Revision Questions Solutions Paper 2

QUESTION 1

If α + β = 17 and αβ = 70, find the value of α − β .

Suggested Solution

For the sum α + β = 17 and αβ = 70,

we have that α and β are roots of the quadratic equation

x2 − 7x + 70 = 0.

Solving this equation we have x = 7 or 10.

Hence
α − β = 3.

www.kkmo‐official.com
 Revision
Revision Questions
Questions Solutions
Solutions Paper
Paper 22

QUESTION 2

The difference between the highest common factor and the lowest common
multiple of x and 18 is 120. Find the value of x.

Suggested Solution
x 18
Let k = gcd(x, 18)and, suppose a = and b = .
k k
Then we have that gcd(a, b) = 1.

18x = gcd(x, 18) · lcm(x, 18).

18x = k · lcm(x, 18).
18
=⇒ · x = lcm(x, 18).
k
=⇒ b · (ak) = lcm(x, 18).
It follows that, lcm(x, 18) = abk.

Given that the difference between gcd(x, 18) and lcm(x, 18) is 120.
We have that
kab − k = 120.

=⇒ kab − k = 120. (∗)

We also have that gcd(ab − 1, b) = 1.

18
=⇒ gcd k(ab − 1), kb = k, =⇒ gcd(120, 18) = 6. (Since b = .)
k
It is easy to see that b = 3.
From (∗) it follows that a = 7 and thus x = 42.

www.kkmo‐official.com
 Revision
Revision Questions
Questions Solutions
Solutions Paper
Paper 22

QUESTION 3

Suppose p and q are prime numbers and they are roots of the equation

x2 − 99x + m = 0,
p q
for some m. What is the value of + ?
q p

Suggested Solution

Using the formula for roots, we have that p + q = 99. If p and q are both odd
primes, then

p + q is even.

Hence one of the primes is even.

Thus, we let p = 2, then q = 97.
It follows that,
p q 2 97 22 + 972 9413
+ = + = = .
q p 97 2 2 × 97 194

www.kkmo‐official.com
 Revision
Revision Questions
Questions Solutions
Solutions Paper
Paper 22

QUESTION 4

1 1
Given that w − = 5. Find the value of (w + )2 .
w w

Suggested Solution
1
For w − =5
w
1
=⇒ (w − )2 = 52 .
w
1
=⇒ w2 − 2 + = 25.
w2
1
=⇒ w2 + = 27.
w2
We also have that
1 1
(w + )2 = w 2 + 2 +
w w2
1 1
Therefore w2 + + 2 = 27 + 2 =⇒ (w + )2 = 29.
w2 w

www.kkmo‐official.com