The equations $x^2-a x+b=0$ and $x^2+b x-a=0$ have a common root, then
The equations $x^2-a x+b=0$ and $x^2+b x-a=0$ have a common root, then
- $a=b$
- $a+b=1$
- $a+b=0$ or $a-b=1$
- $a-b=2$
Solution
Equation $x^2-a x+b$ and $x^2+b x-a$ have a common root. Let $\alpha$ be the common root of both quadratic equations
$
\Rightarrow \quad \begin{aligned}
& \alpha^2-a \alpha+b=0 \\
& \alpha^2+b \alpha-a=0
\end{aligned}
$
Using cross-multiplication
$
\begin{gathered}
\frac{\alpha^2}{-a \quad b}=\frac{\alpha}{b \quad 1}=\frac{1}{1-a} \\
b-a \quad-a \quad 1 \quad 1 \quad b \\
\frac{\alpha^2}{a^2-b^2}=\frac{\alpha}{b+a}=\frac{1}{b+a}
\end{gathered}
$
We get
$
\frac{\alpha}{b+a}=\frac{1}{b+a} \Rightarrow \alpha=1
$
Now, using first two fraction
$
\begin{array}{rlrl}
& & \frac{1}{a^2-b^2} & =\frac{1}{a+b} \\
\Rightarrow & & a+b & =a^2-b^2 \\
\Rightarrow & & (a+b) & =(a+b)(a-b) \\
\Rightarrow & & (a+b)(a-b-1) & =0 \\
& a+b=0 \text { or } a-b-1 & =0 \Rightarrow a-b=1
\end{array}
$
Asked in: AP EAMCET 2021 (24 Aug Shift 1)
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