STD IX- Olympiad. - Maths M.

Prakash Institute
Total Marks: 72 3 hours.
All questions carry 6 marks each. 12 March 2023

1. A quadratic equation has roots α and β where

α β a2 − 7
α · β = 4 and + = 2 .
α−1 β−1 a −4
Find set of all values of a for which α, β ∈ (1, 4).
Solution:
α(β − 1) + β(α − 1) a2 − 7
= 2
(αβ + 1) − (α + β) a −4
8 − (α + β) 2
a −7
⇒ = 2 as αβ = 4
5 − (α + β) a −4
⇒ α + β = a2 + 1
Hence the quadratic equation is x2 − a2 + 1 x + 4 = 0.

Let f (x) = x2 − a2 + 1 x + 4 = 0

The conditions for the roots of f (x) = 0 to lie between 1 and 4 are:
(i) D √
√ ≥ 0 ⇒ (a2 + 1)2 − 16 ≥ 0 ⇒ a2 − 3 ≥ 0 ⇒ a ∈
(−∞, − 3] ∪ [ 3, +∞)
and (ii) f (1) = 4 − a2 > 0 ⇒ a ∈ (−2, 2)
and (iii) f (4) = 16 − 4a2 > 0 ⇒ 4 − a2 > 0 ⇒ a ∈ (−2, 2)
a2 + 1
and (iv) 1 < < 4 ⇒ 1 < a2 < 7
2 √ √
From (i), (ii), (iii) & (iv) we get a ∈ (−2, − 3] ∪ [ 3, 2).

2. If the product of two roots of the equation 4x4 −24x3 +31x2 +6x−8 = 0
is 1, then find the roots.
Solution:
Suppose the roots are α, β, γ, δ and αβ = 1.
Now, σ1 = (α + β) + (γ + δ) = − −244 = 6 . . . . . . (1)
σ2 = (α + β)(γ + δ) + αβ + γδ = 31
4
⇒ (α + β)(γ + δ) + γδ = 31 4 −1=
27
4 . . . . . . (2)
σ3 = γδ(α + β) + αβ(γ + δ) = −3
2
⇒ γδ(α + β) + (γ + δ) = −3 2 . . . . . . (3)
σ4 = αβγδ = −2 ⇒ γδ = −2 . . . . . . (4)
35
From Eq. (2) and Eq. (4), we get (α + β)(γ + δ) = 4 . . . . . . (5)
−3
From Eq. (3) and Eq. (4), we get −2(α + β) + (γ + δ) = 2 . . . . . . (6)
15
From Eq. (1) and Eq. (6), we get 3(α + β) = 2 ⇒ α+β = 52 . . . . . . (7)
 Hence α, β are the roots of the equation 2x2 − 5x + 2 = 0
∴ α = 1/2 or α = 2 and hence β = 2 or β = 1/2.
From Eq. (5) and Eq. (7), we get γ+δ = 72 and we know that γδ = −2.
Hence γ, δ are the roots of the equation 2x2 − 7x − 4 = 0.
Solving we get γ = −1 −1
2 and δ = 4 or δ = 2 and γ = 4.
−1 1
Hence the roots of the given equation are 2 , 2 , 2, 4.

3. There are n necklaces such that the first necklace contains 5 beads,
the second contains 7 beads and in general the ith necklace contains
i beads more than the (i − 1)th necklace. Find the total number of
beads in all the n necklaces.
Solution:
Let us denote the number of beads in the k th necklace by ak .
We are given that
a1 = 5
ak = ak−1 + k, for k ≥ 2
a2 = a1 + 2
a3 = a2 + 3
Hence, ..
.
an = an−1 + n
Adding column-wise and simplifying,
an = a1 + (2 + 3 + . . . . + n) = 5 + 21 n(n + 1) − 1 = 21 (n2 + n + 8)
n  
X 1 1 1
Hence ak = n(n + 1)(2n + 1) + n(n + 1) + 8
2 6 2
k=1
1
= n n2 + 3n + 26


6
which is the total number of beads in all the necklaces.

4. Find the sum up to the n terms of the series

5 1 7 1 9 1 11 1
· + · 2+ · 3+ · 4 + . . . . . ..
1×2 3 2×3 3 3×4 3 4×5 3
Solution:
2n + 3 1 3(n + 1) − n 1
Here an = · = · n
n(n + 1) 3n n(n + 1) 3
 
3 1 1 1 1 1 1
= − n
= · n−1 − · n
n n+1 3 n 3 n+1 3
1 1
∴ Sn = 1 − · .
n + 1 3n
5. Let a1 , a2 , . . . , an , . . . be in an A.P. and Sk denote the sum of the first
Sn n4 a61
k terms of this A.P.. If = 4 ∀ m, n ∈ N, then find .
Sm m a6
Solution:
Let a1 = a, we have
Sn n[2a + (n − 1)d]/2 n4
= = 4
Sm m[2a + (n − 1)d]/2 m
2a + (n − 1)d n 3
⇒ = 3
2a + (m − 1)d m
Replacing n by 2n + 1 and m by 2m + 1, we get
2a + (2n + 1 − 1)d (2n + 1)3
=
2a + (m + 1 − 1)d (2m + 1)3
an+1 (2n + 1)3
⇒ =
am+1 (2m + 1)3
a61 (2 × 60 + 1)3 (121)3
Hence = 3
= = 113 = 1331
a6 (2 × 5 + 1) (11)3

6. Let a, b, c ∈ R+ such that 2a + b + 3c = 1 .

Find the maximum value of the product a4 b2 c2 . Also obtain the cor-
responding values of a, b, c for which this maximum value is attained.
Solution:
Consider the positive numbers
2a 2a 2a 2a b b 3c 3c
4 , 4 , 4 , 4 , 2, 2, 2 , 2
As there is a4 , take 4 equal parts of 2a; as there is b2 , take 2 equal
parts of b; as there is c2 , take 2 equal parts of 3c.
For these numbers,
2a
+ 2a + 2a + 2a + 2b + 2b + 3c + 3c
Arithemetic Mean, A = 4 4 4 4
4+2+2
2 2
= 2a+b+3c
8 = 18
(∵ 2a + b + 3c = 1)

1  32 4 2 2  81
and Geometric Mean, G = 2a 2a
4 · 4 ·
2a
4 · 2a
4 · b
2 · b
2 · 3c
2 · 3c 8
2 = 28 a b c
 2 1
8 28
∴ A ≥ G ⇒ 18 ≥ 238 a4 b2 c2 ⇒ 32 ·88
≥ a4 b2 c2 ⇒ 1
9.48
≥ a4 b2 c2
So the greatest value of a4 b2 c2 = 9.41 8
When the equality holds, the greatest value is attained. We know
A = G when all the numbers are equal, i.e.
2a b 3c
4 = 2 = 2 ⇒ a = b = 3c
Let a3 = 3b = 1c = k
∴ a = 3k, b = 3k, c = k
1
∴ 2a + b + 3c = 1 ⇒ 6k + 3k + 3k = 1 ⇒ k = 12
3 3 1
∴ a = 12 , b = 12 , c = 12 i.e. a = 14 , b = 41 , c = 12
1
7. In △ABC, the equation of the side AB is 5x − 3y + 2 = 0 and the
altitudes AD and BE are given by 4x−3y +1 = 0 and 7x+2y −22 = 0
respectively. Find the equation of the circumcircle of △ABC.
Solution:
Solving AB and AD we get the point A as (−1, −1)
Similarly
J solving AB and BE we get the point B is (2, 4).
ABC ∈ Family of circles given by
(x + 1)(x − 2) + (y + 1)(y − 4) + λ(5x − 3y + 2) = 0

Method I:
Take C as (p, q) and apply m1 m2 = −1 on pairs (AD, BC) and
(BE, CF ). You will have two equations in p, q.
Solving them
J we get C is (6, 1).
C(6, 1) ∈ ABC
∴ 7 × 4 + 2x − 3 + λ(30 − 3 + 2) = 0
22
⇒ 22 + λ(29) = 0 ⇒ λ = −
J 29
∴ The equation of the ABC is given by
22
x2 − x − 2 + y 2 − 3y − 4 − (5x − 3y + 2) = 0
29
i.e. 29 x2 + y 2
− x(29 + 110) − y(87 − 66)y − 174 − 44 = 0

i.e. 29 x2 + y 2 − 139x − 21y − 218 = 0

Method II:
Solving AD and BE we get the orthocenter H
H ∗ : Reflection of H about the line AB
H∗ ∈
J
ABC
Remark:
In this problem the coordinates of H are not friendly.
8. In △ABC, vertex A(4, −1). The bisectors of the angles B and C are
respectively given by the equations x − 1 = 0 and x − y − 1 = 0. Find
the equation of the side AB.
Solution:

The reflection of A(4, −1) on the two bisectors will lie on the line BC.
Let L be reflection of A from bisector of ∠B i.e. x − 1 = 0.
If L is (h, k) then
h−4 k+1 4−1
1 = 0 = −2 × 12
⇒ h = −2, k = −1. Hence L(−2, −1).
Let M be reflection of A from bisector of ∠C i.e. x − y − 1 = 0.
If M is (h′ , k ′ ) then
h′ −4 k′ +1 4+1−1
1 = −1 = −2 × 12 +(−1)2
⇒ h′ = 0, k ′ = 3. Hence M (0, 3).
By two point form, the equation of LM or BC is 2x − y + 3 = 0
Solving BC with the two bisectors of ∠B and ∠C, we get the point
B(1, 5) and C(−4, −5).
Hence the three vertices are known.
The sides can be found as usual by two point form.
We get AC : x − 2y − 6 = 0 and AB : 2x + y − 7 = 0.
9. The equal sides AB and AC of an isosceles triangle ABC are produced
to the points P and Q respectively such that BP · CQ = AB 2 . Prove
that the line P Q always passes through a fixed point.
Solution:
Let BC = 2a
Let the base BC be taken along the
x−axis and its mid-point be chosen
as origin.
Hence the points B and C are (−a, 0)
and (a, 0) respectively.
The third vertex A will lie on y-axis
at (0, b) say.
By given condition,
BP AB
AB = CQ = λ( say )
⇒ BP AC
AB = CQ = λ (∵ AB = AC)
B divides P A in the ratio λ : 1 and C
divides AQ in the ratio λ : 1 as shown
in the figure.
Hence section
 formula gives the co-ordinates of P (−a(λ + 1), −λb)
a(λ+1) b
and Q is λ , −λ .
Hence equation of P Q is
y + λb = ab λ−1
λ+1 (x + a(λ + 1))
or a(λ + 1)y + abλ(λ + 1) = b(λ − 1)x + ab λ2 − 1

Cancel abλ2 and collect the terms of λ. We get

(bx + ay + ab) + λ(bx − ay − ab) = 0.
Above is of the form u + λv = 0 which represents a family of straight
lines passing through the intersection of u = 0 and v = 0.
i.e. the point (0, −b) which is a fixed point.
10. Given circles S1 : x2 + y 2 = 25 and S2 : (x − 6)2 + y 2 = 13.
The circles S1 and S2 intersect at the points (4, 3) and (4, −3).
A1 , A2 are the points on the circles S1 and S2 respectively such that
(4, 3) is the mid-point of A1 A2 . Find the equation of the line A1 A2 .
Solution:

Let A1 A2 be the required chord.

Let M1 , M2 be the feet of the perpendicular from the centres C1 (0, 0)
& C2 (6, 0) on A1 A2 respectively.
As A(4, 3) is the mid-point of A1 A2 , it is also the mid-point of M1 M2 .
Through A, draw AB ∥ M1 C1 such that B ∈ C1 C2 .
A is the mid-point of M1 M2 ⇒ B is the mid-point of C1 C2 .
0+6 0+0


∴ B 2 , 2 ≡ B(3, 0)
slope of AB = 3−0
4−3 = 3.
As A1 A2 ⊥ AB at A, hence slope of A1 A2 = − 13
Hence the equation of A1 A2 : x + 3y − 13 = 0.

11. Given circle S : x2 + y 2 = 50 , line l : 2x + y − 5 = 0 and point A(4, 2).

Find the point P1 on the circle S and the point P2 on the line l such
that A is the mid-point of P1 P2 .
Solution:
Let P2 (t, 5 − 2t). Note that P2 is a general point on l.
P1 is reflection of P2 about A(4, 2).
∴ P1 = (2 × 4 − t, 2 × 2 − (5 − 2t))
i.e. P1 = (8 − t, −1 + 2t)
As P1 ∈ S
∴ (8 − t)2 + (2t − 1)2 = 50
⇒ 64 + t2 − 16t + 4t2 − 4t + 1 = 50
⇒ 5t2 − 20t + 15 = 0
⇒ t2 − 4t + 3 = 0
⇒ (t − 1)(t − 3) = 0
∴ t = 1, 3
For t = 1, P2 = (1, 3) and P1 = (7, 1)
For t = 3, P1 = (5, 5) and P2 (3, −1)
12. Consider two fixed lines y − x = 0 and ky + x = 0 where k > 1. A
particle P starts from (1, 1) to reach the origin in the manner as shown
in the figure. If the total distance travelled by the particle is 3, then
find the value of k.

Solution:
The sucessive
co-ordinates
of 1the1 particle’s

1 1
path are
1 1 1
(1, 1), 1, − k , − k , − k , − k , k2 , k2 , k2 and so on.
Thus the total distance

travelled
by particle
is given by
d = 1 + k1 + 1 + k1 + k1 + k12 + k1 + k12 + . . . . . . ∞

= 2 1 + k1 1 + k1 + k12 + . . . . . . ∞




 
= 2 1 + k1 1−1 1 = 2(k+1)(k−1)
k
2(k+1)
But d = 3 ⇒ =3
(k−1)
⇒ 2k + 2 = 3k − 3
Hence, k = 5