This stumped my teacher... (1 Viewer)

[allyj104]

Ok, i kinda need help with this stupid quadratic/parabola/locus question

A parabola has its equation in the form y=Ax^2 where A is constant. The line y=10x+10 is a tangent to the parabola y=Ax^2. Find the value of A.

Good Luck...

 

[shady145]

well A is obviously a negative value...

 

[gurmies]

 

[Juliaan]

Winner ~

Yet i dont know what you did after you said, If(?) Tangent, ^ = 0

 

[gurmies]

Understand that if two curves are equal to eachother, you can solve simultaneously like I did. A tangent you'll find, is a special case where when you form the equation like I had, there is only one solution, as that's the definition of a tangent - only one point of contact. Using this fact, I link it to the fact that in any quadratic equation, when there's only one solution, the discriminant is equal to 0. This allows you to find a numerical value for A.

 

[allyj104]

Thanku kindly good sir, u have outdone 2 of my schools maths teachers... thats very hard 2 do *doffs hat*

 

[Juliaan]

Not 100%,

Though, .. (i tried to explain what i thought you were saying, though i realised i'd look like an idiot luls~)