What is the relationship between coefficients and roots in quadratic equations?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between coefficients and roots in quadratic equations, specifically focusing on the roots α and β in the context of the quadratic equation px² + qx + r = 0. The original poster seeks assistance in deriving relationships based on given conditions for the roots.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the relationships derived from the roots α = 2β + 1 and α = 3β + 1, with attempts to establish equations involving p, q, and r. Some participants express confusion regarding the correctness of their solutions and whether multiple solutions might exist.

Discussion Status

There is ongoing exploration of the problem, with participants questioning the initial steps taken in their attempts. One participant suggests that a reevaluation of the approach for part b is necessary, indicating that new expressions should be generated based on the correct interpretation of the roots.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraint of needing to show their attempts before receiving help, and there is an indication that the provided answers may not align with their calculations, raising questions about the validity of their approaches.

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Homework Statement



Given α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation px2+qx+r=0, find the relationship between p,q and r if

a) α=2β+1
b) α=3β+1

Answers provided by the answer sheet are 2q2 + pq - p2 = 9pr and 3q2 + 2pq - p2 =16pr respectively.

Can anyone help me?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution

 
Last edited:
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What have you tried? You need to show your attempt before we can provide any help.
 


Mark44 said:
What have you tried? You need to show your attempt before we can provide any help.

As shown below, i just managed to solve a) but not b), in both solutions for b, i don't know what goes wrong and they are not same as the answer provided, it is possible to be more than one solution? Please help me..:frown:

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/3286/dsc00535o.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:


I think you started wrong from the very beginning of part b (looking only at the first attempt).

\alpha = 3\beta + 1
\frac{r}{p\beta} = 3\left( \frac{-p-q}{3p}\right) + 1

The substitution on the right side was made because of the work you wrote in (2) above, which was based on the work you wrote in (1) above that, which started from the statement
\alpha = 2\beta + 1
which is the statement from part a, not part b.

You will have to generate new expressions in terms of α and β, starting from
\alpha = 3\beta + 1
For instance, from here, I get this value for alpha:
\alpha = \frac{p-3q}{4p}
 
Last edited:

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