Answer:
c - a =
Step-by-step explanation:
Since the parabolas intersect we can equate them, that is
2x² - 1 = - x² - x + 1 ← subtract terms on right side from terms on left side
3x² + x - 2 = 0
Consider the factors of the coefficient of the x² term and the constant term which sum to give the coefficient of the x- term.
product = 3 × - 2 = - 6 and sum = + 1
The factors are + 3 and - 2
Use these factors to split the x- term
3x² + 3x - 2x - 2 = 0 ( factor the first/second and third/fourth terms )
3x(x + 1) - 2(x + 1) = 0 ← factor out (x + 1) from each term
(x + 1)(3x - 2) = 0
Equate each factor to zero and solve for x
x + 1 = 0 ⇒ x = - 1
3x - 2 = 0 ⇒ 3x = 2 ⇒ x =
Since c > a, then
a = - 1 and c =
Thus
c - a = - (- 1) =
+ 1 =
+
=
