Lear UNE Online Theory of Equations - JEE Important Topic What is the Theory of Equations? The Theory of equations is essentially the study of the inter-relationship between an equation and the polynomials that comprise the equation. An equation is basically a mathematical expression, equating two different quantities, values, or expressions. The main issue in this field of study is that an algebraic equation will have an algebraic solution. To put it simply, the idea of complex solutions was not common knowledge. Therefore, finding the solution to a single unknown variable in a non-linear polynomial equation was a stumbling block. Mathematician Evariste Galois was the first to solve this problem in the year 1830. His theory gave a distinct outline to help understand which equations could be solved by radical values. This is how the theory of equations became its own area rather than being synonymous with algebra itself. Definition and Mathematical Theory of Equations Theory of equations can be defined as the study of the different methods that can be implied to find out the unknown values and solve a mathematical equation. Mathematical Theory of Equation: A polynomial function or equation can be represented by the expression, F(x) = agx” + aye"! 4... 4a), Here, n is a non-negative integer and a;(i = 0,1,...,7) are fixed complex numbers. The above expression in f will be termed a polynomial of x up to the n® degree. a1, @2,...,@, are termed as coefficients of the function f. This is the basic theory of equations behind the concept of the theory of,equations. eeLear LN rine In the case of a quadratic equation, the general formula is given by (Here abc are arbitrary constants of the equation). Every quadratic equation has two roots, which can be either real roots, or complex in nature. The discriminant of the quadratic equation is given by the expression, D = b” — 4ac. The nature of the discriminant decides whether the equation will have two real roots, two equal roots or only complex roots. Key Points Regarding the Theory of Equations To summarise the important concepts and ideas related to the theory of equations, the following list can be helpful: * The general mathematical formula for a quadratic equation in variable x is given by az? + br +c =0. The roots of a quadratic equation are given by az = —b + q a. c anda + 8 = — a a If a, G are the two roots of the equation, then a + 8 = The discriminant of the quadratic equation is denoted by D = b? — 4ac. * When D = 0, the equation has two equal roots. * When D > 0, the equation has two distinct real roots. * When D < 0, the roots of the equation will be complex. + The quadratic equation exhibits a parabolic graph which opens upwards if a > 0 and downwards if a < 0. + Ata > 0, the function f has the minimum value and when a < 0 the function has its maximum value.Lear UNE Online Solved Problems on Theory of Equations To understand better how this math theory is exactly applied, we will take the following examples. Problem 1: If the roots of the equation a” + px? + ga +r = 0 are in arithmetic progression, then prove that 2p? — 9pq + 27r = 0 Solution: Given equation, x? + px” + gx +r = 0. The roots of the equation are in arithmetic progression. Therefore, let the roots be a-d, a, atd respectively. “.(-p)=a-d+a+a+d => —p=3a ad >a= 3 As ais one of the three roots of the given equation, it must satisfy the equation, a + pa? +qr+r=0. Therefore, substituting x with a = a we get 3 2 =P =P =P 7 (2) +0(Z) +4(Z)+r-0 On simplification, we get , 2p> — 9pq + 27r = 0. Hence, proved. Problem 2: If a and are the roots of the quadratic equation 2? + 8x + k = 0, what Is the maximum value of [s ale a] when k < 0. 2 2 Theory: © r ee ee aLear NEOnlne Comparing the quadratic equation, with we get, a= 2,b= 8andc=k Let the roots of the given equation be a and 3. b Then sum of roots,a + 8 = ——, a at+p= = —4and, to] 00 c Product of roots is ae 8 = —Orae a Discriminant, D = b” — dac = 64 — 8k. Now since, k<0,.".d = 64 — 8k < 0. As the discriminant is less than zero, the roots of the equation are both real roots. 2 2 a a+ Now, | > + B = Cae Boa a8 (a +8)" = 2a8 ap “Ge [e eee 8B (a+) _ {usp the values of a + Band a in ap | aLear UNE Online -2)=—-2 (3) ‘ 2 a B As, k < 0, therefore the maximum value of B +—| =-2. a Conclusion The theory of equations basically gives us the different methods that can be used to solve polynomial equations. A polynomial expression can either be linear or nonlinear. The general formula of a quadratic function in x is given by ax? + bx + c = 0 and the discriminant the discriminant is given by D, such that D = b? — dac . The discriminant decides the nature of the roots. The roots of a quadratic equation can either be equal, real or complex. The sum of —b the roots of the equation gives us the value of — and the product of the roots gives us the c value of —. aVedaniti, Lear NEOnlne Popular Vedantu Learning Centres Near You Mithanpura, Muzaffarpur \Vedantu Learning Centre, 2nd Floor, Ugra Tara Complex, Club Rd, opposite Grand Mall, Mahammadpur Kazi, Mithanpura, Muzaffarpur, Bihar 842002 Visit Centre ‘Anna Nagar, Chennai \Vedantu Learning Centre, Plot No. ¥-217, Plot No 4617, 2nd Ave, Y Block, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040 Visit Centre Velachery, Chenni \Vedantu Learning Centre, 3rd Floor, ASV Crown Plaza, No.391, Velachery ‘Tambaram Main Rd, Velachery, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042 Visit Centre Tambaram, Chennai View MoreJEE OLYMPIAD Vedaniti, Lear NEOnlne Best courses for you Full syllabus LIVE courses Starting from #57,000, Test series Show more courses V ‘Stanting fom 86249 Crash course Book your Free Demo session Get a flavour of LIVE classes here at Vedantu Cree Cal Vedantu Improvement Promise We promise improvement in marks or get your fees back. 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