Prove that 3x^2 - 2mx + m -1 = 0 has real solutions for all real values of m

LucasE

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Hi guys,
I am confused on how to solve this question:
Prove that 3x2-2mx+m-1 = 0 has real solutions for all real values of m
From my understanding, "Real solutions" suggests that I should use the discriminant, for when b2 - 4ac is either = or > 0.
So, this is where a = 3, b = -2m and c = m-1,
and so: (-2m)2 - 4(3)(m-1) > 0, or (-2m)2 - 4(3)(m-1) = 0
also, -4m2-12m + 12 > 0
From here, I am stuck, as solving this quadratic will not answer the original question.

Is this actually the way to prove this, or have I made a mistake.
Thanks
 
Hi guys,
I am confused on how to solve this question:
Prove that 3x2-2mx+m-1 = 0 has real solutions for all real values of m
From my understanding, "Real solutions" suggests that I should use the discriminant, for when b2 - 4ac is either = or > 0.
So, this is where a = 3, b = -2m and c = m-1,
and so: (-2m)2 - 4(3)(m-1) > 0,

4m2 - 12m + 12 > 0

m2 - 3m + 3 > 0

(m - 3/2)2 + (3/4) > 0 .......................... [edit]

Now continue.....


or (-2m)2 - 4(3)(m-1) = 0
also, -4m2-12m + 12 > 0
From here, I am stuck, as solving this quadratic will not answer the original question.

Is this actually the way to prove this, or have I made a mistake.
Thanks
.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
so,
if m > -(m-2)2, then for all values of m will be greater than -(m-2)2?
How should I proceed?
 
Hi guys,
I am confused on how to solve this question:
Prove that 3x2-2mx+m-1 = 0 has real solutions for all real values of m
From my understanding, "Real solutions" suggests that I should use the discriminant, for when b2 - 4ac is either = or > 0.
So, this is where a = 3, b = -2m and c = m-1,
and so: (-2m)2 - 4(3)(m-1) > 0, or (-2m)2 - 4(3)(m-1) = 0
also, -4m2-12m + 12 > 0
From here, I am stuck, as solving this quadratic will not answer the original question.

Is this actually the way to prove this, or have I made a mistake.
Thanks

Of course, you mean to allow the discriminant to be 0, so you mean -4m2 - 12m + 12 >= 0. But that can't be true for all m, since the LHS (as a function of m) is a parabola opening downward.

So what's wrong? When you squared -2, you wrote -4 instead of +4. You want 4m2 - 12m + 12 >= 0 for all m, that is, 4x2 - 12x + 12 >= 0 for all x.

There are several ways to show this to be true. One is to use the discriminant again to show that the LHS never crosses the x-axis, so that it is always positive. Another is to find the minimum value (the vertex). Or you could complete the square.
 
Prove that 3x2-2mx+m-1 = 0 has real solutions for all real values of m
From my understanding, "Real solutions" suggests that I should use the discriminant, for when b2 - 4ac is either = or > 0.

You want 4m^2 - 12m + 12 >= 0

OR

m^2 - 3m + 3u >= 0

It is more direct to complete the square.

\(\displaystyle (m - 3/2)^2 - 9/4 + 12/4 \ \ge \ 0\)

\(\displaystyle (m - 3/2)^2 + 3/4 \ \ge \ 0 \ \ \ \ \ \)(edit)
 
Last edited:
so, if m > -(m-2)2
It isn't. Some of the replies contain a mistake.

At the end of post #4, Dr. Peterson gives you some suggestions on how to show that for all Real m:

m^2 - 3m + 3 ≥ 0
 
Last edited:
You want 4m^2 - 12m + 12 >= 0

OR

m^2 - 3m + 4 >= 0

It is more direct to complete the square.

\(\displaystyle (m - 3/2)^2 - 9/4 + 16/4 \ \ge \ 0\)

\(\displaystyle (m - 3/2)^2 + 7/4 \ \ge \ 0 \)

but, should it not be m2-3m + 3
and so (m-3/2)2 +3/4 >= 0?
 
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