Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

Multiple Correct Answer Type

1. The equation e x  ax  b  0 has

a) one real root if a  0 b) one real root if b  0, a  0

c) two real roots if a > 0, a Ina  a  b d) no real root if a > 0, a log a < a – b
Sol: B, C, D

2. Three planes x-y+z+1 = 0,  x  3 y  2 z  3  0,3 x   y  z  2  0 form a triangular prism

if
a)   4 b)   3 c)   4 d)   4
Key. B,C

Sol. a1 x  b1 y  c1 z  d1  0, a2 x  b2 y  c2 z  d 2  0 & a3 x  b3 y  c3 z  d3  0 form a triangular

prism if

a1 b1 c1
  a2 b2 c2  0
and none of 1 ,  2 ,  3 is zero
a3 b3 c3

3. If a and b are two numbers such that a2 + b2 = 7 and a3 + b3 = 10, then

a) greatest value of |a + b| is 5 b) greatest value of a + b is 4
c) least value of a + b is 1 d) least value of |a + b| is 1
Key. A,B,D

x2  7
Sol. Let a + b = x, then ab 
2

and a3  b3  10  a  b 3  3ab a  b   10

 x3  21x  20  0  x  1, 4,  5
4. ex = ax + b has
a) one real root if a < 0 b) one real root if b > 0, a < 0
c) two real root if a > 0, a lna > a – b d) no real root if a > 0, a lna < a – b
Key. A,B,C,D
Sol. Conceptual
5. If ‘a’ and ‘b’ are distinct positive integers and the quadratic equations

 a  1 x 2   a 2  2  x   a 2  2a   0 and  b  1 x 2   b 2  2  x   b 2  2b   0 have a common

root. Then which of the following can be

A) a 2  b 2  45 B) a = 2b C) b = 2a D) ab = 18

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
Key. B,C

Sol. ax 2  x 2  a 2 x  2x  a 2  2a  0

 a2
ax  x  a    x  a  x  a   2  x  a   0   x  a   x  0
 a 1 

a2
xa ; x
a 1

b2
xb;x
b 1

But a  b distict 

a2 b2
If   a  b ( not posiable )
a 1 a 1
The only possiablity of comman root

b2 a2
a  or  b 
b 1 a 1

3
a 1 a is +ve integer  b  1  1 or b  1  3
b 1

b  2, 4
b 2a 4
b  4  a  2  both x  6x  8  0
2

to are identical .

6. Let f(x)  x  1  x  2  x  3  x  4 then

A) The least value of f ( x ) is 4

B) The least value is not attained at a unique point

C) The number of integral solution of f(x) = 4 is 2

f(   1)  f(e)
D) The value of is 1
2f(12 / 5)

Key. A,B,C,D

Sol. f(x) = 10 – 4x; if   x  1

= 8 – 2x; if 1  x  2

= 4; if 2  x  3

= 2x – 2; if 3  x  4

= 4x – 10; if 4  x  

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

y=4

1 2 3 4

clearly the least value of f(x) is 4

The no. of integral solutions of f(x) = 4 are two {2, 3}

12
since   1,e, [2,3]
5

 12 
 f(  1)  f(e)  f    4
 5

f(   1)  f(e)
 1
2f(12 / 5)

7. a5 x 5  a4 x 4  a3 x 3  3 x 2  2 x  1  0, a5 , a4 , a3  R .

a) for any a3 , a4 , a4  R will have atleast one complex root

b) for any a3 , a4 , a5  R will have atleast one real root

c) for a5 = 2 and a3 = 2, the above equation has atleast one positive root
d) for a5 = 1, a4 = –2, the above equation has atleast one negative root
Key. A,B,D

1
Sol. If x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 be the five roots, then x 2
 2
i

So, the equation has atleast one complex root and since it is an odd degree polynomial equation with
coefficient real always have atleast one real root.

8. If the solution set for f(x) < 3 is  0,   and the solution set for f(x) > –2 is  ,5  . The interval in

 f  x   f  x   6 is/are
2
which x lies, for the equation

a)  ,   b) ( ,5] c) [5, ) d) ( , 0]

Key. C,D

Sol. f 2  x  f  x  6  0

 f  x   3  f  x   2   0
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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

hence solution is ( , 0]  [5,  )

9. If f ( x)  x3  3 ax2  3( a2 1) x 1 is such that the point of local minima is less than 4 and point of
local maxima is greater than –2 then
A) Maximum integral value of a is 2
B) Minimum integral value of a is 0

 7 
C) The range of f(1) is  ,17
4
D) f(1) + f(–1) = 0 is possible for only one value of ‘a’
Key. A,B,C,D
Sol. f1(x) = 3x2 –6ax + 3a2 – 3
= 3(x2 – 2ax + a2) = 3 [(x – a)2 – 12] = 3(x – a + 1) (x – a – 1)
Given a – 1 > – 2, a + 1 < 4
 a > –1, a < 3
 –1 < a < 3  a  (–1, 3)

1
f (1) + f (–1) = 0  a  (1,3)
3
f(1) = 1 – 3a + 3a2 – – 3 + 1
= 3 a – 3a – 1

 1 2 7
= 3[a2 – a]–1 = 3 ( a  )  
 2  4

 7 
 ,17
 4 

10. If one root of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 be the square of the other, and b3 + a2c + ac2 = kabc, then
the value of ‘k’ is
a) 1 b) 2 c) 3 d) 4
Key. C

Sol. Let , 2 be the roots of the given equation ax2 + bx + c = 0

b c
then  2  , 3
a a

1/ 3 2/3
 c  c b
    
a  a a

3c   c 
2 1/ 3 2 / 3
c  c  c b3
         3
a  a a  a  a  a

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

c c 2 3c  b  b3
     
a a2 a  a  a3

 b3  a 2c  ac 2  3abc
11. If the equation (a + 2)x2 + bx + c = 0 and 2x2 + 3x + 4 = 0 have a common root where a, b, c  N then
a) b2 – 4ac < 0 b) minimum value of a + b + c is 16
c) b2 < 4ac + 8c d) minimum value of a + b + c is 7
Key. B,C
Sol. (a + 2)x2 + bx + c = 0 ........... (i)
2x2 + 3x + 4 = 0 ............... (ii)
for (ii) D < 0  (i) and (ii) have both roots common.

a2 b c
  
2 3 4
 for equation (i) D < 0

 b 2  4c  a  2  0  b 2  4ac  8c

a2 b c
   k let 
2 3 4

 k N,k  2

a bc2
 k  a  b  c  9k  2
9

a  b  c min  16
12. If f(x) is continuous in [0, 2] and f(0) = f(2), then the equation f(x) = f(x +1) has
(where f 1  f  0  )

a) non - real root in [0, 2] b) at least real root in [0, 1]

c) at least one real root in [0, 2] d) at least one real root in [1, 2]
Key. B,C

Sol. Let G ( x)  f  x   f  x  1

G(0)  f  0   f 1 and G (1)  f 1  f  2 

since f(2) = f(0) then  G (0)  G 1  0

 G(0) and G 1 are of opposite sign

 f  x   f  x  1 at least once in [0, 1]

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

13. Consider f  x   x 4  14 x 2  24 x  3 and g  x   f  x   p, p  R then the equation g(x) = 0

has.
(A) two negative real roots if p > 120
(B) two real roots of opposite signs if p < -8 or -5 < p < 3

(C) four real roots if 8  p  5

(D) no real roots if p > 120

Key. B,C,D

Sol. f '  x   4 x3  28 x  24  4  x  1 x  3 x  2 

(1,8)
8

(2,5)
5

120
( 3, 120)

f  3   120

f 1  8

f  2  5

x  3 point of minimum
x = 1 point of miximum
x = 2 point of minimum
3

14. Let a quadratic polynomial f satisfy f  0   3 and  f  x  g  x  dx  0 for every

0

polynomial g of degree 1 or 0. Which of the following statements is correct?

(A) The number of possible polynomials f is exactly two
(B) The number of possible polynomials f is exactly one
(C) f(3) equals 3
(D) f(3) equals 3 or – 3, and both these values are possible
Key. B,C

Sol. f  x   ax 2  bx  c

f(0) = 3

 f  x   ax 2  bx  3

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

15. Suppose the quadratic equation whose roots are squares of those of x 2  ax  b  0 , a, b  R
is identical with the given equation, then which of the following is correct?
(A) The number of ordered pairs (a, b) is 4.
(B) The number of different possible values that a + b can take is 3
(C) The number of different possible values that ab can take is 3
(D) The number of different possible values that a + b can take is 2.
Key. A,B,C

Sol. Conceptual
16. If a, b, c are positive integers such that a > b > c are the quadratic equation (a + b – 2c)x 2 +
(b + c – 2a)x + (c + a – 2b) = 0 has a root in (–1, 0) then
a) b + c > a b) c + a < 2b
c) Both roots of the given equation are rational
d) The equation ax2 + 2bx + c = 0 has both negative real roots
Key. B,C,D

2x - t
17. If f ( x ) = , x ¹ 2 and f (2) = 4 and f ( f ( x )) = x where 3 £ t £ 2p , t Î N then
x-2
A) The number of possible values of t is 4

B) The number of values t such that f ( x ) = x has real solutions is 1

C) Sum of all real solutions of all equations f ( x ) = x is 4, "t

D) Sum of all imaginary solutions of all equations f ( x ) = x is 8, "t

Key. A,B,C,D

2x - t
Sol. Clearly f ( x ) = , x ¹ 2 and f ( f ( x )) = x (ief ( x ) = f -1 ( x ))
x-2
A) for all t Þ t = 3, 4,5, 6 No of values of t = 4

2x - t
B) = x Þ x 2 - 4 x + t = 0 real Þ D ³ 0 Þ 16 - 4t ³ 0 Þ t £ 4 Þ t = 3, 4
x-2

ìïï f ( x) = 2, x ¹ 2üïï
But for t = 4 í ý
ïîï = 4, x = 2ïþï

\t ¹4

C) t = 3 Þ x 2 - 4 x + 3 = 0 [ sum = 4]

D) t = 5,6 Þ x 2 - 4 x + 5 = 0

x 2 - 4 x + 6 = 0 , [ sum = 4 + 4 = 8]
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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
2
18. If the equation x + (a - b ) x - a - b + 1 = 0 where a, b Î R has unequal real roots then

A) a > 0 B) a > 1 C) a > -1 D) a > 2

Key. A,B,C
2
Sol. D > 0 Þ (a - b ) + 4 (a + b) -1 > 0

Þ b 2 + ( 4 - 2a )b + (a 2 + 4a - 4) > 0 "b

2
Þ (4 - 2a) - 4(a 2 + 4a - 4) < 0

Þ 32 - 32a < 0 Þ a > 1 Þ a Î (1, ¥)

(a, b, c)

æ 2 x -1ö
19. If the function f satisfies f ççç ÷÷ = 2 x then
è x + 1 ÷ø

A) f 1  4

B) f  x   f   x   0 has no real roots

C) f  x   f   x   0 has only real roots

D) sum of the roots of f  x   f   x   0 is zero

Key. A,B,D

æ t + 1 ÷ö æ x + 1 ÷ö æ -x + 1÷ö æ 1- x ÷ö
f (t ) = 2´çç ÷ Þ f ( x ) = 2 çç ÷ Þ f (- x ) = 2 çç ÷ = 2 ç ÷
èçç x + 2 ÷ø
Sol. çè 2 - t ÷ø èç 2 - x ÷ø èç 2 + x ÷ø

2 x -1 t +1
t= Þ tx + t = 2 x -1 Þ (t - 2) x = -(1 + t ) Þ x =
x +1 2-t

x + 1 1- x
Now, f ( x ) + f (-x) = 0 Þ + = 0 Þ ( x 2 + 3 x + 2) + ( x 2 - 3 x + 2) = 0
2- x x + 2

Þ x 2 + 2 = 0 Þ x = 2i, - 2i

x2 + kx +1
20. The inequality 2 < 3 is satisfied for all real values of x then
x + x +1

A) k   1,5

B) The number of integral values of k is 5

C) k   5,1

 
D) The equation x  k  4k  5 x  1  0 has one real root on (0, 1)
2 2

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
Key. A,B,D

x 2 + kx + 1
Sol. -3 < <3
x 2 + x +1

Þ -3( x 2 + x + 1) < x 2 + kx + 1 < 3( x 2 + x + 1)

Þ 4x 2 + (k + 3) x + 4 > 0 & 2x 2 + (3 - k ) x + 2 > 0 "x Î R

2 2
Þ (k + 3) - 64 < 0 & (k - 3) -16 < 0

Þ k 2 + 6k - 55 < 0 & k 2 - 6k - 7 < 0

Þ k Î (-11,5) & k Î (-1, 7)

Þ k Î (-1, 5)
The number of integral values of R is 5

If f ( x ) = x - (k - 4k - 5) x -1
2 2

(
Then f (0)´ f (1) = -1 1- ( k - 4r - 5) -1
2
)
= k2 - 4k - 5
= (k + 1) (k - 5) < 0

\ f ( x ) = 0 has exactly one real root on (0, 1)

21. The roots of equation x 2  2( a  3) x  9  0 lie between - 6 and 1 and 2, h1, h2, ..... h20,

[a] are in H.P where [a] denotes the integral part of a and 2, a 1, a2, .........a20, [a] are in A.P
then

14 18
(A) h18  (B) a3  (C) [ a ]  6 (D) a3h18  11
3 7

Key. A,B,C

 
Sol. Apply :
6 1

(1) D > 0

b
(2) - 6 < 1
2a
(3) f (6) f (1)  0

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

6  a  6.25
[a] = 6

2, h , h2 ,......h2o,[ a] are in H.P

2, h , h2 ,......h2o,6 are in H.P

1 1
1 1 6  2
  18  
h18 2  21 
 

14
h18 
3
2, a1, a2, ..........a20, 6 are in A.P

 6  2  18
a3  2  3  
 21  7

x3  6 x 2  11x  6 a
22. The values of a for which 3   0 does not have a real solution is
x  x 2  10 x  8 30
(A) -10 (B) 12 (C) 5 (D) -30
Key. B,C,D

x3  6 x 2  11x  6  x  1 x  2  x  3
Sol. 
x 3  x 2  10 x  8  x  1 x  2  x  4 

x 3
 x  1, 2  4 then f  x  
x4

 2 1
Range of f  x   R  1,  ,  
 5 6

a 2 1
So Equation does not have a solution if  1, ,  a  30,12, 5
30 5 6
23. If , ,  are the roots of the equation 9x 3  7x  6  0 then the equation
x 3  Ax 2  Bx  C  0 has roots 3  2, 3  2, 3   2, where
(A) A  6 (B) B  5 (C) C  24 (D) A  B  C  23
Key. C,D
Sol. Let P  3  2

P2

3
Since 9 3  7  6  0
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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

9 P  2 
3
7
  P  2   6  0
27 3


1 3
3
 7
P  8  6P2  12P  P 
3
14
3
6 0

 P3  6P2  12P  8  7P  14  18  0

 P3  6P2  5P  24  0
So, the equation x 3  6x 2  5x  24  0 has roots 3  2, 3  2, 3   2

24. Let f(x) = x2 – ax + b, a be odd positive integer and the roots of the equation f(x) = 0 one two distinct
prime numbers. If a + b = 35, then
A) sum of the roots = 17 B) product of the roots = 22

10

C)  f  i  110
i 1
D) difference of the roots = 9

KEY: B, C, D
SOL: a = sum of the roots = odd
Both roots can not be odd

 one root must be 2.

f  2  0

4  2a  b  0 
  a = 13, b = 22
a  b  35 

25. If both the roots of the equation x2 - 2ax + a2 + a - 3 = 0 in the variable x are less than 3 then ‘a’ can be

A) 2 B) 5/2 C) 3 D) -7

KEY: C, D
SOL: disc  0, a < 3 and f(3) > 0 where f(x) = x2 - 2ax + a2 + a - 3

26. If a, b and c are integers, then the discriminant of ax 2  bx  c is of the form (where k is an integer)
(A) 4k (B) 4k +1 (C) 4k + 2 (D) 4k + 3
KEY: A, B

SOL: Case 1 : Suppose b is even, that is, b = 2m. Then b 2  4 ac  4(m 2  ac )  4k

Case 2: Supose b is odd, that is, b  2m  1 . Then
2 2 2
b  4ac  (2m  1)  4ac  4m  4m  1  4ac
 4(m 2  m  ac)  1  4k  1

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

 
x 1
27. The set S of all real “x” for which x 2  x  1  1 contains

A)  5, 1 B)  1,1 C)  1,0 D)  3,1

KEY: A, C

2
 1 3
SOL: x  x  1   x     0 x  R
2
 2 4

x 
x 1
3
 x 1 1


  x  1 log x 2  x  1  0 
Case (i) : x  1  0 , log(x2 - x + 1 ) < 0

x   0,1  no solution

Case (ii) : x  1  0 , log(x2 – x + 1) > 0

x   ,0  1,  

( x - a )( x - b)
28. For real x, the function will assume all real values provided
x-c
A) a>b>c B) a<b<c C) a>c>b D) a<c<b
KEY: C, D

 x  a  x  b
Let y 
SOL:
 x  c
  x  c  y  x 2   a  b x  ab  x 2   a  b  y  x  ab  cy  0

Here,    a  b  y   4  ab  cy 
2

 y 2  2 y  a  b  2c    a  b
2

Since x is real and y assumes all real values,

   0 for all real values of y

2
 y 2 + 2 y ( a + b- 2 c )+(a -b ) ³ 0

Now we know that the sign of a quad is same as of coeff of y 2 provided its descriminant

B 2  4 AC  0
This will be so if,

4  a  b  2c   4  a  b   0 or 4  a  b  2c  a  b 
2 2

12
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

 a  b  2c  a  b   0
 16  a  c  b  c   0

 16  c  a  c  b  0 ... 1

Now, If a  b then from inequation (1) we get,

c   a, b   acb

or If a  b then from inequation (1) we get, c   b, a 

 b  c  a or a  c  b
Thus we observe that both (c) and (d) are the correct answer.

29. Given ax 2  bx  c  0; bx 2  cx  a  0 and cx 2  ax  b  0 where a  b  c and a, b,c  R

a 2  b2  c2
Now can not take values
ab  bc  ca

7 2 16 3
A) B) C) D)
9 7 3 2
KEY: A, B, C
SOL: Given that a  b  c and a, b,c  R

Now ax 2  bx  c  0  b 2  4ac  0 and a  0

bx 2  cx  a  0  c2  4ab  0 and b  0
cx 2  ax  b  0  a 2  4bc  0 and c  0
equality can not hold simultaneously  a  b  c

a 2  b 2  c2
 4 a  b  c
ab  bc  ca
 a  b   b  c  c  a   0
2 2 2

a 2  b 2  c2 a 2  b 2  c2
 1   1, 4 
ab  bc  ca ab  bc  ca
If the quadratic equation ax  bx  c  0  a  0 has sec 2  and cosec2 as its roots then which of the
2
30.
following hold good.

A) b  c  0 B) b 2  4ac  0 C) c  4a D) 4a  b  0
KEY: A, B, C
SOL: Sum = product
b c
  bc0 sec2   cosec2  sec2  .cosec2
a a

13
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
roots are real   0

b 2  4ac  0 but b  c product of the roots  0

c 2  4ac  0  c  c  4a   0  c  0
c  4a  0 c  4a  b  4a  4a  b  0
31. If the equation x 2  bx  a  0 and x 2  ax  b  0 have a common root then

1
A) a  b  0 B) a=b C) a-b=1 D) a 
4
KEY: A, C

SOL: x 2  bx  a  0

x 2  ax  b  0

x  a  b   a  b  0

  a  b   x  1  0

a  b  0, x  1

32. .If a, b, c are in GP where a,c are positive, then the equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 has
A) real roots
B) imaginary roots
C) ratio of roots = 1: w is a nonreal cube root of unity
D) ratio of roots = b: ac
KEY: B, C
SOL: Take : a,b,c, are G.P

Þ b 2 = ac

Þ ax 2 + acx + c = 0

- ac ± b 2 - 4ac
Þ x=
2( a )

- ac ± -3ac
x=
2a

- ac ± i 3ac
x=
2a
\ roots are imaginary

a - ac + i 3ac (i 3ac - ac ) 2
= =
b - ac + i 3ac ac + 3ac

14
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

-3ac + ac - 2i 3ac -2 - 2i 3 -1- i 3 1

= = = = w2 =
4ac 4 2 w
33. If the real numbers a, b, c are distinct, then the roots of the equation
(c 2 - ab) x 2 - 2 (a 2 - ac) x + (b2 - ac) = 0 will be equal, if
A) a = 0 B) a + b + c = 0

C) a 3 + b3 + c3 - 3abc = 0 D) a 2 + b 2 + c 2 - bc - ca - ab = 0
KEY: A, B, C

SOL:  0  a  a 3  b3  c 3  3abc   0

 a  0  cr  a  b  c  0

But not a 2  b2  c2
because a, b, c are alistinet

34. If x 2 - 2 x + sin 2 a = 0, then

A) xÎ[-1,1] B) xÎ[0, 2] C) xÎ[1, 2] D) xÎ[-2, 2]

KEY: B, C, D

SOL: x 2  2 x  sin 2   0

x 2  2 x  1  1  sin 2 

 x  1
2
 cos 2 

y   x  1 ; y  cos 2 
2

35. If the difference of the roots of the equation x 2 + hx + 7 = 0 is 6, then possible value (s) of ‘h’ are

A) -4 B) 4 C) -8 D) 8
KEY: C, D

SOL: Given :-     6

   
2
 4  36

15
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

h 2  4  7   36
h 2  36  28
h 2  64
h  8

36. cos  is a root of the equation 169x2 – 26x – 35 = 0, –1 < x < 0, then sin 2 is

144 144 120 120

A) B)  C) D) 
169 169 169 169
KEY: C, D
SOL: (13x – 1)2 = 36

 13 x  1   6

7 5
x or x  
13 13

7
But x  as  1  x  0
13

5
x  
13

5 12
 cos    ; sin   
13 13

120
sin 2  
169

37. Let a,b,c  Q  satisfying a>b>c. Which of the following statements (s) hold true for the quadratic

polynomial f(x) =  a  b  2c  x   b  c  2a  x   c  a  2b  ?
2

a) The mouth of the parabola y = f(x) opens upwards

b) Both roots of the equation f(x) = 0 are rational
c) x -coordinate of vertex of the graph is positive
d) x -coordinate of vertex of the graph is nagetive
KEY: A, B, C

SOL: a  2b  c   a  c    b  c   0  mouth opens upwards

now x = 1is a root Hence both roots are rational .

 b  c  2a   0  vertex  0
vertex 
 a  b  2c 
38. Let a, b and c be real numbers and a  0 . Let  and  be the roots of ax 2  bx  c  0 . If  '
and  ' are roots of the equation a3 x 2  (abc) x  c3  0 , then

16
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

(A)  '   3 2 (B)  '   3 2 (C)  '   2 (D)  '   2

KEY: C, D

SOL: Since  and  are the roots of ax 2  bx  c  0 we have

b c
   and  
a a

Also since ' and  ' are roots of the equation a3 x 2  ( abc) x  c3  0

abc  b  c 
 '  '       (   )
a3  a  a 

c3
 ' '   ( )3
a3

Now ( '  ') 2  ( '  ') 2  4 '  '

 (   ) 2  2  2  4 3 3

 ( ) 2 [(   )2  4 ]

 ( ) 2 (   ) 2

Also |  '  ' ||  (   ) |

Therefore  '  '   (   )   '   2  and  '   2

 '  '   (   )   '   2 and  '   2 

39. Let f  x   x 2  b1x  c1 ; g  x   x 2  b2 x  c 2 . Real roots of f  x   0 be ,  and real

1
roots of g  x   0 be   ,    . Least value of f(x) be  . least value of g(x) occurs at x = 7/
4
2
A) the least value of g(x) is –1/4 B) the value of b2 is –7
C) the value of c2 is 15 D) the difference of the root of g(x) = 0 is 1
KEY: A, B, D

SOL:             

Differene of roots are equal

17
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

D1 1
Lest value of f  x      D1  1and D2  1
4 4

D2 1
Least value of g  x   
4 4

b2 7
   b2  7
2 2

D2  b22  4c 2

1  49  4c2  c 2  12

g(x) is x 2  7x  12  0  x  3,4

2 3 4
Let f  x   x    x    x  for x  0 and g  y    
40.
y  f  2 y  f  3 y  f  4 then { .
} and [ . ] denotes fractional part, and step function respectively
A) g(y) = 0 has two distinct real roots B) g(y) = 0 has one root in (4,6)
C) g(y) = 0 has one root in (6,8) D) g(y) = 0 has one root in (2,4)
KEY: A, B, C
SOL:

41. Let f  x   ax 2  bx  c has real and distnict roots ,  and ,   1 then

9a  6b  4c 9a  3b  c
A) is positive B) is positive
25a  10b  4c abc

9a  6b  4c c
C) is negative D) is negative
25a  10b  4c 4a  2b  c
KEY: A, B

f  3/2
0
f  5/2
SOL: A:

f  3
 0.
f 1
B:

42. If c  R and the negative of one of the solutions of x 2  3x  c  0 is a solution of

x 2  3x  c  0 , then the solutions of x 2  3x  c  0 are
a) –1 b) 1 c) 0 d) 3
Sol: c, d

Let  be a root of equation x 2  3x  c  0 then –  is a root of equation

x 2  3x  c  0  c  0  the solutions of x 2  3x  0 are 0 and 3.

18
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

ax 2  bx  c
43. If  0  a  0, A  0  for all real x except for two distinct finite values
Ax 2  Bx  C
of x, then

a b
A) 0 B) 0
A B

c
C) b2  4ac  B2  4AC D) 0
C
Sol: A, B, C, D

44. The equation  ay  bx   4xy  0 has rational solutions x, y for

2

1 1 3
A) a  ,b2 B) a  4, b  C) a  1, b  D) a  2, b  1
2 8 4
Sol: A, C

 ay  bx 
2
 4xy  0

 a 2 y 2  b2 x 2   4  2ab  xy  0

a 2 y b2 x
    2ab  a   0
x y

y
Put t
x

 a 2t 2   2ab  4  t  b2  0

D = (2ab – 4)2 – 4a2b2

= 4(4 – 4ab) = 16(1 – ab) must be a perfect square.

45. If one root of kx 2  x  1  0 is real and other is imaginary  k  0  then k 2 can

not be equal to
(A) – 4 (B) – 1 (C) 1 (D) 4
Key. A,B,C,D

Sol. Let k    i and one real root  , then    i   2    1  0

equating real and imaginary parts

 2  0

  0  sin ce   0 

 2    1  0

when   0  1  0 which is impossible

so k  

19
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
46. Let a,b,c be three distinct non-zero real numbers satisfying the system of
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
equation:    1;    1;    1 then
a a 1 a  2 b b 1 b  2 c c 1 c  2
(A) a + b + c = 6 (B) abc = 2
(C) (1 – a)(1 – b)(1 – c) = 1 (D) (a – 2)(b – 2)(c – 2) = 2
Key. A,B,C,D

1 1 1
Sol. a,b,c are roots of equation   1
x x 1 x  2

  x  1 x  2  x  x  2  x  x  1  x  x  1 x  2

 x 3  6x 2  8x  2  0
47. The real values of ‘a’ for which the equation x 4  2x 2a  x 2  6x  a 2  3a  0 has
all its roots real
(A) a > 4 (B) a  2 (C) a  3/4 (D) a  1
Key. A,B
Sol. Assuming quadratic in a

a  a 2  2x, a  x 2  2x  3

 
 given exp is a  x  2x a  x  2x  3  0
2 2

 x  1  1  a & x 1 a  2

48. Given ax 2  bx  c  0, bx 2  cx  a  a and cx 2  ax  b  0 , where a  b  c and

a,b,c  R.

a 2  b2  c 2
Now can not take values
ab  bc  ca

2 1 3 9
(A) (B) (C) (D)
3 2 2 2
Key. A,B,D
Sol. Given a  b  c,a,b,c  R

Now ax 2  bx  c  0  b2  4ac  0 and a > 0 ...(1)

bx 2  cx  a  0  c 2  4ab  0 and b  0 ...  2 

cx 2  ax  b  0  a 2  4bc  0 and c  0 ...  3 

Equality can not hold simultaneously  a  b  c 

a 2  b2  c 2
 4
ab  bc  ca
and since a  b  c

20
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

 a  b   b  c    c  a   0
2 2 2

a 2  b2  c 2
 1
ab  bc  ca

a 2  b2  c 2
  1,4  .
ab  bc  ca
49. Let ‘m’ be a real number, and suppose that two of the three solutions of the cubic equation
x 3  3x 2  34x  m differ by 1. Then possible values of ‘m’ is /are
a) 120 b) 80 c) – 48 d) –32
Key. A,C

Sol. Suppose that both r and r + 1 are solutions to the equation x 3  3x 2  34x  a. Then
r3  3r 2  34r  m, and also (r  1)3  3(r  1)2  34(r  1)  m. Subtracting the first of these equa-
tions from the second yields (3r 2  3r  1)  3(2r  1)  34  0, and simplification yields
3r 2  9r  30  0. Thus 0  r  3r  10  (r  5)(r  2). We conclude that either r = – 5 or r = 2.
2

If r = – 5, then m  (5)3  3( 5) 2  34( 5)  125  75  170  120 . The other possibility is r =
2, which yields a = 8 + 12 – 68 = – 48. m = 120 and m = –48 are the two possibilities.
50. Let ‘m’ be a real number, and suppose that two of the three solutions of the cubic equa-
tion x 3  3x 2  34x  m differ by 1. Then possible values of ‘m’ is /are
(A) 120 (B) 80 (C) – 48 (D) –32
Key. A,C

Sol. Suppose that both r and r + 1 are solutions to the equation x 3  3x 2  34x  a. Then
r3  3r 2  34r  m, and also (r  1)3  3(r  1)2  34(r  1)  m. Subtracting the first of these
equations from the second yields (3r 2  3r  1)  3(2r  1)  34  0, and simplification yields

3r 2  9r  30  0. Thus 0  r  3r  10  (r  5)(r  2). We conclude that either r = – 5 or r = 2.

2

If r = – 5, then m  (5)3  3( 5) 2  34( 5)  125  75  170  120 . The other possibility is r =
2, which yields a = 8 + 12 – 68 = – 48. m = 120 and m = –48 are the two possibilities.
51. If both the roots of the equation x 2  2ax  a 2  a  3  0 in the variable x are less than 3
then a can be

(A) 2 (B) 5/2 (C) 3 (D) -7

Key. C,D

Sol. disc  0 , a  3 and f (3)  0 where f (x)  x 2  2ax  a 2  a  3

52. The equation x3 – 3x2 + 6x – 1 = 0 has
(A) all three real roots (B) 2 imaginary and one real root
(C) 2 positive and 1 negative real roots (D) 2 imaginary and one positive root
Key. B,D

Sol. f ( x ) = x 2 - 3x 2 + 6x -1

21
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

f '( x ) = 3x 2 - 6x + 6 = 3( x 2 - 2x+2) > 0

Þ f ( x ) has only one real root.

lim f ( x ) ® -¥; f (0) < 0

Also, x®-¥

lim f ( x ) ® ¥
and x®¥

Þ f ( x ) must have a positive root.

2x - t
53. If f ( x ) = , x ¹ 2 and f (2) = 4 and f ( f ( x )) = x where 3 £ t £ 2p, t Î N then
x-2
A) The number of possible values of t is 4

B) The number of values t such that f ( x ) = x has real solutions is 1

C) Sum of all real solutions of all equations f ( x ) = x is 4, "t

D) Sum of all imaginary solutions of all equations f ( x ) = x is 8, "t

Key. B,C,D

2x - t
Sol. Clearly f ( x ) = , x ¹ 2 and f ( f ( x )) = x (ief ( x ) = f -1 ( x ))
x-2
A) for all t Þ t = 3, 4,5, 6 No of values of t = 4

2x - t
B) = x Þ x 2 - 4 x + t = 0 real Þ D ³ 0 Þ 16 - 4t ³ 0 Þ t £ 4 Þ t = 3, 4
x-2

ìïï f ( x) = 2, x ¹ 2üïï
But for t = 4 í ý
ïîï = 4, x = 2ïþï

\t ¹4

C) t = 3 Þ x 2 - 4 x + 3 = 0 [ sum = 4]

D) t = 5,6 Þ x 2 - 4 x + 5 = 0

x 2 - 4 x + 6 = 0 , [ sum = 4 + 4 = 8]
2
54. If the equation x + (a - b ) x - a - b + 1 = 0 where a, b Î R has unequal real roots then

A) a > 0 B) a > 1 C) a > -1 D) a > 2

Key. A,B,C
2
Sol. D > 0 Þ ( a - b ) + 4 ( a + b ) -1 > 0

22
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

Þ b 2 + ( 4 - 2a )b + (a 2 + 4a - 4) > 0 "b

2
Þ (4 - 2a) - 4(a 2 + 4a - 4) < 0

Þ 32 - 32a < 0 Þ a > 1 Þ a Î (1, ¥)

(a, b, c)

æ 2 x -1ö
55. If the function f satisfies f ççç ÷÷ = 2 x then
è x + 1 ÷ø

A) f 1  4

B) f  x   f   x   0 has no real roots

C) f  x   f   x   0 has only real roots

D) sum of the roots of f  x   f   x   0 is zero

Key. A,B,D

æ t + 1 ÷ö æ x + 1 ÷ö æ -x + 1÷ö æ 1- x ÷ö
f (t ) = 2´çç ÷ Þ f ( x ) = 2 çç ÷ Þ f (- x ) = 2 çç ÷ = 2 ç ÷
èçç x + 2 ÷ø
Sol. çè 2 - t ÷ø èç 2 - x ÷ø èç 2 + x ÷ø

2 x -1 t +1
t= Þ tx + t = 2 x -1 Þ (t - 2) x = -(1 + t ) Þ x =
x +1 2-t

x + 1 1- x
Now, f ( x ) + f (-x) = 0 Þ + = 0 Þ ( x 2 + 3 x + 2) + ( x 2 - 3 x + 2) = 0
2- x x + 2

Þ x 2 + 2 = 0 Þ x = 2i, - 2i

x2 + kx +1
56. The inequality 2 < 3 is satisfied for all real values of x then
x + x +1

A) k   1,5

B) The number of integral values of k is 5

C) k   5,1

 
D) The equation x  k  4k  5 x  1  0 has one real root on (0, 1)
2 2

Key. A,B,D

x 2 + kx + 1
Sol. -3 < <3
x 2 + x +1

Þ -3( x 2 + x + 1) < x 2 + kx + 1 < 3( x 2 + x + 1)

23
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

Þ 4x 2 + (k + 3) x + 4 > 0 & 2x 2 + (3 - k ) x + 2 > 0 "x Î R

2 2
Þ (k + 3) - 64 < 0 & (k - 3) -16 < 0

Þ k 2 + 6k - 55 < 0 & k 2 - 6k - 7 < 0

Þ k Î (-11, 5) & k Î (-1,7)

Þ k Î (-1,5)
The number of integral values of R is 5

If f ( x ) = x - (k - 4k - 5) x -1
2 2

(
Then f (0)´ f (1) = -1 1- ( k - 4r - 5) -1
2
)
= k2 - 4k - 5
= (k + 1) (k - 5) < 0

\ f ( x ) = 0 has exactly one real root on (0, 1)

57. Consider f  x   x 4  14 x 2  24 x  3 and g  x   f  x   p, p  R then the equation g(x) = 0

has.
(A) two negative real roots if p > 120
(B) two real roots of opposite signs if p < -8 or -5 < p < 3

(C) four real roots if 8  p  5

(D) no real roots if p > 120

Key. B,C,D

Sol. f '  x   4 x3  28 x  24  4  x  1 x  3 x  2 

(1,8)
8

(2,5)
5

120
( 3, 120)

f  3   120

f 1  8

f  2  5

24
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

x  3 point of minimum
x = 1 point of miximum
x = 2 point of minimum

93. If the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 and bx2 + cx + a = 0 (a, b, c are unequal non zero real) have
a common root then f(x) = bx3 + cx2 + ax –5 always passes through fixed point
(A) (1, –5) (B) (0, –5) (C) (–1, –5) (D) (0, 5)
Key. A,B
Sol. and bx2 + cx + a = 0 have a common root Þ a3 + b3 + c3 – abc = 0

1
(a  b  c) [(a – b)2 + (b –c)2 (c – a)2] = 0 Þ a + b + c = 0
2
f(x) = bx3 + cx2+ ax – 5
f(0) = –5
f(A) = a + b + c – 5 = 5
 f(x) will always pass through (0, –5) and (1, –5)
Hence (a, b)
94. x1, x2, x3 are in A.P and they satisfy x3 – x2 + Px + Q = 0. Then which of the following is correct?

1 1
a) P can’t exceed b) Q can’t be less than 
3 27

10
c) P – Q exceeds d) P + Q is always positive
27
Key. A,B
Sol. Let x1 = a – d, x2 = a, x3 = a + d
then use x1+ x2 + x3 = 1 = 3a
x1x2 + x2x3 + x3x1 = P = 3a2 – d2
x1x2x3 = –Q = a(a2 – d2)

95. Let and be two distinct real numbers and p(x) be a quadratic polynomial such that
p  , p  then

 
a) p p  x   x  0 has atleast two real roots b) and  
are roots of p p  x   x  0

 
c) p p  x   x for each x  R d)  ,   
are roots of p p  x   p  x   0

Key. A,B

Sol. Use p p     p   
pp   p   
96. Let a, b, p, q  Q and suppose that f(x) = x2 + ax + b = 0 and g(x) = x3 + px + q = 0 have a common
irrational root, then

25
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
a) g(x)  (x – b – q) f(x) b) f(x) divides g(x)
c) g(x)  xf(x) d) None of these
Key. B
Sol. Conceptual

e
e  ee
97.    0 has
xe x x e

a) no real roots b) one real root in e,  and other in  ,  e  c) one real root in
e,  and other in   e, e  d) two real roots in   e,  e
Key. B,D
Sol. Given equation can be Expressed as

 e  x    x    e  e  x  e x    e     ee   x  e x     0

Let f  x     x    x    e  e  x  e x    e    e
e   e
   x  e x   
f  e   e  e       0

and f     e x    e  e  0 ; hence given equation has a real root in  e,  


again f    e    e  . e  0
 e

   e   , It concluds it has a real root in   ,   e

also 燃  e  e


Hence f(x) has two real roots in    e,   e

98. If a, b  R and ax2 + bx + 6 = 0, a  0 does not have two distinct real roots, then
a) minimum possible value of 3a + b is 2 b) minimum possible value of 3a + b is –2
c) minimum possible value of 6a + b is –1 d) minimum possible value of 6a + b is 1
Key. B,C
Sol. f(x) = ax2 + bx + 6  f(0) = 6 > 0
 a>0

y = f(x)

for x  3  a32  3b  6  0  3a  b  2
-b/2a

for x  6  a 62  6b  6  0  6 a  b  1

99. The system of equations x + 3y + 2z = 6, x  y  2 z  7 and x  3 y  2 z  has

a) no solution if  5,  7 b) no solution if  3, 5
26
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

c) unique solution if  2, 6 d) infinitely many solutions if  4, 6

Key. A,B,D
Sol. x + 3y + 2z = 6 .......(i)
x +  y + 2z = 7 ........(ii)
x + 3y + 2z   ........(iii)

a) If   2 , then D = 0, therefore unique solution is not possible

b) If   4,   6
x + 3y = 6 - 2z
x + 4y = 7 - 2z
 y = 1 and x = 3 - 2z
substituting in equation (iii)
3 - 2z + 3 + 2z = 6 is satisfied
 infinite solutions
c)   5,   7
consider equation (ii) and (iii)
x + 5y = 7 - 2z
x + 3y = 7 - 2z
 y = 0 x = 7 - 2z are solution
sub. in (i)
7 - 2z + 2z = 6 does not satisfy
 no solution
d) if   3,   5
then equation (i) and (ii) have no solution
 no solution
100. If f ( x)  x3  3 ax2  3( a2 1) x 1 is such that the point of local minima is less than 4 and point of
local maxima is greater than –2 then
A) Maximum integral value of a is 2
B) Minimum integral value of a is 0

 7 
C) The range of f(1) is  ,17
4
D) f(1) + f(–1) = 0 is possible for only one value of ‘a’
Key. A,B,C,D
Sol. f1(x) = 3x2 –6ax + 3a2 – 3
= 3(x2 – 2ax + a2) = 3 [(x – a)2 – 12] = 3(x – a + 1) (x – a – 1)
Given a – 1 > – 2, a + 1 < 4
 a > –1, a < 3
27
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
 –1 < a < 3  a  (–1, 3)

1
f (1) + f (–1) = 0  a  ( 1,3)
3
f(1) = 1 – 3a + 3a2 – – 3 + 1
= 3 a – 3a – 1

 1 2 7
= 3[a2 – a]–1 = 3 ( a  )  
 2  4

 7 
 ,17
 4 

101. If the roots of the equation x3 + ax2 + bx – 1 = 0 form an increasing G.P. then

a) a + b = 0 b) a   ,  3

c) one root is smaller than 1 and one root is more than 1

d) one of the roots is 1
Key. A,B,C,D

Sol. Let the roots of the given equation be  / r ,  ,  r where   0 and r > 1.


The     r  a ....(1)
r

 
.   .  r  . r  b ....(2)
r r


and     r   1 .....(3)
r

From (3) we get  3  1 or   1

1
From (1) we get  1  r  a .....(4)
r
2
 1 
  r   3  a
 r 

  a  3  0 or a  3  a  , 3
Also, from (2), 1/r + r + 1 = b .....(5)
From (4) and (5) - a = b or a + b = 0
As r > 1,  / r  1/ r  1 and  r  r  1
3 2
102. The equation x  2 x  2 x  1  0 has

a) only two real roots b) real roots are rational

c) no imaginary roots d) two rational roots of opposite sign

28
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
Key. A,B,D
3 2
Sol. x  2 x  2 x 1  0

 x  1  2 x  x  1  0
3

 x  1  x 2
 x 1 2 x  0

  x  1 x  x  1  0
2

 2
 x  1  x  x  1  0  x  1 
103. Let f(x) = 2x3 – 5x2 + 6x + k = 0 then
a) The equation has only one real root

b) The equation will have at least one positive root if k  (0,  )

c) The equation will have at least one negative root if k  (,0)

d) The number of integral values of K for which at least one root of the equation lies in the
interval (0, 1) is two
Key. A,B,C,D

Sol. f1(x) = 6x2 – 10x + 6 f ()  

 2(3 x 2  5 x  3) f ()  

70 (   0)

f is mononotic  k  R
f(0) = k  k  0  f (0)  0  a positive root

k  0  f (0)  0  a negative root

Root  (0,1)  f (0) f (1)  0  k (k  3)  0  0  k  3

 k  1( or ) 2

104. a, b, c ,p, q be five different non-zero real number and x, y, z be three real
x y z x y z
numbers. Satisfying    1,    1 and
a ap aq b bp bq

29
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

x y z
   1 then
c cp cq

abc
a) x  y  z  a  b  c  (p  q) b) x 
pq

(a  p)(b  p)(c  p) (a  q)(b  q)(c  q)

c) y  p(p  q) d) z  q(q  p)

Key. A,B,C,D

x y z
Sol. a, b, c are the roots of   1
t tp tq

 a, b, c are the roots of t3  (x  y  z  p  q)t2  (p  q)x  qy  pz  t  pqx  0

from this, the four answer are correct.

105. If 0 < a < b < c and  ,  are imaginary roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 then

A)    B)   1 C)   1 D)   1

Key. A,B

Sol.     

c 2 c
  ,   1  1
a a

106. a5 x 5  a4 x 4  a3 x 3  3 x 2  2 x  1  0, a5 , a4 , a3  R .

a) for any a3 , a4 , a4  R will have atleast one complex root

b) for any a3 , a4 , a5  R will have atleast one real root

c) for a5 = 2 and a3 = 2, the above equation has atleast one positive root
d) for a5 = 1, a4 = –2, the above equation has atleast one negative root
Key. A,B,D

1
Sol. If x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 , x5 be the five roots, then x 2
 2
i

So, the equation has atleast one complex root and since it is an odd degree polynomial equation with
coefficient real always have atleast one real root.

107. If the solution set for f(x) < 3 is  0,   and the solution set for f(x) > –2 is  , 5  . The interval in

 f  x  f  x   6 is/are
2
which x lies, for the equation

a)  ,   b) ( ,5] c) [5, ) d) ( ,0]

Key. C,D

30
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

Sol. f 2  x  f  x  6  0

 f  x   3  f  x   2   0
hence solution is ( , 0]  [5,  )

108. Let a, b, c  Q  satisfying a>b>c , which of the following statement(s) hold true for the quadratic

polynomial f (x)   a  b  2c  x   b  c  2a  x   c  a  2b  ?
2

A) The mouth of the parabola y=f(x) opens upwards

B) Both roots of the equation f(x)=0 are rational
C) x-coordinate of vertex of the graph is positive
D) Products of the roots is always negative
Key. A,B,C
Sol. f(x)=Ax2+Bx+C
A=a+b-2c=(a-c)+(b-c)>0

A0
Hence , the graph is concave upwards, Also, x=1 obvious solution; therefore both roots are rational

b  c  2a   b  a    c  a   0
 
 ve  ve

B0
B
 vertex =  0
2A
Hence, abscissa of the vertex a>0. Option (d) need not be correct as with a=5,b=4,c=2,P<0 and with
a=6, b=3,c=2,p>0

 x  ax  3
2

109. If
 x  x  a  takes all real values for possible real values of x, then
2

1 1
A) 4a 2  39  0 B) 4a 2  39  0 C) a  D) a 
4 4
Key. A,D
Sol. Let

x 2  ax  3
y
x2  x  a

 x 2 1  y   x  y  a   3  ay  0

x R

31
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

y  a  4 1  y  3  ay   0
2

 1  4a  y2   2a  12  y  a 2  12  0 .......................(1)

Now (1) is true for all y  R , if 1-4a>0 and D  O, Hence

and 4  a  6   4  a 2  12  1  4a   0
1 2
a
4

1
a and 4a 2  36a  48
4

 4a 2  36a  48

æ 1 ÷ö
 4a < 36 çççè 4 ÷÷ø - 48
2

 1
 4a 2 + 39 < 0  4 
 

110. If  ,  are roots of the equation ax 2  bx  c  0 and   h,   h are roots of px 2  qx  r  0

then

b 2  4ac a 2 b 2  4ac a 2 1  q b 1b q

  C) h   D) h  
2  p a  2  a p 
A) B) 2
4 pr  q 2 p 2 q  4rp p 2
Key. B,C

b 1 q 
Sol.    h     h    2h  h    b 
a
a 2 p

     b a since   h     h     

b 2  4ac a 2
Hence 2 
q  4rp p 2

111. If  ,  ,  ,  are the four solutions of the equation 2 sin x  4 cos x in  0, 2  ,        ,then

A)      B)      C)     3 D)     2

KEY: A, B, C, D

2  sin x  2 cos x  tan x  2

sin x 2 cos x
SOL: 2

32
Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

  tan 1 2;     tan 1 2      tan 1 2 

;  ;   2  
       

      ;      ;     3 ;     2

112. If a,b,c are non zero real numbers such that

 
3 a 2  b2  c 2  1  2  a  b  c  ab  bc  ca  , then a,b,c are in

A) A.P B) G.P C) H.P D) a = b = c

Ans ; a,b,c,d

Sol. 2 a  b  c  ab  bc  ca   a  b  c  2a  2b  2c  3  0
2 2 2 2 2 2

  a  b   b  c    c  a    a  1   b  1   c  1  0
2 2 2 2 2 2

Thus equality holds true only when

 a  b  0, b  c  0, c  a  0 and a  1  0, b  1  0c  1  0

 a  b  c and a = b= c = 1

113. The function f  x   2x 3  3    2 x 2  2x  5 has a maximum and a minimum

if  

A)  4,   B)  , 0 C)  3, 3 4) 1,  

Ans : a,b,c,d

 
Sol. f  x   6  x     2 x    0 has two distinct roots
1 2

 3

2
 8  4 20
if    2  4
2
 2   4       0 for all  .
3 3  3  3

114. If cos 4   ,sin4    are the roots of the equation x 2  2bx  b  0 and

cos 2   , sin2    are the roots of the equation x 2  4x  2  0 then values

of ‘b’ are
A) –2B) –1 C) 1 D) 2
Ans : b,d

Sol. cos 4   sin4   cos 4   sin 4   cos 2

cos 2   sin2   cos 2

cos 4   sin4   cos 2   sin2 

  2b  4b   4  4  2
2 2

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

4b2  4b  8

4b2  4b  8  0

b2  b  2  0
b  2;  1

115. The function f  x   2x 3  3    2 x 2  2x  5 has a maximum and minimum if

 belongs to
A)  4,   B)  , 0 C)  3, 3 D) 1,  
Sol. ABCD

 
f 1  x   6  x 2     2 x    0 has two distinict roots
 3
2
 8  4 20
if    2  4.
2
 2   4       0 for all  .
3 3  3 9

116. If ,  are the roots of ax 2  bx  c  0 and  4 ,  4 are the roots of x 2  mx  n  0

then the roots of the equation a 2x 2  4acx  2c 2  a 2m  0 are
A) Real B) Imaginary C) Opposite sign D) Equal
Sol. AC

b c
  
a
,  
a
D  16a 2c22  4a 2 2c 2  a 2m 
m 4 4 n
 4  4   ,    8a 2c 2 2  4a 4 m
 

 2c2 m 
Product of the roots  4a   2    0 ,
4 2

a 

2c 2  a 2m
 Hence roots are real
a 2

2c2 m
   
2
   222  4  4   2  2 0
a2 
 The roots are of opposite signs.

117. The roots of equation x 2  2( a  3) x  9  0 lie between  6 and 1 and 2, h1, h2, ..... h20, [a] are in

H.P where [a] denotes the integral part of a and 2, a1, a2, .........a20, [a] are in A.P then ( A )

14 18
h18  (B) a3  (C) [ a ]  6 (D) a3h18  11
3 7

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations
Ans : a,b,c

 
Sol. Apply : (1) D > 0
6 1

b
(2) - 6 < 1 (3) f (6) f (1)  0
2a

6  a  6.25 [a] = 6

2, h , h2 ,......h2o,[ a] are in H.P 2, h , h2 ,......h2o,6 are in H.P

1 1
1 1 6  2
  18   h18 
14
h18 2  21  3
 

2, a1, a2, ..........a20, 6 are in A.P

 6  2  18
a3  2  3  
 21  7

118. The equation x3 – 3x2 + 6x – 1 = 0 has

a) all three real roots b) 2 imaginary and one real root
c) 2 positive and 1 negative real roots d) 2 imaginary and one positive root
Sol. b, d

f (x ) = x 2 - 3x 2 + 6x -1

f '( x ) = 3x 2 - 6x + 6 = 3( x 2 - 2x+2) > 0

Þ f ( x ) has only one real root.

lim f ( x ) ® -¥; f (0) < 0

Also, x®-¥

lim f (x ) ® ¥
and x®¥

Þ f ( x ) must have a positive root.

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

119. Equation (b – c)x + (c – a)y + (a – b) = 0 and (b3 – c3)x + (c3 – a3)y + a3 – b3 = 0 represent a same
line then correct statements can be
a) a = b = c b) b = c c) c = a d) a + b + c = 0
Ans : a,b,c,d
Sol. (a, b, c, d)
In both are same line then

b3 - c3 c 3 - a 3 a 3 - b3
= = =k
b-c c-a a -b
b3 – c3 = k(b – c); c3 – a3 = k(c – a);
a3 – b3 = k(a – b)
Þ b – c = 0 or b2 + c2 + bc = k or
c – a = 0 of c2 + a2 + ca = k
or a – b = 0 or a2 + b2 + ab = k
Þ so a = b = c
and b2 + c2 + bc = c2 + a2 + ca =
a2 + b2 + ab
Þ b2 – a2 = c(a – b) Þ a + b + c = 0

120. Let ‘m’ be a real number, and suppose that two of the three solutions of the cubic equation
x 3  3x 2  34x  m differ by 1. Then possible values of ‘m’ is /are
a) 120 b) 80
c) – 48 d) –32
Ans : a,c

Sol:Suppose that both r and r + 1 are solutions to the equation x 3  3x 2  34x  a. Then r 3  3r 2  34r  m,
and also (r  1)3  3(r  1)2  34(r  1)  m. Subtracting the first of these equations from the second
yields (3r 2  3r  1)  3(2r  1)  34  0, and simplification yields 3r 2  9r  30  0. Thus
0  r 2  3r  10  (r  5)(r  2). We conclude that either r = – 5 or r = 2. If r = – 5, then
m  (5)3  3(5) 2  34(5)  125  75  170  120 . The other possibility is r = 2, which yields
a = 8 + 12 – 68 = – 48. m = 120 and m = –48 are the two possibilities.

121. Which of the following equation have no real solution?

a) x 2  2 x  5   x  0  1
b) log1.5 cot x  sgn e
x
   2
x  
c) x  2 x sin 1  0 d) tan  x    2 tan x
4 2 2

2  6
Key. (ABD)

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

122. Number of real values of x satisfying the equation 3 x  2  32  x  82 is not equal to

 x  1
2
a) number of real solutions of the equation  4 x  9, such the the quantity

ln  5  2x  is a real number

log 5 250 log 5 10

b) the value of the expression 
log 50 5 log1250 5 when simplified.

c) number of real solutions of the equation, 2 x ln x  x  1  0.

d) the value of ‘m’ if a line of gradient m passes through the points  m, 9  and  7, m 

Key. (ACD)

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

(D) can be tried on your own

123. If both the roots of the equation x 2  2ax  a 2  a  3  0 in the variable x are less than 3 then a can
be

A) 2 B) 5/2C) 3 D) -7

Ans : c,d

Sol disc  0 , a  3 and f (3)  0 where f (x)  x 2  2ax  a 2  a  3

124. 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 any real x,

a) g  x   0 b) g  x   0 c) g  x   0 d) g  x   0

Key. A,B

Let f  x   ax  bx  c  0  x  R
2
Sol.

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

 b 2  4ac  0 and a  0 .... 1

Now g  x   f  x   f '  x   f '  x 

  ax 2  bx  c    2ax  b   2a

 ax 2   b  2a  x   2a  b  c 

    b  2a   4a  2a  b  c 
2

  b 2  4ac   4a 2  0 ; using (1)

 g  x  0  x  R

 g  x  0  x  R .

125. If the equations whose roots are squares of roots of x 3  ax 2  bx  1  0 is identical

with given cubic equation, then which of the following may be true.

a) a, b are roots of x 2  x  2  0 b) a = b= 0

c) a = b= 3 d) a = 0 , b = 3
Key. A,B,C
Sol. Let  ,  ,  are roots of given equation
      a,      b &   1
 2   2   2         2    a 2  2b
2

 2  2   2 2   2 2       2        b2  2a
2

 2  2 2  1
 eqn whose roots are  2 ,  2 ,  2 wiil be
x 2   a 2  2b  x 2   b 2  2a  x  1  0 ––––––––(1)
Now given eqn & eqn (1) are identical
a 2  2b  a , b2  2a  b
2
a2  a  a2  a  a2  a
b   2   2a  2
2  
a  0,3 & a 2  a  2  0

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Mathematics Quadratic Equations & Theory of Equations

b  0,3, b 2  a  2  0
 a = b = 0 & a = b= 3 & a, b are roots of x 2  x  2  0

40