precal help

[Heather2k]

find a positive value for k such that the equation

xsquared + 2kx + 3(k+1) = 0

has exactly one real-number solution. Give two forms for your answer: one involving a radical and the other a calculator approximation rounded to two decimal places.


Is there an easier way to type exponents? thanks

 

[stapel]

Plug this into the Quadratic Formula (so a = 1, b = 2k, and c = 3k + 3). Note that you will get exactly one solution when the "plus-minus" part of the formula equals zero. So set the insides of the square root equal to zero, and solve for the value of k.

Eliz.

 

[tkhunny]

Exponents: You can just use the circumflex (shift-6). x-squared would be x^2.

What do you remember about:
1) Completing the Square?
2) The Quadratic Formula?
3) The Descriminant?