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Question

If the roots of the equation x2 - bx + c = 5 differ by 5, then which one of the following is correct ?  

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2023 English Previous Year Paper (16-April-2023)
The correct answer is

b2 = 4c + 5

Analyzing the Quadratic Equation and Root Properties

The problem asks us to find a relationship between the coefficients b and c of a quadratic equation, given a specific condition about its roots. The equation provided is \(x^2 - bx + c = 5\). A key piece of information is that the roots of this equation differ by 5.

Standard Form of the Quadratic Equation

First, let's rewrite the given equation in the standard quadratic form, which is \(ax^2 + Bx + C = 0\). Subtracting 5 from both sides gives us:

\(x^2 - bx + (c - 5) = 0\)

In this standard form, we have \(a = 1\), \(B = -b\), and \(C = (c - 5)\).

Applying Vieta's Formulas

Vieta's formulas relate the coefficients of a polynomial to the sums and products of its roots. For a quadratic equation \(ax^2 + Bx + C = 0\), let the roots be \(\alpha\) and \(\beta\). The formulas are:

  • Sum of roots: \(\alpha + \beta = -B/a\)
  • Product of roots: \(\alpha \beta = C/a\)

Applying these to our equation \(x^2 - bx + (c - 5) = 0\):

  • Sum of roots: \(\alpha + \beta = -(-b)/1 = b\)
  • Product of roots: \(\alpha \beta = (c - 5)/1 = c - 5\)

Using the Condition on the Difference of Roots

The question states that the roots differ by 5. We can express this condition mathematically as:

\(|\alpha - \beta| = 5\)

Squaring both sides, we get:

\((\alpha - \beta)^2 = 5^2 = 25\)

Relating Sum, Product, and Difference of Roots

There is a useful identity that connects the square of the difference of roots to the sum and product of the roots:

\((\alpha - \beta)^2 = (\alpha + \beta)^2 - 4\alpha\beta\)

Now, we can substitute the expressions for the sum and product of roots that we found using Vieta's formulas:

  • \(\alpha + \beta = b\)
  • \(\alpha \beta = c - 5\)
  • \((\alpha - \beta)^2 = 25\)

Substituting these into the identity:

\(25 = (b)^2 - 4(c - 5)\)

Deriving the Final Relationship

Let's simplify the equation:

\(25 = b^2 - 4(c - 5)\)

Distribute the -4:

\(25 = b^2 - 4c + 20\)

Now, we want to isolate \(b^2\) to match the format of the options. Subtract 20 from both sides:

\(25 - 20 = b^2 - 4c\)

\(5 = b^2 - 4c\)

Finally, add \(4c\) to both sides to get the desired form:

\(b^2 = 4c + 5\)

Conclusion

The relationship derived, \(b^2 = 4c + 5\), matches one of the provided options. This equation holds true if the roots of the quadratic equation \(x^2 - bx + c = 5\) differ by 5.

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Similar Questions

  1. For what values of k, the roots of 9x 2 + 8kx + 16 = 0 are real and equal?

  2. Consider a question and two statements:

    Question :

    Does the equation ax 2+ bx + c = 0 have real roots of opposite sign?

    Statement – I : The discriminant D > 0

    Statement – II : c / a > 0

    Which one of the following is correct in respect of the question and the statements?

  3. Let α and β be the roots of the equation \(\rm \frac{1}{x+a+b}=\frac{1}{x}+\frac{1}{a}+\frac{1}{b}\); a ≠ 0, b ≠ 0, x ≠ 0.

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  4. Which one of the following equations does not have real roots ?

  5. If p and q (p > q) are the roots of the equation x 2 - 60x + 899 = 0, then which one of the following is correct ?

  6. If \(\frac{x}{a} + \frac{y}{b} = a + b\)  and  \(\frac{x}{a^2} + \frac{y}{b^2} = 2\) , then what is  \(\frac{x}{a^2} - \frac{y}{b^2}\)  equal to?

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Important Questions from Quadratic Equation

  1. For what values of k, the roots of 9x 2 + 8kx + 16 = 0 are real and equal?

  2. If \(\rm \left( \frac{x}{x+1} \right)^2 -5 \left( \frac{x}{x+1} \right) +6=0 \) , then the value of  \(\rm \left( 1+\frac{1}{x} \right) \)  is equal to :
  3. The nature of the roots of the equation 4x 2 - 2x - 3 = 0.

  4. If the roots of the equation (q – r)x 2+ (r – p)x + (p – q) = 0 are equal, then which of the following is true?

  5. Number of real roots of the quadratic equation 3x 2+ 4x + 25 = 0 is

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