantum Mechanics published in 1930 he introduced a “convenient notation” he referred to as a “delta function” which he treated as a continuum analog to the discrete Kronecker delta. The Kronecker delta is simply the indexed components of the identity operator in matrix algebra Source: https://www.physicsforums.com/insights/what-exactly-is-diracs-delta-function/ by...
Thread 'Unit Circle Double Angle Derivations'
Here I made a terrible mistake of assuming this to be an equilateral triangle and set 2sinx=1 => x=pi/6. Although this did derive the double angle formulas it also led into a terrible mess trying to find all the combinations of sides. I must have been tired and just assumed 6x=180 and 2sinx=1. By that time, I was so mindset that I nearly scolded a person for even saying 90-x. I wonder if this is a case of biased observation that seeks to dis credit me like Jesus of Nazareth since in reality...

Similar threads

Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
Replies
8
Views
1K
Replies
5
Views
1K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
Replies
6
Views
1K
Back
Top