Sign in
Please select an account to continue using cracku.in
↓ →
The roots $$\alpha, \beta$$ of the equation $$3x^2 + \lambda x - 1 = 0$$, satisfy $$\cfrac{1}{\alpha^2} + \cfrac{1}{\beta^2} = 15$$.
The value of $$(\alpha^3 + \beta^3)^2$$, is
From the sum and product of roots, we get: $$\alpha\ +\beta\ =-\dfrac{\lambda}{3}$$ and $$\alpha\ \beta\ =-\dfrac{1}{3}$$
Simplifying the expression given in the question, we get: $$\dfrac{\alpha^2+\beta^2\ }{\alpha^2\beta^2\ }=15$$
and substituting the denominator's value as 1/9, we get:$$\alpha^2+\beta^2\ =\dfrac{15}{9}$$
We want the expression $$\alpha^3+\beta^3\ $$, so multiplying both sides by $$\alpha+\beta$$, we get:
$$\alpha^3+\beta^3+\alpha\beta\left(a+\beta\ \right)=\dfrac{15}{9}\left(\alpha\ +\beta\ \right)$$
$$\alpha^3+\beta^3+\dfrac{\lambda}{9}\ =\dfrac{15}{9}\left(-\dfrac{\lambda}{3}\ \right)$$
$$\alpha^3+\beta^3+\dfrac{\lambda}{9}\ =-\dfrac{5\lambda}{9}-\dfrac{\lambda}{9}=-\dfrac{2\lambda\ }{3}\ \ $$
We would still need to find the value of $$\lambda$$
This we can do from the initial relation we had:
$$\alpha^2+\beta^2\ =\dfrac{15}{9}$$
$$\alpha^2+\beta^2\ =\left(\alpha+\beta\right)^2-2\alpha\ \beta\ \ \ =\dfrac{15}{9}$$
$$\dfrac{\lambda^2}{9}+\frac{2}{3}\ \ \ =\dfrac{15}{9}$$
$$\dfrac{\lambda^2}{9}\ =\dfrac{15-6}{9}=\dfrac{9}{9}=1$$
This would finally give us $$\lambda^2=9$$
Using this in our required expression, we get:
$$\left(\alpha^3+\beta^3\right)^2=\left(-\dfrac{2\lambda}{3}\ \ \right)^2=\dfrac{4\times\ 9}{9}=4$$
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
Click on the Email ☝️ to Watch the Video Solution
Create a FREE account and get:
Book Free CAT Mentorship
Get personalized CAT strategy from a 99%iler
500+ students mentored
OTP Verification
Enter the 6-digit code sent to your phone
Booking Summary
Enter OTP
Didn't receive the OTP?
Start your IIM journey with the right preparation and crack CAT 2026.
Educational materials for CAT preparation