Probability of Quadratic Function Coefficients

XAT 2025 · QADI · Hard · Probability

Consider the quadratic function f(x)=ax2+bx+af(x) = ax^2 + bx + a having two irrational roots, with aa and bb being two positive integers, such that a,b9a, b \le 9. If all such permissible pairs (a,b)(a, b) are equally likely, what is the probability that a+ba + b is greater than 9?

  1. A.

    7/16

  2. B.

    5/8

  3. C.

    None of the other answers is correct.

  4. D.

    7/15

  5. E.

    2/3

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