Quadratic inequalities stumped!

gaz5563

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x+y =a

1/x +1/y =1

y/x=m a does not equal 0

By eliminating x and y from equations obtain relation between m and a .
Given that a is real determine the ranges of a for which m is real anyone please
 
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Where are you stuck? Please show your work so far, so we can help you over the next step, or find an error in what you've done.
 
x+y =a 1/x +1/y =1 y/x=m a does not equal 0
By eliminating x and y from equations obtain relation between m and a .
Given that a is real determine the ranges of a for which m is real anyone please
It is not clear, to me at least, the restrictions. So let's agree that \(\displaystyle a,~m,~x,~\&~y\) are all positive.
Moreover, we are given:
\(\displaystyle \begin{align*}1.~x+y&=a \\2.~\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{y}&=1\\3.~\frac{y}{x}&=m \end{align*}\)
To gaz5563: these questions are for you to answer.
Using 1. & 2. Prove that \(\displaystyle xy=a\).
From 3. does it follow that \(\displaystyle y=mx\) or \(\displaystyle a=mx^2~?\)
Does that mean that \(\displaystyle x=\frac{\sqrt a}{\sqrt m}~?\)
What you can do with all of that. i.e. what is \(\displaystyle y=~?\)
 
It certainly isn't obvious what method they expect you to use to "eliminate x and y"; different methods will (initially) result in what appear to be very different equations.

One nice approach uses the given y/x = m and pka's xy = a. If you solve each of these for x and set those expressions equal, you can obtain an expression for y in terms of a and m; then do the same with y to solve for x. Then put these into one of the given equations, and you'll have an equation in only a and m. This may take several forms; they can be simplified, but any of them should be acceptable.

It isn't clear what you are to assume, as pka pointed out; they don't seem to want to assume even that a is real until the last question, but I found myself wanting to assume at least that x and y are positive real numbers. Of course, they certainly can't be zero. Did you copy the entire problem exactly as given?
 
The book answers are (m+1)^2 =ma and a less than or equal to 0 and a greater than or equal to 4 cant quite figure what they have done ,the only thing missing is where in front of a does not equal 0 the book is bostock Chandler pure mathematics 1 ex 3c no 16
 
That's the equation I get. What exactly are you asking? As I understand it, you are saying that the only thing you omitted from the problem is a given condition that a≠0; and that the answer to the second part is "a≤0 or a≥4". I haven't yet looked into that part; but it seems odd that the answer would include the forbidden a=0!

Did you try the ideas we've offered? Please show your work, so we can see where you need help.
 
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