0606 P21 - Jun 2024 - Q3 - 3 marks
7332
Use algebra to show that the equation \(5 x(x-3)=5 x-26\) has no real solutions.
Solution
Answer: no real solutions, since the discriminant is \(-120\).
We start with the main method. Use the discriminant to decide how many real roots the quadratic equation has.
Expand and collect terms:
\(5x(x-3)=5x-26\)
\(5x^2-15x=5x-26.\)
So
\(5x^2-20x+26=0.\)
For this quadratic,
\(a=5,\quad b=-20,\quad c=26.\)
The discriminant is
\(b^2-4ac=(-20)^2-4(5)(26).\)
Thus
\(b^2-4ac=400-520=-120.\)
Since the discriminant is negative, the equation has no real solutions.
This completes the solution and gives the required result.