Theory of Equations

Whenever a polynomial expression is equated to a number or another expression, an equation is obtained.

For example, 3x + 5 = 0, x3 + 3x2 2x = 5 etc are equations.
Degree of an equation:
The highest power of the variable present in the equation is its degree. A first degree equation is called a linear equation, a
second degree equation is a quadratic equation, a third degree equation is termed as a cubic equation while, a fourth degree
equation is called a bi-quadratic equation.
Solution of an equation:
The value or values of the variable satisfying the equation are called roots or solutions of the equation. The number of roots
of an equation is equal to the degree of the equation.
Hence a linear equation has exactly one root, a quadratic equation has exactly two roots; in general an nth degree equation
has n roots.
Linear Equations:
The general linear equation in two variables, ax + by + c = 0 where a, b and c are constants always represents a straight line
in a plane. If b = 0 then the equation takes the form, ax + c = 0. Clearly, x =

c
satisfies the equation and hence is a root.
a

Simultaneous linear equations:

If two or more equations are satisfied by the same values of variable (two or more variables) the equations are said to be
simultaneous equations.
For example, x + y = 2 and 3x + y = 4 are both satisfied for x = y = 1 and hence are simultaneous equations.
To solve simultaneous equations in two variables, we eliminate one of the unknown quantities, find the value of the other
unknown and substitute this value in any of the given equations which results in the solution.
Example
Solve: 2x + y = 16
.. (1)
xy=2
.. (2)
From (2), x = y + 2, substitute in (1), 2(y + 2) + y = 16
2y + 4 + y = 16 or 3y = 12 y = 4
since x = y + 2 and y = 4 we have, x = 6
Hence x = 6, y = 4
Note: Geometrically the solution of simultaneous equations represents the point of intersection of the two lines represented
by the two given equations.

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Quadratic Equations
General quadratic equation in one variable is ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a, b and c are constants.

b b 2 4ac
2a
The term b2 4ac determines the nature of the roots and is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation. The Greek

The roots of this equation are given by x =

letter (delta) is used to denote the discriminant, i.e, = b 2 4ac

We know that for any given equation, exactly one of the following is true.
(a) < 0 b 2 4ac is negative. Clearly
(b) = 0 b 2 4ac = 0. Hence

b 2 4ac is imaginary. Hence when < 0 , the roots are imaginary.

b 2 4ac vanishes. Therefore the roots are

(c) When > 0 b 2 4ac > 0. is positive and hence

b + o b
=
2a
2a

b 2 4ac is real. In this case the roots are real and distinct. If in

addition to being positive, is a perfect square then, the roots are rational; if is not a perfect square the roots are
irrational.
Solving quadratic equations by factorization
If the roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 are real and rational, the equation can be resolved into linear factor and hence be easily solved.
(The method has been discussed in the previous chapter).
Example: Solve x2 11x + 28 = 0
We need to express 11 as the sum of two number whose product is 28. Clearly 7 and 4 satisfy these conditions.
Hence, x2 11x + 28 = 0
x2 7x 4x + 28 = 0
x (x 7) 4 ( x 7) = 0
(x 4) ( x 7) = 0
x 4 = 0 or x 7 = 0
x = 4 or 7
Note:
Quadratic equations whose roots are imaginary or irrational cannot be solved by factorization. We use the formula in such
case.
Sum, difference and product of the roots of a quadratic equation.
2
If and are the roots of ax2 + bx + c = o, then + = b , = c and -= b 4ac
a
a
a
Forming a quadratic equation.

So far, we have learn how to find the roots of a quadratic equation (given the equation). Now we shall work on the converse

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problem i.e., to form the quadratic equation with given roots. If and are the roots of a quadratic equation, we know that
( x ) and ( x ) are its factors (by factor theorem). Hence the required equation can be written as
(x ) (x ) = 0
or x2 x x + = 0
or x2 ( + ) x + = 0
i.e., x2 (sum of the roots) x + (product of the roots) = 0, gives the required quadratic equation.

SOLVED EXAMPLES
Example: 1.
Solve: 6x + 8 = 28 2x
Sol:
6x + 8 = 28 2x
or 6x + 2x = 28 8 or 8x = 20 or x =

20 5
=
8
2

Example: 2.
Solve: 7x + 4[ x - {6 7 (x 1)}] = 6x + 14
Sol:
7x + 4 [x - { 6 7x + 7}] = 6x + 14
7x + 4[ x 6 + 7x - 7] = 6x + 14
7x + 4 [8x 13 ] = 6x + 14
7x + 32x 52 = 6x + 14
7x + 32x 6x = 14 + 52
33x = 66 or x =

66
=2
33

Example: 3.
Solve: (x + 3)2 (x2 5) = x + 29
Sol:
x2 + 6x +9 x2 + 5 = x + 29
6x + 14 = x + 29
By transposing like and unlike terms, 6x x = 29 14 or 5x = 15 or x = 3.
Example: 4.
Solve:

x 2 x +1
=
x 1 x + 5

Sol:
(x 2) (x + 5) = (x 1) (x + 1)
By cross multiplying
x2 + 5x 2x 10 = x2 1.
3x 10 = - 1 or 3x = 9 or x = 3

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SOLVING LINEAR SIMULTANEOUS EQUATIONS

Consider the equation x + y = 8 and x y = 6. Both are simple simultaneous equation in two unknowns x and y and both the
equations are satisfied by the same values, x = 7 and y = 1 which are known as the solutions (or roots) of the equation.
When a pair of simple simultaneous equations in two unknown, say x and y, is given, we first eliminate any one of the two
unknown, say x and find the value of other unknown y. Then by substituting the value of y in any of the equation the value
of x is found out.
Example: 5.
Solve: 3x + 5y = 19, x + 3y = 9
Sol:
We have 3x + 5y = 19
.. (1)
x + 3y = 9
.. (2)
3x + 5y = 19
Multiplying (2) by 3, 3x + 9y = 27
.. (3)
Subtracting equation (3) from equation (1), 4y = 8 or y = 2
Substituting y = 2 in (1) we get 3x + 10 = 19 or 3x = 19 10 = 9 or x = 3.
Hence the required solutions are x = 3, y = 2.
Example: 6.
Solve: 5x 2y + 25 = 0, 4y 3x = 29
Sol:
We have 5x 2y = 25
3x + 4y = 29
Multiplying (1) by 2, 10x 4y = 50
From (2)
3x + 4y = 29
Adding
7x = 21 or x = 3
Substituting x = -3 in (1) we get
5 ( 3) 2y = 25 or 15 2y = 25
or 15 + 2y = 25 or 2y = 10 or y = 5
Hence the required solutions are x = 3, y = 5.

..... (1)
..... (2)

Example: 7.
Solve:

a b
a b
+ = 6 and = 0.
2 4
5 2

Sol:
We have

a b
+ =6
2 4

a b
=0
5 2

Multiplying (i) by 4, 2a + b = 24.

Multiplying (ii) by 10, 2a 5b = 0.
By Subtracting, 6b = 24 or b = 4.
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..... (1)
..... (2)

Substituting b = 4 in (i)
a 4
a
a
+ = 6 or = 6 1 or = 5 or a=10
2 4
2
2
Hence a = 10, b = 4

Example: 8.
Solve:

7 8
2 12
+ = 2, +
= 20
p q
p q

Sol:
We have

7 8
+ =2
p q

.. (1)

2 12
+
= 20
p q

.. (2)

Multiplying (i) by pq yields 7q + 8p = 2pq

Multiplying (ii) by pq we obtain 2q + 12p = 20pq
Multiplying (iii) by 10 ; 70q + 80 p = 20pq
From (iv) and (v), we get
2q + 12p = 70q + 80p 68q + 68p = 0 or q = p
Substituting q = p in (i)

.. (iii)
.. (iv)
.. (v)

7 8
1
= 2 or 2 p = 1 p =
p p
2
1 1
since q = p, it follows that q = =
2 2

1
1
Hence p = , q =
2
2

Example: 9.
Solve: 5u + 4v 4 = 0 and u 20 = 12v.
Sol:
We have
5u + 4v = 4
u 12v = 20
Multiplying (i) by 3, 15u + 12v = 12
Adding (ii) and (iii), we get
16u = 32 or u = 2.
Substituting u = 2 in (i) 5 (2) + 4v = 4 or 10 + 4v = 4 or v =
Therefore, u = 2 and v =

.. (i)
.. (ii)
..... (iii)
6
3
=
4
2

3
2

Example: 10.
Solve:

2 3
5 8
1
+ = 2 and + = 5
x y
x y
6

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Sol:
We have

2 3
+ = 2 .....(i)
x y

5 8
1
+ =5
x y
6
Put

.....(ii)

1
1
= u and = v in (i) and (ii)
x
y

Then 2 u + 3 v = 2

.....(iii)

1
6

.....(iv)

and 5 u + 8 v = 5

Multiply (iv) by 6, 30u + 48v = 31.

By Subtracting, 2 u = 1 or u =

Multiply (iii) by 16, 32 u + 48v = 32.

1
in (iii),
2

1
1
2 + 3v = 2 or 1 + 3 v = 2 o r v =
2
3

Therefore, the required solutions are u =

Since x =

1
1
, v=
2
3

1
1
we have x = 2. Also y = y = 3.
u
v

Example: 11.
2 2 1
3 2
+ = and + = 0
p q 6
p q

Sol:
p = 6, q = 4
Solving simultaneous equations by the rule of cross multiplication

The solutions of linear simultaneous equations

a1x + b1y + c1 = 0 and a2x + b2y + c2 = 0 are given by
x
y
1
=
=
b1c2 b 2 c1 c1a 2 c 2 a 1 a1b 2 a 2 b 1

Where a1b2 a2b1 0

x =

b1c2 b2 c1
c a c a
,y = 1 2 2 1
a1b2 a 2 b1
a1b2 a 2 b1

Example: Solve: 3x 7y + 10 = 0 and 2x y + 3 = 0

We have 3x 7y + 10 = 0
And 2x y + 3 = 0
From (i) and (ii), by method of cross multiplication, we get
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.. (i)
.. (ii)

x
y
1
=
=
b1c 2 b 2 c1 c1a 2 c 2 a 1 a1b 2 a 2 b 1

or

x
y
1
=
=
21 + 10 20 9 3 + 14

x
y
1
11
11
=
=
or x =
= 1 and y =
=1
11 11 11
11
11
Hence the required solutions are x = -1 and y = 1

or

Practical problems leading to simple equations

Example: 12.
2
A man travels from A to B at the rate of 4km an hour. Had he traveled at the rate of 3 km an hour, he would have taken 3
5
hours more to cover that distance. Find the distance between A and B.

Sol:
Let the distance between A and B be x km
Time taken to travel x kms at 4km/ hr =
Time required to cover x kms at 3

x
hours
4

2
x
5x
=
km/hr =
2 17
5
3
5

5x x
20 x 17 x
= 3 or
= 3 or x = 68
17 4
68
Hence the distance between A and B is 68 km.
Given that

Example: 13.
The monthly incomes of two persons are in the ratio 7:9 and their monthly expenditures are in the ratio 12 :16. If each saves
Rs. 100 per month, find their monthly incomes.
Sol:
Let the monthly incomes of the two persons be Rs. 7x & Rs. 9x. Then their monthly expenditures are Rs. (7x 100) and Rs. (9x
100).
Given that

7x 100 12
=
9x 100 16

112x 1600 = 108x 1200

112x 108x = 1600 1200
Hence, x = 100. Therefore the monthly incomes are Rs. 7x = Rs. 700 and 9x = Rs. 900
Example: 14.
Puja is four times as old as Madhu. 2 years hence she will be twice as old as Madhu will be. What are their present ages?
Sol:
Let pujas age be P and Madhus age be M.
Given P = 4M
.. (i)
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and (P + 2) = 2(M + 2)
Eliminating P between (i) and (ii) we have
4M + 2 = 2(M + 2) (since P = 4M)
2M = 4 2 = 2, M = 1.
P = 4M = 4 x 1 = 4
Puja is 4 years old and Madhu is 1 year old

.. (ii)

Example: 15.
2 chair and 3 tables are worth Rs. 1900 while 5 chairs and 2 tables are worth Rs. 2000. What is the value of each chair and
table?
Sol:
Let the cost of the chair be Rs. x and the cost of table be Rs. y.
Given 2x + 3y = 1900
.. (i)
5x + 2y = 2000
.. (ii)
Multiply (i) by 5 and (ii) by 2
We have 10x + 15y = 9500
10x + 4y = 4000
Subtracting, 11y = 5500 or y = 500
Substituting y = 500 in (i) 2x + 3 x 500 = 1900 or 2x = 400, x = 200.
Therefore, the cost of a chair is Rs. 200 and the cost of the table is Rs. 500.
Example: 16.
A certain two digit number is four times the sum of its digits and if 27 is added to it, its digits are reversed. Find the number.
Sol:
Let x be the digit in the tens place and y the digit in the units place.
Then the number is 10x + y
The number formed by reversing the digits will be 10y + x
The sum of the digits is x + y
Given that 10x + y = 4(x + y)
.. (i)
And 10x + y + 27 = 10y + x
.. (ii)
From (i) 10x 4x = 4y y
6x = 3y
.. (iii)
from (ii) 9x + 27 = 9y or x + 3 = y
.. (iv)
By substituting y = x + 3 in (iii) 6x = 3(x + 3)
i.e. 6x 3x = 9 or x = 3
By substituting x = 3 in (iii) 6 3 = 3y or y = 6
Therefore x = 3 and y = 6. The number is 36
Example: 17.
Two persons A and B, 16 km apart are together in 8 hours if they walk in the same direction and are together in 2 hours, if they
walk towards each other. What is their rate of walking?
Sol:
Let As speed be x km per hours and Bs speed be y km per hour (let x > y). when walking in the same direction A gains ( x
y) kmph and in 8 hours he gains 8(x y) kms.
8( x y) = 16, (x y) = 2
.. (I)
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when walking towards each other, they close the distance between them reduced at the rate of (x + y) kmph and in 2 hours
they close a distance of 2(x + y) kms.
2(x + y) = 16 or x + y = 8
.. (ii)
xy=2
.. (i)
x+y=8
.. (ii)
Adding we get, 2x = 10 or x = 5 kmph and y = 3 kmph. A walks at 5 kmph and B walks at 3 kmph.
Example: 18.
A group of people went to a hotel. If there had been 6 more people in the group each would have paid Rs. 2 less. If there had
been 4 less people, each would have paid Rs. 3 more. How many people went to the hotel and how much did each person
pay?
Sol:
Let the number of people be n and the amount paid to each person be p.
The total bill amount = np
If there were 6 more people, i.e., (n + 6) people, then each would have paid Rs. 2 less i.e., each would have paid Rs. (p 2).
Note that the total bill amount is assumed to be constant.
Hence (n + 6) ( p 2) = np or np 2n + 6p 12 = np or 6p 2n = 12 i.e. 3p n = 6 .. (i)
Similarly if there were 4 less people, each would have paid Rs. 3 more
Therefore (n 4) (p + 3) = np or 3n 4p = 12
.. (i)
3p n = 6
.. (i)
3n 4p = 12
.. (ii)
Multiply (i) by 4,
12p 4n = 24
Multiply (ii) by 3,
12p + 9n = 36
Adding
5n = 60 or n = 12
By substituting n = 12 in (i) 3p 12 = 6 or 3p = 18 or p = 6. Therefore 12 persons went to the hotel and each paid Rs. 6.
Example: 19.
Divide 28 into two parts so that one fourth the greater part may be equal to one third of the lesser part.
Sol:
Let the greater part be x. Then the lesser part = (28 x)
Given

1
1
x (greater part) = x (lesser part)
4
3

1
1
x 28 x x x
x
x = (28 x)
=
or + =
4
3
4
3 3 4 3 28
7 x 28
or
=
or x = 16 and the part is 28 16 = 12
12
3

Example: 20.
Sreenivas and Suresh start at the same time on scooters from Bangalore and Mysore towards each other at the speed
25kmph and 35 kmph respectively. At the point where they meet Suresh realizes that he has traveled 25 kms more than
Sreenivas. Find the distance between Bangalore and Mysore.
Sol:
Let the distance traveled by Sreenivas be x km and the distance traveled by Suresh be ( x + 25) km
The time taken by Sreenivas to travel x km = Time taken by Suresh to travel ( x + 25) km
Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 67 of 204

x
x + 25
or 35 x = 25 x + 625 or x = 62.5
=
25
35

Distance between Bangalore and Mysore = x + 25 + x = 2x + 25 = 2 62.5 + 25 = 150 km

Example: 21.
Find the fraction which is equal to

3
when both its numerator and denominator are increased by 3 and which is equal to
5

2a 2 b 2 c 2 when both are increased by 9.

Sol:
3
7

Equation reducible to quadratic type

Some equations which are not quadratic can be reduced to quadratic equations by proper substitution and can be solved
using any one of the previous methods
Example: 22.
2

1
1

x + x 8 x + x + 12 = 0

Sol:
1
= y then y 2 8y + 12 = 0 or y 2 2y 6y + 12 = 0
x
or y( y 2) 6(y 2) = 0
or (y 2) (y 6) = 0. Therefore y = 2 or 6.
Let x +

1
x2 +1
= 2 or
= 2 or x 2 2x + 1 = 0
x
x
i.e., x2 2x + 1 = 0 x( x 1) 1( x 1) = 0, ( x 1)2 = 0 or x = 1.
x+

1
x2 +1
=6
= 6, i.e., x 2 6x + 1 = 0
x
x
Here a = 1, b = 6 and c = 1.
x+

x=

b b 2 4ac
2a

By substituting the values of a, b and c, we get

x=

(6) (6)2 4.1.1

2

x=

6 32 6 4 2
=
= 3 2 2
2
2

Hence the roots are 1, 1, 3 2 2

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Radical Equations
Equations involving surds like

ax + b or

ax 2 + bx + c or

ax + b etc. are called radical equations. Methods of solving

such equations are discussed below.

Example: 23.
Solve: 3x 8 = x 2
Sol:
Squaring both sides we get
(3x 8) = ( x 2)2
x2 4x + 4 3x + 8 = 0
x2 7x + 12 = 0
x2 3x 4x + 12 = 0
x (x 3) 4 (x 3) = 0
(x 3) (x 4) = 0
Hence the roots of the equation are x = 3 or 4
Example: 24.
Divide 25 into two parts such that the sum of their reciprocals is

1
6

Sol:
Let x be one of the two parts. Then the other part is 25 x.
By the given condition

1
1
1
+
=
x 25 x 6

25 x + x 1
= or 25 6 = 25 x x 2
x(25 x) 6

x2 25x + 150 = 0
x2 10x 15x + 150 = 0
(x 10) ( x 15) = 0 . Therefore, x = 10 or 15.
Hence the required parts are 10 and 15.
Example: 25.
Find two consecutive even numbers such that the sum of their squares is 100
Sol:
Let the number be x and x + 2
x 2 + (x + 2) 2 = 100

or, x 2 + x 2 + 4 + 4 = 100
or, x 2 + x 2 + 4x + 4 = 100
or, 2x 2 + 4x + 4 100 = 0
or, 2x 2 + 4x + 4 96 = 0

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or, 2(x + 8) 6(x + 8) = 0

or, 2(x + 8) 6(x + 8) = 0
or, (x 8)(x + 8) = 0

or, x = 8, x = 6
or, x 2 + 2x 48 = 0

Neglect 8, so number are 6, 8

Example: 26.
Find the sum and product of the roots of the equation 3x2 4x + 5 = 0
Sol:
Here a = 3, b = 4, c = 5
Let a and b be the roots of the equation. Then the sum of the roots,
+ =

b
4 4
= = product of the roots = c = 5
a
3 3
a 3

Example: 27.
Discuss the nature of the equation x 2 + 7x + 12 = 0
Sol:
Here a = 1, b = 7, c = 12
b 2 4ac = 7 2 4 1 12 = 49 48 = 1

since b 2 4ac > 0, the roots are real and distinct.

Therefore the roots are real and distinct
Example: 28.
Discuss the nature of the roots of the equation x 2 + 4x + 4 = 0
Sol:
Here a = 1, b = 4, c = 4
b 2 4ac = 4 2 4 1 4 = 16 16 = 0
Therefore, the roots are real and equal.

Example: 29.
Find the equation whose roots are {3, 4}
Sol:
Here the roots are 3, -4. Therefore the required quadratic equation is
(x 3)(x + 4) = 0
x 2 + 4x 3x 12 = 0 or x 2 + x 12 = 0

Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 70 of 204

Example: 30.
If and are the roots of 5 x 2 x 2 = 0, find the value of
2
2
3
3
(i) + (2) +

Sol:
2 + 2 =

21 3
31
, + 3 =
25
125

Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 71 of 204

Practice Exercise - 1

1.

If and are the roots of the equation x2 - 3 x + 2 = 0, find if 2 + 2 =

(1)

2.

1
2

(2)

(2) 0

1
2

(4) Data insufficient

(5) None of these

b
+
+
= (Access Code - 01304002)

(3) 2

(4) 3

(5) 0

If , are the roots of the equation x2 + kx + 12 = 0 such that = 1, the value of k is. (Access Code - 01304003)
(2) 5

(1) 0
4.

(3)

If , are the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + b = 0, then

(1) 1

3.

1
2

7
(Access Code - 01304001)
4

(4) 6

(3) 1

(5) 7

Determine k so that the equation x2 4x + k = 0 has two distinct roots. (Access Code - 01304004)
(1) k2 > 4

(2) k < 4

(3) k < 2

(4) k > 2

(5) k 2 > 2

5.

For what values of k, the equation x2 + 2(k 4)x + 2k = 0 has equal roots? (Access Code - 01304005)
(1) 8,2
(2) 6, 4
(3) 12, 2
(4) 10, 4
(5) None of the above

6.

If p, q, r are real and p q, then the roots of the equation (p q) x2 + 5(p + q)x 2(p q) = 0 are (Access Code - 01304006)
(1) Real and equal
(2) Complex
(3) Real and unequal
(4) Data insufficient
(5) None of these

7.

If n is such that 36 n 72, then x =

(1) 20 <x < 54

n 2 + 2 n (n + 4) + 16

(2) 23 < x < 58

n+4 n +4

satisfies (Access Code - 01304007)

(3) 25 <x < 64

(4) 28 < x < 60

(5) None of these

8.

Which of the following is a quadratic equation? (Access Code - 01304008)

(1) x1/2 + 2x + 3 = 0
(2) (x 1)(x + 4) = x2 + 1 (3) x4 3x + 5 = 0
(4) (2x + 1)(3x 4) = 2x2 + 3 (5) None of these

9.

Which of the following is true for real values of k for which the polynomial 2x2 + 6x + k can be factorized into a product of
real linear factors? (Access Code - 01304009)
(1) k <

9
2

(2) k =

9
2

(3) k >

9
2

10. The roots of 2x2 6x + 3 = 0 are (Access Code - 01304010)

(1) Real, unequal and rational
(2) Real, unequal and irrational
(3) Real and equal
(4) Imaginary
(5) None of these

Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 72 of 204

(4) k

9
2

(5) k

9
2

11. If 2x2 7xy + 3y2 = 0, then the value of x : y is (Access Code - 01304011)
(1) 1 : 3 & 2 : 1
(2) 3 : 1 & 2 : 1
(3) 3 : 1 & 1 : 2
(4) 1 : 3 & 1 : 2

(5) 1 : 2 & 1 : 1

12. If the roots of the equation (c2 ab) x2 2(a2 bc)x + (b2 ac) = 0, for a o are real and equal, then the value of a3 + b3 +
c3 is (Access Code - 01304012)
(1) abc

(2) 3abc

(3) zero

(5) 2a 2 b 2 c 2

(4) 2abc

13. One fourth of a herd of cows is in the forest. Twice the square root of the herd has gone to mountains and of the remaining
15 are on the banks of a river. The total number of cows is (Access Code - 01304013)
(1) 6
(2) 100
(3) 63
(4) 30
(5) 36
14. If a,b are the two roots of a quadratic equation such that a + b = 24 and a b = 8, then the quadratic equation having a and
b as it roots is, (Access Code - 01304014)
(1) x2 + 2x + 8 = 0
(2) x2 4x + 8 = 0
(3) x2 24x + 128 = 0
(4) 2x2 + 8x + 9 = 0
(5) Data insufficient
15. If and are the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, then the value of

(1)

2bc a 3
b2c

(2)

3abc b3
a 2c

(3)

3abc b 2
a 3c

(4)

2 2
+
is. (Access Code - 01304015)

ab b2 c
2b 2 c

(5) None of these

16. Which of the following expressions cannot be equal to zero, when X2 2X = 3? (Access Code - 01304016)
(1) X2 7X + 6
(2) X2 9
(3) X2 4X + 3
(4) X2 6X + 9
(5) X2 5X 7
17. A and B solved a quadratic equation. In solving it, A made a mistake in the constant term and obtained the roots as 5 &
3, while B made a mistake in the coefficient of x and obtained the roots as 1 & 3. The correct roots of the equation are
(Access Code - 01304017)
(1) 1, 3
(2) 1, 3
(3) 1, 3,
(4) 1, 1
(5) 1, 3

18. The value of x in the equation

(1) 5/13

x
1
+ 1 x = 2 is (Access Code - 01304018)
1 x
2

(2) 7/13

(3) 9/13

(4)

8
13

(5) None of these

19. If a2 + b2 + c2 = 1, then which of the following cannot be a value of (ab + bc + ca)? (Access Code - 01304019)
(1) 0
(2) 1/2
(3) 1/4
(4) 1
(5) 1
20. If P = 22/3 + 21/3 then which of the following is true? (Access Code - 01304020)
(1) p3 6p 6 = 0
(2) p3 6p + 6 = 0
(3) p3 + 6p 6 = 0
(4) p3 + 6p + 6 = 0

(5) None of these

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SCORE SHEET
1

13

17

10

14

18

11

15

19

12

16

20

Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 74 of 204

Practice Exercise - 2
1.

If both a and b belong to the set {1, 2, 3, 4} then the number of equation of the form ax2 + bx + 1 = 0 having real roots is
(Access Code - 01304021)
(1) 10
(2) 7
(3) 6
(4) 12
(5) 7

2.

If 2 + i 3 is a root of the equation x2 + px + q = 0, where p and q are real, then (p, q) is (Access Code - 01304022)
(1) (2, 3)
(2) (2, 3)
(3) (4, 7)
(4) (4, 7)
(5) None of these

3.

The number of quadratic equations which are unchanged by squaring their root is (Access Code - 01304023)
(1) 2
(2) 4
(3) 5
(4) 6
(5) 8

Directions for (Que. 4 - 5): In each of these questions, two equations I and II are given. You have to solve both the equations
and give answer (1) if p < q; (2), if p q; (3) if p = q; (4) if p q and (5) if p >q.
4.

I. p2 18p + 77 = 0

II. 3q2 25 q + 28 = 0 (Access Code - 01304024)

5.

I. 4p2 = 9

II. 2q2 9q + 10 = 0 (Access Code - 01304025)

6.

For what value of a do the roots of the equation 2x2 + 6x + a = 0, satisfy the conditions + > 2 (Access Code

01304026)
(1) a < 2 or a >

7.

9
2

(2) a > 0

(4) a <

(3) 1 < a < 0

9
2

(5) a > 0

If f(x) = x2 + 2x 5 and g(x) = 5x + 30, then the roots of the quadratic equation g[f(x)] will be (Access Code - 01304027)
(1) 1, 1

(2) 2, 1

(3) 1 + 2, 1 2

(4) 2, 1

(5) 1, 1

8.

If two quadratic equations ax2 + ax + 3 = 0 and x2 + x + b = 0 have a common root x = 1 then which of the following statement
hold true? (Access Code - 01304028)
(A) a + b = 3.5
(B) ab = 3
(C) a/b = 3/4
(D) a b = 0.5
(1) A, B
(2) B, C, D
(3) A, C, D
(4) A, B, D
(5) A, B, C

9.

The value of p for which the sum of the square of the root of equation 2x2 2(p 2) x p 1 = 0 is least is (Access Code
- 01304029)
(1) 1
(2) 1/2
(3) 2
(4) 1
(5) 3/2

10. If a, b {1, 2, 3, 4}, then the number of the equations of the form ax2 + bx + 1 = 0 having real roots is (Access Code - 01304030)
(1) 8
(2) 7
(3) 6
(4) 12
(5) 10

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SCORE SHEET
1

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Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 76 of 204

Answer Key
Practice Exercise -1
1.
2.
3.
4.

(1)
(2)
(5)
(2)

5.
6.
7.
8.

(1)
(3)
(3)
(4)

9. (5)
10. (2)
11. (3)
12. (2)

13. (5)
14. (3)
15. (2)
16. (1)

17. (2)
18. (4)
19. (5)
20. (1)

7. (1)
8. (5)

9. (5)
10. (5)

Practice Exercise -2
1. (2)
2s. (4)

3. (2)
4. (4)

5. (1)
6. (4)

Chapter 4 | Theory of Equations | BMM10233 | 77 of 204