Let $p, q, r \in R$ and $r>p>0$. If the quadratic equation $p x^2+q x+r=0$ has two complex roots $\alpha$…

Let $p, q, r \in R$ and $r>p>0$. If the quadratic equation $p x^2+q x+r=0$ has two complex roots $\alpha$ and $\beta$, then $|\alpha|+|\beta|$ is
  1. equal to 1
  2. less than 2 but not equal to 1
  3. greater than 2
  4. equal to 2

Solution

Given quadratic equation is $ \begin{aligned} & p x^2+q x+r=0 \\ & D=q^2-4 p r \end{aligned} $ Since $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are two complex root $ \begin{array}{ll} \therefore \beta=\bar{\alpha} \Rightarrow|\beta|=|\bar{\alpha}| \Rightarrow|\beta|=|\alpha| \\ (\because|\bar{\alpha}|=|\alpha|) \\ \text { Consider } \\ |\alpha|+|\beta|=|\alpha|+|\alpha| & (\because|\beta|=|\alpha|) \\ =2|\alpha|>2.1=2 & (\because|\alpha|>1) \end{array} $ Hence, $|\alpha|+|\beta|$ is greater than 2

Asked in: JEE Main 2012 (19 May Online)

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