Positive Roots of Quadratic Equations

Yue Kwok Choy

Question

Given that the quadratic equation x2 + (k + 2)x + (k + 5) = 0 has two positive roots,
find the range of k .

"Solution"

Let , be the roots of the quadratic equation x2 + (k + 2)x + (k + 5) = 0 .

Since , are both positive, therefore + > 0 and > 0 .
By Vieta's Theorem, we have :

# + = (k + 2) > 0 #k < 2
" "
! ! = k + 5 > 0 !k > 5
The range of k is 5 < k < 2 .

Analysis

" + > 0 and > 0" does not imply that the quadratic equation has positive roots.
The reason is that the quadratic equation may have complex roots (not real roots). In this case, the
sum and product of roots can still be positive. Take an example, if k = 3 which is within the
range, the quadratic equation becomes x2 x + 2 = 0 .

The discriminant = (1)2 4(1)(2) = 7 < 0, the equation has complex roots:
1 7i
x=
! 2

Solution

Let , be the roots of the quadratic equation x2 + (k + 2)x + (k + 5) = 0 .

By Vieta's Theorem, we have :

$ = (k + 2 )2 4(k + 5) > 0 $(k + 4 )(k 4 ) > 0 $k < 4 or k > 4

! ! !
# + = (k + 2) > 0 # k < 2 # k < 2
! = k + 5 > 0 ! k > 5 ! k > 5
" " "
!

The range of k is 5 < k < 4 .

Lessons

Given , be the roots of the quadratic equation :

ax2 + bx + c = 0 (*) , a 0, a, b, c are real numbers.
 $
! = b 2 4ac > 0
!! b
#+ = > 0
! a
c
! = > 0
! a
1. (*) has positive roots ! "

$
! = b 2 4ac > 0
!! b
#+ = < 0
! a
c
! = > 0
! a
2. (*) has negative roots ! "

#b 0
"
3. (*) has exactly one zero root ! !c = 0

#b = 0
"
c=0
4. (*) has two zero roots !!

$! = b 2 4ac > 0
# = c < 0
! a
5. (*) has one positive root and one negative root !"