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Question

The roots of the equation (q - r)x 2+ (r - p)x + (p - q) = 0 are

This question was previously asked in
NDA I 2017 GAT Previous Year Paper (23-Apr-2017)
The correct answer is

(p - q)/(q - r), 1

Finding the Roots of a Quadratic Equation

We are asked to find the roots of the given quadratic equation:

$(q - r)x^2 + (r - p)x + (p - q) = 0$

This equation is in the standard form of a quadratic equation, $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$, where:

  • $a = q - r$
  • $b = r - p$
  • $c = p - q$

Analyzing the Coefficients

Let's look at the coefficients $a$, $b$, and $c$. A useful property for quadratic equations is to check the sum of the coefficients:

$a + b + c = (q - r) + (r - p) + (p - q)$

Let's simplify the sum:

$a + b + c = q - r + r - p + p - q$

We can see that the terms cancel out:

$a + b + c = (q - q) + (-r + r) + (-p + p) = 0 + 0 + 0 = 0$

So, the sum of the coefficients is zero.

Using the Property of Roots

For a quadratic equation $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$, if the sum of the coefficients ($a + b + c$) is equal to zero, then one of the roots of the equation is always 1.

Since $a + b + c = 0$ for the given equation, $x = 1$ is one root.

Finding the Second Root

For a quadratic equation $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ with roots $\alpha$ and $\beta$, we know the following relationships:

  • Sum of roots: $\alpha + \beta = -b/a$
  • Product of roots: $\alpha \times \beta = c/a$

We already found one root, say $\alpha = 1$. We can use the product of roots formula to find the other root, $\beta$.

$1 \times \beta = \frac{c}{a}$

$\beta = \frac{c}{a}$

Substitute the values of $a$ and $c$ from our equation:

$\beta = \frac{p - q}{q - r}$

So, the second root is $\frac{p - q}{q - r}$.

The Roots

The roots of the equation $(q - r)x^2 + (r - p)x + (p - q) = 0$ are $1$ and $\frac{p - q}{q - r}$.

Comparing these roots with the given options, we find that Option 2 lists the roots as $\frac{p - q}{q - r}$ and $1$.

Coefficient Value
$a$ $q - r$
$b$ $r - p$
$c$ $p - q$
Sum of Coefficients ($a+b+c$) $(q-r)+(r-p)+(p-q) = 0$
First Root $1$ (since $a+b+c=0$)
Second Root ($c/a$) $\frac{p-q}{q-r}$

Revision Table: Quadratic Equation Roots

Property Formula Notes
Standard Form $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$ $a \neq 0$
Sum of Roots ($\alpha + \beta$) $-b/a$
Product of Roots ($\alpha \beta$) $c/a$
Roots using Quadratic Formula $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$ Discriminant $\Delta = b^2 - 4ac$
Condition for $x=1$ as a root $a + b + c = 0$ Quick check

Additional Information: Solving Quadratic Equations

There are several methods to solve quadratic equations, depending on the specific equation:

  • Factoring: If the quadratic expression $ax^2 + bx + c$ can be factored into the form $(px + q)(rx + s)$, the roots are found by setting each factor to zero. This is often the fastest method when applicable.
  • Completing the Square: This method involves rewriting the equation in the form $(x - h)^2 = k$ and then taking the square root of both sides. It's a foundational method used to derive the quadratic formula.
  • Quadratic Formula: The most general method, the quadratic formula $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$, always provides the roots for any quadratic equation (as long as $a \neq 0$). The term $b^2 - 4ac$, called the discriminant, tells us about the nature of the roots (real and distinct, real and equal, or complex).
  • Checking Sum/Product of Coefficients: As demonstrated in this problem, checking the sum of coefficients ($a+b+c$) and the alternating sum ($a-b+c$) can quickly identify if $1$ or $-1$ are roots, respectively.

Understanding these different methods helps in choosing the most efficient way to solve a given quadratic equation.

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Similar Questions

  1. If the graph of a quadratic polynomial lies entirely above x-axis, then which one of the following is correct?

  2. If the roots of the equation x 2+ px + q = 0 are tan 19° and tan 26°, then which one of the following is correct?

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  6. In solving a problem that reduces to a quadratic equation, one student makes a mistake in the constant term and obtains 8 and 2 for roots. Another student makes a mistake only in the coefficient of first-degree term and finds -9 and -1 for roots.

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Important Questions from Quadratic Equations

  1. If the graph of a quadratic polynomial lies entirely above x-axis, then which one of the following is correct?

  2. If the roots of the equation x 2+ px + q = 0 are tan 19° and tan 26°, then which one of the following is correct?

  3. If x 2- px + 4 > 0 for all real values of x, then which one of the following is correct?

  4. If 2 + i is a root of the equation x 2- ax + 1 = 0, then the value of a is:

  5. If \(\tan \left( {\frac{α }{2}} \right)\)  and  \(\tan \left( {\frac{β }{2}} \right)\)  are the roots of the equation 8x 2- 26x + 15 = 0, then the value of cos (α + β) will be

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