Polynomial Equation - Roots Formulas

Important

If $$A_{n}X^{n}$$ + $$A_{n-1}X^{n-1}$$ + ... + $$A_{1}X$$ + $$A_{0}$$ = 0 and n>=3, then 

  • Sum of the roots = $$-A_{n-1}/ A_{n}$$

  • Sum of roots taken two at a time = $$A_{n-2}/ A_{n}$$

  • Sum of roots taken three at a time = $$-A_{n-3}/ A_{n}$$ and so on

  • Product of the roots =$$(-1)^nA_0/A_n$$

Ex: For a cubic ax³+bx²+cx+d=0 with roots p,q,r:

  • p+q+r = −b/a

  • pq+qr+rp = c/a

  • pqr = −d/a

Question 1

Let r and c be real numbers. If r and -r are roots of $$5x^{3} + cx^{2} - 10x + 9 = 0$$, then c equals

Question 2

Let $$\alpha$$ and $$\beta$$ be the two distinct roots of the equation $$2x^{2} - 6x + k = 0$$, such that ( $$\alpha + \beta$$) and $$\alpha \beta$$ are the distinct roots of the equation $$x^{2} + px + p = 0$$. Then, the value of 8(k - p) is

Question 3

A quadratic equation $$x^2 + bx + c = 0$$ has two real roots. If the difference between the reciprocals of the roots is $$\frac{1}{3}$$, and the sum of the reciprocals of the squares of the roots is $$\frac{5}{9}$$, then the largest possible value of $$(b + c)$$ is

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