Let the equation x(x+2)(12−k)=2x(x+2)(12-k)=2 have equal roots. Then the distance of the point (k,k2)(k,\tfrac{k}{2}) from the line 3x+4y+5=03x+4y+5=0 is:

Answer: 15

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Rearrange the equation into standard quadratic form

First, we expand the given equation x(x+2)(12−k)=2x(x+2)(12-k)=2 to transform it into the standard quadratic form ax2+bx+c=0ax^2 + bx + c = 0. This involves multiplying the terms and moving the constant to the left side of the equation.

Step 2: Apply the condition for equal roots

For a quadratic equation to have equal roots, its discriminant must be zero. The discriminant is given by the formula D=b2−4acD = b^2 - 4ac. We substitute the coefficients a=(12−k)a = (12-k), b=2(12−k)b = 2(12-k), and c=−2c = -2 into this formula and set it to zero.

Step 3: Solve for k

We simplify the equation obtained from the discriminant condition. Factoring out 4(12−k)4(12-k) allows us to easily find the possible values for kk. This gives us two potential values for kk: 1212 and 1414. However, if k=12k=12, the original equation becomes −2=0-2=0, which is not possible. Therefore, k=14k=14 is the only valid solution.

Step 4: Determine the coordinates of the point

Now that we have found the value of k=14k=14, we can determine the exact coordinates of the given point (k,k2)(k, \tfrac{k}{2}) by substituting k=14k=14 into the expression.

Step 5: Calculate the distance from the point to the line

Finally, we use the formula for the perpendicular distance from a point (x1,y1)(x_1, y_1) to a line Ax+By+C=0Ax + By + C = 0. We substitute the point (14,7)(14, 7) and the line 3x+4y+5=03x + 4y + 5 = 0 into the formula to calculate the distance.

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