the empty set the set of all positive integers
Given the quadratic function $$f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c$$ where $$a, b,$$ and $$c$$ are non-zero real numbers such that $$b^2 < 4ac$$, we want to find the set $$S$$ of all integers $$m$$ such that $$f(m) < 0$$.
The quadratic function $$f(x)$$ represents a parabola. The discriminant $$\Delta$$ of the quadratic equation
$$ax^2 + bx + c = 0$$ is given by
$$\Delta = b^2 - 4ac$$.
Since $$b^2 < 4ac$$, the discriminant is negative ($$\Delta < 0$$), which means that the quadratic equation has two distinct complex roots.
The vertex of the parabola is given by the point $$(h, k)$$ where $$h = -\frac{b}{2a}$$ and $$k = f(h)$$.
In this case, since $$a$$ is non-zero, the parabola opens upwards if $$a > 0$$ and downwards if $$a < 0$$.
Since the parabola opens upwards or downwards and the discriminant is negative, the parabola does not intersect the x-axis. This implies that the function $$f(x)$$ is either entirely above the x-axis (if $$a > 0$$) or entirely below the x-axis (if $$a < 0$$).
Now, we want to find the set $$S$$ of all integers $$m$$ such that $$f(m) < 0$$.
Depending on the sign of $$a$$, the parabola is either above or below the x-axis.
If the parabola is above the x-axis, there will be no integer $$m$$ for which $$f(m) < 0\, (f(m)$$ will always be positive or zero).
If the parabola is below the x-axis, then $$f(m) < 0$$ for all integers $$m$$.
Therefore, the set $$S$$ must be either the empty set (if $$a > 0$$ and the parabola opens upwards) or the set of all integers (if $$a < 0$$ and the parabola opens downwards), depending on the sign of $$a$$.
Hence, the correct answer is: either the empty set or the set of all integers.
In the following figure, four overlapping shapes (rectangle, triangle, circle, and hexagon) are given. The sum of the numbers which belong to only two overlapping shapes is ________
The table shows the data of 450 candidates who appeared in the examination of three subjects – Social Science, Mathematics, and Science. How many candidates have passed in at least one subject?
How many candidates have passed in at least one subject?