(1)由题知方程有解则Δ≥0
Δ=(a-2)^2-4(a+1)
(a-2)^2-4(a+1) ≥0
a^2-4a+4-4a-4≥0
a^2-8 a≥0
得a≥0且a≥8
所以得a≥8
(2)x1+x2=a-2
x1×x2=a+1
x1^2+x2^2
=[( x1+x2)^2-2 x1×x2]
=[(a-2) ^2-2 (a+1)]
=(a^2-4a+4-2a-2)
=(a^2-6a+2)
=(a-3) ^2-7
x1^2+x2^2为最小时 有(a-3) ^2-7=0
(a-3) ^2-7=0
a=3+√7