Question 1
Find the nature of the roots of the following quadratic equations. If the real roots exist, find them:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
To find the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation , we calculate the discriminant :
- : Two distinct real roots exist.
- : Two equal real roots exist.
- : No real roots exist.
When real roots exist, they are given by the quadratic formula:
(i)
Step 1 · Calculate Discriminant and Determine Nature of Roots
Comparing with :
Calculate the discriminant :
Since , there are no real roots for this equation.
(i) No real roots
(ii)
Step 1 · Calculate Discriminant and Determine Nature of Roots
Comparing with :
Calculate the discriminant :
Since , the roots are real and equal.
Step 2 · Find the Roots
Using the quadratic formula:
Therefore, both roots are equal to (or ).
(ii) Real and equal roots:
(iii)
Step 1 · Calculate Discriminant and Determine Nature of Roots
Comparing with :
Calculate the discriminant :
Since , the roots are real and distinct.
Step 2 · Find the Roots
Using the quadratic formula:
(iii) Real and distinct roots:
- Sign Error in : Forgetting that when is negative (e.g., ), .
- Squaring Negative Surds: Miscalculating . Remember that .
- Stating Only One Root for : A quadratic equation always has two roots. When , both roots are equal and should be stated twice (e.g., ).
- Incorrect Simplification: Forgetting to factor out the common term from the numerator before cancelling with the denominator in .
More questions in Exercise 4.3
Find the nature of the roots of the following quadratic equations. If the real roots exist, find them:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
Find the values of for each of the following quadratic equations, so that they have two equal roots.
(i)
(ii)
Is it possible to design a rectangular mango grove whose length is twice its breadth, and the area is ? If so, find its length and breadth.
Is the following situation possible? If so, determine their present ages.
The sum of the ages of two friends is years. Four years ago, the product of their ages in years was .
Is it possible to design a rectangular park of perimeter and area ? If so, find its length and breadth.