The condition that $x^3-p x^2+q x-r=0$ may have two of its roots equal to each other but of opposite sign is

The condition that $x^3-p x^2+q x-r=0$ may have two of its roots equal to each other but of opposite sign is
  1. r = pq
  2. $r=2 p^3+p q$
  3. $r=p^2 q$
  4. $r=p^2 q^2$

Solution

Given equation, $x^3-p x^2+q x-r=0 ...(i)\ldots$ Let $\alpha, \beta$ and $\gamma$ are the roots of Eq. (i) Hence, $ \begin{array}{r} \alpha+\beta+\gamma=\frac{-(-p)}{1}=p ...(ii)\\ \alpha \beta+\beta \gamma+\gamma \alpha=q ...(iii)\\ \alpha \beta \gamma=-(-r)=r..._(iv) \end{array} $ Given that, two roots are equal and opposite in sign. Let $\alpha=-\beta$ From Eq. (ii), we get, $\alpha+\beta+\gamma=p$ $ \begin{aligned} -\beta+\beta+\gamma & =p \\ \gamma & =p...(v) \end{aligned} $ From Eq. (iv), we get, $\alpha \beta \gamma=r$ $ \Rightarrow $ $ \begin{aligned} -\beta^2 \gamma & =r \\ -\beta^2 p & =r \\ \beta^2 & =\frac{-r}{p} \end{aligned} $ From Eq. (iii), we get $ \begin{aligned} \alpha \beta+\beta \gamma+\gamma \alpha & =q \\ -\beta^2+\beta p+(-\beta) p & =q \Rightarrow \frac{r}{p}+0=q \end{aligned} $ $ \Rightarrow \quad r=p q $

Asked in: AP EAMCET 2021 (25 Aug Shift 2)

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