01 If \(a\) is a real number and \(x^2-2(a+4)x+(a^2+8a+16)=0\), what is the nature of its roots?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Always real and equal
Explanation: Here, \(A=1\), \(B=-2(a+4)\), and \(C=a^2+8a+16=(a+4)^2\). Therefore, the discriminant is \(D=B^2-4AC=4(a+4)^2-4(a+4)^2=0\). Hence, for every real value of \(a\), the roots are real and equal; in fact, the equation is \((x-(a+4))^2=0\), so the repeated root is \(x=a+4\). Exam tip: \(D=0\) indicates equal real roots.