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Maths a level Q

Im not sure about the following Q:
The line 𝑥+5𝑦=𝑘 is a tangent to the curve 𝑥$−4𝑦=10. Find the value of the constant 𝑘.
I substituted the equation of the line into the curve, and I got
k^2-10yk+25y^2-4y-10=0
I wanted to use the discriminant but I am struggling to find the values of a, b and c
Original post by Luxxlion
Im not sure about the following Q:
The line 𝑥+5𝑦=𝑘 is a tangent to the curve 𝑥$−4𝑦=10. Find the value of the constant 𝑘.
I substituted the equation of the line into the curve, and I got
k^2-10yk+25y^2-4y-10=0
I wanted to use the discriminant but I am struggling to find the values of a, b and c


"a" is the coefficient of y2y^2. This is just 25.

"b" is the coefficient of yy. But there is -10yk and -4y terms; just combine them into one! (10k4)y(-10k-4)y therefore the coefficient is just 10k4-10k-4.
Reply 2
Original post by RDKGames
"a" is the coefficient of y2y^2. This is just 25.

"b" is the coefficient of yy. But there is -10yk and -4y terms; just combine them into one! (10k4)y(-10k-4)y therefore the coefficient is just 10k4-10k-4.

Ahh okay thanks
Reply 3
Original post by RDKGames
"a" is the coefficient of y2y^2. This is just 25.

"b" is the coefficient of yy. But there is -10yk and -4y terms; just combine them into one! (10k4)y(-10k-4)y therefore the coefficient is just 10k4-10k-4.

Im not sure if i have made a mistake I got that k=123/10
(edited 3 years ago)
Reply 4
Original post by Luxxlion
Im not sure if i have made a mistake I got that k=123/10

Can you show your working for the discriminant?

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