Q1. Let P ( x )=a x 2+ bx+ c with a ≠ 0.

The polynomial P(x ) is factorable in

real numbers if we can find real numbers m , n , k ,l so that
P ( x )=(mx+n)(kx +l).

a) Show that P(x ) is factorable if and only if b 2−4 ac ≥ 0.

b) Show that 3 x 2−5 x+10 is not factorable in real numbers.
P(x ) is factorable if we can find numbers m , n , k ,l such that P ( x )=( mx+ n ) ( kx+ l ).
In order to solve part a, let P(x ) be factorable, and thus take the form
(mx+ n)(kx +l) .
Expanding, we transform the equation P(x ) into the following form.
2
km x +lmx +knx + ln=P( x )

Notably, this matches the syntax of P ( x )=a x 2+ bx+ c .

( km ) x 2+ (lm+ kn ) x+ ( ln )=a x 2 +bx +c

Since km matches a , (lm+ kn) matches b , and ln matches c , we can substitute
m , n , k ,l into the desired inequality b 2−4 ac ≥ 0. Then, we can simplify
algebraically.

( lm+kn )2−4 ( km )( ln )=¿

2 2 2 2
l m +2 klmn+ k n −4 klmn=¿
2 2 2 2
l m −2klmn +k n =¿
lm ( lm−kn )−kn (lm−kn )=¿
( lm−kn ) ( lm−kn )=¿

( lm−kn )2 ≥0

And thus, after simplifying, we get the inequality ( lm−kn )2 ≥0 . Since n2 ≥ 0 for all
values n , P(x ) is factorable if and only if b 2−4 ac ≥ 0, as desired.
□
In order to solve part b, we rely on the proof in part a; that P(x ) is factorable
if and only if b 2−4 ac ≥ 0. We can then substitute in 3 x 2−5 x+10 into the
inequality and simplify.

(−5 )2−4 ( 3 )( 10 ) =25−120=−95 ≥ 0

Since the inequality is invalid, P(x ) is not factorable.
□
Q2. If a x 2 +bx +c=a ( x−d )2with a ≠ 0, find d in terms of a , b and c .

Before solving the equation, we must first take note that the right hand side
of the equation is a quadratic equation expressed in vertex form, with zero
vertical displacement. Therefore, if we can find the root of a x 2 +bx +c , we can
find the value of d .

In order to find d , we must first expand a ( x−d )2.

a x 2 +bx +c=a ( x−d )( x−d )

2 2 2
a x +bx +c=a (x −2 dx+ d )
2 2 2
a x +bx +c=a x −2 adx +a d
From here, we can factor out a x 2 to get the equation bx +c=−2adx + a d 2. This
implies that b=−2 ad and that c=a d 2. From here, we have two separate
equivalences.
b=−2 ad c=a d
2

√
−b c
d= d=±
2a a
From there, we can draw an equivalence by creating the equation

We can then manipulate to find b 2 and c .

−b
2a √ c
=± .
a

−b
2a
=±

2
c
a √
b c
2
=
4a a
2 2
b =4 ac b
c=
4a
Now, we can substitute into the quadratic formula. However, since we are
still working directly with a , b ,and c , we can substitute some values while not
changing others.

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x=
2a
−b ± √ 4 ac−4 ac
x=
2a
−b
x=
2a
 −b
Thus, the root of the equation is . Since the root of the equation is equal
2a
to d , then
−b
d= . □
2a
 2
y 2
Q3. Prove that for any numbers x and y with x ≠ 0 we have 2 y ≤ 2
+x .
x
2
y
We can solve this by algebraically manipulating the statement 2 y ≤ 2 + x until
x
it gives a clearly true or false result.
2
y
2 y≤ 2 +x
x
2
y
0≤ 2
+ x−2 y
x
2 4 2
0 ≤ y + x −2 x y
4 2 2 2
0 ≤ x −x y−x y + y

0 ≤ x2 ( x 2− y ) − y ( x 2− y )
2 2
0 ≤(x − y )(x − y )
2
0≤(x −y)
2

As n2 ≥ 0 for all values of n, this inequality is true.

□
Q4. Prove that for any x , y ≥ 0, we have |√ x−√ y|≤ √ ¿ x− y ∨¿ ¿. (Hint.
Consider the cases x ≤ y and y ≤ x separately.)

We can prove |√ x−√ y|≤ √|x− y| by algebraically manipulating the inequality

until it gives a clearly true or false result. First, we square both sides, which
introduces an absolute value on the right hand side.
2 2
|√ x−√ y| ≤ √|x− y|
x−2 √ x √ y + y ≤∨|x− y|∨¿
From this, we can simplify √ x √ y to √ xy , as they are equivalent for x , y values
≥ 0. We can also eliminate a redundant pair of absolute value brackets.

x−2 √ xy+ y ≤∨x− y∨¿

From here, we consider two cases; where x− y ≥ 0, and where x− y <0 . ¿ x− y∨¿
is either x− y , if x ≥ y , or −x + y , if x < y .
x≥ y x< y
x−2 √ xy+ y ≤ x− y x−2 √ xy+ y ≤−x+ y
−2 √ xy + y ≤− y x−2 √ xy ≤−x
2 y ≤ 2 √ xy 2 x ≤ 2 √ xy
y ≤ √ xy x ≤ √ xy
2 2
y ≤ xy x ≤ xy

From the left case where x ≥ y , we are left with y 2 ≤ xy , which is true if x ≥ y , as
y = yy , and xy ≥ yy if x ≥ y . Similarly, in the right case where x < y , we are left
2

with x 2 ≤ xy , which is true if x < y , as x 2=xx , and xy ≥ xx if x < y . Thus,

|√ x−√ y|≤ √|x− y|. □
 | |
3 2
x + x −1 11
Q5. If 1< x <2 show that < .
x−6 4

The inequality |
x 3+ x 2−1 11
x−6
<
4 |
can be proven by algebraically manipulating and

considering cases of absolute values.

| |
3 2
x + x −1 11
<
x−6 4

| |
3 2
x + x −1 11
− <0
x−6 4

| |
3 2 3 2 3 2
x + x −1 x + x −1 x + x −1
Then, we consider cases, if ≥ 0 , then = , whereas if
x−6 x−6 x−6

| |
3 2 3 2 3 2
x + x −1 x + x −1 −x −x +1
<0, then = . However in this case, we can
x−6 x−6 x−6
3 2 3 2
x + x −1 x + x −1
definitively calculate the value of by substituting x in. has
x−6 x−6
one root and one asymptote, however they are at 0.755 and 6 , which are
outside of the assumed interval (1 , 2). Consequently, we can find the sign of
3 2
x + x −1
by substituting any value in the interval (1 , 2). By substituting 1.5 for
x−6
x , we get a result of −1.02 7, which is less than 0. Thus,
x 3+ x 2−1 −x 3−x 2 +1
x−6
=
x−6
, | |
and we can continue manipulating the equation algebraically.
3 2
−x −x +1 11
− <0
x−6 4

−x −x +1 11(x −6)
3 2
− <0
x−6 4(x−6)
3 2
−4 x −4 x + 4 11 x−66
− <0
4 (x−6) 4 (x−6)
3 2
−4 x −4 x −11 x +70
<0
4 (x−6)
Now, with a modified inequality, we must again find the factors of
−4 x −4 x −11 x +70 and check if they are in the interval (1 , 2). Using synthetic
3 2

division, we get a factored expression of (−4 x 2−12 x −35)(x −2) . Thus, there are
no factors within the interval (1 , 2). Consequently, testing for any value of x
3 2
−4 x −4 x −11 x +70
within (1 , 2) will reveal if the inequality < 0 is valid.
4 (x−6)
3 2
−4 ( 1.5 ) −4 (1.5 ) −11(1.5)+70
<0
4 (1.5−6)
−1.7 2<0

| |
3 2
x + x −1 11
As this statement is true, < is true if 1< x <2.
x−6 4
□
Q6. The goal of this exercise is to make sure you understand
√ x 2=¿ x∨¿ and in general √ x 2 ≠ x.
a) Check your textbook to find the fact that for any real number a
such that a ≥ 0, there is a unique number √ a ≥ 0. Which fact is
that?
In the properties referred to as Basic Facts on page 7, the fifth statement
says that “If z >0 , there is exactly one positive number √ z , whose square is z .”
This statement has the same meaning as the one posed in the question, only
with z instead of a .
b) Evaluate the following (write them without square root):
√ (−5 )2=−−−−−¿, √ 52=−−−−−¿. If a> 0 : √ a2=−−−−−¿, √ (−a )2 =−−−−−¿.
i) √ (−5 ) = √(−5 ) (−5 )= √25=5 √5 =√ 25=5
2 2

ii) √ a2=a √−a2= √(−a )(−a )= √a 2=a

c) Bob is trying to prove an inequality. After few steps he got
2
( a 2 b 2+ c 2 d 2 ) ≥ 4 a 2 b 2 c 2 d 2. The only assumption on a , b , c , and d is that
they are real numbers. For the next step Bob took square root
from both sides of the inequality and got ( a 2 b 2+ c 2 d 2 ) ≥ 2abcd .
What is wrong?
2
The original inequality that Bob derives is ( a 2 b 2+ c 2 d 2 ) ≥ 4 a 2 b 2 c 2 d 2. On the next
step, he square rooted both sides of the inequality, however he did not
execute a crucial step of the process. √ x 2=¿ x∨¿ for all values of x , however
Bob did not place any absolute value brackets after square rooting. This is
incorrect, and the correct next step would be to square root both and place
absolute value brackets for the rooted elements, like as shown below.

|a2 b 2+ c 2 d 2|≥∨2 abcd ∨¿

□
The question does not state that you must actually prove the inequality, only
that you show Bob’s incorrect step.