Is there any real value of 'a' for which the equation
x2 + 2x + (a2 + 1) = 0 has real roots?
A quadratic equation has two real roots if discriminant = 0
For the given equation, we have:
d = b2 – 4 a c
d = (2)2 – 4 (1) (a2 + 1)
d = 4 – 4(a2 + 1)
d = 4(1 – a2 – 1)
d = – 4a2
Now, D = 0 when a = 0. So, the equation will have real and equal roots if a = 0. And for all other values of a, the equation will have no real roots.
No, there is no real value of ‘a’ for which the given equation has real roots.