Symmetric Expression of Quadratic Roots

CAT 2024 Slot 2 · QA · Medium · Algebra

The roots α,β\alpha, \beta of the equation 3x2+λx1=03x^2 + \lambda x - 1 = 0, satisfy 1α2+1β2=15\frac{1}{\alpha^2} + \frac{1}{\beta^2} = 15. The value of (α3+β3)2(\alpha^3 + \beta^3)^2, is

  1. A.

    9

  2. B.

    16

  3. C.

    4

  4. D.

    1

Answer

C

Explanation

For 3x2+λx1=03x^2 + \lambda x - 1 = 0: α+β=λ3,αβ=13\alpha + \beta = -\frac{\lambda}{3}, \quad \alpha \beta = -\frac{1}{3}

Given: 1α2+1β2=α2+β2(αβ)2=(α+β)22αβ(αβ)2=15\frac{1}{\alpha^2} + \frac{1}{\beta^2} = \frac{\alpha^2 + \beta^2}{(\alpha \beta)^2} = \frac{(\alpha+\beta)^2 - 2\alpha\beta}{(\alpha\beta)^2} = 15 (α+β)22(13)=15(13)2(\alpha+\beta)^2 - 2\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right) = 15 \left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)^2 (α+β)2+23=159=53(\alpha+\beta)^2 + \frac{2}{3} = \frac{15}{9} = \frac{5}{3} (α+β)2=1    α+β=±1(\alpha+\beta)^2 = 1 \implies \alpha + \beta = \pm 1

Now, for α3+β3\alpha^3 + \beta^3: α3+β3=(α+β)((α+β)23αβ)=(±1)(13(13))=±2\alpha^3 + \beta^3 = (\alpha+\beta)((\alpha+\beta)^2 - 3\alpha\beta) = (\pm 1)\left(1 - 3\left(-\frac{1}{3}\right)\right) = \pm 2

Thus, (α3+β3)2=(±2)2=4(\alpha^3 + \beta^3)^2 = (\pm 2)^2 = 4.

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