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The number of real solution(s) of the equation $$x^2 + 3x + 2 = \min\{|x-3|,|x+2|\}\text{ is:}$$
Let's say:Â $$g(x) = \min\{|x-3|, |x+2|\}$$
Equating the two terms:
$$|x-3| = |x+2| \implies x-3 = -(x+2) \implies 2x = 1 \implies x = 0.5$$
For $$x \le 0.5$$, the distance to $$-2$$ is smaller or equal to the distance to $$3$$, so $$g(x) = |x+2|$$
If $$x \le -2$$, $$g(x) = -(x+2)$$
If $$-2 < x \le 0.5$$, $$g(x) = x+2$$
For $$x > 0.5$$, the distance to $$3$$ is smaller, so $$g(x) = |x-3|$$
If $$0.5 < x \le 3$$, $$g(x) = 3-x$$
If $$x > 3$$, $$g(x) = x-3$$
Now, solving $$f(x) = g(x)$$ in each interval
Interval 1: $$x \le -2$$
$$x^2+3x+2 = -(x+2)$$
$$x^2+4x+4 = 0$$
$$(x+2)^2=0\Rightarrow\mathbf{x=-2}$$
Since $$-2$$ is in the interval, this is the first solution.
Interval 2: $$-2 < x \le 0.5$$
$$x^2+3x+2=x+2$$
$$x^2+2x = 0$$
$$x(x+2) = 0 \implies x = 0$$ or $$x = -2$$
$$x = 0$$ is in the interval $$(-2, 0.5]$$, so $$\mathbf{x = 0}$$ is the second solution.
$$x=-2$$ is already found.
Interval 3: $$0.5 < x \le 3$$
$$x^2+3x+2=3-x$$
$$x^2+4x-1=0$$
Using the quadratic formula: $$x = \dfrac{-4 \pm \sqrt{16 - 4(1)(-1)}}{2} = -2 \pm \sqrt{5}$$
$$x \approx -2 + 2.236 = 0.236$$ (Not in the interval $$(0.5, 3]$$)
$$x \approx -2 - 2.236 = -4.236$$ (Not in the interval $$(0.5, 3]$$)
So, no solutions in this interval.
Interval 4: $$x > 3$$
$$x^2+3x+2=x-3$$
$$x^2+2x+5=0$$
$$D=2^2-4(1)(5)=4-20=-16$$
Since D < 0, there are no real solutions.
The only real solutions are $$x = -2$$ and $$x = 0$$.
Hence, the number of real solutions is 2.
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