Let $a$ and $b$ be non-zero and real numbers. Then, the equation $\left(a x^2+b y^2+c\right)\left(x^2-5 x…

Let $a$ and $b$ be non-zero and real numbers. Then, the equation $\left(a x^2+b y^2+c\right)\left(x^2-5 x y+6 y^2\right)=0$ represents
  1. Four straight lines, when $c=0$ and $a, b$ are of the same sign
  2. Two straight lines and a circle, when $a=b$ and $c$ is of sign opposite to that of $a$
  3. Two straight lines and a hyperbola, when $a$ and $b$ are of the same sign and $c$ is of sign opposite to that of $a$
  4. A circle and an ellipse, when $a$ and $b$ are of the same sign and $c$ is of sign opposite to that of $a$

Solution

Let $a$ and $b$ be non- zero real numbers. Therefore, the given equation $\left(a x^2+b y^2+c\right)\left(x^2-5 x y+6 y^2\right)=0$ implies either $ \begin{array}{rc} & x^2-5 x y+6 y^2=0 \\ \Rightarrow & (x-2 y)(x-3 y)=0 \\ \Rightarrow & x=2 y \text { and } x=3 y \end{array} $ represent two straight lines passing through origin. Or $\quad a x^2+b y^2+c=0$ When $c=0$ and $a$ and $b$ are of same signs, then $ \begin{aligned} & a x^2+b y^2+c=0 \\ \Rightarrow & x=0 \text { and } y=0 \end{aligned} $ which is a point specified as the origin. When $a=b$ and $c$ is of sign opposite to that of $a, a x^2+b y^2+c=0$ represents a circle. Hence, the given equation $\left(a x^2+b y^2+c\right)\left(x^2-5 x y+6 y^2\right)=0$ may represent two straight lines and a circle

Asked in: JEE Advanced 2008 (Paper 1)

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