CAT 2021 Question Paper (Slot 2) - Quant Question 7

Question 7

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 product and the sum of the roots are rational numbers which are 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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