"Thus, the highest power of x occurring in relation (1) is 2 and
this relation is satisfied by three distinct values a, band c of x;
therefore, itis an equation but an identity
A certain polynomial P(x), x € R when
divided by x~a,x~b and x ~c leaves remainders a,b and c,
respectively. Then find the remainder when P(x) is divided
by (a) (—b) (¢~e) where a, b,¢ are distinct,
Sol. By remainder theorem, P(a) = a, P(b) = band Pte) =e.
Let the required remainder be R(x). Then,
PCa) = C= a) (2=b) (&~c) OH) + RUA)
where RCx) is @ polynomial of degree at most 2. We get R(a)
1, R(b) = b and R(e) = c. So, the equation R(x) — x = 0 has
tree roots a, 6 and c. But its degree is at most 2. So, R(x) ~ =
must be zero polynomial (or identity). Hence R(x) =x
QUADRATIC EQUATION
Quadratic Equation with Real Coefficients
Consider the quadratic equation
ax? +br+c=0 a
where a, b c€ R and a #0.
Roots of the equation are given by
~~ 6 tae
2a
Now, we observe that the nature of the’ roots depend wpon the
value of the quantity 5! 4ac. This quantity is generally denoted
bby D and is known as the discriminant ofthe quadratic equation?
(Ean.
‘We also observe the following results:
eso
Boos oe ncqos!
oN
t:tlee Rand D>0 sbve Rand Deo
Roce age relanddistinet_ Roots are imaginary a =p 6 =P ig
wheres =
| y
ahce and
Dies pret square
= Roots eration
|
1,bee Zand Disa
pes Squre
Roots ipa
bcs and
fet
= Roos ae raion.
Fig. 1.39
Number System, Inequalities and Theory of Equations. 1.25
Note:
* Ifa, b,c Q and bP ~4ac is positive but not a petfect
square, then roots are irrational and they always occur
in conjugate patr like 2 +.\F ond 2 AS Hebert y
4, bc are irrational numbers and 6” ~ dac is postive
‘but nota perfect square, then the roos may not occur in
conjugate pairs. For example, the roots of the equation
28 (54 1B) x+ 582 = Oare Sand \2, which do not form
4 conjugate pair.
* If —4ac <0, then roos of equations are complex: Ifa
band c are real then complex roots accur in conjugate
pair such a ofthe form p + ig and pig. If all he coef
cients are not rea then complex roots may not conju
ate,
a,b,c. Ry) 2b = +c, then check
the nature of roots of equatiGn ax 2bx + = 0.
Sol. Given equation isd RAAEBe =O. Hence,
D=4b'—4ac
+) ~