MathDB
Real Root(s)?

Source: HMMT 2008 Algebra Problem 9

March 2, 2008
geometryfunctionconicsparabola

Problem Statement

Let S S be the set of points (a,b) (a,b) with 0≤a,b≤1 0\le a,b\le1 such that the equation x^4 \plus{} ax^3 \minus{} bx^2 \plus{} ax \plus{} 1 \equal{} 0 has at least one real root. Determine the area of the graph of S S.
Back to ProblemsView on AoPS