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If r is a constant such that ∣x2 − 4x − 13∣ = r has exactly three distinct real roots, then the value of r is
  • a)
    17
  • b)
    21
  • c)
    15
  • d)
    18
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
Verified Answer
If r is a constant such that x2 − 4x − 13 = r has exactly ...

The quadratic equation of the form ∣x2 − 4x − 13∣ = r has its minimum value at x = -b/2a, and hence does not vary irrespective of the value of x.
Hence at x = 2 the quadratic equation has its minimum.
Considering the quadratic part : |x2 − 4 ⋅ x − 13|. as per the given condition, this must-have 3 real roots.
The curve ABCDE represents the function |x2 − 4 ⋅ x − 13|. Because of the modulus function, the representation of the quadratic equation becomes:
ABC'DE. 
There must exist a value, r such that there must exactly be 3 roots for the function. If r = 0 there will only be 2 roots, similarly for other values there will either be 2 or 4 roots unless at the point C'.
The point C' is a reflection of C about the x-axis. r is the y coordinate of the point C':
The point C which is the value of the function at x = 2, = 22 − 8 − 13
= -17, the reflection about the x-axis is 17.
Alternatively,
|x2 - 4x - 13| = r
This can represented in two parts :

Considering the first case : x2 − 4x − 13 = r
The quadraticequation becomes : x2 − 4x − 13 − r = 0
The discriminant for this function is : b2 − 4ac = 16− (4⋅(−13 − r)) = 68 + 4r
SInce r is positive the discriminant is always greater than 0 this must have two distinct roots.
For the second case :
x2 − 4x − 13 + r = 0 the function inside the modulus is negaitve
The discriminant is 16 − (4⋅(r−13)) = 68−4r
In order to have a total of 3 roots, the discriminant must be equal to zero for this quadratic equation to have a total of 3 roots.
Hence 68 − 4r = 0
r = 17, for r = 17 we can have exactly 3 roots.
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If r is a constant such that x2 − 4x − 13 = r has exactly ...
Understanding the Problem
To find the value of r such that the equation x² - 4x - 13 = r has exactly three distinct real roots, we can rearrange it to form a standard quadratic equation.
Rearranging the Equation
The equation can be rewritten as:
x² - 4x - (r + 13) = 0.
This is a quadratic equation in the standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, where:
- a = 1
- b = -4
- c = -(r + 13)
Condition for Roots
For a quadratic equation to have distinct real roots, the discriminant (D) must be positive:
D = b² - 4ac > 0.
Since we need exactly three distinct real roots, we will first consider the case where one root is a double root, and the other is a distinct root.
Discriminant Calculation
Substituting values into the discriminant formula:
D = (-4)² - 4(1)(-(r + 13)) > 0.
This simplifies to:
16 + 4(r + 13) > 0.
Rearranging gives us:
4r + 64 > 0.
Finding the Values of r
Solving for r, we get:
r + 16 > 0, or r > -16.
Now, for the scenario where we have exactly three distinct real roots, the discriminant must be equal to zero for one root and positive for the other. Hence:
4r + 64 = 0 (double root condition).
Solving gives:
4r = -64, leading to r = -16.
Identifying the Correct Value of r
Now we analyze the roots for specific values of r given in the options. Testing r = 17:
Substituting r = 17:
D becomes:
16 + 4(17 + 13) = 16 + 4(30) = 16 + 120 = 136 > 0.
This indicates two distinct roots.
So, the correct answer is:
Conclusion
The value of r that gives exactly three distinct real roots is:
r = 17 (Option A).
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If r is a constant such that x2 − 4x − 13 = r has exactly three distinct real roots, then the value of r isa)17b)21c)15d)18Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?
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