1966 AHSME Problems/Problem 23

Problem

If $x$ is real and $4y^2+4xy+x+6=0$ , then the complete set of values of $x$ for which $y$ is real, is:

$\text{(A) } x\le-2 \text{ or } x\ge3 \quad \text{(B) } x\le2 \text{ or } x\ge3 \quad \text{(C) } x\le-3 \text{ or } x\ge2 \quad \\ \text{(D) } -3\le x\le2 \quad \text{(E) } -2\le x\le3$

Solution

We treat the equation as a quadratic equation in $y$ for which the discriminant

$D=16x^2-16(x+6)=16(x^2-x-6)=16(x-3)(x+2)$ . For $y$ to be real $D \ge 0$ . This inequality is satisfied when $x \le -2$ or $x \ge3$ or $\fbox{A}$

1966 AHSME (Problems • Answer Key • Resources)
Preceded by Problem 22	Followed by Problem 24
1 • 2 • 3 • 4 • 5 • 6 • 7 • 8 • 9 • 10 • 11 • 12 • 13 • 14 • 15 • 16 • 17 • 18 • 19 • 20 • 21 • 22 • 23 • 24 • 25 • 26 • 27 • 28 • 29 • 30
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1966 AHSME Problems/Problem 23

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