Find all values of a such that the equation (4a2−4a−1)x2−2ax+1=1−ax−x2 has exactly two solutions.
This one wants a proof. Work it on paper, then read the official solution and mark yourself. Be honest about it: the record is only any use to you if it is.
Solution: Squaring the equation (4a2−4a−1)x2−2ax+1=1−ax−x2 gives the equation x2(x2+2ax−3a2+4a−1)=0 with roots x1=0, x2=1−3a and x3=a−1. It is clear that x1=0 is a root of (1) for any a. On the other hand, x2=1−3a is a root of (1) if its right-hand side is non-negative, i.e., if 1−a(1−3a)−(1−3a)2≥0⟺5a−6a2≥0⟺a∈[0,65] Analogously, x3=a−1 is a root of (1) for a∈[0,23]. Two cases are possible.
Case 1. Some of the numbers x1, x2 and x3 are equal. This implies that a=31, 21 or 1. It follows from above that a=31 and a=21 are solutions of the problem.
Case 2. The numbers x1, x2 and x3 are pairwise different. Then it is easy to see that a∈(65,23]∖{1}.
So, the desired values of a are a=31, a=21 and a∈(65,23]∖{1}.
Source: MathNet,
licensed CC-BY-4.0.
Statement reproduced verbatim; metadata (topic, difficulty, ordering) added by this project.