Online Class

on
Business Mathematics
Course Teacher: Md. Tareq Rahman
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Department of Business Administration
Dhaka City College

Chapter: Linear and Quadratic Equations

Objectives
After studying this chapter, you should be able

 to understand equations, identities and inequalities

 to solve quadratic equations

 to solve simultaneous linear and quadratic equations

 to understand nature of roots

 to form a quadratic equation

Equations
Equations signify relation between two algebraic expressions symbolized by the

sign of equality (=). However, the equality is true only for certain value or values

of the variable or the variables symbolized generally by x, y, z. For example, the

equation

3x+5 = 2x+7 is true for x = 2 and not for x = 3.

Since when x = 2, the equation is 3(2)+5 = 2(2)+7 or 11 = 11 and

when x = 3, the equation is 3(3)+5 = 2(3)+7 or 14 = 13 which is not true.

Thus, the above equation is true for the value of the variable x = 2.

Identities
When equalities hold true whatever be the value of the variables, they are called

identities. For example, (x+y)2 = x2+2xy+y2

We can prove that identity hold true whatever the values of the variables x and y,

say x = 2 and y = 3. Then, we have

(2+3)2 = 22+2(2)(3)+32 or 25 = 25

Home Task: Write down the differences between equations and identities.
Inequalities
In addition to the relation of equality we have a new relation called order relation

denoted by the symbol “<”. The statement “𝑎 < 𝑏” is read as “a is less than b”. It

can be stated also as “b> 𝑎” is read as “b is greater than a”. The statement 𝑎 < 𝑏

is true only when 𝑎 − 𝑏 is negative and 𝑎 > 𝑏 is true only when 𝑎 − 𝑏 is positive.

For example, when 7 > 3 then 7 − 3 = 4 which is positive. Some expressions of

inequalities are as follows:

a>b “a is greater than b”

a<b “a is less than b”

a≤ b “a is less than or equal to b”

a ≥b “a is greater than or equal to b”

Degree of an equation
The degree of an equation is denoted by the highest index of the variable equation.

An equation with the highest index or powers as 1 (as in the equation X+5=7) is of

the first degree. It is also called a linear equation. For example,

5x+7 = 13 – x is a linear equation in one variable and

4x+3y = 9 is a linear equation in two variables.

The highest degree equations are also called polynomials or polynomial equations.

An equation having its highest index as two is called quadratic equation. For

example

x2+5x+6=0 is a quadratic equation in one variable.

But the equations

x2+y2=25 and x2+xy+y2=8 are quadratic equations in two variables.

Further, higher order equations are cubic with highest index of the variable 3 and

biquadratic with the highest index of the variable of 4. For example

x3+6x2+12x+7=0 is a cubic equation in one variable.

There can be a cubic equation in two or more variable also.

Similarly, x4+8x2 +7x=16 is a biquadratic equation in one variable which can

also have two or more variables.

Home Task: Write down the differences between linear and quadratic equations.

Use of Equations
The practical use of the equations is in evolving certain relations and finding out

value of the unknown. Sometimes complicated verbal statements when translated

into equations or inequalities can be solved with a great case. Let us see the

following examples:
Example 1: In the two consecutive numbers, one-fourth of the smaller one
exceeds the one-fifth of the larger one by 3. Find the numbers.

Solution: Let the two consecutive numbers be x and x+1. Then

𝑥 𝑥+1
one-fourth of the smaller one is and one-fifth of the larger one is .
4 5

A.T.Q.
One-fourth of the smaller one exceeds the one-fifth of the larger one by 3. So
𝑥 𝑥+1
− =3
4 5
5𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 4
=> =3
20
𝑥−4
=> =3
20
=> 𝑥 − 4 = 60
∴ 𝑥 = 64
Therefore, the required numbers are 64 and 64+1=65.

Example 2: The speed of a boat in still water is 10 km per hour. If it can travel 24
km downstream and 14 km in the upstream in equal time, indicate the speed of
the flow of the stream.
Solution: Let the speed of the flow of stream be x km per hour.
Given that, the speed of the boat in still water is 10 km per hour.
So, the speed of the boat in the downstream and upstream will be 10 + x
and 10 – x respectively.
We know, speed = distance/time => time = distance/speed.
 24
The time taken in going 24 km downstream will be and 14 km upstream will
10+𝑥
14
be .
10−𝑥

A.T.Q.
The boat can travel 24 km downstream and 14 km in the upstream in equal time.
So
24 14
=
10 + 𝑥 10 − 𝑥
=> 14(10 + 𝑥) = 24(10 − 𝑥)
=> 140 + 14𝑥 = 240 − 240𝑥
=> 14𝑥 + 24𝑥 = 240 − 140
100
=> 38𝑥 = 100 => 𝑥 =
38
Therefore, the speed of the flow of stream is 100/38, that is, 50/19 km per hour.

Home Task:
1. Solve the following equations:
6𝑥 + 1 2𝑥 − 4 2𝑥 − 1
(𝑖) − =
15 7𝑥 − 1 5
𝑝 𝑞 𝑝+𝑞
(𝑖𝑖) + =
𝑥−𝑝 𝑥−𝑞 𝑥−𝑝−𝑞
𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑥 − 𝑏 𝑥 − 3𝑎 − 3𝑏
(𝑖𝑖𝑖) + + =0
𝑏 𝑎 𝑎+𝑏
2. A father is 28 years older than the son. After 5 years the father’s age will be
7 years more than twice that of the son. Find their present age.
Simultaneous Linear Equations
A system of simultaneous equations is helpful for finding unique values for the

unknowns. The number of the equations should be equal to the number of

unknowns. However, the equations can be of varying degrees. For example,

a1x + b1y +c1 =0 and a2x + b2y +c2 =0 are simultaneous linear equations.

Algebraic Solutions of Simultaneous Linear Equations

First we take two linear equations in two unknowns which are in the following form

a1x + b1y +c1 =0

a2x + b2y +c2 =0

Example 3: Solve the following simultaneous linear equations

7x – 3y = 5 and 5x – 6y = – 8

Solution: Given that,

7x – 3y = 5 … … … (i)

5x – 6y = – 8 … … … (ii)

Let us first eliminate y. We rewrite

(ii): 5x – 6y = – 8

–2X (i): –14x + 6y = –10

____________
Add: –9x = –18
=> x = 2
Now, substitute the value of x in (i) to get the value of y, i.e.,

7(2) – 3y = 5

=> 14 – 3y = 5

=> – 3y = 5 – 14 = – 9

=> y=3

Therefore, the required solution is (x, y) = (2, 3)

Home Task: Solve the following simultaneous equations

(i) x – 2y = 1, 2x + y = – 3

(ii) 42x + 33y = 117, 48x + 27y = 123.

We are now illustrating the algebraic method of solving three linear simultaneous

equations. The other methods we have discussed in the chapter on Matrices and

Determinants.

Example 4: Solve the following simultaneous linear equations

2x + 3y – 4z = 1, 3x – y – 2z = 4 and 4x – 7y – 6z = – 7
Solution: Given that,

2x + 3y – 4z = 1 … … … (i)

3x – y – 2z = 4 … … … (ii)

4x – 7y – 6z = – 7 … … … (iii)

Let us first eliminate z.

We rewrite (i): 2x + 3y – 4z = 1

–2X (ii): –6x + 2y + 4z = –8

------------------------
Add: –4x + 5y = –7 … … … (iv)

Now, we rewrite

(iii): 4x – 7y – 6z = – 7

–3X (ii): –9x + 3y + 6z = –12

-------------------------
Add: –5x – 4y = –19 … … … (v)

Let us now eliminate y from (iv) and (v), i.e.

4X (iv): –16x + 20y = –28

5X (v): –25x – 20y = –95

------------------------
Add: –41x = –123

=> x = 3

Now, substitute the value of x in (iv) to get the value of y, i.e.

–4(3) + 5y = –7
 => –12 + 5y = –7

=> 5y = 5

=> y = 1

Now, substitute the values of x and y in (i) to get the value of z, i.e.

2(3) + 3(1) – 4z = 1

=> 6 + 3 – 4z = 1

=> 9 – 4z = 1

=> – 4z = –8

=> z = 2

Therefore, the required solution: (x, y, z) = (3, 1, 2)

Home Task: Solve the following simultaneous linear equations

9x + 3y – 4z = 35

x+y–z=4

2x – 5y – 4z = – 48
Quadratic Equations
An equation which when reduced to the rational integral form contains the square

of the unknown quantity and no higher power is called a quadratic equation or an

equation of the second degree.

An equation which contains only the square of the unknown and not the first power

is called the pure quadratic equation. e.g

5x2=21

But an equation which contains the square as well as the first power of the

unknown is called a complete quadratic equation, e.g.

3x2-5x+2=0 or ax2+bx+c=0

where x is the unknown and a, b, c represent the constants of the equations.

The general form of a quadratic equation is

ax2+bx+c=0

where a, b, c are any real numbers and a≠0. This is because if a=0 then the

expression ax2 becomes equal to zero and the equation becomes a linear one.

Algebraic Solutions of Quadratic Equations

General methods of solving a quadratic equation are

i. Method of factorization

ii. Method of completing perfect square.

(i) Method of factorization: This method is used when the quadratic

expression can easily be resolved into linear factors.

Example 5: Solve 4x2 = 25

Solution: We have

4x2 = 25

=> 4x2 – 25 = 0

=> (2x2) –52 = 0

=> (2x + 5)(2X – 5) = 0

Either 2x + 5 = 0, i.e., x = –5/2

Or, 2x – 5 = 0, i.e., x = 5/2

Hence the roots are –5/2 and 5/2

Example 6: Solve x2 – 6x + 8 = 0

Solution: We have

x2 – 6x + 8 = 0

=> x2 – 4x – 2x + 8 = 0

=> x(x-4) – 2(x-4) = 0

=> (x-4) (x– 2) = 0

 Either x – 4 = 0, i.e., x = 4

Or, x – 2 = 0, i.e., x = 2

𝒙 𝒃 𝒂 𝒃
Example 7: Solve + = +
𝒃 𝒙 𝒃 𝒂

Solution: Given that

𝑥 𝑏 𝑎 𝑏
+ = +
𝑏 𝑥 𝑏 𝑎

𝑥 𝑎 𝑏 𝑏
=> − = −
𝑏 𝑏 𝑎 𝑥

𝑥 − 𝑎 𝑏(𝑥 − 𝑎)
=> =
𝑏 𝑎𝑥

=> 𝑎𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑎) = 𝑏 2 (𝑥 − 𝑎)

=> 𝑎𝑥(𝑥 − 𝑎) − 𝑏 2 (𝑥 − 𝑎) = 0

=> (𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏 2 ) = 0

Either x – a = 0, i.e., x = a

Or, (𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏 2 ) = 0

𝑏2
i.e., 𝑥=
𝑎

𝑏2
Thus, the roots are a,
𝑎

Home Task: Solve 1. 4x2 – 9x – 9 = 0

9𝑥 − 2 4𝑥 2 − 7 6𝑥 − 1
2. + 2 =
3 4𝑥 + 3 2
(ii) Method of Completing the Square: Let the general quadratic equation

be ax2+bx+c = 0. By transposition, we have

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 = −𝑐

Multiplying both sides by a, we get

=> 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑏𝑥 = −𝑎𝑐

𝑏 𝑏2 𝑏2
=> (𝑎𝑥)2 + 2. 𝑎𝑥. + = − 𝑎𝑐
2 4 4

𝑏 2 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
=> (𝑎𝑥 + ) =
2 4

Extracting square root of both sides, we get

𝑏 √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
=> 𝑎𝑥 + = ±
2 2

𝑏 √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
=> 𝑎𝑥 = − ±
2 2

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
=> 𝑎𝑥 =
2

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
∴𝑥=
2𝑎

Therefore, the roots of ax2+bx+c = 0 are

−𝑏 + √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏 − √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑎𝑛𝑑
2𝑎 2𝑎
Example 8: (i) Solve the equation 2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 5 = 0

Here, a = 2, b = - 10, c = 5

‫ ؞‬The roots are

−(−10) ± √(−10)2 − 4.2.5

=
2.2

(10) ± 2√15 −5 ± 2√15

= =
4 4

(ii) 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 (𝑏 − 𝑐)𝑥 2 + (𝑐 − 𝑎)𝑥 + (𝑎 − 𝑏) = 0

Here the roots are

−(𝑐 − 𝑎) ± √(𝑐 − 𝑎)2 − 4. (𝑏 − 𝑐)(𝑎 − 𝑏)

=
2(𝑏 − 𝑐)

−(𝑐 − 𝑎) ± √(𝑎 + 𝑐 − 2𝑏)2

=
2(𝑏 − 𝑐)

−(𝑐 − 𝑎) ± {(𝑎 + 𝑐) − 2𝑏}

=
2(𝑏 − 𝑐)

2(𝑎 − 𝑏) 2(𝑏 − 𝑐) 𝑎−𝑏

= , = ,1
2(𝑏 − 𝑐) 2(𝑏 − 𝑐) 𝑏−𝑐

Home Task: Solve (i) 3x2 – 14x + 8 = 0

(ii) x2 + 4x + 1 = 0.
Equation Adapting to Quadratic Form

Sometimes we come across disguised quadratic equations or equations adaptable

by suitable substitutions to quadratic form. In the following examples we shall

consider a few simple cases of such type.

𝑥 1−𝑥 1
Example 9: Solve the equation:√ +√ =2
1−𝑥 𝑥 6

Solution: Given that

𝑥 1−𝑥 1
√ +√ =2
1−𝑥 𝑥 6

𝒙
Putting √ = y, the given equation becomes
𝟏−𝒙

1 13
𝑦+ =
𝑦 6

After multiplying both sides by 6y, and transposing, we have

6y2 - 13y + 6 = 0

 6y2 – 9y - 4y + 6 = 0

 3y(2y-3) – 2(2y-3) = 0

𝟐 𝟑
 (3y – 2)(2y-3) = 0 i.e., y = ,
𝟑 𝟐

Now

2
𝑦=
3
 𝑥 2
 √ =
1−𝑥 3

𝑥 4
 =
1−𝑥 9

 9x = 4 - 4x

4
 x=
13

3
𝑦=
2

𝑥 3
 √ =
1−𝑥 2

𝑥 9
 =
1−𝑥 4

 4x = 9 - 9x

9
 x=
13

4 9
Hence the roots are ,
13 13

Example 10: Solve the equation

a) 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 9 = 4√𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 6

b) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 12√𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 19 + 51 = 0

Solution: (a) The given equation may be written as

𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 6 + 3 = 4√𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 6

Putting 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 6 = 𝑦, the equation reduces to

𝑦 + 3 = 4 √𝑦
 (𝑦 + 3)2 = (4√𝑦)2

 𝑦 2 + 6𝑦 + 9 = 16𝑦

 𝑦 2 − 10𝑦 + 9 = 0

 𝑦 2 − 𝑦 − 9𝑦 + 9 = 0

 𝑦(𝑦 − 1) − 9(𝑦 − 1) = 0 i.e., (𝑦 − 9)(𝑦 − 1) = 0

Hence y = 9 or y = 1

Now

y = 9 => 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 6 = 9

 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 3 = 0

6±√36+12 6±√48 6±4√3

𝑥= = = = 3 ± 2√ 3
2 2 2

Again, y = 1 => 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 6 = 1

 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 5 = 0

6±√36−20
𝑥= = 5, 1
2

Hence the roots are 3 ± 2√3, 5, 1

(b) Put 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = 𝑦

‫ 𝑦 ؞‬− 12√𝑦 + 19 + 51 = 0

 𝑦 + 51 = 12√𝑦 + 19

 𝑦 2 + 102𝑦 + 2061 = 144(𝑦 + 19) [Squaring both sides]

  𝑦 2 − 42𝑦 − 135 = 0 𝑖. 𝑒. , (𝑦 + 3)(𝑦 − 45) = 0

‫ = 𝑦؞‬−3 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 = 45

But 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = 𝑦

i) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0

4±√16−12 4±√4 4±2

𝑥= = = = 1, 3
2 2 2

ii) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 45 = 0

4±√16+180 4±√196 4±14

𝑥= = = = −5, 9
2 2 2

Hence the roots are 1, 3, -5, 9.

Home Task: Solve the following equations

√12−𝑥 3
(i) =
5 2+√12−𝑥

𝑥 𝑥+16 25
(ii) √𝑥+16 + √ 𝑥
=
12
Nature of the Roots

Since the roots of the quadratic equation ax2+bx+c = 0 are given by

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

The nature of the roots shall depend on the numerical value of √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐.

The expression 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 which discriminates the nature of the roots is called the

discriminant of the equation ax2+bx+c = 0, and denoted for brevity by the symbol

Δ, which is a Greek letter pronounced as delta. Assuming the a, b, c are real and

rational, we obtain the following result;

i) (a) If Δ>0 and is a perfect square, then √Δ is rational, i.e., both of the

roots are rational and unequal.

(b) If Δ>0 but not a perfect square, then √Δ is irrational, i.e., both of the

roots are irrational and unequal.

ii) If Δ=0, then √Δ =0 and both the roots are real and equal, each being equal

𝒃 𝒃
to − . They will rational or irrational according as is rational or
𝟐𝒂 𝒂

irrational.

iii) If Δ<0, then √Δ is imaginary and both the roots are complex and unequal.
The reader should note the following points:

i) If one root of a quadratic equation with rational coefficient is irrational,

then the other will also be irrational, called the irrational conjugates, e.g.,

if the one root of a quadratic equation with rational coefficient is 2 + √3 ,

the other one will be 2 − √3.

ii) If one root of a quadratic equation with real coefficient is imaginary, then

the other will also be imaginary, called the imaginary conjugates, e.g., if

the one root of a quadratic equation with rational coefficient is 2 + √3ἱ ,

the other one will be 2 − √3ἱ, i.e., imaginary roots occur in pairs.

Example 11: Discuss the nature of the roots of the followings

a) x2+2x+3 = 0

b) (x – 1)(x – b) = h2

Solution:

a) Here a = 1, b = 2, c = 3

‫ ؞‬Δ= b2 – 4ac = 4 – 12 = -8<0

‫ ؞‬The roots are imaginary and unequal.

b) The equation may be written as

𝑥 2 − 𝑎𝑥 − 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎𝑏 = ℎ2

𝑥 2 − (𝑎 + 𝑏)𝑥 + (𝑎𝑏 − ℎ2 ) = 0
 Δ = {−(a + b)}2 − 4.1. (𝑎𝑏 − ℎ2 )

= {(a + b)2 − 4𝑎𝑏} + 4ℎ2

= (a − b)2 + 4ℎ2 > 0

(Sum of squares are always positive)

‫ ؞‬The roots are real and unequal

Example 12: For what values of m will the equation

(𝑚 + 1)𝑥 2 + (𝑚 + 3)𝑥 + (2𝑚 + 3) = 0 have equal roots?

Solution: Since the discriminants for equal roots is zero, we have

0 = 4(𝑚 + 3)2 − 4(𝑚 + 1)(2𝑚 + 3)

 0 = (𝑚 + 3)2 − (𝑚 + 1)(2𝑚 + 3)

 0 = 𝑚2 + 6𝑚 + 9 − (2𝑚2 + 3𝑚 + 2𝑚 + 3)

 0 = 𝑚2 + 6𝑚 + 9 − 2𝑚2 − 3𝑚 − 2𝑚 − 3)

 𝑚2 − 𝑚 − 6 = 0

 m = 3, -2

Relations between roots and the coefficients of the quadratic equation

ax2+bx+c=0.

The roots of the quadratic equation ax2+bx+c = 0 are given by

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
 −𝑏+√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏−√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
Let the roots are denoted by α and β, i.e. α= and β=
2𝑎 2𝑎

Sum of two roots:

We take α+β = sum of the two roots

−𝑏 + √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏 − √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
={ }+{ }
2𝑎 2𝑎

−2𝑏 𝑏
= =−
2𝑎 𝑎

Product of two roots:

Similarly, α.β = product of the two roots

−𝑏 + √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏 − √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
={ }{ }
2𝑎 2𝑎

1
= {(−𝑏) + √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐}{(−𝑏) − √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐}
4𝑎2
1 2
2
√ 2
= 2 {(−𝑏) − ( 𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐) }
4𝑎

1 2 2
4𝑎𝑐 𝑐
= {𝑏 − 𝑏 + 4𝑎𝑐} = =
4𝑎2 4𝑎2 𝑎

Thus we have shown that

𝑏 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥
α + β = sum of the two roots = − = − ……(i)
𝑎 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 2

𝑐 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑚
α.β = sum of the two roots = = …….(ii)
𝑎 𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 2
 (i) and (ii) express the relations between Roots and Coefficients of quadratic

equations.

FORMATION OF AN EQUATION

So far we are given a quadratic equation and were required to find the roots of the

equation. We now study the converse problem. i.e., to find the equation whose

solution set is {α, β}.

Let ax2+bx+c = 0 be the required equation.

The equation can be written as

𝑏 𝑐
𝑥2 − x + =0 …. (*)
𝑎 𝑎

𝑏 𝑐
We know α + β = − and αβ =
𝑎 𝑎

The equation (*) becomes 𝑥 2 − (α + β )x + αβ = 0

This is the required equation whose roots are α and β, we may state the same

result as follows:

If α and β, the roots of an equation are given, then the equation can be written as

𝑥 2 − x(sum of the roots) + productof the roots = 0

Example 13: From the equation whose roots are (i) 6, 7 (ii) 5 +√3, 5 - √3

Solution: (i) The quadratic equation whose roots are 6, 7 is given by

𝑥 2 − x(6 + 7) + 6.7 = 0
  𝑥 2 − 13x + 42 = 0

(ii) The quadratic equation whose roots are 5 +√3, 5 - √3 is given by

𝑥 2 − x(5 + √3 + 5 − √3) + (5 + √3) (5 − √3) = 0

 𝑥 2 + 10x + 22 = 0

Example 14: (a) If α and β be the roots of x2 + px + q = 0, find the equation whose

1 1
roots are ,
𝛼2 𝛽2

(b) If α and β be the roots of x2 - px + q = 0, find the equation whose roots are α2,

β2.

Solution: (a) Since α, β are roots of x2 + px + q = 0, therefore, we have

α + β = - p and αβ = q

1 1 𝛼 2 +𝛽 2 (𝛼+ β)2 −2αβ 𝑝2 −2q

Sum of the roots = 2
+ = = =
𝛼 𝛽2 𝛼2𝛽2 𝛼2𝛽2 𝑞2

1 1 1 1
Product of the roots = × = =
𝛼2 𝛽2 𝛼2 𝛽2 𝑞2

1 1
‫ ؞‬The equation whose roots are 𝑎𝑛𝑑 is given by
𝛼2 𝛽2

𝑝2 −2q 1
x2 + x + 2= 0
𝑞2 𝑞

or, 𝑞 2 𝑥 2 − (𝑝2 − 2𝑞)𝑥 + 1 = 0

(b) Since α, β are roots of x2 + px + q = 0, therefore, we have

α+β=p …..(1)

And αβ = q …….(2)
‫ ؞‬The equation whose roots are α2 , β2 is

𝑥 2 − (𝛼 2 + 𝛽 2 )x + 𝛼 2 𝛽 2 = 0

 𝑥 2 − x[(𝛼 + β)2 − 2αβ] + (𝑎𝛽)2 = 0

 𝑥 − (𝑝2 − 2𝑞)𝑥 + 𝑞 2 = 0 [from (1) and (2)]

Example 15: Find the condition that one root of ax2 + bx + c = 0 shall be n times

than the other.

Solution: Let one root of the equation be α then, the other will be nα. Sum of the

𝑏
roots = α + n α = α(1+n) = −
𝑎

𝑏
 α=− … … (i)
𝑎(1+𝑛)

𝑐
Products of the roots = 𝛼 2 𝑛 =
𝑎
𝑏2 𝑛 𝑐
 = [from (i)]
𝛼2 (1+𝑛)2 𝑎

 𝑏 2 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑐 (1 + 𝑛)2

 Therefore, the required condition is 𝑏 2 𝑛 = 𝑎𝑐 (1 + 𝑛)2

Home Task:

1. If α and β be the roots of 2x2 - 4x + 1 = 0, find the equation whose roots are
α2 + β, β2 + α.
2. If r be the ratio of the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, show that
(𝑟 + 1)2 𝑏 2
=
𝑟 𝑎𝑐
Business Application:

Example 16: Demand for goods of an industry is given by the equation pq = 100,

where p is the price and q is the quantity, supply is given by the equation

20 + 3p = q. What is the equilibrium price and quantity?

Solution: The demand equation is pq = 100 ……. (1)

And the supply equation is 20 + 3p = q ……… (2)

Substituting the value of q from (2) in (1), we get

p(20 + 3p) = 100

 3p2 + 20p - 100 = 0

−20±√400+1200 10
 p= = −10,
6 3

10
 But p ≠ - 10, therefore p =
3

10
‫ ؞‬From (2), we have 20 + 3. = 30
3

10
‫ ؞‬Equilibrium price = , Quantity exchanged = 30
3

Note: Both price and quantity are always positive.

Home Task: The demand and supply equations are 2𝑝2 + 𝑞 2 = 11 and p + 2q = 7.

Find the equilibrium price and quantity, where p stands for price and q stands for

quantity.