THEORY OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS / INEQUATIONS /

ALGEBRAIC EQUATIONS
Syllabus IIT JEE : Quadratic equations with real coefficients, relations between roots and
coefficients, formation of quadratic equations with given roots, symmetric functions of roots.
1ST LECTURE :
QUADRATIC POLYNOMIAL :
A polynomial of degree two in one variable of the type
y = ax2 + bx + c where a  0, a, b, c  R is called a quadratic polynomial, where
a = leading coefficient of the trinomial
c = absolute term of the trinomial
In case a = 0 , y = bx + c, is called a linear polynomial. (b  0 )
If c = 0 then y = bx is called an odd linear polynomial
The standard appearance of a polynomial of degree n is
y = f (x) = anxn + an – 1xn – 1 + an – 2 xn – 2 + ....... + a0 when an  0 and ai's =  R
(note that a polynomial of degree 3 is called a cubic and of degree 4 is called a
biquadratic polynomial)
Now for different values of a, b, c, if graph of y = ax2 + bx + c is plotted then the
following 6 different shapes are obtained. The graph is called a parabola.

EXPLANATION OF ABOVE GRAPHS :

The first 3 figures are obtained when a > 0. Here the mouth of the parabola opens
upwards. Shape resembles that of a cup, filling water or sign of union. Last 3 graphs
are obtained when a < 0. Here the mouth of the parabola opens downwards. Shape
resembles that of a cup, spilling water or sign of intersection.
Figure-1 is indicative that there are two values of x for which the value of y is zero.
These values x = x1 or x = x2 are called the zeroes of the polynomial.
Note that for x > x2 or x < x1, y is positive whereas for x1 < x < x2, y is negative. In this
case y can take both positive and negative values.
In figure-2 the curve touches the axis of x. Here both zeroes of the polynomial coincide.
Note that in this case the value of y is always non negative for all x  R.
In figure-3 the curve completely lies above the x-axis. There is no real zero and the
value of y is always greater than zero for all x  R. This is an important case.
 Solving a quadratic equation would mean finding the value or values of x for which
ax2 + bx + c vanishes and these values of x are also called the roots of the quadratic
equation or zeroes of the corresponding quadratic polynomial. Two methods of solving
a quadratic equation and
(1) graphical (not very useful) (2) algebraic
ALGEBRAIC METHOD :
ax2 + bx + c = 0 a  0, a, b, c  R
b c
x2 + x + = 0 (a  0)
a a
2
 b  b2 c b 2  4ac
x   = – =
 2a  4a 2 a 4a 2
b b 2  4ac
x+ =±
2a 2a
 b  b 2  4ac
x= (Vietta's theorem)
2a
b D b D
Hence = and  = where D = b2 – 4ac
2a 2a
2
The quantity D = b – 4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation and plays
a very vital role in deciding the nature of roots of the equation without actually
determining them. Now
If D > 0 then roots are real. (This corresponds to the figure-1 or figure-4 depending on
the sign of 'a')
If D = 0 roots are coincident. (This corresponds to the figure-2 or figure-5)
If D  0 roots are real
If D < 0 no real roots. Infact roots are complex conjugate. This corresponds to
figure-3 or figure-6.
We therefore see that the condition for y = ax2 + bx + c to be + ve  x  R becomes
a > 0 and D < 0. Similarly ax2 + bx + c < 0  x  R if a < 0 and D < 0.
Note :
(1) In case the coefficient of quadratic equation are rational then the roots are rational if
D > 0 and is a perfect square.
(2) Irrational roots occur in pair of conjugate surd i.e. if one root is 2 + 3 the other is 2– 3 .
(3) If coefficient of quadratic equation are real and one root is  + i then other root is  – i.
RELATION BETWEEN ROOTS AND COEFFICIENT OF QUADRATIC
EQUATION :
ax2 + bx + c = 0, a  0, a, b, c  R
b c
If ,  are the roots then  +  = – ;  =
a a
Hence we can form the quadratic equation if the sum and product of its roots are known
b c
i.e. x2 + x + = 0
a a
b c
x2 – (– )x + = 0
 (a) cos36° (b) tan (c) tan (d) cos
12 8 8
Note :
c
(a) If exactly one root of quadratic equation is 0, then P = 0  = 0  c = 0 and the
a
quadratic becomes ax2 + bx = 0.
(b) If both roots of the quadratic equation are zero then S = 0 and P = 0  b = c = 0 and
the quadratic equation becomes x2 = 0.
1
(c) If one root is , put x = in ax2 + bx + c = 0, we get
y
a
cy2 + by + a = 0 must have one root zero  P = 0 i.e. =0
c
b
Hence , a = 0 and –  0  b  0.
c
original quadratic equation becomes bx + c = 0
(d) When both roots of the quadratic equation are infinity then. The quadratic equation
cy2 + by + a = 0 must have both roots zero.
b a
i.e. – = 0 and = 0  b = 0 ; a = 0 and c  0.
c c
In this case the equation becomes y = c.
e.g. if (2p – q)x2 + (p – 1)x + 5 = 0 has both roots infinite. Find p and q.
[Ans. p = 1 ; q = 2]
(e) If f (, ) = f (, ) then f (, ) denotes symmetric functions of roots.
e.g. f (, ) = 2 + 2 ; f (, ) = cos ( – )
It is to be noted that every symmetric function in ,  can be expressed in terms of
two symmetric functions  +  and .

ILLUSTRATION FOR THE FIRST LECTURE :

1. Graph of y = ax2 + bx + c is as shown in the figure then
(i) a < 0 (ii) D > 0 (iii) S > 0 (iv) P < 0
b c
(v) – > 0 (b > 0) (vi) < 0 (c > 0)
a a
(vii) b and c have the same sign and different than a.
2. The quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 has no real root, then prove that
c (a + b + c) > 0
[Hint: both f (0) and f (1) have the same sign  f (0) · f (1) > 0  result ]
3. Find the set of values of 'a' for which the quadratic polynomial
(i) (a + 4)x2 – 2ax + 2a – 6 < 0  x  R [Ans. (– , – 6)]
(ii) (a – 1)x – (a + 1)x + (a + 1) > 0  x  R
2 [Ans. (5/3, ) ]
4. If ,  are the roots of the quadratic equation x2 – 2x + 5 = 0 then form a quadratic
equation whose roots are 3 + 2–  + 22 and 3 + 42– 7 + 35.
[Hint : 2 – 2 + 5 = 0  3 + 2 –  + 22 = 7 & 2 – 2 + 5 = 0  3 + 42 – 7 + 35=5]
5. If f (x) = ax2+bx+c > 0  xR then prove that g (x) =f (x)+ f '(x)+ f "(x)>0 ( x  R)
 order) i.e. p, q, r are in H.P.
8. If a quadratic equation (in x or y) is formed from y2 = 4ax and y = mx + c and has
equal roots then prove that c = a/m.

9. If x = 3  5 find the value of x4 – 12x3 + 44x2 – 48 x + 17. [Ans. 1]

10. If the roots of the quadratic equation (x – a) (x – b) – k = 0

are c and d then prove that a and b are the roots of the
quadratic equation (x – c) (x – d) + K = 0.
[Sol. x2 – (a + b)x + ab – K = 0
 c+d=a+b
cd = ab – k must be true
TPT (x – c)(x – d) + K = 0
x2 – (a + d)x + cd + K = 0
 a+b=c+d ....(1)
ab = cd + K ....(2)
Hence Proved ]
11. For what value of p the vertex of the parabola if x2 + 2px + 13 lies at a distance of
5 unit from the origin.
12. Find the least value of the function f (x) = 2bx2 – x4 – 3b2 in [–2, 1] depending on the
parameter b. [Ans. for b  (– , 2] least value is f (4) = 8b – 3b2 – 16 ;
for b  [2, ) least value is f (0) = – 3b2 ]
13. Find all numbers p for each of which the least value of the quadratic trinomial
4x2 – 4px + p2 – 2p + 2 on the interval 0  x  2 is equal to 3.
[Ans. p = 1 – 2 or 5 + 10 ]
14. If the roots of ax2 + 2bx + c = 0 be possible and different, then the roots of
(a + c) (ax2 + 2bx + c) = 2(ac – b2)(x2 + 1)
will be impossible, and vice versa.
[Hint: 4(ac – b2) [(a– c)2 + 4b2] ]
Home work after 1st lecture :
Q. No. 26 to 71 Page 34 Prilepko + Exercise - 9 (a) of H & K.

2ND LECTURE
If a quadratic equation has more than 2 roots then it becomes an identity.

Proof : Let ax2 + bx + c = 0

Hence a2 + b + c = 0 ....(1)
2
a + b + c = 0 ....(2)
2
a + b + c = 0 ....(3)
From equation (1) and (2)
a(2 – 2) + b( – ) = 0
 by subtraction, (4) and (5)
a( – ) = 0
  , hence a = 0
if a = 0  b = 0  c=0
2
Hence QE becomes 0x + 0x + 0 = 0 which is an identity.
EXAMPLES :
1. For what values of p, the equation
(p + 2)(p – 1)x2 + (p – 1) (2p + 1) x + p2 – 1 = 0 has more than two roots.
( x  a )( x  b) ( x  b)( x  c) ( x  c)( x  a )
2. + + =1
(c  a )(c  b) (a  b)(a  c) (b  c)(b  a )

a 2 ( x  b)(x  c) b 2 ( x  c)( x  a ) c 2 ( x  a )( x  b)
3. + + = x2
(a  b)(a  c) (b  c)(b  a ) (c  a )(c  b)

(a  x ) 2 (b  x )2 (c  x ) 2
4. + + =1
(a  b)(a  c) (b  c)(b  a ) (c  a )(c  b)
[Ans. x = – a ; – b ; – c are the solutions ]
Solving quadratic and rational inequalities. (Method of intervals)
Type-1 : Quadratic inequality involving non-repeated linear factors.
(1) 3x2 – 7x + 6 < 0 [Ans. x  ]
(2) (x2 – x – 6)(x2 + 6x)  0 (Asking)
5 2 x3
(3) Solve f ' (x)  g ' (x) where f (x) = 5 – 3x + x – , g (x) = 3x – 7. [Ans. [2, 3] ]
2 3
Type-2 : Quadratic inequality involving Repeated linear factos.
(1) (x + 1)(x – 3)(x – 2)2  0. [Ans. (– , –1)  (3, )]
(2) x(x + 6)(x + 2)2(x – 3) > 0 [Ans. (–6, 0)(x +1)3 – {2} ]
(3) (x – 1)2(x + 1)3(x – 4) < 0 [Ans. (–1, 4) – {1} ]
x 3 (2x  3) 2 ( x  4)6
(4) Number of positive integral solution of 0
( x  3)3 (3x  8)4
(A) only one (B) 2 (C*) 3 (D) 4
[Hint: x  {1, 2, 4} ]
f (x )
Type-3 : Quadratic / algebraic inequality of the type of . (Rational inequality)
g(x)

2x  3 3 7 x 2  5x  12 1
(1) [(–, )  ( , + )] (2) >3 [ ( , 3)]
3x  7 2 3 x 2  4x  5 2

x 2  5x  6 ( x  1)2 ( x  1)3
(3) < 0 [(2, 3)] (4) < 0 [(–1, 2) – {0, 1}]
x2  x  1 x 4 ( x  2)
x 1 x5 2( x  4) 1
(5)  [(– , – 1)  (1, 3)] (6)  [(1, 2)  (7, + ) ]
 | x  4|
x 2  4x  4 1
(8) 2 >0 [(– , – 2)  (– 2, – )  (–1, ) ]
2x  x  1 2
Type-4 : Double inequality and biquadratic inequality.
3x 2  7 x  8
(1) 1< 2
x2  1
 3x 2  7 x  8 
(2) For what value of 'x' sin–1  2
 is meaningful.

 x  1 
(3) (x2 + 3x + 1) (x2 + 3x – 3)  0 [Ans. (–, – 4]  [–2, –1]  [1, ) ]
( 2 x  3)
(4) (x2 + 3x)(2x + 3) – 16  0.
( x 2  3x )
CONDITION OF COMMON ROOTS :
Let a1x2 + b1x + c1= 0 and a2x2 + b2x + c2 = 0 have a common root .
Hence a12 + b1 + c1 = 0
a22 + b2 + c2 = 0
by cross multiplication
2  1
= a c a c = a b a b
b1c 2  b 2c1 2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1

b1c 2  b 2c1 a 2c1  a1c 2

  = a c a c = a b a b
2 1 1 2 1 2 2 1
Which is the required condition.
This is also the condition that the two quadratic functions a1x2 + b1x y + c1y2 and
a2x2 + b2x y + c2y2 may have a common factor.
a 2 b1 c1
Note: If both roots of the given equations are common then  
a1 b 2 c2

EXAMPLES :
1. Find the value of k for which the equations 3x2 + 4kx + 2 = 0 and 2x2 + 3x – 2 = 0
7 11
have a common root. [Ans. k = or – ]
4 8
1 1
[Hint: From the 2nd equation x = or x = – 2. Either x = or x =– 2 may be the common
2 2
root]
2. If the quadratic equation x2 + bx + c = 0 and x2 + cx + b = 0 (b  c) have a common
root then prove that their uncommon roots are the roots of the equation x2 + x+bc=0
[Hint: 2 + b + c = 0
2 + c + b = 0
2  1
 where 1 and 2 are the common root
 required equation x2 – (b + c)x + bc = 0
but – (b + c) = 1
 x2 + x + bc = 0 ]
Home Work after Q.No. 2.
If the equations x2 + abx + c = 0 and x2 + acx + b = 0 have a common root then show
that the quadratic equation containing their other common roots is
a (b + c)x2 + (b + c)x – abc = 0
3.(a) Find the value of p and q if the equation px2 + 5x + 2 = 0 and 3x2 + 10x + q = 0 have
p 5 2 3
both roots is common. [Hint: = = ] [Ans. p = ; q = 4]
3 10 q 2
2 2
(b) If the equation x – 4x + 5 = 0 and x + ax + b = 0 have a common root find a and b.
[Hint: since roots of 1st are imaginary hence both roots must be common]
4. If the equation 4x2 sin2 – (4sin)x + 1 = 0 and
a2(b2 – c2)x2 + b2(c2 – a2)x + c2(a2–b2) = 0 have a common root and the 2nd equation
has equal root find the possible values of  in (0, ).
 5 1
[Hint: x = 1 is the common ( = or ) put in equation to get sin= ]
6 6 2
5. If one root of the quadratic equation x2 – x + 3a = 0 is double the root of the equation
x2 – x + a = 0 then find the value of 'a' (a  0)

[Hint: x2 – x + 3a = 0 ; x2 – x + a = 0 ,

 2 –  + a = 0
42 – 2+ 3a = 0
2  1 2  1
= =  = =
 3a  2a 4a  3a  2  4 a a 2
a
  = – 1 or  =  a=–2 ]
2
6. If each pair of the equations

x 2  p1x  q1  0 
x 2  p 2 x  q 2  0 has exactly one root in common then show that
x 2  p3 x  q 3  0 

(p1 + p2 + p3)2 = 4 (p1p2 + p2p3 + p3p1 – q1 – q2 – q3)

[Sol. Let x 2 + p 1x + q 1 = 0

x 2 + p 2x + q 2 = 0

x 2 + p 3x + q 3 = 0
Now | ( + ) – ( + ) |2 = | –  |2
 |||ly p 22  p32  p12 = 2p3p4 – 4q1
and p32  p12  p 22 = 2p3p1 – 4q2
adding p12  p 22  p32 = 2  p1 p 2 – 4  q1
(p1 + p2 + p3)2 = 4[  p1 p 2   q1 ] ]
7. Find the value of '' for which the system of inequality
x2 + 2x +   0 and x2 – 4x – 6  0 has a unique solution. (Only for XIII)
[Ans.  = 0, 1]
x2
8. For what value of 'a' do the curves y = 1 + and y = 4 x possesses only one point
a3
in common. [Only for XIII] [Ans. a = 1/3 or a < 0]
Home Work : General inequaliteis from Prilepko.

3RD LECTURE
MAXIMUM AND MINMUM VALUES OF QUADRATIC AND
RATIONAL FUNCTIONS :
b
(1) y = ax2 + bx + c attains its maximum or minima at the point with abscissa x = –
2a
according as a < 0 or a > 0.
(2) Maximum or minimum value can also be obtained by making a perfect square and then
taking an interpretation.
Ex. y = 2x2 – 3x + 1 find the minimum value.
y = 7 + 5x – 2x2 find the maximum value.

(3) For computing the maximum or minimum values of rational function consider the
following examples :
EXAMPLES :
x 2  3x  4 1
1. If x is real then lies from and 7.
x 2  3x  4 7
dy 6( x 2  4)
[Sol. = 2 which vanishes where x = 2 or – 2 ;
dx ( x  3x  4) 2
1
f (2) = & f (–2) = 7
7
Note that y is always > 0 as both Nr & Dr > 0,  x  R
The graph is as follows
1 
Note :  , 7  is also the range of the given function. ]
7 
 2( x  3)
can have all numerical values except which lie between 2
and 6.
2
dy 1 x  6x  5
[Sol. = =0  x=1 & x=5
dx 2 ( x  3) 2
y |x = 1 = 2 ; y |x = 5 = 6 ]

( x  1)( x  2)
3. Prove that y = can have any
x ( x  3)
value in (– , ) for x  R.

dy 2(2x 2  x  3)
[Sol. =   xR
dx ( x 2  3x ) 2
y  in (– , – 3)  (– 3, 0)  (0, ) ]
x 2  14 x  9
4. Find the maximum and minimum value of y =  x  R.
x 2  2x  3
[Ans. Maximum = 4 ; minimum = – 5]
ax 2  7 x  5
5. Find all possible values of 'a' for which the expression may be capable
5x 2  7 x  a
of all values, x being any real quantity. [Ans. a  (– 12, 2)]
[Hint: For common roots between Nr and Dr
ax2 – 7x + 5 = 0
5x2 – 7x + a = 0
2  1
= =
 7a  35 25  a 2  7(a  5)
a5
2  1 7 a5
= =  =  a = 2 or a = – 12
7 a5 7 a5 7
Hence for a = 2 or a = – 12 we have a common factor in Nr & Dr.
for a = 2
2x 2  7 x  5 (2 x  5)( x  1)
y= = ....(1)
5x 2  7 x  2 ( x  1)(5x  2)
for a = – 12
 12x 2  7 x  5 ( x  1)(5  12x )
y= = ....(2)
5x 2  7 x  12 ( x  1)(5x  12)
 y can take the value – 1 for any x.
2
in (2) when x  –1 y = 1; x  ± , y 
5
y can not take the value 1 for any x.
2x  5 x  1 2x  5
The graph of y = · = when x  1
5x  2 x  1 5x  2
dy (5x  2) 2  ( 2 x  5)5 21
= = >0  y 
dx (5x  2) 2 (5 x  2 ) 2
Note that in this case y can take all values except – 1and 2/5. Similar would be the
situation when a = – 12. Hence the values of a = 2 and – 12 are to be excluded. ]
(ax  b)(dx  c)
6. Show that the expression will be capable of all values when x is real,
(bx  a )(cx  d)
if a2 – b2 and c2 – d2 have the same sign.
[Sol. TPT (a2 – b2) (c2 – d2) > 0 (note that ad  bc)
ad x 2  (ac  bd) x  bc
y= 2  ybcx2 – (bd + ac)y x + y ad = adx2 – (ac+bd)x + bc
bc x  (bd  ac) x  ad
(ybc – ad)x2 – [ y(bd + ac) – (ac + bd)] x + (y ad – bc) = 0 as x  R
[ y(bd + ac) – (ac + bd)]2  4(y bc – ad) (y ad – bc)
(bd + ac)2·y2 + (ac + bd)2 – 2(bd + ac)(ac + bd) y  4[(abcd)y2 – (b2c2 + a2d2)y + abcd]
(ac – bd)2·y2 –2[(ac + bd)2 – 2(b2c2 + a2d2)] y + (ac – bd)2  0
(ac – bd)2·y2 –2[(ac – bd)2 – 2(bc – ad)2] y + (ac – bd)2  0
4[(ac – bd)2 – 2(bc – ad)2]2 – 4[(ac – bd)2]2  0
[(ac – bd)2 – 2(bc – ad)2 + (ac – bd)2] [(ac – bd)2 – 2(bc – ad)2 – (ac – bd)2]  0
Home Work : Exercise 9 (b) of H & K.

4TH LECTURE
A. To find the condition that a quadratic function of x, y of the type
f (x, y) = ax2 + 2hxy + by2 + 2gx + 2fy + c= 0 may be resolved into two linear factors.
The required condition is
abc + 2fgh – af2 – bg2 – ch2 = 0.

EXAMPLES :
1. If the expression 3x2 + 2pxy + 2y2 +2ax – 4y + 1 can be resolved into linear factors
then prove that p must be one of the roots of the equation t 2 + 4at + 2a2 + 6 = 0.
[Sol. a = 3, h = p, b = 2, g = a, f = – 2, c = 1
condition for this to be resolved into 2 linear factors
abc + 2fgh – af2 – bg2 – ch2 = 0
6 + (– 4ap) – 12 – 2a2 – p2 = 0
– p2 – 4ap – 2a2 – 6 = 0
p2 + 4ap + 2a2 + 6 = 0
 p is one of the roots of t2 + 4at + 2a2 + 6 = 0]
 prove that 1  x  2 and – y .
8 8
[Sol. x2 – 3x + 16y2 + 2 = 0 16y2 + x2 – 3x + 2 = 0
xR  D0 yR  D0
9 – 4(16y2 + 2)  0 – 64(x2 – 3x + 2) > 0
9 – 64y2 – 8  0 x2 – 3x + 2  0
1 – 64y2  0 (x – 2)(x – 1)  0
 64y2 – 1  0
(8y + 1)(8y – 1)  0

1 1
 – y<  x  [1, 2]
8 8
1x2 ]
(b) Show that in the equation x2 – 3xy + 2y2 – 2x – 3y – 35 = 0, for every real value of
x there is a real value of y, and for every value of y there is a real value of x.
3. Prove that the expression 2x2 + 3xy + y2 + 2y + 3x + 1 can be factorised into two
linear factors. Find them.
[Sol. a = 2, b = 1, h = 3/2, g = 3/2, f = 1, c = 1
abc + 2fgh – af2 – bg2 – ch2 = 0
9 9 9
2+ –2– –
2 4 4
9 9
– =0 ]
2 2
4. If (ax2 + bx + c)y + a' x2 + b'x + c' = 0 find the condition that x may be a rational
function of y. [Ans. (ac' – a'c)2 = (ab' – a'b) (bc' – b'c)]
[Hint: Solve for x and then D must be a perfect square. ]
[Sol. (ay + a')x2 + (by + b') x + cy + c' = 0

(by  b' )2  4(ay  a ' )(cy  c' )

2(ay + a')x = – (by + b') ±            
perfect sum

(b2y2 + b' 2 + 2bb' y) – 4[acy2 + (ac' + a'c)y + a'c' ]

(b2 – 4ac)y2 + 2[bb' – 2(ac' + a'c)] y + (b' 2 – 4a'c') = 0
4 [bb' – 2(ac' + a'c)]2 = 4(b2 – 4ac)(b' 2 – 4a'c')
on simplifying, we get
(ac' – a'c)2 = (ab' – a' b) (bc' – b'c) Ans. ]
B. THEORY OF EQUATIONS :
ax3 + bx2 + cx + d  a(x – x1) (x – x2)(x – x3)
= a [x3 – (x1) x2 + ( x1x2)x2 – x1x2x3]
b
 x 1 + x 2 + x3 = –
a
c
x 1x 2 + x 2x 3 + x 3x 4 =
a
d
and x1 x2 x3 = –
a
[Sol. 24x3 – 14x2 – 63x + 45 = 0

7
3 +  = ....(1)
12
21 21
22 + 2 +  = – ....(2) or 22 + 3 = –
8 8
15
22 = – ....(3)   must be – ve
8
7
put = – 3 in equation (2)
12
7  21
22 + 3   3  = –
 12  8
7 21
22 +  – 92 = –
4 8
7 21
– 72 +  + =0 82 – 6  + 4 – 3
4 8
 3
– 2 + + =0 2(4 – 3) + 4 – 3
4 8
3 1
82 – 2 – 3 = 0 = or  = –
4 2
3 7 9 7  27 20 5
if  = then  = – = =– =–
4 12 4 12 12 3
3 5
i.e.  = or  = –
4 3
1 7 3 7  18 25
If  = – then  = + = =
2 12 2 24 24
3 25
i.e.  = & = (does not satisfy (3) )
4 24
3 5 3 3 5
Hence  = & =– roots are , , – ]
4 3 4 2 3
Similar problem of Home Work : 24x3 + 46x2 + 9x – 9 = 0
2. Find the
(i) sum of the squares and

(ii) sum of the cubes of the roots of the cubic equation x 3 – px2 + qx – r = 0

[Sol. (i) 2 + 2 + 2 = ( +  + )2 – 2 

(ii) 3 + 3 + 3 – 3 = ( +  + ) (2 + 2 + 2 –  –  – )
  3 = ( +  + ) [2 – ] + 3
 [Ans.  ,  ,  4  ]
2 2 
 
4. , , ,  are the roots of the equation tan   x  = 3 tan3x no two of which have
4 
equal tangents, find the value of tan  + tan  + tan  + tan . [Ans. Zero]
5. Find the cubic each of whose roots is greater by unity than a root of the equation
x3 – 5x2 + 6x – 3 = 0. [Ans. y3 – 8y2 + 19y – 1 = 0]
[Sol. If y is one root of the required eqaution then y = x + 1  x = y – 1.
Now put x = y – 1 in the given equation.]
6. Form a cubic whose roots are the cubes of the roots of x3 + 3x2 + 2 = 0.
[Ans. y3 + 33y2 + 12y + 8 = 0]
[Sol.  +  +  = – 3
 = 0 ;  = – 2
y3 – (3 + 3 + 3)y2 + (33 + 33 + 33)y + 333 = 0
a3 + b3 + c3 = (a + b + c)[a2 + b2 + c2 – (ab + bc + ca)] + 3abc
a3 + b3 + c3 = (a + b + c)[(a + b + c)2 – 3(ab + bc + ca)] + 3abc
= (–3) [9] + 3 (–2)
= – 33
Similarly intercept 33 + 33 + 33 ]
7. Given the product p of sines of the angles of a triangle & product q of their cosines,
find the cubic equation, whose coefficients are functions of p & q & whose roots
are the tangents of the angles of the triangle. [REE’92, 6]
[Ans: qx  px + (1 + q) x  p = 0]
3 2

[Sol. Given sinA sinB sinC = p ; cosA cosB cosC = q

Hence tanA tanB tanC = tanA + tanB + tanC = p/q
Hence equation of cubic is
p
d i p
x 3  x 2   tan A tan B x   0
q q
...(i)
sin A sin B cos C  sin B sin C cos A  sin C sin A cos B
now  tan A tan B  cos A cos B cos C
We know that A + B + C = 
cos(A+B+C) = –1
cos(A+B) cosC – sin(A+B) sinC = –1
( cosA cosB – sinA sin B) cosC – sinC (sinA cosB + cosA sinB) = –1
1+ cosA cosB cosC= sinA sinB cosC + sinB sinC cosA + sinC sinA cosB
dividing by cosA cosB cosC
1 q
  tan A tan B
q
Hence (i) becomes qx 3  px2  (1  q ) x  p  0 Ans.]
Home Work : 9 (c) of H & K.

5TH LECTURE
LOCATION OF ROOTS:
This article deals with an elegant approach of solving problems on quadratic equations
 b
(i) a > 0 ; (ii) D  0 ; (iii) f (d) > 0 ; (iv) – >d
2a
Note : If a < 0 then intercept accordingly.
EXAMPLES ON (TYPE–1) :
1. Find all the values of the parameter 'd' for which both roots of the equation
11
x2 – 6dx + (2 – 2d + 9d2) = 0 exceed the number 3. [Ans. d > ]
9
[Sol. (i) D0
9t2 – 2 + 2t – 9t2  0
t–10
t1
b
(ii) – > 3; 3t > 3; t > 1
2a
(iii) f (3) > 0
9 – 18t + 2 – 2t + 9t2 > 0
9t2 – 20t + 11 > 0
9t2 – 9t – 11t + 11 > 0
(t – 1)(9t – 11) > 0
 t  (– , 1)  (11/9, )
 Intersection of (i), (ii) and (iii) is t > 11/9 ]
2. Find all the values of 'a' for which both roots of the equation x2 + x + a = 0 exceed the
quantity 'a'. [Ans. (– , – 2)]
[Sol. (i) D0
1 – 4a  0
4a  1
a  1/4
b 1 1
(ii) – > a; – > a; a<–
2a 2 2
(iii) f (a) > 0
a2 + 2a > 0
a(a + 2) > 0
 a  (– , –2)  (0, )
 a  (– , – 2) Ans. ]
3. Determine the values of 'a' for which both roots of the quadratic equation
(a2 + a – 2)x2 – (a + 5)x – 2 = 0 exceed the number minus one.
[Ans. (– , –2)  (–1, – 1/2)  (1, )]
4. Find the values of a > 0 for which both the roots of equation ax2 – (a + 1)x + a – 2 = 0
are greater than 3.
Type–2 : Both roots lie on either of a fixed number say (d). Alternatively one root is
greater than 'd' and other less than 'd' or 'd' lies between the roots of the given
equation.
 (i) a > 0  (i) a < 0
and (ii) f (d) < 0 or (ii) f (d) > 0

Note that no consideration for discriminant will be useful here.
EXAMPLES ON (TYPE–2) :
1. Find the value of k for which one root of the equation of x2 – (k + 1)x + k2 + k–8=0
exceed 2 and other is smaller than 2. [Ans. k  (–2, 3)]
[Sol. since a > 0 f (0) < 0  f (2) < 0
 2
4 – 2(k + 1) + k + k – 8 < 0
k2 – K + 6 < 0
(k + 2)(k – 3) < 0

 k  (–2, 3) ]
2. Find the set of values of 'a' for which zeroes of the quadratic polynomial
(a2 + a + 1) x2 + (a – 1)x + a2 are located on either side of 3. [Ans. ]
[Sol. Leading co-efficient is always + ve
 f (3) < 0
 9a2 + 9a + 9 + 3a – 3 + a2 < 0
10a2 + 12a + 6 < 0
5a2 + 6a + 3 < 0
This is always + ve as 5 > 0
 D<0
 a  Ans.]
Type–3 : Exactly one root lies in the interval (d, e) when d < e.
Conditions for this are :
(i) a  0 ; (ii) f (d) · f (e) < 0

EXAMPLES ON (TYPE–3) :
1. Find the set of values of m for which exactly one root of the equation
x2 + mx + (m2 + 6m) = 0 lie in (–2, 0) [Ans. (– 6, – 2)  (–2, 0)]
2. Find all possible values of 'a' for which exactly one root of the quadratic equation
x2 – (a + 1)x + 2a = 0 lie in the interval (0, 3). [Ans. (– , 0]  (6, )]
Note : In this case also check for end points. If interval is closed say [d, e] then
f (d) = 0 or f (e) = 0  no other root should lie in (d, e)
Type–4 : When both roots are confined between the number d and e (d < e). Conditions
for this are
(i) a > 0 ; (ii) D  0 ; (iii) f (d) > 0 ; (iv) f (e) > 0
b
d<– <e
2a
EXAMPLES ON (TYPE–4) :
1. If ,  are the roots of the quadratic equation
x2 + 2(k – 3)x + 9 = 0 (  ). If ,   (–6, 1) then find the values of k.
 27 
[Ans.  6, ]
 4 
 (i) f (d) < 0 and f (e) < 0 if (a > 0)
EXAMPLES ON (TYPE–5) :
1. Find all the values of k for which one root of the quadratic equation
(k – 5)x2 – 2kx + k – 4 = 0 is smaller than 1 and the other root exceed 2. [Ans. (5, 24)]

GENERAL AND MIXED PROBLEM :

(1) For y = f (x) = ax2 + bx + c
if f (p) < 0 and f (q) > 0
i.e. f (p) f (q) < 0  then the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 has one root lying between
p and q.

EXAMPLES :
1. Let  be a real root of the equation ax2 + bx + c and  be a real root of the equation
a 2
– ax2 + bx + c = 0. Show that there exists a root  of the equation x  bx  c = 0
2
that lie between  and . (,   0).
[Sol.  is a root of equation ax2 + bx + c = 0
 a2 + b + c = 0 ....(1)
similarly –  + b + c = 0
2 ....(2)
a 2
Let f (x) = x + bx + c ....(3)
2
a a
Now f () = 2 + b + c = 2 – a2 {From (1)}
2 2
a
= – 2
2
a 2 a
and f () =  + b + c = 2 + a2 {From (2)}
2 2
3 2
= a
2
3 2 2 2
Now f () f () = – a   < 0 [ ,   0]
4
 f () and f () have opposite signs, therefore equation f (x) = 0 will have exactly
one root between  and  if  <  or one root between  and  if  < .
2. If a < b < c < d, then show that the quadratic equation (x – a)(x – c) + (x – b)(x – d)=0
has real roots for all real values of .
[Sol. Let f (x) = (x – a) (x – c) +  (x – b)(x – d)
Given, a < b < c < d
Now, f (b) = (b – a) (b – c) < 0 [ b – a > 0 and b – c < 0]
and f (d) = (d – a)(d – c) > 0
Since f (b) and f (d) have opposite signs therefore, equation f (x) = 0 has one real
root between b and d.
Since one root is real and a, b, c, d,  are real therefore, other root will also be real.
Hence equation f (x) = 0 has real roots for all real values of . ]
[Sol. f (x) = (a2 + 3)x2 + (a + 2)x – 5
Case-I: when f (0) < 0
obviously there is atleast one negative x for which f (x) < 0
 f (0) = – 5 which is always true for any a  R
Case-II: If f (0) > 0
and D > 0
b
and – <0
2a
 f (0) > 0 is not possible. Hence f
 a  R]

3(b) If f (x) = 4x2 + ax + (a – 3) is negative for atleast one x, find all possible values of a.
[Sol. Case-I: if f (0) < 0
a–3<0  a<3
a  (– , + 3)
Case-II: if f (0)  0 and
b
D > 0 and – <0
2a
f (0) > 0 gives a – 3  0  a3 ....(1)
2
D > 0 gives a – 16(a – 3) > 0
a2 – 16a – 48 > 0
(a – 12)(a – 4) > 0  a > 12 or a < 4 ....(2)
b a
– < 0 gives – < 0  a>0 ....(3)
2a 8
from (1), (2) and (3)
a [3, 4)  (12, )
finally a  (– , 4)  (12, ) ]

4. Find the values of a for which the equation x2 + 2(a – 1)x + a + 5 = 0 has at least one
positive root. [Ans. a  – 1]
5. Let a, b, c  R a  0. If  and  be the roots of equation ax2 +bx + c = 0,
c 1 b
where  < – n and  > n, then show that 1 + 2
 < 0, n  N.
an n a
[Sol. ax2 +bx + c = 0
b c
f (x) = x2 + x+ =0
a a
f (x) < 0 and f (–x) < 0
b c
 x2 + x+ <0
a a
b c
and x2 – x+ <0
a a
b c
hence 1 + + 2 <0 ....(1)
 ax ax
This two inequalities must simultaneously be true
note that the prodction of the roots is  < – n2
c c
< – n2 or +1<D
a ax 2
c 1 b
consider E = 1 2  ....(2)
 ax n a
 ve

c 1 b
if b/a > 0 then E = 1 + + <0
ax 2 n a
c
1 b
if b/a < 0 then E = 1 + –
<0 from (1)
ax 2 n a
hence (2) simultaneously satisfied both (1)
 (1) is equivalent to
c b
1+ + <0 ]
ax 2 a

6TH LECTURE
MISCELLANEOUS EQUATIONS INEQUATIONS AND LOGARITHMIC
INEQUALITIES :
A. LINEAR EQUATION / INEQUATIONS INVOLVING MODULUS :
1. | x – 3 | + 2 | x + 1 | = 4 Ans { – 1}
3
2. |x+2|–|x–1|<x– 
2
3. Find the least +ve integer satisfying | x + 1 | + | x – 4 | > 7.
2 x  1 3x  1
4. Greater integer satisfying – >1
3 2

B. QUADRATIC EQUATION / INEQUATION INVOLVINGMODULUS &

EXPONENTIAL :
5x  16
1. | x2 + 4x + 2 | = Ans : { – 2, 1}
3
2. ( | x – 1 | – 3) (| x + 2 | – 5) < 0 Ans. (–7, 2)  (3, 4)
3. | x – 5 | > | x2 – 5x + 9 | Ans. (1, 3)
4. 2| x + 2 | – | 2 x + 1 – 1 | = 2 x + 1 + 1

x 2  5x  4 8 5
5.  1 [(0, )( , + )]
x2  4 5 2

x 2  3x  1
6. < 3 [(– , – 2)  (– 1, + )]
x2  x  1
 4x  6  3
1. log 1 0 Ans.  2, 
x  2
5

 3 
2. (a) log2x+3(x2) < log2x + 3(2x + 3) Ans.   ,  1   1, 3
 2 
(b) logx+3(x2 – x) < 1 Ans. (–3, 2)  (–1, 0)  (1, 3)
 2x  6 
3. log7   > 0 Ans.   , 1

 2 x  1   2

log3 | 3 – 4x | > 2 Ans.   ,    3,  

3
4.
 2

Ans.  2, 
5
5. log0.2 (x2 – x – 2 ) > log0.2 (– x2 + 2x + 3)
 2
3x  6
log 1 log 2
x 2 2
6. (0.3) 3 >1 Ans. (power < 0)

 x 2  x 

7. log0.5  log6
x  4  < 0 Ans. (– 4, – 3)  (8, )
 

| x 2  4x | 3
Ans.   ,     , 2
log3 2 1
8. 2 0
x  | x  5|  3 2 

 4x  3  1 3 4
9. log 22   >– Ans.  ,  or all domain
 4  3x  2 4 3
10. 2 log32 x  3log3 x  8 2 log32 x  3log3 x  6  3
[Hint : Put 2 log32 x  3 log3 x  6 = t ]