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if  2x2 = 24 -x4  and  which of the following can be the value of x?
  • a)
    I only
  • b)
    II only
  • c)
    III only
  • d)
    I, II and III
  • e)
    None of the above
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
if 2x2 = 24 -x4 andwhich of the following can be the value of x?a)I on...
Given:
Approach:
  1. To answer the question, we need to know the possible values of x.
  2. So, we’ll first solve Equation 1, then Equation 2 and then find the common roots of both these equations. These will be the possible values of x
  3. Then, we’ll evaluate the 3 options.
Working Out:
  • Solving Equation I
    •  2x2 = 24 -x4  
    • We can factorize this equation as it is, but if powers like x4 intimidate you, then it’s better to substitute x2 with a new variable, say z. That ways, the equation will look simpler:  2z = 24 – z2
    • Rearranging the terms: z2 + 2z – 24 = 0
    • z2 + 6z – 4z – 24 = 0
    • z(z+6) – 4(z+6) = 0
    • (z+6)(z-4) = 0
    • This means, z = -6 or 4
    • But z = x2. So, x2 = -6 or 4
      • Perfect square x2 cannot be negative. Therefore, we can reject the negative root.
    • So, x2 = 4
    • Therefore, x = +2 or -2
    • Thus, Equation I has 2 roots: 2 and -2
  • Solving Equation II
    • This equation looks difficult primarily because it involves a square root term, . So, for the ease of our calculations, let’s substitute =y
    • So, the equation becomes: 
    • Multiplying both sides with 2y, we get: 2y2 – 6 = y
    • Rearranging the terms: 2y2 – y – 6 = 0
    • ​​
    • This means, y = -3/2 or y = 2
    • Since y =  we can write: 
    • However, since the square root of a number is always positive, the value of   cannot be -3/2 .
    • If you’ve any doubt about this, think: When you write z2 = 16 and then take the square root on both sides, you write:  Either z = √16 or z = -√16. Note here that, in the ‘or’ case, you put the minus sign outside the value of √16. This minus sign makes z negative (we get z = -4 in the ‘or’ case) but √16 is always positive (equal to 4).
    • Similarly, if we have z2 = x + 6,  then on taking the square root on both sides, we will write: Either  or
    • z= -  So, z may be positive or negative but  will always be positive.
    • So, =2
    • Upon squaring both sides of this equation, we get: x + 6 = 4
    • Therefore, x = -2
    • Thus, we get a single value of x from Equation II
  • Finding the possible values of x
    • From Equation I: x = 2 or -2
    • From Equation II: x = -2
    • So, the value of x that satisfies both equations: x = -2
    • Thus, only 1 value of x is possible: {-2}
    • Evaluating the 3 options
      • Out of the 3 given options, x can only be equal to -2
    • Looking at the answer choices, we see that the correct answer is Option B
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