Find all values of a such that the equation (a2−a−9)x2−6x−a=0 has two distinct positive roots.
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Solution: The equation has two distinct positive roots if and only if D=a3−a2−9a+9>0x1+x2=a2−a−96>0x1x2=a2−a−9−a>0 The first inequality is satisfied for a∈(−3,1)∪(3,+∞), the second one for a∈((1−37)/2,(1+37)/2), and the third - for every a∈(−∞,0). Therefore the required values of a are a∈(−3,(1−37)/2).
Source: MathNet,
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