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I need help with this inequality:

$\sqrt x +\sqrt{x+7} + 2\sqrt{x^2+7x} <35-2x$

It doesn't seem solvable. All roots of the corresponding equation are irrational.

beep-boop
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chen h.
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    What about $0 \leq x < \frac{841}{144}$ which the only root for the equation ? – Claude Leibovici Sep 10 '14 at 12:22
  • @ClaudeLeibovici The existence of a single (real) root doesn't guarantee that f(x) < 35 everywhere else. In the general case you need to show the function is positive for larger x , I think. – Carl Witthoft Sep 10 '14 at 17:17
  • @CarlWitthoft.You are perfectly correct, indeed. I was just mentionning that there is only one root which is rational. I wonder how this rationality could be established. Cheers :-) – Claude Leibovici Sep 10 '14 at 20:05
  • @ClaudeLeibovici well, once you've manipulated the inequality into an equivalent polynomial expression, there's some theorem about the number of real roots based on the number of coefficient sign changes. – Carl Witthoft Sep 11 '14 at 11:35
  • @CarlWitthoft. Thanks ! I learnt a lot from your answers and comments. Cheers :-) – Claude Leibovici Sep 11 '14 at 11:46

1 Answers1

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Let $a=\sqrt{x}+\sqrt{x+7}$, then $a+a^2<42$, and $-7<a<6$

Empy2
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  • Thanks. This is clever. I have problem with another one. Will post it later. – chen h. Sep 10 '14 at 11:57
  • It would appear, then, that the original problem was carefully constructed to allow this substitution. The cynic in me wonders whether this is a Kumon exercise. – Carl Witthoft Sep 10 '14 at 15:08
  • I'm just trying to refresh my math skills and I'm failing on how you get to your second step of a+a^2<42. Do you mind elaborating a touch? – Frank Shmrank Sep 10 '14 at 16:06
  • And we really oughtta state whether complex values are allowed in the solution set. – Carl Witthoft Sep 10 '14 at 17:02
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    @DeanMacGregor $a^2 = x + 2\sqrt{x}\sqrt{x+7} + (x+7)$ which reduces to $ 2x + 7 + 2\sqrt{x^2 +7x} $ – Carl Witthoft Sep 10 '14 at 17:15
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    Note $\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x + 7}$ is monotone in $x$, and that it is only defined for $x \geq 0$. So you need to solve $\sqrt{x} + \sqrt{x + 7} = 6$ and then the solution interval will be $[0,x]$. If you work it out, $x = ({29 \over 12})^2$, so the final answer is $[0, ({29 \over 12})^2]$. – Zarrax Sep 10 '14 at 17:36