Pre-Semi-mock 4 Practice 1

It is given that α is a root of the equation (*): x 2  kx  k  0 , where k is a real constant.

(a) Express k in terms of α.

(b) Express the other root of (*) in terms of α.

(c) If α is a negative number, is it possible that α is the greater root of (*)? Explain your answer briefly.

已知 α 為方程 (*)： x 2  kx  k  0 的一個根，其中 k 為一實常數。

(a) 以 α 表 k。

(b) 以 α 表 (*) 的另一個根。

(c) 若 α 為一負數，α 有沒有可能為 (*) 的較大的根？試詳細解釋你的答案。

a Since α is a root of (*),

 2  k  k  0
  1k   2
2
k
 1

b Let β be the other root.

k
 
1
2
  
 1

 
 1
c  

 
 1
   1     1
2

   1  1  1  0
   1  2   0
  1  2   0    0 
 2    1

Hence, when 2    1 , α can be the greater root of (*).

Alternative method
3

3 2
When    , the other root is   3  a .
2 3
 1
2
Hence, it is possible that α is the greater root.

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