The equation of a curve is given by \(y = 2x^{2} - 5x + k\). If the curve has two intercepts on the x- axis, find the value(s) of constant k.

Answer Details

To find the x-intercepts of the curve, we need to set y = 0 and solve for x. Therefore, we have: $$ \begin{aligned} y &= 2x^{2} - 5x + k \\ 0 &= 2x^{2} - 5x + k \\ \end{aligned} $$ For the curve to have two x-intercepts, the discriminant of the quadratic equation must be greater than zero: $$ \begin{aligned} b^{2} - 4ac &> 0 \\ (-5)^{2} - 4(2)(k) &> 0 \\ 25 - 8k &> 0 \\ -8k &> -25 \\ k &< \frac{25}{8} \\ \end{aligned} $$ Therefore, the value of constant k must be less than \(\frac{25}{8}\). Thus, the answer is \(k < \frac{25}{8}\).