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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

Art of Problem Solving

Intermediate Algebra (3205)


Carl Yerger
Thursday
Aug 25, 2022 - Feb 23, 2023
7:30 - 9:00 PM ET (4:30 - 6:00 PM PT)

Overview
Week 5 (Sep 22) Class Transcript - Minima, Maxima, and Circles
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carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:10
Hi everyone!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:13


Welcome to Week 5!!

Wqter 2022-09-22 19:30:21


hello

rufty 2022-09-22 19:30:21


Hello

Maddiezhu 2022-09-22 19:30:21


hi!

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:30:21


Hello!!

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:30:21


hello!

innout 2022-09-22 19:30:21


hi

Snickers5 2022-09-22 19:30:21


Hi

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:25


Intermediate Algebra
Week 5: Minima, Maxima, and Circles

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:28


Today we're going to begin by finishing our discussion on quadratic equations. Then we'll begin a discussion of conics, which we
will complete next class.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:35


Last week, we did a lot of work with quadratic expressions, which is what we're starting with. We saw how the graph of a quadratic
gives a parabola, and we saw that completing the square could find many properties of that parabola such as the vertex. We used
this to see that for a quadratic

Typesetting math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
2
ax + bx + c,

b
the vertex is at x = − .
2a

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:42


Maxima and Minima

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:30:47


Given the quadratic function

( )
f(x) = 16 x −
3 2 18
2
+
5
,

at what x does f(x) achieve its minimum value, and what is that value?

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:32:17


at x=3/2, y=18/5 which is the minimum

BigThoth 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3/2; (3/2,18/5)

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3 18
Min at x = 2
, min is 5

August_Moon 2022-09-22 19:32:17


(3/2,18/5)

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 19:32:17


18/5 is the minimum value at x = 3/2

tigerbw 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3 18
x= and the value is
2 5

zuwiimama1 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3/2, 18/5

goodskate 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3 18
the minimum is achieved when x = , that value is
2 5

isago 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3/2, 18/5

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:32:17


x = 3/2 and the minimum is 18/5

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 19:32:17


3/2, 18/5

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:32:22


3 18
Right, it achieves the minimum at x = 2 and the minimum value is 5 . Why?

tangent2001 2022-09-22 19:33:05


3
(x − 2 ) 2 is greater or equal to 0 so the minimum is 0

tigerbw 2022-09-22 19:33:05


3
The minimum value of (x − 2 ) 2 is when it is equal to 0.

Wqter 2022-09-22 19:33:05


because 3/2 - 3/2 = 0 and 0^2 is 0 so 18/5 is the smallest value
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:33:11

The term 16 x − ( ) 3 2
2
3
is always nonnegative, so the smallest it can get is 0. It is 0 when x = , so the minimum is achieved there.
2

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:33:15


3
Then if x = , we have
2

18 18
f(x) = 16 ⋅ 0 2 + = .
5 5

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:33:29


Given the quadratic function

5
f(x) = − 4(x + 2) 2 − ,
4

at what x does f(x) achieve its maximum value, and what is that value?

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:34:26


maximum when x=-2 and y=-5/4

Wqter 2022-09-22 19:34:26


−5
-2 and 4

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 19:34:26


x =-2, maximum is -5/4

tigerbw 2022-09-22 19:34:26


5
x = − 2 and the value is −
4

August_Moon 2022-09-22 19:34:26


(-2, -5/4)

BluePacific1520 2022-09-22 19:34:26


5
( − 2, − )
4

nt-blue 2022-09-22 19:34:26


(-2, -5/4)

Mathguy_75 2022-09-22 19:34:26


x=-2, y=-5/4

Wqter 2022-09-22 19:34:26


5
-2 and − 4

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:34:26


x = − 2 and the value is − 5 / 4

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:34:26


at x = -2. The maximum is -5/4

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 19:34:26


5
( − 2, − 4 )

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:34:30


We see that − 4(x + 2) 2 is always non-positive. Thus, the sum is maximized when − 4(x + 2) 2 = 0, which is when x = − 2. So f(x)
achieves its maximum at x = − 2.

carlyergermath:
Typesetting 2022-09-22
100% 19:34:32

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
5
Substituting − 2 for x, we see that the maximum value is − 4 .

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:34:44


Notice how in both of the previous two problems, the maximum or minimum was always achieved at the vertex. This makes sense
graphically:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:34:47

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:34:52


In the red parabola which opens upwards, the vertex is the minimum point; in the blue parabola, which opens downwards, it is the
maximum point. The vertex is where the parabola turns around, producing the maximum or the minimum. Indeed, we know that for
the equation

y = a(x − h) 2 + k,

the vertex is at (h, k); but we've seen that when a > 0, the minimum is at (h, k) and when a < 0 the maximum is at (h, k).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:35:05


For a quadratic, you have to look at the sign of the coefficient of the squared term to figure out whether the vertex gives you the
maximum or minimum value.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:35:13


We found the minimum and maximum in the same way, but one of those quadratics had a minimum and no maximum, while the
other one had a maximum and no minimum.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:35:18


Given the quadratic function

f(x) = 3x 2 + 6x − 8,

does f(x) have a minimum or maximum value? What is that maximum or minimum, and which x achieves it?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:35:23


So, first of all: does it achieve a maximum or a minimum, and why?

tigerbw 2022-09-22 19:36:36


minimum, since 3 > 0
Typesetting math: 100%
August_Moon 2022-09-22 19:36:36

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
A minimum because it opens upwards

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:36:36


minimum because the parabola opens upwards

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 19:36:36


minimum since a is positive

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:36:36


minimum because it opens upwards

SofaKing 2022-09-22 19:36:36


has a minimum because it curves up

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:36:36


minimum, as a will be a positive number

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:36:39


The graph of f in this problem is a parabola opening upwards -- for larger and larger x, the 3x 2 term dominates the others and gets
more and more positive. Thus it achieves a minimum, but no maximum value.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:36:46


We could complete the square now to find that minimum, like in the previous problems where the square was already completed
for us. Is there a faster way?

BigThoth 2022-09-22 19:37:52


-b/2a

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:37:52


−b
yes! Use 2a

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 19:37:52


Using -b/(2a) for finding x then plug into function for y

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:37:52


the x value of vertex is -b/2a

BluePacific1520 2022-09-22 19:37:52


b
The vertex is equal to − 2a .

zuwiimama1 2022-09-22 19:37:52


-b/2a

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 19:37:52


find x through -b/2a

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:37:52


−b
yes! Use 2a , the vertex!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:38:15


We know that the minimum happens at the vertex.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:38:17


b
The x-coordinate of the vertex in general is − 2a . We have b = 6 and a = 3, so

b 6
− = − = − 1.
2a 6

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:38:29


What is the y-coordinate of the vertex of this parabola?

hermionegranger713
Typesetting math: 100% 2022-09-22 19:39:11

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
-11

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

BluePacific1520 2022-09-22 19:39:11


− 11

mcurri 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

Jellocello 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

ryz11 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

hello10250 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

jolin123 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 19:39:11


− 11

rufty 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

goodskate 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:39:11


− 11

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11

ilegosking 2022-09-22 19:39:11


-11?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:39:14


Rather than remembering a messy formula, we can just calculate f( − 1) = 3 − 6 − 8 = − 11.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:39:15


So the minimum is at ( − 1, − 11).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:39:17


Are we done?

BigThoth 2022-09-22 19:39:34


yes

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:39:34


Yes?

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:39:34


yes!

carlyergermath:
Typesetting 100%
2022-09-22 19:39:36

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
Yes, we're done.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:39:37


Notice how we didn't need to get all the details of the parabola; since we knew that it is a parabola opening upwards, we just
needed to find the vertex and we'd already discovered a formula for that. Any questions about this process at the moment?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:39:58


Let's go back to our physicist friend Jenny from last class, bored on a cliff and throwing rocks over the edge.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:40:02


Jenny stands on a cliff 280 feet above a canyon. She throws a rock upwards off the edge, with an upwards velocity of 15 ft/sec.
Jenny knows from studying physics that the height of the rock for any time t seconds after she throws it is equal to h(t) where

h(t) = 280 + 15t − 16t 2.

Jenny determines how high the rock will get before it starts falling down towards the canyon. How high does the rock get?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:40:13


In math terms, what is this problem really asking us?

Snickers5 2022-09-22 19:41:05


The maximum

Stormy22 2022-09-22 19:41:05


the maximum value

tigerbw 2022-09-22 19:41:05


The maximum value.

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 19:41:05


find the maximum value

Wqter 2022-09-22 19:41:05


the maximum

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 19:41:05


find the maximum of the quadratic

LinhSong 2022-09-22 19:41:05


the maximum

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 19:41:05


The maximum value of the parabola.

isago 2022-09-22 19:41:05


what is the maximum value of the equation

spottyunderdog 2022-09-22 19:41:05


What the maxima of the parabola is

August_Moon 2022-09-22 19:41:05


the maximum

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 19:41:05


the maximum

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 19:41:05


what is the maximum

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:41:05


what is the maximum

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:41:11


The height of the rock is given by h(t) = 280 + 15t − 16t 2, and we're looking for how high the rock gets: that should be the maximum
of h(t). math: 100%
Typesetting

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:41:19


(We know that it has a maximum since this is a parabola that opens downwards. It had better open downwards: the path of
anything you throw should end up going down. That's science!)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:41:24


At what t does h(t) achieve its maximum?

BigThoth 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32

Wqter 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32

rufty 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32

BluePacific1520 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15
32

bookgirl08 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32

LinhSong 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32?

SofaKing 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32?

mcurri 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15/32?

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 19:42:33


15
32

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:42:38


It's the x-coordinate of the vertex of the parabola:

b 15 15
− = − =
2a 2 ⋅ ( − 16) 32

seconds.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:42:42


How do we find the maximum?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:42:49


Tell me what to do - you don't actually have to do it.

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:43:57


15
Plug in x = 32

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:43:57


pug 15/32 into h(t)

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:43:57


plug in 15 / 32 for t
Typesetting math: 100%
Vincent-21 2022-09-22 19:43:57

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
plug in 15/32 for t

rufty 2022-09-22 19:43:57


substitute t=15/32 into h(t)?

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 19:43:57


substitute 15/32 into the function

tangent2001 2022-09-22 19:43:57


15
plug in 32 into the equation as t and the output is the maximum

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:43:57


Evaluate the function for t = 15 / 32

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:44:02


We substitute t = 15 / 32 into the function:

h
( )
15
32
= 280 + 15
( ) ( )
15
32
− 16
15 2
32
225 225
= 280 + −
32 2 ⋅ 32
2 ⋅ 225 − 225
= 280 +
2 ⋅ 32
225
= 280 +
2 ⋅ 32
225
= 280 +
64
≈ 280 + 3.52
= 283.52 ft.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:44:10


So the rock goes up about three and a half feet before gravity takes over and it starts falling downwards.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:44:25


Guess Jenny doesn't throw very high!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:44:33


In physics, finding maxima and minima is critical to understanding a lot of phenomena. For quadratics, we know how to do that. For
more complicated expressions, we would usually use calculus. (Which you'll probably learn within a couple of years.)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:45:03


Quadratic Inequalities

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:45:06


Our last major topic with quadratics is quadratic inequalities.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:45:09


For which values of x is (x − 3)(x + 1) > 0 ?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:45:10


How could we begin?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:45:15


Explain.

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:46:27


look at the signs. They could both be positive or both negative

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:46:27


find cases:
Typesetting in order
math: 100% for the quadratic to be positive, then the factors have to both be positive or both be negative

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:46:31


The left-hand side is the product of two numbers: (x − 3) and (x + 1). The inequality says that this product must be positive. How
can this product be positive?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:46:33


Only if both values are positive (that is, x − 3 > 0 and x + 1 > 0), or if both values are negative (that is, x − 3 < 0 and x + 1 < 0).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:46:42


First consider x − 3 : it's positive if x > 3, and negative if x < 3. Meanwhile, x + 1 is positive if x > − 1 and negative if x < − 1.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:46:46


Let's make a table of all values of x. We have two values where things change: 3 and − 1.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:46:47

Sign of Sign of Sign of


Value of x x−3 x+1 (x − 3)(x + 1)
x>3 + + +
−1 < x < 3 − + −
x< −1 − − +

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:46:54


So when is (x − 3)(x + 1) > 0 ?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:47:56


x>3 and x<-1

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:47:56


when x > 3 or when x<-1

LinhSong 2022-09-22 19:47:56


when x>3 or x<-1

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 19:47:56


x < -1 or x > 3

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 19:47:56


when x>3 or x<-1

fj2019 2022-09-22 19:47:56


( − ∞, − 1) ∪ (3, ∞)

BluePacific1520 2022-09-22 19:47:56


( − infty, − 1)U(3, infty)

August_Moon 2022-09-22 19:47:56


Wait, sorry, x>3 and x<-1

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 19:47:56


x ∈ (∞, − 1) ∪ (3, ∞)

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:47:56


(-inf, -1) U (3, inf)

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:47:56


( − ∞, − 1) ∪ (3, ∞)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:47:59


We need either x > 3 so that both factors are positive, or x < − 1 so that both factors are negative. We see that x = 3 and x = − 1
give values equal to 0, which does not satisfy the inequality. So the answer is

x ∈ ( − ∞, − 1) ∪ (3, + ∞).
Typesetting math: 100%

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carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:48:08


Notice how leaving (x − 3)(x + 1) in its factored form made it easy to determine when it is positive and when it is negative. If we had
expanded it as x 2 − 2x − 3, that would not have helped!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:48:15


What if the inequality is (x − 3)(x + 1) < 0, so that we are now looking for negative values?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:48:20


What interval do we want?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:49:14


-1<x<3

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:49:14


(-1,3)

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 19:49:14


(-1,3)

LinhSong 2022-09-22 19:49:14


-1<x<3

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:49:14


-1 <x<3

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 19:49:14


(-1, 3)

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 19:49:14


-1 < x < 3

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:49:14


Well, it would be ( − 1, 3)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:49:19


We look at the table again:

Sign of Sign of Sign of


Value of x x−3 x+1 (x − 3)(x + 1)
x>3 + + +
−1 < x < 3 − + −
x< −1 − − +

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:49:24


The product is negative when x is in the interval ( − 1, 3).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:49:34


What if the inequality is (x − 3)(x + 1) ≤ 0, so that we are now looking for non-positive values?

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 19:50:28


[-1,3]

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 19:50:28


then [-1,3]

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:50:28


[ − 1, 3]

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 19:50:28


[-1, 3]

Scorpion1562
Typesetting 2022-09-22 19:50:28
math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
[ − 1, 3]

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 19:50:28


[-1,3]

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:50:28


-1<=x<=3

Jellocello 2022-09-22 19:50:28


[-1, 3]

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:50:32


Well, we know that it's negative only for x ∈ ( − 1, 3). But now we also have to consider 0. The product is 0 only when x = − 1 or
x = 3, so the inequality is satisfied for all x ∈ [ − 1, 3].

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:50:36


Now we've seen one way to solve a quadratic inequality, which is to factor and look at the sign of each term. Let's see if we can find
a graphical approach that might be a bit easier in some cases.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:50:42


Solve the inequality 2 4x − 4x − 3 < 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:50:44


Factoring this is a bit harder, so let's think about the graph.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:50:47


What does the graph of y = 4x 2 − 4x − 3 look like?

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 19:51:49


A parabola that opens upwards

nt-blue 2022-09-22 19:51:49


upward u shaped

LinhSong 2022-09-22 19:51:49


its a parabola

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:51:49


parabola opens upwards

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:51:49


it opens upward

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 19:51:49


upward parabola

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:51:52


It's a parabola opening upwards. That means the value of 4x 2 − 4x − 3 always increases as you move away from the vertex and
decreases as you move towards the vertex.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:51:57


Given a graph of y = f(x), how can you tell from the picture when f(x) < 0 ?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:53:19


the part below the x-axis

BigThoth 2022-09-22 19:53:19


it is below the x-axis

RockBlue 2022-09-22 19:53:19


look at the region below x axis

zuwiimama1 2022-09-22 19:53:19


when it goes under the x-axis
Typesetting math: 100%
carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:53:22
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
It's when the graph goes under the x-axis.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:53:26


Since this parabola opens upwards, it's above the x-axis except between the two times it crosses the x-axis, which are at its roots:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:53:30

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:53:35


So this quadratic will be negative only between its roots!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:53:42


3 1
Factoring, using the quadratic formula, or using your method of choice, we see that the roots are x = 2 and x = − 2 , so
4x 2 − 4x − 3 < 0 when

x ∈
( −
1 3
,
2 2).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:53:48


What if I'd asked instead for when − 4x 2 + 4x + 3 ≤ 0 ?

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 19:54:48


Downward facing parabola

PatriciaCastor 2022-09-22 19:54:48


only the top part is positive?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:54:51


Now this is a parabola opening downwards instead of upwards.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:54:54


1 3
It still has roots at x = − 2 and x = 2.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:55:00

Typesetting math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:55:12


So where is the y-value negative?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:56:12


Let's answer that question instead. Sorry!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:56:56


Let's try a third time - how about non-positive!

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 19:57:53


1 3
x ∈ ( − ∞, − 2 ] ∪ [ 2 , ∞)

tigerbw 2022-09-22 19:57:53


1 3
( − ∞, − 2
] ∪ [ 2 , ∞)

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 19:57:53


x<=-1/2 or x>=3/2

Jellocello 2022-09-22 19:57:53


(-inf, 1/2] U [3/2, inf)

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 19:57:53


1 3
[ − ∞, − 2 ] ∪ [ 2 , ∞]

hdanger 2022-09-22 19:57:53


When we have x ∈ ( − ∞, − 1 / 2] ∪ [3 / 2, ∞)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:58:01


Since this parabola opens downwards, the y-value is negative everywhere except between the two roots, as you can see in the
graph. We're looking for non-positive values, so the x-values that satisfy our inequality consist of any x along the horizontal axis
except the ones that lie between the two roots. In other words, the x-values that satisfy our inequality consist of all

x ∈
( − ∞, −
1
2 ] [

3
2
, +∞ .
)
carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:58:07
Notice how we had ≤ instead of < , so we want to include the values when − 4x 2 + 4x + 3 = 0, which is why we include the roots
1 3
− 2 and 2 in our final answer here.

carlyergermath:
Typesetting 100%
2022-09-22 19:58:12

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
(I made that mistake earlier!)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:58:24


When working with quadratic inequalities, you always have to think carefully about if you want the values between the roots, or
outside of the roots.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:58:31


Ok - let's try another problem.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:58:37


For what values of t is − 2t 2 + 8t − 11 ≥ 0 ?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:58:43


What could we do?

isago 2022-09-22 19:59:46


we can use the quadratic formula

Maddiezhu 2022-09-22 19:59:46


factor or use quadratic

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:59:49


Hrm. There doesn't seem to be any easy factorization. We could use the quadratic formula to find the roots. And we see the roots of
our quadratic are nonreal. Uh-oh.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 19:59:56


What does the fact that there are no real roots tell us about the graph of f(x) = − 2x 2 + 8x − 11 ?

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:00:20


It doesn't touch the x-axis?

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:00:20


That is is either completely all negative or all positive

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:00:26


Because there are no real roots, the graph does not intersect the x-axis. It is therefore entirely above or below the x-axis. Which is
it?

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

hello10250 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

ryz11 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below.

Snickers5 2022-09-22 20:01:15


Below

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:01:15


well, it opens downward, so it will be entirely below the x-axis

zuwiimama1 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below
Typesetting math: 100%
RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:01:15
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
below the x axis

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

rufty 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

masteryoda1 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

aops1222 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below

foodiyums 2022-09-22 20:01:15


below ???
LinhSong 2022-09-22 20:01:15
below

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:01:22


The graph is a downward-opening parabola, so it must be below the x-axis at some point. Since y = f(x) never crosses the x-axis, it
must be below the x axis for all values of x. What does that tell us about our original inequality, which was − 2t 2 + 8t − 11 ≥ 0 ?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:01:25


This tells us that the quadratic is negative for all values of t, so the inequality is not satisfied for any values of t.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:01:27

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:01:32


You should always aspire to understand why things are true. If you just memorized a procedure for solving quadratic inequalities
(like finding the roots and looking at the leading coefficient), then you would get stuck as soon as you encountered a new kind of
problem or one where something didn't work out as planned. But if you know why things work, you can handle anything that comes
your way. Here, we knew why looking for roots works, so when there weren't any roots, we knew how to think about the problem.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:01:56


Let's use our techniques in a word problem.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:01:57


Rectangle A has length 3x and width x − 3, while rectangle B has length 2x − 3 and width x + 5. For which values of x does rectangle
B have greater area than rectangle A ?
Typesetting math: 100%
carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:02:10

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
What must be true about x in order for the rectangles to actually be rectangles?

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x>3

rufty 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x>3

innout 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x must be bigger than 3

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x>3

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x>3

isago 2022-09-22 20:03:21


it must be greater than 3

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x>3

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:03:21


x must be greater than 3

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:03:27


All side lengths must be positive, so

3x > 0,
x − 3 > 0,
2x − 3 > 0,
x + 5 > 0.

These four inequalities are satisfied when

3
x>3> > 0 > − 5,
2

so anything where x ≤ 3 is impossible in the context of this problem.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:03:42


Let's compute areas. The area of rectangle A is

3x(x − 3) = 3x 2 − 9x,

while the area of rectangle B is

(2x − 3)(x + 5) = 2x 2 + 7x − 15.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:03:48


Now what?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:04:34


set an inequality!

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:04:34


set up an inequality where b>a

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:04:34


Make the equations so that B>A

redbikefox 2022-09-22 20:04:34


B is more than A
Typesetting math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

rufty 2022-09-22 20:04:34


make an inequality where area for B is greater than A?

isago 2022-09-22 20:04:34


we set up our inequality

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:04:34


Make an inequality

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:04:34


B>A

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:04:34


2x^2+7x-15>3x^2-9x and solve for x

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:04:34


Simplify 2x 2 + 7x − 15 > 3x 2 − 9x when x > 3

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:04:34


2x^2+7x-15 > 3x^2-9x

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:04:38


We set up an inequality that says "rectangle B has greater area than rectangle A:"

3x 2 − 9x < 2x 2 + 7x − 15.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:04:41


Now what should we do to solve this inequality?

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:05:20


First move all terms to one side

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:05:20


move everything to one side

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:05:20


Move everything to one side

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:05:20


regroup terms to the left side

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:05:20


move everything to one side

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:05:20


Bring everything to one side

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:05:20


move everything to one side first

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:05:24


Let's put everything on one side, which is reversible and thus gives us an equivalent inequality:

x 2 − 16x + 15 < 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:05:28


There are lots of ways to proceed. Suppose we start by noticing that the graph of x 2 − 16x + 15 is a parabola opening upwards. Then
where are the solutions?

foodiyums 2022-09-22 20:06:40


(x-1)(x-15)? so x=1 and x=15

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:06:40


Typesetting math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
at (15,0) and (1,0)

ryz11 2022-09-22 20:06:40


between the roots

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:06:40


Between the roots

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:06:40


15 and 1

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:06:40


(1,15)?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:06:44


The solutions are between the roots. We can factor easily: (x − 1)(x − 15) < 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:06:46


Or else we can calculate the roots with the quadratic formula:

16 ± √256 − 60 16 ± √196
x= = = 1 or 15.
2 2

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:06:53


We need x ∈ (1, 15). Is that our final answer? Are we done with the problem?

LeoLionTank 2022-09-22 20:07:24


nope!

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:07:24


nope

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:07:24


no

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:07:24


no

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:07:24


No...?

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:07:24


no, we didnt answer the question

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:07:26


why not?

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:08:17


No, x > 3

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:08:17


No! x > 3

redbikefox 2022-09-22 20:08:17


x>3

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:08:17


we still have x > 3

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:08:17


because x > 3

rufty 2022-09-22 20:08:17


Typesetting math: 100%
x > 3!
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:08:17


x>3

ryz11 2022-09-22 20:08:17


x>3

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:08:29


We need x > 3 to make the x − 3 side length positive, and that's good enough to make all the other side lengths positive too. So
what's our final answer?

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:09:13


(3,15)

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:09:13


x ∈ (3, 15)

jolin123 2022-09-22 20:09:13


3<x<15

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:09:13


(3,15)

rufty 2022-09-22 20:09:13


(3, 15)

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:09:13


x ∈ (3, 15)

Supernova283 2022-09-22 20:09:13


x ∈ (3, 15)

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:09:13


(3,15)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:09:17


We need both x ∈ (1, 15) and x > 3, which combine to give x ∈ (3, 15).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:09:21


Now we're done!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:09:24


Any questions?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:09:59


Here's a problem from the AHSME exam (the precursor to the AMC 12):

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:10:02


If x is real and 4y 2 + 4xy + x + 6 = 0, then find the complete set of values of x for which y is real.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:10:09


What kind of problem is this?

spottyunderdog 2022-09-22 20:11:21


quadtratic?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:11:27


Ah! We can think of the equation as a quadratic in y:

4y 2 + (4x)y + (x + 6) = 0.

How does this help?

rufty 2022-09-22 20:12:45


we can use the discriminant
Typesetting math: 100%
hdanger 2022-09-22 20:12:45
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
we can use the discrimant!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:12:49


We need this quadratic to have real roots! We don't need to know the value of the roots, just when they are real.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:12:54


We need the discriminant to be non-negative.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:12:57


What is the discriminant for this quadratic?

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x^2-16(x+6)

rufty 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x^2 - 16(x+6)

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x^2-16x-96

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:14:16


2
16x − 16x − 96

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x 2 − 16(x + 6)

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x 2 − 16x − 96

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:14:16


2
16x − 16(x + 6)

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16^2-16x - 96

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x 2 − 16x − 96

iris8002 2022-09-22 20:14:16


16x^2-16x-96

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:14:28


The discriminant is 16x 2 − 16(x + 6), so we need

16x 2 − 16(x + 6) ≥ 0,

which holds if and only if

x 2 − x − 6 ≥ 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:14:33


How can we solve this inequality?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:16:08


factor!

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:16:08


factor

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:16:08


(x − 3)(x + 2)

rufty 2022-09-22 20:16:08


factor themath:
Typesetting quadratic
100% x^2 - x - 6?

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:16:08


(x + 2)(x − 3) ≥ 0

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:16:08


the left hand side factors as (x-3)(x+ 2)

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:16:08


factor, then look at the signs

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:16:08


Factor

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:16:08


factor

Jellocello 2022-09-22 20:16:08


factor

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:16:12


We can factor x 2 − x − 6 = (x − 3)(x + 2) to get roots x = − 2 and x = 3.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:16:25


So when is the inequality true?

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:18:23


( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, ∞)

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:18:23


x ∈ ( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, ∞)

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:18:23


when x is >=3 and <=-2

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:18:23


wait actually shouldn't it be (-inf,-2]U[3,inf)

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:18:23


( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, ∞)

goodskate 2022-09-22 20:18:23


When x ≥ 3 or x ≤ − 2

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:18:23


x ∈ ( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, ∞)

ChickenNuggets26 2022-09-22 20:18:23


( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, ∞)

rufty 2022-09-22 20:18:23


(-inf, -2] U [3, inf) then?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:18:28


The graph of 2x −x−6 is a parabola opening upwards. So 2 x − x − 6 is positive when x is less than the smaller root or greater than
the larger root.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:18:33


We also include the roots because having a discriminant of zero still yields real roots for our original expression, so we get:

x ∈ ( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, + ∞).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:18:38


Ok, we've solved the inequality. How do we use this to solve the original problem?

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:19:33


Typesetting math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
Aren't we done? We have the set of x where y is real.

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:19:33


I think this is the solution to the original problem

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:19:33


This is the set of possible x such that y is real.

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:19:33


those are the values of x for which y is real, so we are done!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:19:36


The answer is the same! We get a real value of y if and only if

x ∈ ( − ∞, − 2] ∪ [3, + ∞),

because that's when the discriminant is nonnegative.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:19:49


Here's a graph of all points (x, y) that satisfy the equation 4y 2 + 4xy + x + 6 = 0. Sure enough, it looks like there are no points with x
between − 2 and 3, but for every other value of x there is a point on the graph (in fact, two points in most cases).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:19:50

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:06


Note that our key strategy in this problem was to view a complicated equation as a quadratic in one of the variables. This tactic can
be useful on a great many problems, including some very hard problems (even hard AIME and USAMO problems).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:13


Conics

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:20


For the rest of this class and next class we're going to talk about conic sections.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:25


Typically teachers try to sell conic sections as the types of curves you can get by slicing a pair of cones by a plane, but after that
never actually slice any cones at all. That is not what I want you to take away from this.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:43


A related topic is analytic geometry, which is a fancy way of saying "geometry in coordinates."

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:45


For example, we often study the quadratic y = x 2 by thinking about the graph of all the solutions to this equation.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:47

Typesetting math: 100%

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carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:20:57


Furthermore, if we're asked a question about this parabola, we are likely at some point to want to write down the equation y = x 2.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:00


The simplest things in analytic geometry are lines, which are solutions to equations like ax + by + c = 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:12


The second-simplest things in analytic geometry are solutions to quadratic equations, like

Ax 2 + Bxy + Cy 2 + Dx + Ey + F = 0.

Solutions to equations of this form are conics. It just happens to be the case that if you write down a (nontrivial) equation like this,
its graph is a conic section.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:20


We've already spent a lot of time studying one conic: the parabola. We'll turn to circles for the rest of the day, and then move on to
ellipses and hyperbolas next class.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:30


We'll be studying conics by first defining specific types of conics geometrically, and then exploring how we can describe them
using equations.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:33


Conics: Circles

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:36


What is the graph of x 2 + y 2 = 1?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:21:38


Be specific!

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:22:36


A circle with a radius of 1, centered at (0, 0)

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:22:36


a circle with center (0,0) and radius 1

ryz11 2022-09-22 20:22:36


a circle with radius 1 at (0,0)
Typesetting math: 100%
mkhaim 2022-09-22 20:22:36

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
I circle with origin at 0 and a radius of 1.

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:22:36


It's a circle with center at (0, 0) and radius 1

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:22:36


circle with center (0,0) and radius 1

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:22:36


It is the unit circle, the set of all values 1 unit away from the orgin.

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:22:36


circle centered at (0, 0) with radius 1

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:22:36


a circle centered at (0,0) with a radius of 1

GoBuckeyes 2022-09-22 20:22:36


A circle with a center on the origin and radius 1

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:22:36


A circle with center (0,0) and a radius of 1

PatriciaCastor 2022-09-22 20:22:36


unit circle

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:22:44


Of course, this is a circle of radius 1 centered at the origin. How do you know? What does this equation have to do with the
definition of a circle?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:23:33


distance formula?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:23:33


it is pretty much the distance formula

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:23:45

If we take the square root of both sides, we get √x2 + y2 = 1. What does that say in terms of distance?
carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:23:47
That says that the distance between (x, y) and (0, 0) is 1. So the graph of x 2 + y 2 = 1 consists of all the points that are a distance of 1
from the origin.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:24:12


In general, a circle is the locus of points in the plane that are a fixed distance from a given point.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:24:31


That "fixed distance" is called the radius and the "given point" is called the center of the circle.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:24:34


What is the equation of a circle with radius r and center (h, k) ?

Jellocello 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r 2

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:25:41


2
(x − h) + (y − k) 2 = r 2 .
Typesetting math: 100%
Wqter 2022-09-22 20:25:41

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
2 2 2
(x − h) + (y − k) = r

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:25:41


2
(x − h) + (y − k) 2 = r 2

rufty 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r 2

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:25:41


Sorry, (x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2

hello10250 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x-h)^2+(y-k)^2=r^2

isago 2022-09-22 20:25:41


(x - h)^2 + (y - k)^2 = r^2

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:25:45

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:25:46


That's right -- it's

(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r 2.

The circle consists of all points (x, y) that satisfy this equation:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:25:51

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:25:59


Now let's see why this is the equation for a circle of radius r centered at (h, k).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:26:05


To understand this, we need to do two things: (1) remember our definition for what a circle is, and (2) show that this equation
matches the definition.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:26:17


A circle with center P and radius r is the collection of all points (also known as the locus of points) whose distance from P is r.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:26:30


What is an expression for the distance from P = (h, k) to a point (x, y)?

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2
+ (x − k) 2

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√ (x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2
+ (y − k) 2

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2
+ (y − k) 2

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2
+ (y − k) 2

rufty 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2
Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 would be the radius


QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:27:57

√(h − k) 2
+ (k − y) 2
Typesetting math: 100%
August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:27:57
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
sqrt((x-h)^2+(y-k)^2)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:28:03


The distance from P = (h, k) to (x, y) is

√(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:28:08


If (x, y) lies on the circle, then we need this distance to equal r, so we have

√(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:28:17


To get from this to the equation we came up with at first, we square both sides to get

(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r 2,

the equation of a circle.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:28:38


Now, there's a problem: squaring both sides might introduce extraneous solutions. Did we introduce extraneous solutions here?
Why or why not?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:29:50


No, because distance is positive

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:29:50


no, beacause r is a distance and therefore always positive

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:29:50


no

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:29:50


no, because the radius is always positive, and so are the squared terms

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:29:50


No, because all of the squares are positive

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:29:50


no, as since we're talking distance, we're only taking the positive values.

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:29:50


no

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:29:53


No. Extraneous solutions from squaring happen when you square something that might look like 5 = − 5. But here, r is positive,
and the left-hand side is nonnegative because of the squared terms; thus, we don't get any extraneous solutions. Anything that
satisfies

(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r 2

and meets the condition that r is taken to be a positive radius, will also satisfy

√(x − h) 2 + (y − k) 2 = r.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:30:00


So given the center (h, k) and a radius r, it's easy to determine the equation of the circle.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:30:03


For example, what is the equation of the circle with center (3, − 2) and radius 2 ?
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=4

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=4

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x-3)^2 + (y+2)^2 = 4

rufty 2022-09-22 20:31:01


2 2
(x − 3) + (y + 2) = 4

iris8002 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=4

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=4

Jellocello 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x-3)^2+(y+2)^2=4

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x-3)^2 + (y+2)^2 = 4

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x − 3) 2 + (y + 2) 2 = 4

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x − 3) 2 + (y + 2) 2 = 4

isago 2022-09-22 20:31:01


(x - 3)^2 + (y + 2)^2 = 4

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:31:01


2 2
(x − 3) + (y + 2) = 4

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:31:15


Using what we derived earlier, the equation is (x − 3) 2 + (y + 2) 2 = 4.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:31:21


Suppose A = (1, 0) and B = (3, 2). Find the equation defining a circle with diameter AB.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:31:22


What do we need to find if we want to write down the equation for this circle easily?

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:32:59


center and radius

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:32:59


The center and radius.

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:32:59


center and radius

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:32:59


find the center and radius

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:32:59


the center and the radius

redbikefox 2022-09-22 20:32:59


the center and radius of the circle

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:33:03


We need the center and radius of the circle.
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
Where is the center of this circle?

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:33:48

center =
( 1+3 0+2
2
, 2
) = (2, 1)

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2, 1)

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2,1)

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2,1)

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2, 1)

Scorpion1562 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2, 1)

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2, 1)

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2,1)

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:33:48


(2, 1)

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:33:48


The midpoint of AB = (2, 1)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:33:51


¯
The center is the midpoint of AB. That's the point (2, 1).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:33:54


What is the length of the circle's radius?

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:34:58


sqrt(2)

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:34:58


sqrt2

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:34:58


sqrt2

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:34:58

√2
QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:34:58

√1 2 2
+1 = √2
August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:34:58
sqrt2?

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:34:58


sqrt(2)

Jellocello 2022-09-22 20:34:58


sqrt(2)
Typesetting math: 100%
Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:34:58

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
sqrt(2)

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:34:58

√2
carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:35:02

The radius length of the circle is the distance from the center to (1, 0). So it's √(2 − 1) 2 + (1 − 0) 2 = √2.
carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:35:03
So what is the equation of the circle?

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:35:27


(x − 2) 2 + (y − 1) 2 = 2

rufty 2022-09-22 20:35:27


2 2
(x − 2) + (y − 1) = 2

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:35:27


(x-2)^2 + (y-1)^2 = 2

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:35:27


2
(x − 2) + (y − 1) 2 = 2

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:35:29


The equation of the circle is (x − 2) 2 + (y − 1) 2 = 2.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:35:31


For the rest of today's class, we'll do a few challenging problems related to circles.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:35:54


Find the minimum distance between a point on the graph of x 2 + y 2 − 4x − 6y + 12 = 0 and a point on the graph of
x 2 + y 2 + 8x + 2y + 16 = 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:35:59


First, we should figure out what the graphs of these equations look like.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:36:01


How can we rewrite x 2 + y 2 − 4x − 6y + 12 = 0 to look more like an equation we're comfortable with?

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:37:03


complete the squares

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:37:03


complete the square

spottyunderdog 2022-09-22 20:37:03


complete the square

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:37:03


complete the square

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:37:03


completing the square

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:37:03


Complete the squares?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:37:03


Complete the square!

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:37:03


complete the square

carlyergermath:
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
We can complete the square!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:37:10


First, we can complete the square in x.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:37:11


(x − 2) 2 + y2 − 6y + 8 = 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:37:13


Then we can complete the square in y.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:37:15


(x − 2) 2 + (y − 3) 2 − 1 = 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:37:20


So what does the graph of this equation look like? Be as specific as you can.

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:38:09


circle with center at (2,3) and radius 1

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:38:09


Center is at (2,3) and the radius is 1

iris8002 2022-09-22 20:38:09


a circle with center (2,3) and radius 1

rufty 2022-09-22 20:38:09


a circle with the center at (2, 3) and with radius 1

nt-blue 2022-09-22 20:38:09


a circle with center (2,3) and radius 1

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:38:09


A circle with center (2, 3) and radius 1

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:38:09


circle with center at (2,3), and radius 1

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:38:09


circle with center (2,3) and radius 1

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:38:09


It is a 1 unit radius circle centered at (2, 3)

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:38:09


A circle centered around (2, 3), with radius equal to 1. Its area is π, and its circumference is 2π.

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:38:09


It has a center of (2,3) and has a radius of 1 unit

Snickers5 2022-09-22 20:38:09


The center is at (2, 3) and the radius is 1

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:38:09


a circle with center (2, 3) and radius sqrt1

isago 2022-09-22 20:38:09


a circle with center (2, 3) and radius 1

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:38:09


a circle with radius 1 centered (2,3)

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:38:14


The graph of this equation is a circle with center (2, 3) and radius 1.
Typesetting math: 100%
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

Now you handle the second equation on your own. What does the graph of x 2 + y 2 + 8x + 2y + 16 = 0 look like?

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:39:34


circle centered at (-4,-1) with radius 1

iris8002 2022-09-22 20:39:34


a circle with center (-4,-1) and radius 1

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:39:34


a circle with radius 1 centered at (-4,-1)

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:39:34


Has a center of (-4,-1) and a radius of 1

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:39:38


Using the same method, we find this equation is equivalent to

(x + 4) 2 + (y + 1) 2 = 1,

so its graph is a circle with center ( − 4, − 1) and radius 1.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:39:40


Here's a picture of both circles:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:39:43

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:39:46


How can we get the shortest distance between two points on these circles?

fj2019 2022-09-22 20:40:25


draw a straight line from the center of the circles

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:40:25


Look at the distance between the centers, and subtract the two radii

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:40:25


It is the line between the centers minus both radii

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:40:25


Draw a line connecting their centers

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:40:25


draw a line from one center to the other and subtract the diameter of either circle

mkhaim 2022-09-22 20:40:25


Its the distance between the centers minus 2 times the radius (aka the diameter)
Typesetting
carlyergermath: 100%
2022-09-22 20:40:28

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
We can connect the centers!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:40:30

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:40:41


I claim that the segment that passes between the intersection points of the line between the centers is the shortest path from one
circle to the other.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:40:57


Every point on a circle is equidistant from the center, so if we went through any other point, our path would be longer by the triangle
inequality!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:40:59

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:41:12


That is, by adding radii to the end of our path between points on the two circles, we get a path between the two centers. The radii
always have the same length, so we just want that path between the centers to be as short as possible. The shortest distance
between two points is a straight line!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:41:24


Okay. So we're looking at the line connecting the centers:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:41:27

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carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:41:29


Do we need to find the coordinates of the points where it intersects each circle, to calculate the distance between them?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:42:01


no

isago 2022-09-22 20:42:01


no

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:42:01


nope

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:42:01


no

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:42:01


no

zuwiimama1 2022-09-22 20:42:01


no

supersushiwins 2022-09-22 20:42:01


No

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:42:01


No

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:42:04


We actually don't! How can we find the distance without it?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:42:41


no we just need to minus two radius

rufty 2022-09-22 20:42:41


no, we find the distance between the centers and subtract 2

Supernova283 2022-09-22 20:42:41


No, we can just subtract the radius of each circle

hermionegranger713 2022-09-22 20:42:41


no...we can figure it out with the center to center then subtract radius of circle 1 and radius of circle 2

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:42:41


By subtracting each circle's radius?
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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:42:41


find the total distance and subtract 2

Stormy22 2022-09-22 20:42:41


find distance between the centers and subtract radii

isago 2022-09-22 20:42:41


we find the distance between the centers minus 2r

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:42:44


We can find the distance between the two centers. That's √52 = 2√13 by the distance formula. Then what?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:42:49


Then we can subtract the radius of each circle!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:42:56


So what is the shortest distance between two points on these circles?

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2sqrt13-2

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2sqrt13 - 2

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

rufty 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

isago 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2sqrt(13) - 2

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:43:48


2√13 − 2

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:43:48


− 2 + 2√13

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:43:52


The shortest distance between two points on these circles is 2√13 − 2.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:43:58


Questions?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:44:40


What is the minimum value of y / x for a point (x, y) on the curve x 2 + y 2 − 4x − 4y + 7 = 0?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:44:44


First, we could look at the graph of that equation. What kind of graph does that equation represent?
Typesetting math: 100%

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

Maddiezhu 2022-09-22 20:45:51


circle

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle

isago 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:45:51


circle

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:45:51


Circle

PatriciaCastor 2022-09-22 20:45:51


another circle

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle

Supernova283 2022-09-22 20:45:51


A circle, if we complete the square?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle

LinhSong 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:45:51


circle

rufty 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle with a center at (2, 2,) and radius 1?

innout 2022-09-22 20:45:51


a circle?

August_Moon 2022-09-22 20:45:51


A circle?

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:45:51


circle

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:45:51


It represents a 1 radius circle with a center at (2, 2)

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:45:51


center at (2, 2), radius of 1

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:45:51


circle

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:45:56


Completing the square in x and y, this equation simplifies to (x − 2) 2 + (y − 2) 2 = 1. This is a circle with center (2, 2) and radius 1.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:46:06

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:46:17


Let's now think about what it means to compute y / x for a point (x, y) on this circle. To start, let's just pick a random point on this
circle and draw it:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:46:27

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:46:29


What could y / x represent geometrically?

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:48:08


slope

rufty 2022-09-22 20:48:08


the slope?

Clement_Zhou 2022-09-22 20:48:08


slope

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:48:12


The quotient y / x is the slope of the line connecting the origin (0, 0) to the point (x, y). Let's call this line y = mx.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:48:14

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carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:48:26


Now remember that the problem asks for us to find the minimum value of y / x. It looks like our random point doesn't make the
slope as small as possible. How can we make this slope smaller by picking a different point on the circle?

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:49:23


put the point lower

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:49:28


As shown, we can make the slope smaller by moving the red point to the right a little...

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:49:31

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:49:35


When will this slope be minimized?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:50:11


Note that it is NOT when we hit the "bottom" of the circle:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:50:14

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carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:50:20


Other ideas?

ryz11 2022-09-22 20:51:10


when the line is tangent to the circle

rufty 2022-09-22 20:51:10


the slope has to be tangent to the circle

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:51:10


when the line is tangent to the circle

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:51:10


when it is tangent with the circle

Robotgamer663 2022-09-22 20:51:10


make it so it is tangent

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:51:10


Its a line tangent to the circle

Jellocello 2022-09-22 20:51:10


when it touches it in one point at the bottom

supersushiwins 2022-09-22 20:51:10


When the line is tangent

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:16


It'll be minimized when the line is tangent to the circle.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:18

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:40


Just in case you are not convinced, consider the following:

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:43


Now, look at what happens when the line is not tangent.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:44

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:48


When the line is not tangent, we can always wiggle it a little in either direction, and it still intersects the circle.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:52


In particular, we can wiggle it in the direction that makes the angle smaller.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:51:54


So the minimum angle can't possibly occur when the line is not tangent.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:52:08


Okay, so we want y = mx to be tangent to the circle (x − 2) 2 + (y − 2) 2 = 1. How can we find the value of m that will make this true?

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:53:45


Hint: How many intersection points will there be?

zuwiimama1 2022-09-22 20:54:04


1

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:54:04


Only one
Typesetting math: 100%
milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:54:04
https://artofproblemsolving.com/class/3205-intermediate-algebra/transcript/50406 41/44
3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
1 intersection point

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:54:04


1

nt-blue 2022-09-22 20:54:04


1

rufty 2022-09-22 20:54:04


one

hdanger 2022-09-22 20:54:04


when the line intersects the circle once

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:54:08


The line y = mx needs to intersect (x − 2) 2 + (y − 2) 2 = 1 exactly once.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:54:12


To find the x-coordinates of intersection, we can substitute mx for y.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:54:13

(x − 2) 2 + (mx − 2) 2 = 1.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:54:17


Expanding, this becomes 2 (m + 1)x 2 − 4(m + 1)x + 7 = 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:54:21


How can we force this to have only one solution for x?

Unicorn-van-Beethoven 2022-09-22 20:55:56


Discriminant = 0

tigerbw 2022-09-22 20:55:56


Make the discriminant be 0.

redbikefox 2022-09-22 20:55:56


discriminant is 0

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:55:56


the discriminant must be 0

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:55:56


when the discriminant is 0, there is only one solution

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:55:56


discriminant is 0

tangent2001 2022-09-22 20:55:56


make the discriminant equal to 0

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:55:59


We need its discriminant to be 0!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:56:02


So we want 16(m + 1) 2 − 4 ⋅ 7 ⋅ (m 2 + 1) = 0.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:56:06


4 √7
Using the quadratic formula, we can find two m that solve this equation: 3 ± 3 .

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:56:08


Which one do we want?

QuantumZmath:2022-09-22
Typesetting 100% 20:56:45

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3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra
The lower slope.

ryz11 2022-09-22 20:56:45


minus

JayPuzzler 2022-09-22 20:56:45


4 − √7
3
, because it is smaller

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:56:48


4 √7
We're looking for the minimum possible value of m, so we must want 3 − 3 .

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:57:17


Notice that they're both positive! Note that 4 = √16 > √7, so we get a positive number even if we pick a minus sign.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:57:20


Say, what do you think the larger root means?

Wqter 2022-09-22 20:58:17


maximum

Vincent-21 2022-09-22 20:58:17


its the other tangent line on the top of the circle

QuantumZ 2022-09-22 20:58:17


y
The maximum value
x

milkteagirl26 2022-09-22 20:58:17


maximum

BigThoth 2022-09-22 20:58:17


maximum value

Snickers5 2022-09-22 20:58:17


the max possible value of m?

goodskate 2022-09-22 20:58:17


tangent to the circle on top

RockBlue 2022-09-22 20:58:17


tangent at the other side of the circle. so the maximum of y/x

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:58:23


It's the slope of the other line through the origin which is tangent to the circle, which is the maximum possible slope of a line
through the origin which intersects the circle.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:58:28

Typesetting math: 100%

https://artofproblemsolving.com/class/3205-intermediate-algebra/transcript/50406 43/44
3/3/23, 10:35 PM 3205 Intermediate Algebra

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:58:54


SUMMARY

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:59:07


Either by expressing a quadratic after completing the square, or by looking at the graph, we determined how to find the maximum
or minimum of the quadratic. For a quadratic that opens upwards, the minimum is at the vertex. For a quadratic that opens
downwards, the maximum is at the vertex.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:59:31


We also saw how to approach quadratic inequalities both algebraically (by factoring and looking at the signs of the factors) and
graphically (by observing that a parabola that opens upwards is only negative between the two roots, and a parabola that opens
downwards is only positive between the two roots).

carlyerger 2022-09-22 20:59:49


Then we studied several problems involving circles.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 21:00:01


Next class, we'll look at more conics, including ellipses and hyperbolas.

carlyerger 2022-09-22 21:00:04


See you next week!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 21:00:10


Thanks everyone! See you next time!

carlyerger 2022-09-22 21:00:11


Bye!

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