If $x_1$ and $x_2$ are the real roots of the equation $x^2-k x+c=0$, then the distance between the points…

If $x_1$ and $x_2$ are the real roots of the equation $x^2-k x+c=0$, then the distance between the points $A\left(x_1, 0\right)$ and $B\left(x_2, 0\right)$ is
  1. $\sqrt{k^2+4 c}$
  2. $\sqrt{k^2-c}$
  3. $\sqrt{c-k^2}$
  4. $\sqrt{k^2-4 c}$

Solution

Given, $x_1$ and $x_2$ are the roots of the equation $ \begin{array}{rlrl} & \therefore & x^2-p x+c & =0 \\ & \text { and } & x_1+x_2 & =k \\ & x_1 x_2 & =-c \end{array} $ $\therefore$ The distance between $A\left(x_1, 0\right)$ and $B\left(x_2, 0\right)$ is $ \begin{aligned} A B & =\sqrt{\left(x_2-x_1\right)^2+0^2}=\left|x_2-x_1\right| \\ & =\sqrt{\left(x_1+x_2\right)^2-4 x_1 x_2} \\ & =\sqrt{k^2-4 \times 1 \times c} \\ & =\sqrt{k^2-4 c} \end{aligned} $

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2014

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