General Mathematic

(Preliminary)

Sum and Products

of Roots
Stage 6 - Year 11

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 Sum and Product of Roots
The general quadratic equation can be
written as
x2 - ( + )x + = 0
where and are the roots of the equation.
If and are the roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0.
-b
Sum of roots: + =
a
c
Product of roots: =
a

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 Sum and Product of Roots
Find + and if and are the roots of

2x2 3x 6 = 0
c -6
Product of roots: = a = = -3
2

-b -(-3)
Sum of roots: + = = = 1.5
a 2

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 Sum and Product of Roots

If you know the roots: = 2 = -3

x2 ( + )x + = 0
x2 - (2 + 3)x + 2 x 3 = 0
x2 + x 6 = 0

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 Sum and Product of Roots
Find + and if and are the roots of
2x2 3x 6 = 0
(3) (3)2 4 x 2 x (6)
x=
2x2
3 9 + 48 3 57
x= =
4 4
3 + 57 3 57 3 + 57 x 3 57
+ = + =
4 4 4 4
6 3 9 57 -48
= = = 1.5 = = = -3
4 2 16 16
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