Quadratic equation

Question
If

y=

x 2 + 2x +
2x 3

3
(x )
2

and x is real, find the possible range of values of for

which y takes all real values.

Solution
y=

x 2 + 2x +
2x 3

3
(x )
2

(1)

(2x 3)y = x2 + 2x +
x2 + (2 2y)x + ( + 3y) = 0

(2)

of (2) 0.
(2 2y)2 4( + 3y) 0
(1 y)2 ( + 3y) 0
y2 5y + (1 - ) 0

Since x is real,

(3)

Method 2
Method 1
2
From (3), completing square,
Let t = y 5y + (1 - )
2
Since y takes up all values of real values and t is
5
21

+ 0 (*)
a quadratic function in y, from (3) the graph of t

2
4
Since y takes up all real values,
cannot cut the y-axis in the y-t plane.
21
of (3) 0
(*) is always true if 0
2
4
(-5) 4(1 - ) 0

21

(4)

4
=

However, if
x 2 + 2x
y=

21
4

21
4

(4)

21

2
4 = 4x + 8x 21 = (2x 3)(2x + 7) = 1 (2x + 7),
2x 3
4(2x 3)
4(2x 3)
4

3
(x )
2

3
1
3
Since x , y 2 + 7 = 1 , y can take up all real values except y = 1.
2

4 2

This gives a straight line with a hole.

=

21
4

is rejected.

The final solution is

<

21
4

.
1

The graphs with different will illustrate the point.

<

21

7y

y can takes up all real

values.

x is real , x .

The graph on RHS takes:

= -6

7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1

x
9

-2

-3

-4
7y

21

This gives a straight line

3
with a point ,
2

missing.
y cannot take up all real
values.

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1

x
9

-2

-3

>

21
4

The graph on RHS takes:

= -4

7y

Note that y cannot take up

all real values, for example,
check y = 2.5 in the graph.

-7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1
-1

x
9

-2

-3
2