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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS

Before starting to read this topic, readers are advised to refresh their knowledge on functions, especially on
graphs, since everything about quadratic equations and expressions can be very easily understood in terms of
graphs.
The most basic quadratic function is
( )
2
f x x , whose graph is shown in Fig - 1.
y = x
2
Fig - 1
x
y
All other quadratic expressions can be written in terms of scaled and shifted versions of this basic function. This is
what we did in the unit on functions (Solved example - 3, Pg - 62). We are repeating it again here for the sake of
a comprehensive discussion.
The general quadratic expression can be written as
( )
2
0 f x ax bx c a + +
Our purpose here is to draw the graph of this function and find its roots. By the roots of a function ( ) f x , we mean
those values of x for which ( ) f x becomes 0.
Graphically, roots correspond to those values of x at which the graph of ( ) f x crosses the x-axis (becomes 0).
It might be possible that the graph does not cross the x-axis at all, or ( ) f x never becomes 0. In this case we say
that
( ) f x has non-real (complex) roots.
Now, to do something useful with the expression
2
, ax bx c + + we rearrange it as follows:
( )
2
f x ax bx c + +
Section - 1 INTRODUCTION TO QUADRATIC EXPRESSIONS
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
2
bx c
a x
a a
_
+ +

,
2 2
2
2 2
bx b b c
a x
a a a a
_
_ _
+ + +



, ,
,
This term is added and subtracted to form a perfect square
2
2
2
2 4
b b a
a x
a a c

_
+ +
' ;

,


( )
2 2
4
2 4
b ac
b
a x
a a

_
+

,
2
2 4
b D
a x
a a
_
+

,
... (1)
where
2
4 D b ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic expression. The rearranged expression gives useful
information as follows:
(A) ( ) Theroots of f x
To find the roots we simply put
( ) 0: f x
( )
2
0
2 4
b D
f x a x
a a
_
+

,
2
2 4
b D
a x
a a
_
+

,
2 2
b D
x
a a
+ t
2
b D
x
a
t

Thus, we see that there are two roots of ( ): f x
1 2
,
2 2
b D b D
x x
a a
+
... (2)
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(B)
( ) Thegraph of f x
In terms of scaling and shifting operations, the graph of ( ) f x can be obtained in the following steps:
2 2
2 2
2 2 4
Scaling Horizontal Vertical
Shifting Shifting
b b D
x ax a x a x
a a a
_ _
+ +

, ,
* If a > 0, the graph is an upwards parabola else it opens downwards.
Fig - 2
a > 0 a < 0
* If 0,
2
b
a
> the parabola is shifted left else if 0,
2
b
a
< it gets right shifted
Fig - 3
b
y
2a
>0
b
y
2a
<0
* If 0,
4
D
a
> the graph gets shifted downwards else if 0,
4
D
a
< it gets shifted upwards.
The figure below is an example of this for 0 a >
Fig - 4
x
D
4a
>0
x
D
4a
<0
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
* The co-ordinates of the vertex of the parabola are given by
,
2 4
b D
a a
_

,
Fig - 5
y
-b
y
2a
x
-b
2a
-D
4a
x
-D
4a
* If the parabola cuts the x-axis at two distinct points, we say that f (x) has two distinct roots given
by (2). If the parabola just touches the x-axis (at a single point), or in other words the vertex of the
parabola lies on the x-axis, we say that f (x) has real and equal roots (both roots are the same).
This is obvious from (2), since if the vertex lies on the x-axis, D = 0 so that
1 2
2
b
x x
a

If the parabola does not cross the x-axis at all, we say that f (x) has non-real (or imaginary roots).
Again this is obvious from the formula for the roots, (2). If the parabola lies entirely above the
x-axis, the y-coordinate of the vertex
( ) / 4 D a is positive and a is also positive, implying D is
negative. Similarly if the parabola lies entirely below the x-axis, ( ) / 4 D a is negative and a is also
negative, implying D is again negative. Thus, the formula for the roots gives complex values of x.
The graph in the figure below illustrate these three cases for 0 a > and 0 a < separately
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Fig - 6
Distinct roots
x
a >0
D>0
x
2
x
1
x
x
2
x
1
-D
4a
<0
a <0
D>0
-D
4a
>0
x
a >0
D=0
x
Equal roots
-D
4a
=0
a <0
D=0
-D
4a
=0
x
a >0
D<0
x
Non real roots
-D
4a
>0
a <0
D<0
-D
4a
<0
We see that for any a:
0 twodistinct roots D >
0 equal roots D
0 non-real roots D <
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(C) ( ) ( ) Theinequalities 0 or 0 f x f x > <
Once you are able to draw the graph corresponding to ( ), f x solving these inequalities should be
easy. Consider an example of a graph below:
x
a >0
D>0
x
2
x
1
Fig - 7
The roots are given by
1 2
and x x .
For what values of x is
( ) 0? f x >
Obviously, for those values for which the graph of ( ) f x lies above the x-axis. i.e.
( )
1 2
0 for and f x x x x x > < >
Similarly
( )
1 2
0 for f x x x x < < <
Consider another example:
x
x
2
x
1
a <0
D>0
Fig - 8
We see from the graph that
( )
1 2
0 for f x x x x > < <
and
( )
1 2
0 for and f x x x x x < < >
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Finally, consider a third example:
x
a >0
D<0
Fig - 9
The graph for
( ) f x lies entirely above the x-axis.
Therefore
( ) 0 f x > for all values of x
and
( ) 0 f x < for no value of x
It is evident that quadratic inequalities can easily be solved by considering their corresponding graphs.
The results discussed above are summarized for convenience in the table below.
f x x x
x x x
( ) = 0 is assumed to have two roots and .
If and are real and distinct, is assumed to be smaller.
2
1 2 1
1
Co-ordinate of the vertex of the parabola

,
2 4
b D
a a
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
a < 0
Real roots
( ) < 0
< <
( ) = 0
= ,
( ) > 0
< &
>
f x
x x x
f x
x x x
f x
x x
x x

1 2
1 2
1
2
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
Real roots
( ) < 0
< &
>
( ) = 0
= ,
( ) > 0
< <
f x
x x
f x
x x x
f x
x

x x
x x
1
1
2
1 2
2
(1)
(2)
Equal roots
=
( ) < 0
No value of
satisfies this.
( ) is
always 0
x x
f x
x
f x
1 2
>
(1)
(2)
No real roots
Graph does no
go below the
axis and hence
( ) is always
> 0
f x
(1)
(2)
equal roots
=
( ) > 0 is
satisfied
for no value of
. ( ) is always
< 0
x x
f x
x f x
1 2
a > 0
(1)
(2)
No real roots
Graph does not
go above the
axis and hence
f(x) is always
< 0.
D > 0 D = 0 D < 0 D = 0 D > 0 D < 0
Fig - 10
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Find the roots of
(a)
( )
2
3 2 + + f x x x
(b)
( )
2 2 2
2 + + f x a x abx b
(c)
( )
2
1 + + f x x x
Solution (a) ( ) f x can be factorized:
( )( )
2
3 2 1 2 + + + + x x x x
This is 0 if 1, 2 x
Alternatively, we could use the quadratic formula for the roots:
1 2
3 9 4 1 2
,
2
t
x x
3 1
2
t

= 1, 2
(b) ( ) f x here is a perfect square:
( ) ( )
2
2 2 2
2 + + + f x a x abx b ax b
This is evidently 0 when
0 + ax b
b
x
a

We see that ( ) f x has equal roots. The parabola for ( ) f x touches the x-axis.
(c) ( ) f x can be rearranged as
2
2
1 3
1
2 4
_
+ + + +

,
x x x
Example 1
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(by following the general outline on page - 2)
We see that ( ) 0 > f x for all values of x.
( ) f x has no real roots
The complex roots can be obtained from the quadratic formula:
1 2
1 1 4
,
2
t
x x
1 3
2
t

Solve the following inequalities for x:
(a)
2
3 2 0 + + > x x
(b)
2
3 5 0 + + < x x (c)
2
2 1 0 + + > x x
Solution: We saw how to solve such inequalities in the previous section. We urge you to recall that discussion
and apply it on these examples by actually drawing the corresponding graphs.
(a)
2
3 2 0 + + > x x
( )( ) 1 2 0 + + > x x
2 or 1 < > x x
(b)
2
3 5 0 + + < x x
2
3 11
0
2 4
_
+ + <

,
x

This is never possible

No value of x satisfies the given inequality
Alternatively, we evaluate the expressions discriminant:
2
4 9 20 11 D b ac
Since, 0, < D the given expression has no real roots so its parabola lies entirely above the x-axis
( ( ) f x is always positive) or in other words, for no value of x does the graph of ( ) f x lie below
the x-axis. Hence, no value of x satisfies this inequality
Example 2
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(c)
2
2 1 0 + + > x x
( )
2
1 0 + > x
We see that the inequality above is always true except the point(s) where the left hand side could
become 0.
1 x
{ } \ 1 ! x
If , are the roots of ( )( ) , x a x b c find the roots of ( )( ) 0 + x x c
Solution: Before solving this equation, we note that if ( )
2
0 + + f x ax bx c has two roots and ,
then
( ) ( ) 0 f f so that ( ) ( ) and x x are factors of ( ) f x (by the factor theorem)
Hence, ( ) f x can be written as
( ) ( )( )
2
f x ax bx c a x x + +

... (3)
This a has to be included so that the
coefficients of x
2
match on both the sides
Now, in the current question, since , are the roots of ( )( ) , x a x b c we can write
( )( ) ( )( ) x a x b c x x
This immediately gives
( )( ) ( )( ) + x x c x a x b
The left hand side is the equation we wanted to solve. Since it is equal to ( )( ), x a x b the required
roots are a, b!
Example 3
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Let ( ) ( )
2 2
and . M x px qx r N x px sx r + + + + Given that 0, pr show that ( ) ( ) 0 M x N x will have
at least two real roots.
Solution: Note that since
( ) ( ) M x N x will be a 4
th
degree polynomial, it will have four roots. These roots could
be all real, all non-real or two real and two imaginary. (Why ?)
Here we need to show that ( ) ( ) M x N x will have at least two real roots, that is, all the roots will not
be imaginary.
We need not consider the case when all the four roots are real.
Let us suppose that ( ) M x has imaginary roots.
This means that
2
4 0 < q pr
or
2
4 > pr q
The discriminant for ( ) N x is
2 2 2
4 + > + D s pr s q (using 4pr > q
2
)
Hence, the D for N(x) is positive or N(x) will have two real roots.
Similarly, if N(x) has imaginary roots, M(x) will have real roots.
Thus, in all cases,
( ) ( ) M x N x will have at least two real roots.
(a) For what positive values of a will
( )( ) 3 2 0 + + x x a have integral roots?
(b) If a, b, c are odd integers, prove that
2
0 + + ax bx c cannot have rational roots.
Solution: (a) To have integral roots, we require the discriminant to be necessarily a perfect square.
( )( ) 3 2 0 + + x x a
( )
2
6 0 x x a
25 4 D a
Example 4
Example 5
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
D is a perfect square when a = 4, 6
For a = 4, D = 9 and the roots are
1 2
1 3
, 1, 2
2
x x
t

which are integral
For a = 6, D = 1 and the roots are
1 2
1 1
, 0,1
2
t
x x
which are again integral
Hence, the required values for a are 4, 6
(b) To have rational roots, we require the D to be perfect square; i.e
2 2
4 b ac q
where a, b, c are all odd integers and hence q is also odd (verify)
Hence we assume a, b, c, q to be of the form 2 1, 2 1, 2 1, 2 1 + + + + t u v w respectively
Now
2 2
4 b ac q
( )( ) 4 + b q b q ac
( )( ) ( )( ) 1 2 1 2 1 + + + + u w u w t v (by substitution)
Notice now that the left hand side is always even, no matter what integral values u and w take,
while the right hand side is odd. This leads to a contradiction in our original assumption of letting
2 2
4 b ac q Hence, no such q exists.
The equation does not have rational roots
Prove that ( ) ( )( )
2
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2
.... ..... ..... + + + + + + +
n n n n
a b a b a b a a a b b b where ,
i i
a b are real numbers.
Solution: This widely used inequality can be proved in a variety of ways. Here, we will use a quadratic equation
approach to prove this.
If we can somehow make this inequality correspond to the form of the discriminant
2
4 , b ac our task
could be accomplished.
Example 6
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Consider the following expression:
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2
1 1 2 2
..... + + + + + +
n n
S x a x b a x b a x b
Obviously, ( ) 0 S x for all x.
Now rearranging
( ) S x in the form of a standard quadratic expression, we get:
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 2 2 2 2
1 2 1 1 2 2 1 2
.... 2 .... ....
n n n n
S x a a a x a b a b a b x b b b + + + + + + + + + +
Since ( ) 0 S x for all x, the parabola for ( ) S x lies entirely above the x-axis. Hence, the discriminant
for ( ) S x cannot be positive (since if D is positive,
( ) S x will have real roots and the parabola will go
below the x-axis for some x)
Therefore,
0 D
( ) ( )( )
2
2 2 2 2 2 2
1 1 2 2 1 2 1 2
.... .... .... + + + + + + + + +
n n n n
a b b b a b a a a b b b
You are urged to find out the condition when the equality will hold.
What can you say about the roots of the equation
( ) ( )( ) ( )( ) ( )( )? + + f x x a x b x b x c x c x a
Solution:
( ) f x can be rearranged into the form of a standard quadratic equation:
( ) ( ) ( )
2
3 2 + + + + + f x x a b c x ab bc ca
The D is given by:
( ) ( )
2
4 12 + + + + D a b c ab bc ca
( )
2 2 2
4 + + a b c ab bc ca
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2 1
4
2

1
+ +
' ;
]

a b b c c a
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
2 2 2
2 0 + + a b b c c a
Hence, ( ) f x has real roots which are equal only when D = 0 or when a = b = c
Example 7
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Find the values that m can take if the roots of the equation ( )
2
3 2 5 0 + m x mx m are real.
Solution: For real roots, 0 D
( )
2
4 20 3 0 m m m
2
16 60 0 + m m
2
4 15 0 m m
( ) 15/ 4 0 m m
15 15
0 and or 0,
4 4
m m m
1

1
]

Example 8
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Q. 1 Let ( ) ( )
2
, , f x Ax Bx C A B C + + ! . Prove that if ( ) f x is an integer whenever x is an integer
then 2A, A+B and C are all integers. Prove the converse also.
Q.2 Four different integers form an increasing A. P. One of these numbers is equal to the sum of the
squares of the other three; find these numbers.
Q. 3 Solve the equation
a a x x + +
Q. 4 Solve the equation for x:
( ) ( ) ( )
4 4 4
3 2 5 2 x x x +
Q. 5 If a, b, c are rational, show that ( ) ( ) ( )
2
2 2 2 0 a b c x b c a x c a b + + + + +
will have distinct, rational roots.
Q. 6 Let a, b, c be non-prime integers, 1, a and let p be a prime number. If both the roots of the equation
2
ax bx c p + + are integers, then show that
2
2 ax bx c p + + for any integral value of x.
Q. 7 Find the integral values of a for which the equation
( ) ( )
4 2 2 2
5 6 3 2 0 x a a x a a + +
has real solutions.
Q. 8 If the roots of
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
1 2 1 3 1 8 0 m x m x m + + + + are equal then find the set of values of m.
Q. 9 Show that
sin sin
4 0
x x
e e

has no real solution.

Q. 10 If ( )
2
0 ax b c x a b c + + has unequal real roots for all c! then prove that either 0 b a < <
or
0 b a > >
* * * * * * * *
TRY YOURSELF - I
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
In the last section we saw the quadratic formula that gives the roots of a quadratic expression. From now on we
will be denoting the two roots by and .
2
4
,
2
t

b b ac
a

Equation (3) tells us that a quadratic expression can be written in terms of its roots as follows:
( ) ( )( )
( ) ( )
( )
( )
2
2
2
2 2
+ +
+ +
+ +
+ +
f x ax bx c a x x
a x x
ax a x a
ax aSx aP a x Sx P



where S denotes the sum and P the product of the roots. Comparing the coefficients of x on both sides gives:
( ) +

a b
a c

Sumof roots

+
b
S
a

Product of roots
c
P
a

These are important results. They can of course be derived directly from the expression for the roots given by the
quadratic formula. For example
2 2
4 4
2 2
+
+ +
b b ac b b ac b
a a a

Now lets see some examples that use these results:
If , are the roots of
2
0, + + ax bx c find the quadratic equation whose roots are
( ) ( )
1 1
and

+ + a b a b
Section - 2 ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EXPRESSION
Example 9
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Solution: We have

+
b
a

c
a

for the required quadratic equation,

( )
( )
2 2
2 1 1 + +
+
+ + + + +
a b
S
a b a b a ab b



2 2
2

+ +
b
a b
b
a
c b
ac
a ab b
a a
( )
2 2
1 1 1 1
P
a b a b a ab b ac

+ + + + +
The required equation is
2 2
1
0 0
b
x Sx P x x
ac ac
+ +
2
1 0 + acx bx

If , are the roots of
2
0, + + ax bx c find the values of:
(a)
2 2
+ (b)
3 3
+ (c)
4 4
+ (d)
+


Solution: This question is very simple since all you have to do is rearrange the given expression in terms of what
you already know, i.e ( ) + and ( ) .
(a) ( )
2 2
2
2 2
2 2
2 2
2

+ +
b c b ac
a a a

(b) ( ) ( )
3 3
3
3 3
3 2 3
3 3
3

+ + + +
b bc abc b
a a a

Example 10
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(c)
( ) ( ) ( ) ( )
2
2 2
2
2
4 4 2 2
2 2
2 2
2 Frompart
_
+ +

,
b ac c
a
a a


4 2 2 2
4
4 2 +

b ab c a c
a

(d)
2 2 2 2
2
2 2 +
+
b ac a b ac
a c ac


If , be the roots of ( )
2 2
2 3 0 + + m x x mx and
1 2
, m m be the two values of m for which , are
connected by the relation
4
,
3
+


find the value of
2 2
1 2
2 1
+
m m
m m
Solution: Since , are the roots of
( ) ( )
2 2 2
2 3 0 + + f x m x m m x ,
2
2
2 2
1

+
m m
m m

2
3

Now,
( )
2
2 2
4
2
3
+
+
+



( )
2 10
3
+
2
2
2 10
1
_


,
m m
2
4 6 0 m m
1 2 1 2
4 6 + m m mm
( ) ( )
3
2 2 3 3
1 2 1 2 1 2
1 2 1 2
2 1 1 2 1 2
3 + +
+
+
m m mm m m
m m m m
m m mm mm
64 3 4 6
6
+

68
3

Example 11
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Q. 1 Find all values of the parameter a such that the roots , of the equation
2
2 6 0 x x a + +
satisfy
the inequality
2


+ <
Q. 2 Find the integral values of a for which ( ) ( )
2
2 2 1 0 a x a x a + + + + will have both roots integers.
Q. 3 If
2
0 x px q + + and
2
' ' 0 x p x q + + have one root in common, prove that its value is
' ' '
or
' '
q q pq p q
p p q q


Q. 4 If , are the roots of
2
0 x px q + + then express
5 5
+ in terms of p and q.
Q. 5 If
2
0 ax bx c + +
has one root equal to the n
th
power of the other root, then prove that
( ) ( )
1 1
1 1
0
n n
n n
a c ac b
+ +
+ +
Q. 6 If , are the roots of the equation ( ) 1 1 x x x + and if
1 2
, are the two values of

determined from the relation

2, r


+
show that
2
2 2
1 2
2 2
2 1
1
2 4
1
r
r


+ _
+ +

,
Q. 7 If , are the roots of
2
0 x px q + then find the quadratic equation whose roots are
( )( ) ( )
2 2 3 3 2 3 3 2
and +
* * * * * * * *
TRY YOURSELF - II
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Let ( )
2
+ + f x ax bx c and , be its roots. In this section, we deal with the problem of placing constraints on
a, b, c given some constraint(s) on and .
In section-1, we saw the constraint
0 D
given that , are real. Similarly,
0 < D
if , are non-real. This is
what we mean by saying that the nature of , places a constraint on a, b, c:
2
, real 4 0 b ac
2
, non-real 4 0 b ac <
Now we will deal with more specific constraints:
(A) Both roots areof thesamesign
Since the roots are real,
0. D
Since they are of the same sign, 0. >
The graphs below illustrate examples for a > 0
Fig - 11
Both roots positive
y
a>0
y
x

a>0
Both roots negative
Hence, the constraints are:
2
4 0
0

>
b ac
c
a
Section - 3 CONDITIONS ON ROOTS
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(B) Roots areof oppositesign
For real roots, 0. D For roots of opposite sign, 0. < However, notice that 0 < ensures that
0 > D
and hence writing the first constraint is unnecessary (Why?). Therefore all we require is 0. <
The graphs below illustrate this case.
Fig - 12
Roots are of opposite sign
y
a>0
y
x

x

a<0
The required constraint is:
0 <
c
a
(C) Both roots are positive
If you have followed the previous two cases properly, this case should be straight forward. We first of
all require D
0.
Since both the roots are positive, 0and 0. > + >
Both roots
positive
y
a>0
x

Fig - 13
2
4 0
0
0

>
>
b ac
b
a
c
a
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(D) Both roots are negative
This is similar to the previous case:
y
x

a>0
Both roots
negative
Fig - 14
2
4 0
0
0
b ac
b
a
c
a

<
>
(E) Roots lieon either sideof k
This means that , k k < >
Fig - 15
k
a>0
x

x

a<0
k
We see that if ( ) 0, 0 a f k > < and if ( ) 0, 0 a f k < > or to put concisely, ( ) 0. af k < This represents
a necessary and also sufficient constraint for our requirement (verify that this condition alone is sufficient):
( ) 0 af k <
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 23
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(F) Both theroots areless than k
Fig - 16
k
a>0
x

x

a<0
k
We see that for the left hand graph ( ) ( ) 0 , 0 a f k > > and for the right hand graph ( ) ( ) 0 , 0. a f k < <
We can say this concisely as ( ) 0. af k > We also require 0 D and since both the roots are less than
k, 2k + <
Hence, the constraints are:
( )
0
0
2
D
af k
b
k
a

>
<
(G) Both the roots aregreater than k
Fig - 17
a>0
x

x

a<0
k
k
Here again, we see that ( ) 0. af k > Also, 2k + >
( )
0
0
2
D
af k
b
k
a

>
>
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(H)
1 2
Both the roots lie between and k k
Fig - 18
x

x

a<0
k
1
k
2
k
1
k
2
a>0
-b
2a
-b
2a
First of all,
0 D
for real roots. Now, notice that the x-coordinate of the vertex of the parabola lies
between k
1
and k
2
. Also, whether a is positive or negative, notice that af(k
1
) and af(k
2
) are positive.
The constraints are:

( )
( )
1
2
1 2
0
0
0
2
D
af k
af k
b
k k
a

>
>
< <
(I)
1 2
Exactlyone root lies between and k k
Fig - 19
x

k
1
k
2
a>0
x

k
1
k
2
lies between k and k
1 2
lies between k and k
1 2

x

k
1
k
2
a<0
x

k
1
k
2
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
In all the four possible cases, ( ) ( )
1 2
and f k f k are of opposite sign. We can write this as ( ) ( )
1 2
0 f k f k < . Try
to see that once we write this constraint, the basic constraint
0 D
becomes redundant (Why? Because f (k
1
)
and f (k
2
) can be of opposite sign only if the graph crosses the axis; this means that writing ( ) ( )
1 2
0 f k f k <
automatically implies that ( ) f x will have real roots).
The required constraint is.
( ) ( )
1 2
0 f k f k <
(J)
1 2
and lie between the roots k k
Fig - 20
x

k
1
k
2
a>0
x

k
1
k
2
a<0
Here, we see that for both cases ( ) ( )
1 2
and af k af k will be negative. Notice again that this represents a sufficient
condition.
( )
( )
1
2
0
0
af k
af k
<
<
Let , be the roots of ( )
2
3 0. x m x m + Find the values of m for which:
(a) the roots are real (b) , are of opposite sign
(c) , are both positive (d) at least one of the roots is positive
(e) 2, 2 > < (f) , both greater than 2
(g) , lie in (1, 2) (h) exactly one of the roots lies in (1, 2)
Example 12
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Solution: We will be directly using the results derived in this section. Readers are advised to refer to these results
as we solve the questions above:
(a) For real roots,
0 D
( )
2
3 4 0 m m
2
10 9 0 m m +
( )( ) 1 9 0 m m
1 or 9 m m
(b) Since , are of opposite sign,
0
c
a
<
0 m <

(c) We have three constraints for this case
( ) ( )
2
4 0 1or 9 Part a above b ac m m
0 3 0 3
b
m m
a

> > >

0 0
c
m
a
> >
The required values for m will be those that satisfy all the three constraints above. We can find
those values by drawing the solution sets corresponding to the three inequalities on a real line and
then determining their intersections:
Fig - 21
0 1 3 9
x
Common part
We see that the intersection (common part) for the three sets is
9 m
or [9, ) m
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(d) We require at least one of the roots to be positive. This means that both the roots cannot be
negative.
Hence, what we can do is first evaluate the values of m for which both roots are negative (or one
root is zero and the other is negative), and then exclude these values from the set
( ) ,1] [9, {the set for which the roots are real}
=(- ,1] [9, )
A - A
The set U gives all those values
of m for which roots are real
Therefore, these values of
m give at least one
positive root
These values of m give both negative roots
(or one root zero and one negative)
Fig - 22
U
U
To evaluate the set A (the values of m which both the roots are negative),
we require (in addition to
0 D
):
0 3 0 3
b
m m
a

< < <

0 0
c
m
a

Therefore, the set A is [0, 1] (verify this by finding the intersection ( ) ( ) ( ) 3 0 theset m m U <
Finally, the required values of m are U A
or ( ) , 0) [9, m
Alternatively, we could also have solved this part by using the solutions to (part-b) and (part-c)
At least one positive root implies either both roots positive ( ) 9 m or one root positive and one
negative (roots of opposite sign; m < 0).
Therefore, either 9 or 0 m m <
( ) , 0) [9, m
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(e) This requirement corresponds to the case roots lie on either side of k.
We require
( ) 0 af k <
( ) ( )( )
{ }
2
1 2 3 2 0 m m + <
10 0 m + <
10 m >

(f) We have three constraints for this case:
0 D 1 9 m or m
( ) 0 af k >
10 m <
2
b
k
a

>
7 m >
The values of m satisfying all the three constraints are:
9 10 m <

(g) We have to satisfy four constraints here:
0 D 1or 9 m m
( )
1
0 af k >
( )( ) { }
1 1 3 1 0 4 0 m m + > > which is true.
( )
2
0 af k >
10 m <
1 2
2
b
k k
a

< <

3
1 2
2
m
< <
5 < m < 7
Notice that no value of m satisfies all the four constraints simultaneously. Hence, no value of m
exist for which both roots lie in (1, 2)
(h) We have discussed this case also in the preceding section. Our constraint is:
( ) ( )
1 2
0 f k f k <
( ) ( ) 1 2 0 f f <
{ } 4 10 0 m <
10 m >

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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
By now, you must have got the general idea about how to find constraints on the coefficients given
some condition(s) on the roots. You need not remember all the cases separately. Just understand how
they were derived; by using their corresponding graphs which immediately gave us the required
conditions.
Find the values of a for which the inequality
2 2
6 0 x ax a a + + + <
is satisfied for all [ ] 1, 2 x
Solution: Let us first graphically try to visualise what the problem statement given above means. Since
( )
2 2
6 0 f x x ax a a + + + < for all [ ] 1, 2 , x this means that the parabola for ( ) f x should remain
below the x-axis for the entire interval [1, 2]; this can only happen if the interval [1, 2] falls between the
roots of ( ): f x
Fig - 23
x

a=1(>0)
1 2
We see that f(x) < 0
for all x [1, 2]
This corresponds to k
1
and k
2
lie between the roots. The constraints are:
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
2
2
1
0 1 1 1 6 0 a f k a a a < + + + <

2
7 1 0 a a + + <

7 3 5 7 3 5
2 2
a
+
< <
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
2
2
2
0 1 2 2 6 0 a f k a a a < + + + <

2
8 4 0 a a + + <

4 2 3 4 2 3 a < < +

Example 13
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
We now find the values of a satisfying both the constraints above:
Fig - 24
x
Common part
-7-3 5
2
-7+3 5
2
-4-2 3 -4+2 3
We see that:
7 3 5
4 2 3
2
a

< < +
For what real values of a do the roots of the equation ( ) ( )
2 2
2 1 0 f x x x a lie between the roots of
( ) ( ) ( )
2
2 1 1 0? g x x a x a a + +
Solution: The coefficients of
2
x
in both ( ) f x and ( ) g x are positive (both coefficients are 1) so the parabolas
for both ( ) ( ) and f x g x open upwards.
Since the roots of ( ) f x lie between the roots of ( ), g x the parabola for ( ) f x should lie inside the
parabola for ( ); g x observe the figure below:
Fig - 25
x

f(x)
g(x)
The roots of f(x) { }
lie between the roots of
g(x) { , }
,



Example 14
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
We can now say that since , lie between the roots of ( ), g x
( )
( )
( )
0
Section-3, part J
0
g
g

<

;
<

To solve the inequalities above, we need , (the solution of ( ) 0 f x )

( ) ( )
2 2
2 1 f x x x a
2 2
2 1 x x a +
( )
2
2
1 0 x a
( ) 1 x a t
1 x a t
Let 1 and 1 a a +
Now, we have:
( ) ( ) 0 1 0 g g a < + <
( ) ( )( ) ( )
2
1 2 1 1 1 0 a a a a a + + + + <
( ) ( )
2
1 1 0 a a a + + <
3 1 0 a <
3 1 a >
1
3
a >
( ) ( ) 0 1 0 g g a < <
( ) ( )( ) ( )
2
1 2 1 1 1 0 a a a a a + + <
2
4 3 1 0 a a <
1
1
4
a < <
The values of a that satisfy both the constraints are:
1
1
4
a < <

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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Let a, b, c be real numbers. If
2
0 ax bx c + +
has two real roots , where 1 and 1 < > then show that
1 0
c b
a a
+ + <
Solution: We see that 1 and 1 lie between the roots of the equation. This scenario corresponds to Section-3
part (J).
The constraints that need to be satisfied are:
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
2
1
0 1 1 0 af k a a b c < + + <
{ } 0 a a b c + + <
Now we divide both sides of the inequality by a
2
(this is allowed since a
2
> 0)

1 0
b c
a a
+ + <
... (i)
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
2
2
0 1 1 0 af k a a b c < + + <
{ } 0 a a b c + <
Again, we divide both sides by a
2
:

1 0
b c
a a
+ <
... (ii)
(i) and (ii) can be written simultaneously as:
1 0
b c
a a
+ + <

Example 15
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Q. 1 Find all the values of the parameter a for which one root of the equation
( )
2 2
1 8 0 x a x a a + + + is greater than 2 and the other root is smaller than 2.
Q. 2 Find all values of the parameter k for which the solution-set of the inequation
( )
2 2
3 1 2 2 1 x k k x +
is a subset of the solution-set of the inequation
( )
2 2
2 1 0 x x k k +
Q. 3 Find
m!
so that the equation
2
3 0 x mx m + +
has
(a) both roots negative (b) roots on either side of 2
Q. 4 For what values of a does the equation ( )
2
1 3 0 ax a x + + have roots lying between 1 and 2?
Q. 5 Find the values of m, for which every [ ] 1, 2 x is a solution of the inequality
2
1 0 x mx + <
Q. 6 Find the values of m for which the inequality ( )( ) 3 3 0 x m x m < is satisfied for all [ ] 1, 3 x
Q. 7 Find the values of a for which the inequality ( )
4 2 3 0
x x
a a + is satisfied by at least one real x.
* * * * * * * *
TRY YOURSELF - III
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 34
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
In section-1 we learnt how to solve inequalities of the form ( ) ( ) 0 or 0 f x f x > < , where ( ) f x is a quadratic
polynomial (for example, refer to example-2)
In this section, we will build on that knowledge further to solve general rational inequalities. Before proceeding,
note the following fundamental facts that hold for any inequality:
(a) If , then a b a b > <
(b) If , then onlyif 0. a b ac bc c > > > This means that you can multiply the two sides of an inequality by
any factor only if that factor is positive. If that factor is negative, then the inequality gets reversed, i.e,
if , and 0 then . a b c ac bc > < < Part (a) above is a special case of this fact (multiplication by 1 on
both sides)
(c) If
1 1
0, then a b
a b
> > <
(What if 0 > a > b?)
(d) If , a b < then
b a b < <
(b is positive here)
(e) If , then or a b a b a b > > <
(f) If
1 2 1 2 2 1
then or b a b b a b b a b < < < < < <
(g) If
2 2
, then a b a b < <
Before moving on to solve inequalities, one important concept needs to be discussed. This concept is sometimes
referred to as the wavy-curve method, and is used to solve general rational inequalities.
Suppose that we need to solve the following inequality:
( )( )
( )( )
1 2
0
3 1
x x
x x

>
+
What we first do is multiply both sides of this inequality by
( ) ( )
2 2
3 1 x x + {since we know for sure that this term
will be positive}
This multiplication reduces the expression above to ( )( )( )( ) 1 2 3 1 0 x x x x + >
The points where the left hand side can become 0 are 1, 2, 3, 1. x
-1 1 3
x
2
Fig - 26
Section - 4 MORE INEQUALITIES
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
If we take any value of x to the right 3, i.e x > 3, we see that all the four factors in the product above are positive,
i.e for x > 3, the inequality above is satisfied.
When ( ) 2 3, 3 x x < < becomes negative but the other factors still remain positive, i.e the product becomes
negative and the inequality is not satisfied for this interval.
Next we see that when 1 2, x < < the product will be positive, when 1< x < 1, the product is negative, while it is
positive again for x < 1.
-1 1 3
x
2
Fig - 27
+ve -ve +ve +ve -ve
Hence, the requires values of x that satisfy the given inequality are:
( ) ( ) ( ) , 1 1, 2 3, x
Generally speaking, let there be a rational function
( )
( )
( )
P x
f x
Q x

which can be written in a factorised form as

( )
( )( )
( )( )
( )
( )
1 2
1 2
.......
.......
n
m
x a x a x a
f x
x b x b x b

To determine the sign of ( ) f x in different intervals, we mark the roots of both the numerator and denominator on
a number line (i.e all the
' '
and
i i
a s b s )
To the right of the largest root, i.e, for x > (the largest root), all the factors in both the numerator and denominator
will be positive and ( ) 0. f x > ( ) f x will then become negative in the preceding interval, then positive again in the
next interval, and so on, i.e, ( ) f x will alternate in sign in adjacent intervals. Now to solve ( ) 0, f x > we pick
those values of x (those intervals) for which ( ) f x is positive and to solve ( ) 0, f x < we pick those intervals of x
for which ( ) f x is negative
Fig - 28
r
1
x
r
2
r
3
r
4
+ve -ve +ve -ve
....
+ve
Sign of
f(x)
Roots marked
out on a
number line
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 36
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Solve for
2
2 1
:
2 5 2 1
x
x
x x x
>
+ + +
Solution: It would be a mistake to cross-multiply and solve since ( ) ( )
2
1 and 2 5 2 x x x + + + are not necessarily
positive. We proceed as follows:
2
2 1
0
2 5 2 1
x
x x x
>
+ + +
( ) ( )
( )( )
2
2
2 1 2 5 2
0
1 2 5 2
x x x x
x x x
+ + +
>
+ + +
( )
( )( )( )
3 2
0
1 2 1 2
x
x x x
+
>
+ + +
( )
( )( )( )
3 2
0
1 2 1 2
x
x x x
+
<
+ + +
We mark out the roots (of both the numerator and denominator) on a number line and pick the
intervals where the expression is negative.
-2 -1
x
-2/3 -1/2
+ve -ve +ve -ve +ve
Fig - 29
The required values of x are:
( )
2 1
2, 1 ,
3 2
x
_


,

Find the values of x which satisfy
( )( )
2
8 16 51
3
2 3 4
x x
x x
+
<
+
Example 16
Example 17
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MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Solution: Here again, do not be tempted to cross multiply by the denominator on both sides since the denominator
is not necessarily positive
( )( )
2
8 16 51
3 0
2 3 4
x x
x x
+
<
+
( ) ( )
( )( )
2 2
8 16 51 3 2 5 12
0
2 3 4
x x x x
x x
+ +
<
+
( )( )
2
2 15
0
2 3 4
x x
x x
+
<
+
( )( )
( )( )
2 5 3
0
2 3 4
x x
x x
+
<
+
We now follow the same procedure as in the previous example (the alternate-interval method)
-4 -3 3/2
x
5/2
+ve -ve +ve -ve +ve
Fig - 30
The required values of x are
( )
3 5
4, 3 ,
2 2
x
_


,

Solve the following inequalities for x:
(a)
2
10
1
9
x
x

+
(b)
2
2
5 4
1
4
x x
x
+

(c)
2
2
1
1
1
x
x x

<
+ +
(d) ( )
2
10
log 3 3 0 x x +
Example 18
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 38
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Solution: (a) For this case, notice that the denominator
2
9 x +
is always positive so that we can directly cross-
multiply the denominator to get
2
9 10 x x +
2
10 9 0 x x +
( )( ) 1 9 0 x x
1 or 9 x x
(b) From the discussion on inequalities in Section - 4, we know that this inequality is equivalent to
1
x x
2
5 + 4
x
2
4
1
A
B
We now need to consider inequalities A and B separately and then find those values of x that
satisfy both these inequalities simultaneously
Inequality A:
2 2
2 2
5 4 5 4
1 1 0
4 4
x x x x
x x
+ +
+


2
2
2 5
0
4
x x
x

( )
( )( )
2 5
0
2 2
x x
x x

+
-2
x
2 5/2
+ve -ve +ve -ve +ve
Fig - 31
0
5
2 or 0 2 or
2
x x x < <
(Note above that x cannot take the values 2 or 2 since the denominator would then become 0).
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 39
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Inequality B:
2 2
2 2
5 4 5 4
1 1 0
4 4
x x x x
x x
+ +


2
8 5
0
4
x
x

( )( )
5 8
0
2 2
x
x x

+
-2
x
8/5 2
-ve +ve -ve +ve
Fig - 32
8
2 or 2
5
x x < >
We now find the intersection of the solutions to these two inequalities
0 -2 2 5/2
x
Common
part
8/5
C
o
m
m
o
n

p
a
r
t
Ineq A
Ineq B
Fig - 33
The solution for x is therefore:
8 5
0, , )
5 2
x
1

1
]

L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 40
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
(c) This inequality can be written equivalently as
2
2
1
1 1
1
x
x x

< <
+ +
Notice (or recall: example-1 Part C) that the denominator of the given rational expression is
always positive and hence it can directly be cross-multiplied across both the inequalities to get
2 2 2
1 1 1 x x x x x < < + +
The two inequalities considered separately are

2 2
1 1 2 x x x x < + + >
2 2 2
1 1 2 0 x x x x x < + >
( ) 2 1 0 x x + >
1/ 2 or 0 x x < >
The common part of the two solutions can be easily seen to be
( )
1
2, 0,
2
x
_


,

(d) Since ( )
2
10
log 3 3 0 x x +
2 0
3 3 10 1 x x +
2
3 2 0 x x +
( )( ) 1 2 0 x x
1 or 2 x x
If the equations
2
0 x bx ca + +
and
2
0 x cx ab + +
have a common root, show that a + b + c = 0 and their
other two roots satisfy the equation
2
0 x ax bc + +
.
SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example 1
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 41
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Solution: Let the common root be . Then,
2
0 b ca + +
2
0 c ab + +
These two equations can be treated as a system of linear equations in
2
and :
2
2 2
1
ab ac ac ab c b



( )
2
and a b c a +
( )
2
a b c a +
0 a b c + +
Now let r be the other root of
2
0 x bx ca + +
and

be the other root of

2
0 x cx ab + +
and r b c + +
and r b c
( ) ( ) { } and r b a c a a + +
{ } and 0 r c b a b c + +
and r b c a r bc + +
, r are the roots of

2
0 x ax bc + +

If , a b c d < < < then prove that for any real , ( ) ( )( ) ( )( ) 0 f x x a x c x b x d + will always have
real roots.
Solution: We can of course follow the approach of writing ( ) f x in the form of a standard quadratic equation,
evaluating its discriminant and proving it to be non-negative for all real values of

. However such an
approach would become unnecessarily lengthy. Here we will use a graphical approach that is quicker
and also gives us more information pertaining to the roots than the discriminant approach.
Example 2
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 42
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
We consider three cases, 0, 0 and 0 > < and show that in all cases, the roots are real.
(In graphical terms, this means that in all cases, the graph should intersect the x-axis)
( ) ( )( ) 0 0 f x x a x c
This obviously has two real roots,
namely , . x a c
( ) ( )( ) 0 0 f a a b a d > >
( ) ( )( ) 0 f b b a b c <
( ) ( )( ) 0 f c c b c d <
( ) ( )( ) 0 f d d a d c >
Notice that ( ) f a and ( ) f b are of opposite sign. This means that the graph has to necessarily cross
the x-axis between a and b, or in other words, there is a root of ( ) f x between a and b. Similarly,
there lies another root of f (x) between c and d.
The graph for ( ) f x is approximately sketched below:
Fig - 34
b c
f(x)
a
d
x
We see that the graphical approach also gives us the location of the roots.
( ) ( )( ) 0 0 f a a b a d < <
( ) ( )( ) 0 f b b a b c <
( ) ( )( ) 0 f c c b c d >
( ) ( )( ) 0 f d d a d c >
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 43
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Since ( ) ( ) and f b f c are of the opposite sign, then must be a root of ( ) f x between b and c. ( ) f x
can have the following configurations.

Fig - 35
a b
f(x)
c
x
Since the parabola opens upwards here,
the coefficient of x in f(x) i.e (1+ )
should be positive so that > -1
2

a
c
f(x)
d
x
d
a b Since the parabola opens
downwards 1+ < 0 or - 1 <
Here also, since the graph of ( ) f x intersects the x-axis, ( ) f x has real roots. In addition, notice that
the graph also tells us that if 1, > the second root lies to the left of a while if 1, < the second
root lies to the right of d. (What if 1 ?)
In all cases, ( ) f x has real roots
If is a real root of the quadratic equation
2
0 ax bx c + +
and is a real root of
2
0, ax bx c + + show that
there is a root

of the equation
2
0
2
a
x bx c + +
which lies between and .
Solution: Let us denote
2
2
a
x bx c + +
by ( ). f x
Since we want ( ) ( )
a root of f x to lie between and , our approach should be to somehow
show that ( ) ( ) and f f are of opposite sign, so that the graph of ( ) f x crosses the x-axis between
and . The figure below illustrates this point:
Example 3
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 44
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Fig - 36
f(x)
x x
f(x)

Now, since is a root of

2
0 ax bx c + +
2
0 a b c + +
2 2
2 2
a a
b c + +
( )
2
2
a
f
... (i)
Since is a root of
2
0 ax bx c + +
2
0 a b c + +
2 2
3
2 2
a a
b c + +
( )
2
3
2
a
f
... (ii)
From (i) and (ii) notice that ( ) f and ( ) f are of opposite signs and hence a root of ( ) f x lies
between and
Find the range of values that ( )
2
2
3 4
3 4
x x
f x
x x
+

+ +
can assume, for real values of x.
Solution: This question is similar to examples 6 and 7 of the unit on Functions (Page - 19). We put ( ) , f x y
find x in terms of y and find those values of y for which x is real. These possible values of y form the
range of ( ) f x that we wish to determine.
( )
2
2
3 4
3 4
x x
f x y
x x
+

+ +
( ) ( ) ( )
2
1 3 1 4 1 0 y x y x y + + ... (i)
Example 4
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 45
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Since we want x to be real, the D of the ( i ) above must be non-negative (this condition places a
restriction on the values that y can take and hence gives us the range)
0 D
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
3 1 16 1 y y +
2 2
9 18 9 16 16 32 y y y y + + +
2
7 50 7 0 y y +
( )( ) 7 1 7 0 y y
1
7
7
y
For these values of y, x is real in (i). Hence ( ) f x can take only these values. Our range is
1
, 7
7
R
1

1
]

Find the set of real values of the parameter c so that
2
2
2
4 3
x x c
x x c
+ +
+ +
can take all real values for
. x!
Solution: We want the given expression to assume all real values (for appropriate x), i.e, we want the range of
the given expression to be . !
2
2
2
4 3
x x c
y
x x c
+ +

+ +
( ) ( ) ( )
2
1 2 4 1 3 0 y x y x c y + + .
For x to be real, the D for this equation should be non-negative
( ) ( )( )
2
4 1 2 4 1 1 3 y c y y
( )
2 2
4 4 1 3 4 1 y y c y y + +
( ) ( ) ( )
2
4 3 4 4 1 0 c y c y c + + ... (i)
Example 5
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 46
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Now comes the crucial step. Since we want the range of y to be
!
, the constraint (i) should be
satisfied by each real value of y. This means that the parabola for the left hand side of (i) should not go
below the axis for any value of y.

The discriminant for the left hand side of (i) cannot be positive
D of (i)
0
( ) ( )( )
2
16 1 4 1 4 3 c c c

2 2
4 8 4 3 7 4 c c c c + +

2
0 c c
( ) 1 0 c c
0 1 c

You are urged to read this example carefully more than once until you understand it completely.
Find the minimum value of
( )
( )( )
( )
x a x b
f x
x c
+ +

+
where , , x c a c b c > > >
Solution: Following the approach of the last two examples, we let
( )( )
( )
x a x b
y
x c
+ +

+
( ) ( )
2
0. x a b y x ab cy + + +
Since x is real,
0 D
( ) ( )
2
4 0 a b y ab cy +
( ) ( )
2
2
2 2 4 0 y a b c y a b ab + + +
( ) ( )
2
2
2 2 0 y a b c y a b + + ...(i)
Example 6
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 47
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
The roots of this quadratic expression in y are
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2
1 2
2 2 4 2 4
,
2
a b c a b c a b
y y
+ t +

( ) ( )
2
2 4 4 4 a b c ab c c a b + t + +
( )
2
2 2 a b c ab c c a b + t + +
( )( ) 2 2 a b c a c b c + t
( ) ( ) ( )( ) 2 a c b c a c b c + t
( )
2
a c b c t
Let
( ) ( )
2 2
1 2
and y a c b c y a c b c +
The solution for y in (i) is
1
y y and
2
y y
We can discard the solution
1
y y (why ?) so that
2
. y y The minimum value of y is y
2
or
( )
2
min
y a c b c +
Find the values of a for which the inequality
2
3 0 x x a + < is satisfied by at least one negative x.
Solution: Although this example can be solved analytically, we will follow a graphical approach here and the
reader will see just how powerful thinking in terms of graphs is. The given inequality can be written as:
2
3 x a x <
This should be satisfied for at least one negative value of x. Equivalently stated, the graph of x a
should lie beneath the graph of ( )
2
3 x for at least one negative value of x.
Example 7
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 48
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
The graph of
2
3 x is fixed:
Fig - 37
x
f(x)
f(x)=3-x
2
3
3
-
3
The graph of x a is a left or right-shifted version of the graph of x , depending on the value of a.
We need a to be such a value so that the graph of x a goes beneath that of ( )
2
3 x for some
negative x.
Imagine that we start with large negative values of a so that the graph is left shifted to a large extent.
Fig - 38
x
f(x)
f(x)=3-x
2
3
x-a
3
-
3
As we decrease the magnitude of a, the mod-graph shifts to the right. At some point (some particular
value of a, a = a
1
), the right arm of the mod-graph just touches the parabola (becomes a tangent to it)
Fig - 39
x
f(x)
x-a
3-x
2
a=a
1
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 49
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
As we further right-shift the mod-graph, the right arm of the mod graph goes below the parabola for
some negative values of x.
Fig - 40
x
f(x)
x-a
3-x
2
In fact, after a point, the left arm also goes below the parabola for certain negative values of x (you are
urged to visualise all this). The left arm remains below the parabola for certain negative x values until
the other extreme is achieved (at another value of a, a = a
2
, when the left arm passes through the
vertex of the parabola)

Fig - 41
x
x-a
3-x
2
a=a
2
Hence, when
1 2
, a a a < < at least one of the arms of the mod-graph will be below the parabola for
some negative values of x. We can, using coordinate geometry, evaluate a
1
and a
2
to be
13
4

and 3
respectively. Therefore
13
, 3
4
a
_


,

The description above is extremely long but you must realise that this elaborate discussion is for the
sake of your understanding; while actually solving this problem in an exam all this discussion would
have to be done purely in the mind!
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 50
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
For what values of the parameter a does the equation
4 3 2
2 2 1 0 x ax x ax + + + +
have at least two distinct
negative roots.
Solution: This is a fourth degree polynomial.
Notice that the coefficients are symmetric about the middle, so that some useful manipulation can
be done:
We divide the equation by x
2
to get
2
2
2 1
2 1 0
a
x ax
x x
+ + + +
2
2
1 1
2 1 0 x a x
x x
_
+ + + +

,
2
1 1
2 2 1 0 x a x
x x
_ _
+ + + +

, ,
2
2 1 0 y y +
where
1
y x
x
+
The roots for this equation are:
2
1 y a a t +
Let
2
1
1 x a a
x
+ + +
... (i)
( )
2 2
1 1 0 x a a x + + +
2
1 0 S a a + >
P = 1 > 0
so that both roots of (i) are positive
Therefore, for at least two negative roots, both roots of
2
1
1 x a a
x
+ +
... (ii)
should be negative
Example 8
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 51
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
( )
2 2
1 1 0 x a a x + + + +
... (iii)
( )
2
1 0 S a a + + <
1 0 P >
Hence, both the roots will be negative. But we have to still ensure that a satisfies the basic constraint
D > 0 for equation (iii)
( )
2
2
0 1 4 D a a > + + >
( )( )
2 2
1 2 1 2 0 a a a a + + + + + >
Since the first term is always positive, the inequality above reduces to
2
1 2 a a + >
This can easily be solved graphically (or analytically) to get
3
4
a >

If , are the roots of
2
0 ax bx c + +
and , + + are the roots of
2
0 Ax Bx C + +
. for some constant

, then prove that

2 2
2 2
4 4 b ac B AC
a A

Solution: This result can be achieved by some straight forward algebraic manipulation.
b c
a a
+
( )( ) 2
B C
A A
+ + + +
L.H.S
2
2
2
4
4
b ac b c
a a a
_ _


, ,

( )
2
4 +

( )
2

Example 9
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 52
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
R.H.S
2
4
B C
A A
_


,

( ) ( )( )
2
2 4 + + + +

( ) ( ) { } ( )( )
2
4 + + + + +

( ) ( ) { }
2
+ +

( )
2

Prove that the equation
( )
1 1 1
0 , 0 a b
x x a x b
+ + >
+
has two roots, one each in the intervals
2
,
3 3
a a _


,
and
2
,
3 3
b b _

,
Solution: The given equation, when written in the form of a standard quadratic equation, becomes
( )
2
3 2 0 x a b x ab +
Let the left hand expression be denoted by ( ). f x To prove that a root of ( ) f x lies between
2
3
a

and
,
3
a

the obvious thing to do is evaluate

2
3
a
f
_

,
and
3
a
f
_

,
and show that these are
opposite signs, or,
2
0
3 3
a a
f f
_ _
<

, ,
( ) ( )
2 2
4 2 2 4
3 3 3 3 3 3
a a b ab a a b a a a a
f f ab
_ _
_ _


, ,
, ,
( )
2
0
9
a b
a b + <
Example 10
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 53
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Similarly
( ) ( )
2 2
2 4
2 4
3 3 3 3 3 3
b a b ab b a b
b b b b
f f ab
_ _
_ _
+ +

, ,
, ,
( )
2
0
9
ab
a b

+ <
Hence, the given statement has been proved
If a, b, c, d be real numbers in G. P and u, v, w satisfy the equations
2 3 6 4 5 6 12 6 9 4 u v w u v w u v + + + + +
then show that the roots of the equations
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
( )
2 2 2
2
1 1 1
0 x b c c a d b x u v w
u v w
_
+ + + + + + + +

,
and
( )
2
2
20 10 9 0 x a d x + are reciprocal to each other.
Solution: To simplify this (enormous!) equation, we first simply solve the three given equation for u, v, w to get
5 1 2
3 3 3
u v w
Now, since a, b, c, d are in G. P, we let
2 3
, , b ar c ar d ar
The coefficient of x in the given equation is
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2
b c c a d b + +
( ) ( ) ( )
{ }
2 2 2
2 2 2 3
1 a r r r r r + +
( ) ( )
2
2
2 2
1 1 a r r r + +
( )
2
2 3
1 a r
( )
2
d a
Example 11
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 54
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Therefore, the given equation reduces to (verify)
( )
2
2
9 10 20 0 x d a x + +
If , are its roots, then:
( )
2 10 20
,
9 9
d a +
Now let us find the equation whose roots are
1 1
, :

( )
2 1 1 1
2
1 1 1 9
20
d a



+
+

The equation is
( )
2
2
1 9
0
2 20
x d a +
or
( )
2
2
20 10 9 0 x a d +
This is the second given equation. Hence the roots of these two given equations are reciprocal of each
other
If is such that sin 2 0, then show that the value of the expression
( )
2
2
2 cos 2 1
2 cos 2 1
x x
x
x x

+ +

+ +
!
always lies
between
2 2
2 2
cos sin
and
cos sin


Solution: This is again a question of finding the range of the given expression.
We let
2
2
2 cos 2 1
2 cos 2 1
x x
y
x x

+ +

+ +
Example 12
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 55
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
( ) ( ) ( )
2
1 2 cos 2 cos 2 1 0 y x y x y + +
Since x is real, the D for this equation is non-negative
( ) ( )
2
2
2 2
0 4 cos cos 4 1 D y y

2 2 2 2 2 2
cos 2 cos 2 2 cos cos 1 2 y y y y + +
( ) ( ) ( )
2 2 2
cos 2 1 2 1 cos 2 cos 2 cos 2 1 0 y y + + ... (i)
The roots of this expression are
( ) ( ) ( )( )
( )
2
2 2
1 1
2
cos 2 cos 2 1 1 cos 2 cos 2 cos 2 1 cos 2 1
,
cos 2 1
y y

( )
2 2
2
cos 2 cos 2 1 cos 2 cos 2 2cos 2 cos 2
cos 2 1

( ) ( )
2
cos 2 cos 2 1 cos 2 cos 2
cos 2 1

( )( ) ( )( )
2 2
cos 2 1 cos 2 1 cos 2 1 cos 2 1
,
cos 2 1 cos 2 1


+ +

cos 2 1 cos 2 1
,
cos 2 1 cos 2 1


+

+

2 2
2 2
sin cos
,
sin cos

Notice that in (i), the coefficient of y

2
is negative so its solution will be all y lying between the roots.
Hence,
y lies between
2 2
2 2
sin cos
and
sin cos



L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 56
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Q. 1 Let
( )
( )( )
( )
1 5
.
3
x x
f x
x
+

Find the domain of ( ) f x

Q. 2 Solve the following inequalities
(a)
1 4 4 1 1
1 2 3 4 30 x x x x
+ <

(b)
2
2 3 1
12 2
x
x x
+

+
(c)
2
2
3 1
3
1
x x
x x

<
+ +
(d)
2
3
2
5 6
x
x x

+
(e) ( )
2
3
log 2 6 5 1 x x + >
(f) ( ) 2
1
log 1 1
x
x

+ <
Q. 3 Find the smallest integer x such that
2
5
0
5 14
x
x x

>
+
* * * * * * * *
TRY YOURSELF - IV
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 57
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Q. 1 (a) For what real values of a does the range of the function
2
1
1
x
y
a x

+
not contain any values belonging
to the interval [ ] 1, 1/ 3 ?
(b) For what real values of a does the range of the function
2
1
1
x
y
x a

not contain any value from the
interval [1, 1]?
Q. 2 Show that the value of the expression
( )
( )
tan
tan
x
x

cannot lie between the value of

2
tan
4

,
and
2
tan
4

_
+

,
Q. 3 If ( )
2
2
,
1
x ax a
f x
x x
+ +

+ +
then find the values of a for which ( ) 3 f x > is satisfied for at least one
x

!
Q. 4 For what value of a in the interval
7 7
,
6 4
1
1
]
does the quadratic expression
( )
2
cot 2 tan tan x a x a a + +
assume only positive values.
Q. 5 If
2
2
3 4
,
3 4
ax x
y
a x x
+

+
find the values of a for which y takes all real values for real values of x.
Q. 6 For any real x, show that the value of the expression ( )
( )
2 2
2 k x x x k + + cannot exceed 2k
2
.
Q. 7 Prove that
4 2
4 2
1 sec 3tan
1
3 sec tan

<

Q. 8 Find the real values of a for which the equation

( ) ( )
2
2 2 2
tan 1 4 tan tan 1 16tan 0 a + + + +
has four distinct real roots in
0,
2
_

,
EXERCISE
L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS L OCUS 58
MATHS / QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND EXPRESSIONS
Q. 9 Find all real values of the parameter a for which the least value of the expression
( )
2 2
4 4 2 2 x ax a a + + on the interval 0 2is 3. x
Q. 10 Find the values of a for which the zeroes of the function ( ) ( ) ( )
2
2 2 3 f x a x ax a + + + lie in the
interval (2, 1)
Q. 11 If the roots of
2 2
0 x px q + are real, prove that p cannot lie between 2q and 2q.
Q. 12 If the ratio of the roots of
2
0 lx nx n + +
is p : q, then prove that
0
p q n
q p l
+ t
Q. 13 If the roots of
1 1 1
x p x q r
+
+ +
are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign show that 2 p q r +
and the product of roots
( )
2 2
.
2
p q +

Q. 14 Prove that
( ) ( )
2
2 2 2
1 2 1 2
..... .....
n n
a a a a a a + + + + + +
Q. 15 Let ( )
2
, f x ax bx c + + where , , . a b c ! Suppose ( ) 1 f x for every [ ] 0,1 x . Show that
17. a b c + +