Question 51

Suppose one of the roots of the equation $$ax^{2}-bx+c=0$$ is $$2+\sqrt{3}$$, Where a,b and c are rational numbers and $$a\neq0$$. If $$b=c^{3}$$ then $$\mid a\mid$$ equals.

Solution

Given a, b, c are rational numbers.

Hence a, b, c are three numbers that can be written in the form of p/q.

Hence if one both the root is 2+$$\sqrt{\ 3}$$ and considering the other root to be x.

The sum of the roots and the product of the two roots must be rational numbers.

For this to happen the other root must be the conjugate of $$2+\sqrt{\ 3}$$ so the sum and the product of the roots are rational numbers which are represented by: $$-\frac{b}{a},\ \frac{c}{a}$$

Since the quadratic equation has negative b, it will cancel the negative sign of the sum of the roots. Hence, the sum of the roots and the products of the roots will be represented by  $$-\frac{b}{a},\ \frac{c}{a}$$

Hence the sum of the roots is 2+$$\sqrt{\ 3}+2-\sqrt{\ 3}$$ = 4.

The product of the roots is $$\left(2+\sqrt{\ 3}\right)\cdot\left(2-\sqrt{\ 3}\right)\ =\ 1$$

b/a = 4, c/a = 1.
b = 4*a, c= a.
Since b = $$c^3$$
4*a = $$a^3$$
$$a^2=\ 4.$$
a = 2 or -2.
|a| = 2

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