🔥 Master Flowchart & ❓ Doubt Resolution
Guide
🧮 Topic: Quadratic Parameter Problems ➕ Positive Roots
1️⃣ Master Flowchart (📝 Printable)
Use this decision path for any quadratic with a parameter:
Given a quadratic in x:
$$ Q(x) = ax² + bx + c = 0, a ≠ 0 (unless noted) $$
(⚠️ If a depends on parameter, watch when a=0 — see Doubt 9.)
Step 0️⃣ (Optional 1️⃣ Normalization)\ If easy, divide by constant so leading coefficient is ➕. Do NOT
divide by 0-risk expressions.
Step 1️⃣ Discriminant 🔍\ Compute: D = b² - 4ac.
┌────────────── D < 0 ❌ ────────────────┐
│ 🚫 No real roots. STOP sign-checks. │
│ (Except expression sign test) │
└──────────────────────────────────────┘
│
D = 0 ➖ D > 0 ➕
│
┌──────────────┴───────────────┐
│ │
Single root 🔂 Two roots ✌️ (use S & P)
If D < 0:
• Root sign: No positive root 🚫 (unless we check if Q(x)>0 always — see Doubt 4).
• Skip further checks.
If D = 0: (Double root ➡️ r = -b/(2a))
• At least one positive? ✔ if r>0.
• Exactly one positive? ✔ if r>0.
• Both positive? ✔ if r>0 (double positive root).
• Exclude if r ≤ 0.
If D > 0: (Two real roots 🎯)\ Compute:\ S = -b/a (sum) 🧮\ P = c/a (product) ✖️
1
Use sign rules:
• Both ➕ roots: S>0, P>0
• Both ➖ roots: S<0, P>0
• 1 ➕ & 1 ➖ root: P<0
• ≥1 ➕ root: P<0 OR (S>0 & P>0)
• Exactly 1 ➕ root: P<0
• No ➕ root: P>0 & S<0 or D<0.
Step 2️⃣ Translate ➡️ Parameter Replace S, P, D with param expressions.
Step 3️⃣ Intersect 🔗 Final param set = D≥0 ∩ (sign rules).
Step 4️⃣ Boundary 🛑 Check D=0, P=0, S=0, a=0 separately.
Step 5️⃣ Sanity 🔗 Pick sample param values inside each interval & test root signs.
2️⃣ Quick Table 📊
🎯 Goal Conditions (after D≥0)
≥1 ➕ root P<0 OR (P>0 & S>0) OR (D=0 & r>0)
Exactly 1 ➕ P<0 OR (D=0 & r>0)
Both ➕ P>0 & S>0
Both ➖ P>0 & S<0
No ➕ D<0 OR (P>0 & S<0)
3️⃣ Doubts 🤯 & Clarifications 💡
• Why D first? 🚪 D tells if real roots exist.
• Why skip sum when P<0? Opposite signs guaranteed.
• Double root? If r>0, count as positive.
• D<0 positivity? Only for Q(x) sign check (like Q(x)>0 always if a>0).
• Split ranges? D≥0 can give disjoint intervals.
• Boundaries? Don’t discard D=0; test it.
• Why P=0 excluded for both ➕? Zero not positive.
• At least vs Exactly one ➕? At least = P<0 OR both positive; exactly = P<0 only.
• When a=0? Handle linear cases separately.
• Minimum vs D? Vertex check = D check, but slower.
• Always positive? If D<0 & a>0, Q(x)>0 ∀x.
• Test points? Catch algebra slips.
• Union vs Intersection? Use ∪ for OR, ∩ with D≥0.
• D=0 point? Might give singleton root.
2
4️⃣ Checklist 📝
1. Compute D.
2. If D<0: STOP (unless Q(x) sign).
3. Find S,P.
4. Apply sign rules.
5. Solve inequalities.
6. Combine sets (∪ or ∩).
7. Test boundaries (D=0, P=0).
8. Test sample param values.
5️⃣ Final Tips ✨
• Always write D, S, P clearly.
• Highlight logic (OR/AND).
• List boundaries.
• Test a sample point if unsure.
🚀 Practice: Use 20 problems we created & follow this emoji-flowchart!
