1.

Remainder theorem:

If a polynomial f(x) is divided by x-, the remainder obtained is

f()
Factor theorem:

A polynomial f(x) is divided by x-, if f()=0.

If a1 /a2 =a1 /a2= a1 /a2 , then each of these ratios is equal to
a) (ka1 +lb1 +mc1) / (ka2 +lb2 +mc2)
b)

(ka1x +lb1x +mc1x) / (ka2x +lb2x+mc2x)1/x

c) (a1 b1/a2b2 )1/2 = (a1 b1 c1/a2b2 c2 )1/3

For example, a/b= 3/4, then

a/b= 3/4 = (a+3)/(b+4) = (a2 +9)1/2/(b2 +16)1/2
2. Condition for resolution into linear factors of a quadratic
function:
The quadratic function ax2 +2fgh+by2 +2gx +2fy + c is resolvable into
linear factors if
abc + 2fgh - af2 -bg2 -ch2 =0 i.e.
2. Q1. If P(x) = ax2 + bx + c , and Q(x) = -ax2 + bx + c, where ac not equal to zero.
Show that the equation P(x).Q(x) =0 has at least two real roots. ( IIT 89)
Solution: Roots of equation P(x).Q(x) =0 will be the roots of equation
P(x)=0 and Q(x)=0
D1 be the discriminant of P(x)
D2 be the discriminant of Q(x)
D1 +D2 = (b2 -4ac) + (b2 + 4ac) = 2b2 >=0
So at least one of D1 and D2 must be greater than or equal to zero.
So at least one of the equations P(x)=0, and Q(x)=0 has real roots.
Hence the equation P(x).Q(x)=0 has at least two real roots.
second method:
ac is not equal to zero.
So ac>0, or ac<0
If ac>0, D2 = b2 + 4ac >0
If ac<0, D1 = b2 - 4ac >0

So at least one of D1 and D2 must be greater than or equal to zero.

So at least one of the equations P(x)=0, and Q(x)=0 has real roots.
Hence the equation P(x).Q(x)=0 has at least two real roots.

Q.2. Show that if p, q,r,s are real numbers and pr=2(q+s)

then at least one of the equations x2 + px +q =0 and x2 + rx +s =0
has real roots.
Solution:
x2 + px +q =0 .........(1)
x2 + rx +s =0 ..........(2)
pr=2(q+s) ...........(3)
Let D1 and D2 be the discriminants of equations (1) and (2) respectively.
D1 +D2 = p2 -4q + r2 -4s
= p2 +r2 -4(q+s)
= p2 +r2 -2pr (using equation (3) )
= (p-r)2 >= 0
So at least one of D1 and D2 >=0
So at least one of the equations (1) and (2) have real roots.
3. Show that the equation esinx -e-sinx -4 =0 has no real solution. (IIT 1982)
Let y= esinx .
Then the equation becomes y - 1/y -4 =0
or, y2 -4y -1 =0
Discriminant, D = 42 -4(1)(-1) = 20
Two roots are y = (4 + 20)/2 , (4 - 20)/2
or, y= (2+5) , (2-5)
or, esinx = (2+5) , (2-5)
Taking log on both sides, we get
sinx = log(2+5) , or sinx=log (2-5)
2-5 is negative. But log of negative number is not defined.

So only one equation is left.

sinx= log(2+5) > loge
or, sinx>1
This is not possible.
So the required equation has no real solution.
3. 1. If and are the roots of the equation x2 +px +q =0 and x2n + pn xn + qn =0, where n is an
even integer, prove that / , / are the roots of the equation x n +1 + (x+1)n =0.
Solution:
and are the roots of the equation x2 +px +q =0
So, + =-p.........(1)
=q .................(2)
Since and are the roots of the equation x2n + pn xn + qn =0
2n + pn n + qn =0
or,( n )2 + pn n + qn =0..........(3)
and,
( n )2 + pn n + qn =0..............(4)
From (3) and (4) we see that are the roots of y2 + pn y + qn =0
So, n + n =-pn.........(5)
nn =qn .................(6)
From (1), we have
+ =-p
or, ( + )n =(-p)n = pn (n is even)
or, ( + )n =-(-pn )= -(n + n ) (from 5)
or, n + n + ( + )n = 0 ........(7)
Dividing (7) by n , we get
(/ )n + 1 + ((/ ) +1 )n =0 .........(8)
Dividing (7) by n , we get
( / )n + 1 + (( /) +1 )n =0 .........(9)
From (8) and (9) we see that / and / are the roots of
xn +1 + (x+1)n =0.
2. If sum of the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c =0 is equal to the sum of the squares of their
reciprocals, show that bc2 , ca2 , ab2 are in AP. ( IIT 76)
Solution:
Let and be the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c =0 .
Then, + = -b/a ...........(1)
= c/a .............(2)
Now, + = 1/ 2 + 1/2

or, + = (2 +2)/( )2
or, + =( ( +)2 - 2 ) / ( )2 ........(3)
Now put the values of (+ ) and ( ) from (1) and (2) in equation (3).
Thus, we get
-b/a = (b2 -2ac)/ c2
or, -bc2 = b2a -2ca2
or, bc2 + ab2 = 2ca2
Hence bc2 , ca2 , ab2 are in A.P.
Proved.
4. Q1. If one root of a quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c =0 is equal to nth power of the other, show
that
(acn )1/n+1 + (an c)1/n+1 + b =0.
Solution:
Let and n be the roots of the given equation.
Thus one root is the nth power of the other.
+ n = -b/a ............(1)
n = c/a
or, n+1 = c/a
or, = (c/a)1/n+1 .............(2)
From (1) we get,
a + a n +b =0
Putting the value of from (2) in the above equation, we get
a (c/a)1/n+1 + a (c/a)n/n+1 + b =0
or, (an+1 * c/a )1/n+1 + a(cn /an )1/n+1 + b =0
or, (anc)1/n+1 + (an+1 cn /an )1/n+1 + b =0
or, (anc)1/n+1 + (acn )1/n+1 + b =0
or, (acn )1/n+1 + (anc)1/n+1 + b =0
Proved.
Q 2. If r be the ratio of the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c =0, show that

(r+1)2 /r = b2 /ac
Solution:
Let and be the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c =0.
We know the value of the sum of the roots and the product of the roots.
+ = -b/a ........(1)
= c/a .........(2) (see proof)
Here we have another relation i.e the ratio of the roots.
/ = r .......(3)
LHS = (r+1)2 /r =(( /) +1)2/( /)
= ( +)2/( )
= (-b/a)2/(c/a) ........(using (1) and (2) )
= b2 /ac
= RHS

Proved.

Q1. If c,d are the roots of the equation(x- a)(x-b) -k =0, show that
a, b are the roots of the equation (x-c)(x-d) +k =0. ( IIT 65)
Solution:
(x- a)(x-b) -k =0
or, x2 - (a+b)x + ab -k =0
You know the relation for sum of roots and product of roots of a quadratic equation.
If not,

We saw that the roots of a quadratic

equation ax

+ bx + c =0 is given by-

x = (-b + D) /2a, and x = (-b - D) /2a

Let these roots be denoted by and .
Let = (-b + D) /2a, and =
+ = (-b + D) /2a + (-b - D) /2a
= (-b/2a ) + (D/2a) -(b/2a) - (D/2a)

(-b - D) /2a

= -2b/2a
= -b/a
1.

* = (-b + D) /2a * (-b - D) /2a

= { (-b) - (D) } / (2a)
= (b -D)/4a
= ( b - b + 4ac ) /4a [ D= b - 4ac ]
= c/a

SOLVED PROBLEMS OF IIT JEE MATHS PAPERS USING THIS

RELATION:
Question.1: If the sum of the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c =0
is equal to the sum of the squares of their reciprocals, show that
bc , ca, ab are in A.P. ( IIT-JEE 76)
SOLUTION:
Let the roots of the equation be and . Then
+ = 1/ + 1/
or, + = (+) /
or, + = ( + ) - 2 /
Putting the values of + and we get
-b/a =( (b/a) - 2c/a) / (c/a)
or, -b/a = (b- 2ac)/ c
or, -bc = ab - 2ca
or bc + ab = 2ca

Hence bc , ca, ab are in A.P.

Proved.
c+d = (a+b) ...............(1)

cd = (ab-k) ...............(2)
Using (1) and (2) we get
a+ b = (c+d) ...........(3)
ab = (cd +k ) ............(4)
Now you to find the equation whose roots are a and b.
You know the sum of roots and product of roots. So it can easily be found out.
The equation whose roots are a and b is given by
ax + bx + c= 0 -1

a{ x + (b/a) x + c/a } = 0
{ x + (b/a) x + c/a } = 0 , as a0
{ x - (-b/a) x + c/a } = 0
{ x - (+) x + (*)} = 0 , where & are the roots of the quadratic equation ax + bx
+ c= 0.
[ As proved in the previous page, + = -b/a, & * = c/a ]

Thus, the quadratic equation whose roots are & is given by x - (+) x + (*) = 0
or, x - (sum of roots) x + (product of roots) = 0
x2 - (a+b)x + ab =0 ( see proof )
or, x2 - (c+d)x + cd +k =0
or, (x-c)(x-d) + k= 0
Thus a, b are roots of the equation (x-c)(x-d) + k= 0

Q2. The coefficient of x in the equation x2 + px +q =0 was wrongly written as 17 in place of 13 and
the roots thus found were -2 and -15. Find the roots of the correct equation. ( IIT 77)
Solution:
This question can be seen as
The roots of the equation x2 + 17x + q =0 are -2 and -15.

Find the roots of the equation x2 + 13x + q =0

We need to find the value of q.
product of roots = q
or, (-2)(-15)= q
or, q= 30
Now it is a simple question where we have to find the roots of
x2 + 13x + 30 =0
or, x2 + (10+3) x + (10*3) =0
or, (x+10) (x+3) =0
or, x= -10, -3
So the roots of the correct equation are -10 and -3.
Q.1. The real numbers x1, x2, x3 satisfying the equation x 3 -x2 + bx + c =0 are in AP.
Find the intervals in which b and c lie. ( IIT 96)
Solution:
x3 -x2 + bx + c =0 ...........(1)
Let the roots of the equation be a-d , a , a+d
Sum of the roots =1 ( see proof)

If 1, 2,3 ... n are the roots of the equation

f(x)= a0xn +a1xn-1 +a2xn-2 +...+an-1x + an =0, then
f(x)= a0 (x-1)(x-2)(x-3)... (x-n)

Equating both the RHS terms we get,

a0xn +a1xn-1 +a2xn-2 +...+an-1x + an = a0(x-1)(x-2)(x-3)... (x-n)
Comparing coefficients of

S1

xn-1 on both sides, we get

= 1 + 2+3 +... + n = i = -a1/ a0

or, S1= - coeff. of xn-1/coeff. of xn

Comparing coefficients of

xn-2 on both sides, we get

= 1 2+ 13 +... = i j = (-1)2a2/ a0
i j
or, S2= (-1)2 coeff. of xn-2/coeff. of xn
S2

Comparing coefficients of

xn-3 on both sides, we get

= 1 23+ 234 +... = i j k = (-1)3a3/ a0

i j k
or, S3= (-1)3 coeff. of xn-3/coeff. of xn
S3

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...

... ... ... ... ... ... ... ...
Sn=123... n =(-1)nan/ a0= (-1)n constant term/coeff. of xn

Here, Sk denotes the sum of the products of the roots taken k at a time.
For example, S3 denotes the sum of the product of roots taken 3 at a
time.
PARTICULAR CASES:

Quadratic Equation:
If and are roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c=0, then
+ = -b/a
* = c/a

Cubic Equation:
If , , are roots of a cubic equation ax3 + bx2 + cx + d=0, then
+ + = -b/a
+ + = c/a

 = -d/a

Biquadratic equation :
If , , , are roots of a cubic equation ax4+ bx3 + cx2 + dx +e=0, then
+ + + = -b/a
+ + + + + = c/a
+ + + = -d/a
= e/a
or, a-d + a + a+d =1
or, a = 1/3 ...........(2)
(a-d)a + a(a+d) + (a-d)(a+d) = b
or, 3a2 -d2 =b
or, 3(1/9) -d2 = b
or, 1/3 - d2 = b
or, d2 = 1/3 -b
Since d is real , 1/3 -b >= 0

or, b<=1/3
Thus, -

< b <= 1/3

Product of roots = -c
or, (a-d) a(a+d) = -c
or, a(a2 -d2 ) =-c
or, 1/3 (1/9 - d2 ) = -c
or, c= d2/3 - 1/27
As d is real d2 >= 0.
So, c>= -1/27
So, -1/27<= c <

Q.1. Show that

(x+b)(x+c)/( b-a) (c-a) + (x+c)(x+a)/(c-b)(a-b) + (x+a)(x+b)/(a-c)(b-c) =1 ......(1)
is an identity.
Solution:
When x= -a, LHS =1 = RHS
so x= -a satisfies (1)
When x= -b, LHS =1 = RHS
so x= -b satisfies (1)
When x= -c, LHS =1 = RHS
so x= -c satisfies (1)
The highest power of x in relation (1) is 2 but this relation is satisfied by three distinct values of x .
So it is an identity.

Q.2. If (a2 -1)x2 + (a-1) x + a2 -4a +3 = 0 be an identity in x, then find the value of a.
Solution:
As it is an identity, it must be satisfied by any value of x. So the coefficients must be zero.
a2 -1 =0
or, a=1, -1
a-1 =0
or, a=1
a2 -4a +3 =0
or, a=1, 3
The common value of a =1.
Thus for a=1, the given relation will be an identity.
Q.1. If a, b, c belong to R, a not equal to zero, and the quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c=0 has no
real roots, then show that (a+b+c)c >0
Solution:
Let f(x) = ax2 + bx +c
Since the equation f(x)=0 has no real root, f(x) will have the same sign for all real values of x.
So, f(1) and f(0) will have same sign
f(0)= c
f(1) = a+ b+ c
f(0).f(1) >0

or, (a+b+c)c >0

Proved.
Q.1. If a, b, c belong to R, a not equal to zero, and the quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c=0 has no
real roots, then show that (a+b+c)c >0
Solution:
Let f(x) = ax2 + bx +c
Since the equation f(x)=0 has no real root, f(x) will have the same sign for all real values of x.
So, f(1) and f(0) will have same sign
f(0)= c
f(1) = a+ b+ c
f(0).f(1) >0
or, (a+b+c)c >0
Proved.
Q.1. Solve for x:
( 5 +26)x2-3 + ( 5 -26)x2-3 =10
Solution:
( 5 +26)x2-3 * ( 5 -26)x2-3 = (25-24)x2-3 = 1
Let ( 5 +26)x2-3 = y
Then, ( 5 -26)x2-3 =1/y
Now the equation becomes
y + 1/y =10
or, y2 -10y +1 =0
Using the quadratic formula , we get
y = ( 5 +26) , ( 5 -26)
The value of y which we took was ( 5 +26)x2-3
Now we get,
( 5 +26)x2-3 = ( 5 +26) .........(1)
( 5 +26)x2-3 = ( 5 -26) ............(2)
From (1) we get
x2 -3 =1

or, x2 = 4
or, x =2, -2
From (2) we get,
x2 -3 = -1 ( 5 -26 = 1/( 5 +26) = ( 5 +26) -1 )
or, x2 =2
or, x= 2 , -2
Thus, x =2, -2, 2 , -2
Q.1. Let f(x) be a quadratic expression which is positive for all real x.
If g(x) = f(x) + f '(x) + f ''(x) , then for real x, show that g(x) >0.
Solution:
Let f(x) = ax2 + bx + c
f '(x) = 2ax + b
f ''(x) = 2a
As f(x) is positive for all real values of x,
a>0 , and b2 -4ac <0 ...........(1) ( see proof)

The expression ax + bx + c is called a quadratic expression or a

quadratic polynomial or a polynomial of degree two, where a, b, and c have same
meaning as discussed in earlier posts of quadratic equation. Let this expression be
denoted by y.
y = ax + bx +c
y= a ( x + (b/a)x + c/a )
= a( x + 2*(b/2a)*x + (b/2a) - (b/2a) + c/a )
= a{ (x + b/2a) - ( b -4ac)/4a }
b -4ac is denoted by D. Thus,
y=a{ (x + b/2a) - D/4a } - eq 1
Now consider the following cases:
case 1: a

> 0, and D < 0

The quantity (x + b/2a) in eq 1 is always greater than or equal to 0 since it is the

square of a real number. As D <0, so (-D) will be > 0. And as a>0, 4a will be greater
than zero. Therefore-

sign of y=sign of a{ +ve + (+ve/+ve) }

or, sign ofy= sign of a( +ve)
or, sign ofy= sign of a

conclusion: y is always +ve.

Example: y = x + x + 1
Here a=1 >0
D= 1- 4*1*1 = -3 <0
So the value of y must be greater than zero for any real value of x, as can be seen
below in the graph of the quadratic polynomial x + x + 1

case 2:

a<0, D<0

The quantity (x + b/2a) in eq 1 is always greater than or equal to 0 since it is the

square of a real number. As D <0, so (-D) will be > 0. 4a is the square of (-2a) and
hence will always be > 0, as a < 0.( Note: what i am emphasizing by saying a<0 is
that 'a' is not equal to 0. Had a been equal to zero, 'a' would not have been a
quadratic polynomial in the first place)
sign of y=sign of a{ +ve + (+ve/+ve) }
or, sign ofy= sign of a( +ve)
or, sign ofy= sign of a

conclusion: y is always -ve.

Example: y = -x + x -1
Here a=-1 <0
D= -3 <0
So the value of y must be less than zero for any real value of x, as can be seen
below in the graph of the quadratic polynomial -x + x - 1

Thus, we can say that when D< 0, the sign of a quadratic poynomial y is
same as the sign of 'a'. When 'a' is +ve, y is always +ve, and when 'a' is -ve,
y is always -ve. Note that 'a'cannot be zero, otherwise y would not be a
quadratic polynomial.
g(x) = ax2 + bx + c + 2ax + b + 2a
or, g(x) = ax2 + (b+2a)x + b+c+2a
In equation g(x)= 0 , a>0
If we prove that the discriminant of the equation g(x)=0 is less than 0, it means g(x)>0 for all real
values of x. (see proof)
Discriminant of g(x) =0,
D = (b+2a)2 -4a(b+c+2a)
or, D = (b2 -4ac) -4a2 <0 (using (1) )
Thus, g(x) >0 for all real x.