Answer :

To find the value of [tex]\( k \)[/tex] that makes the equation [tex]\( k x^2 + k x + 1 = -4 x^2 - x \)[/tex] have equal roots, let's follow these steps:

1. Rewrite the Equation:

First, we need to rewrite the given equation in standard quadratic form [tex]\( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \)[/tex].

Starting with:
[tex]\[ k x^2 + k x + 1 = -4 x^2 - x \][/tex]

Move all terms to one side of the equation:
[tex]\[ k x^2 + k x + 1 + 4 x^2 + x = 0 \][/tex]

Combine like terms:
[tex]\[ (k + 4)x^2 + (k + 1)x + 1 = 0 \][/tex]

Now, our equation is in the standard form [tex]\( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \)[/tex], where:
[tex]\[ a = k + 4, \quad b = k + 1, \quad c = 1 \][/tex]

2. Discriminant Condition for Equal Roots:

For a quadratic equation [tex]\( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \)[/tex] to have equal roots, its discriminant must be zero. The discriminant [tex]\(\Delta\)[/tex] is given by:
[tex]\[ \Delta = b^2 - 4ac \][/tex]

Substitute the values of [tex]\(a\)[/tex], [tex]\(b\)[/tex], and [tex]\(c\)[/tex] into the discriminant formula:
[tex]\[ \Delta = (k + 1)^2 - 4(k + 4) \cdot 1 \][/tex]

3. Simplify the Discriminant:

Let's simplify the expression:
[tex]\[ \Delta = (k + 1)^2 - 4(k + 4) \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \Delta = (k + 1)^2 - 4k - 16 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \Delta = k^2 + 2k + 1 - 4k - 16 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ \Delta = k^2 - 2k - 15 \][/tex]

4. Set the Discriminant to Zero and Solve for [tex]\(k\)[/tex]:

For the roots to be equal, the discriminant must be zero:
[tex]\[ k^2 - 2k - 15 = 0 \][/tex]

Solve the quadratic equation for [tex]\(k\)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ k^2 - 2k - 15 = 0 \][/tex]

Factorize the quadratic equation:
[tex]\[ (k - 5)(k + 3) = 0 \][/tex]

Set each factor equal to zero:
[tex]\[ k - 5 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad k = 5 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ k + 3 = 0 \quad \Rightarrow \quad k = -3 \][/tex]

Therefore, the values of [tex]\( k \)[/tex] that make the equation have equal roots are [tex]\(\boxed{-3}\)[/tex] and [tex]\(\boxed{5}\)[/tex].