Find all values of a for which the following system of equations has exactly one solution: { x+y = a{ x*y = 1
Dear Louis, your result is correct. I made a mistake. a must be +2 and -2. The discriminant must be 0 and therefor there is two solutions +2 and -2.
x*y=1 has a slope of -1 at both (-1,-1) and (1,1). The slope of x+y=a is ALWAYS -1.
In order for x+y=a to to go through (-1,-1), a must be -2.
In order for x+y=a to go through (1,1), a must be 2.
In both cases, x+y=a is a tangent line to x*y=1 at these respective points.
I think the right answer is 2. x+y=a, x*y=1 x+1/x=ax x^2-ax+1=0 x=a/2+-sqrt (a/2)^2-1
Discriminant must be >=0 (a/2)^2-1=>0 a=2
The slope of the first equation is -1, so look for the points on the second equation where the slope is also -1. Then adjust a so the first is tangential to the second.
The two answers I got: a=-2,2.