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Let a and b be the solutions to 5x^2 - 11x + 4 = 4x^2 - 17x + 6. Find 1/a^3 + 1/b^3.

 Jul 2, 2024
 #1
avatar+1952 
+1

First, let's cobine all like terms and solve for x. Combing all like terms, we have

x2+6x2=0

 

Using the quadratic equation, we find that

x=113x=113

 

Now, it's time for the more tedious part of this problem. This is not efficient but it should work. 

We have the equation

1(113)3+1(113)3

 

Taking the LCM on both sides to get a common denominator, we get that

1263811(113)3(311)3+3811126(113)3(311)3=252(113)3(311)3

 

Now, we simply have to simplfy the denominator of the two equatins. We get that

((113)(311))3=(2)3=8

 

Thus, we have the answer as -252/-8 = 31.5

 

So 31.5 is our answer. 

 

Thanks! :)

 Jul 2, 2024
 #2
avatar+130493 
+1

Thx, NTS....here's another way  { no square roots involved !!! }

 

x^2 + 6x - 2  = 0

 

In the form mx^2 + nx + p  = 0

 

Product of the roots ab = -n/m =   -2  

So 2ab = -4

 

Sum of the roots a + b =  p/m =  -6     square both sides

 

a^2 + b^2 + 2ab = 36

 

a^2 + b^2 - 4 =36

 

a^2 + b^2  = 40

 

 

1/a^3  + 1/b^3  =

 

(a^3 + b^3) / (ab)^3           Note  :  a^3 + b^3 = (a + b) (a^2 + b^2 - ab)

 

So we have

 

(a + b) ( a^2 + b^2 -ab)  / (ab)^3  =

 

(-6) (40 - -2) / (-8)   = 

 

(6) (42 / 8)  =   31.5 

 

cool cool cool

 Jul 2, 2024
 #3
avatar+1952 
+1

Nice...Quite smart tactic here, CPhill. 

I loved the part where you did

1/a3+1/b3=(a3+b3)/(ab)3(a+b)(a2+b2ab)(ab)3

 

This is a very efficient way to complete the problem. 

Lol, I just brute forced it because I got bored...

 

At least we got that same answer!

 

~NTS

NotThatSmart  Jul 2, 2024

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