# For which values of $a\in\mathbb{R}$ the equation $2 \log(x+3)=\log(ax)$ has exactly one root?

I have to investigate the possible roots of the equation according to $a$, i.e. i have to see whether there is only one root, two roots, or no roots and also what their sign is each time. This is from a book i'm reading and the answer it gives is $a<0$ or $a=12$.

Now first we have to to make the restriction that $x>-3$ due to logarithm. What is troubling me is the $a<0$ part.

In the solution it says that after getting rid of the logarithms we have $x^2-(a-6)x+9$. Now if $a<0 \land x>0$, then $\log(ax)$ is undefined so the equation has no solution. But we're asked about $a$, not $x$. So it proceeds to say that if $a<0 \land x<0$, i.e. $-3<x<0$ (due to our restriction) then:

Let $f(x)=x^2-(a-6)x+9$, so $f(-3)=3a<0$. [The following is primarily what i don't understand.] This means that $-3$ will be between the two roots $x_1$ and $x_2$, so $x_1<-3<x_2<0$, but since we have the constriction $-3<x<0$ then $x_1$ is not possible so $x_2$ is one and only root of the original equation. Thus for $a<0$ there is exactly one root.

How could they even do that, plug $-3$ for $f(x)$ to test the roots of the equation, since for $x=-3$ the equation is not defined. Also what i'm not sure i understand is why it says that since $f(-3)<0$ then $x_1<-3<x_2$. I would like to understand that. Help please. Thanks in advance.

• Instead of plugging $-3$, I think you should take a limit to $-3$. – Element118 Dec 30 '15 at 11:50
• Yes, whatever is the case, for $x=-3$ why does it say that $x_1<-3<x_2$. Since $a<0$ then of course there are two negative roots due to the discriminant's sign, but why $x_1<-3<x_2$ i don't get. – Nikos Dec 30 '15 at 11:52
• Is $x \in \mathbb R$ ? Or can it be complex ? – Angelo Mark Dec 30 '15 at 12:25
• No $x\in\mathbb{R}$ only. – Nikos Dec 30 '15 at 12:27

The case we're considering here is the one where exactly one of the two roots of the quadratic $f$ is to the right of $-3$. That is the same as saying that $x=-3$ lies between the two roots of $f$. And from our general knowledge of how quadratics behaves, since the $x^2$ coefficient of $f$ is positive, the points between the two roots are exactly the ones where $f(x)<0$. Thus $-3$ is such a point (implying that the logarithmic equation will have exactly one solution) if and only if $f(-3)<0$.

Note that $f(x)$ is just a quadratic polynomial -- when we're investigating the shape and position of the parabola, it makes perfect sense to evaluate it at any $x$, even though the original logarithmic equation that led you to consider that polynomial is only defined for some values.

• It was an intuitive approach after all. I should have been more concentrated. Your answer helped me grow in strength and in wisdom. :) Thank you all. – Nikos Dec 30 '15 at 12:19
• Definitely a +1 for understanding OPs exact issue and tackling that as succinctly as possible. – Shailesh Dec 30 '15 at 13:07

For the functions to be defined we must have $x >-3$ and $ax>0$

Now take Case 1: a>0. Then $x>0$ and $x >-3$ So, in conclusion $x>0$.

So, $(x+3)^2 =ax$ should have exactly one positive root (since x>0)

But $x^2+x(6-a) +9=0$ has either two positive roots or two negative roots or non-real roots ( as product of roots is positive =9).

So, the only option is two equal positive roots which give $a=12$ (using discriminant.

Case 2: a< 0. Now we must have $x >-3$ and $x<0$.

So, $f(x)=x^2+x(6-a) +9=0$ must have exactly one root between $(-3, 0)$.

So, $f(-3)f(0) <0$ which is equivalent to $a < 0$.

So, $a<0$ or $a=12$

• There is a single small mistake here: $f$ having exactly one root between $-3$ and $0$ does not allow to immediately deduce that $f(-3) f(0) < 0$; further steps are needed to insure that the root is not a double root and an extremum in the same time. This is not difficult to add to the proof, and it should be done for the sake of its completeness. – Alex M. Dec 31 '15 at 14:58

Reducing $2\log(x+3)=\log(ax)$ to $$(x+3)^2=ax$$ should be done with some care. This equation should either have a single solution (zero discriminant), or just one solution satisfying $x+3>0$ and $ax>0$.

First we can dismiss the easy case: the discriminant of $x^2+(6-a)x+9=0$ is $(6-a)^2-36=a^2-12a$. This is zero for $a=12$ or $a=0$, but this last value is not acceptable. The double root when $a=12$ is $x=3$ that satisfies the conditions $x+3>0$ and $12x>0$.

For the harder case, we first have to ensure the discriminant is positive, so either $a<0$ or $a>12$.

For $a>12$ the roots are both positive, so they both satisfy $x+3>0$ and $ax>0$. Thus this is not part of our solution.

For $a<0$ we have $6-a>0$ so both roots are negative and we need to ensure just one of them is in the interval $(-3,0)$.

Let $f(x)=x^2+(6-a)x+9$; then $f(-3)=3a<0$ and $f(0)=9>0$; the graph of $f$ is a parabola which is decreasing in the interval $(-\infty,(6-a)/2)$ and increasing in the interval $((6-a)/2,\infty)$. Since $(6-a)/2>0$, we see that just one root is in the interval $(-3,0)$, as required.