QUADRATIC EQUATION

1. Let 4x2 − 4 ( − 2) x +  − 2 = 0 (  R) be a quadratic equation. Find the values

of  for which
(i) Both the roots are real and distinct
(ii) Both the roots are equal
(iii) Both the roots are imaginary
(iv) Both the roots are opposite in sign
(v) Both the roots are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign
(vi) Both the roots are positive
(vii) Both the roots are negative
(viii) Atleast one root is positive
1 1
(ix) One root is smaller than and other root is greater than
2 2
1
(x) Both the roots are greater than
2
1
(xi) Both the roots are smaller than
2
Exactly one root lies in  0, 
1
(xii)
 2 
 1
(xiii) Both the roots lie in  0, 
 2

Atleast one root lies in  0, 
1
(xiv)
 2
1
(xv) One root is greater than and other is smaller than 0
2

2. For what real values of a do the roots of the equation x 2 - 2x - (a2 - 1) = 0 lie
between the roots of the equation x2 - 2(a +1)x + a (a -1) = 0?

3. If a1, a2, a3, …….an ( n  2) are real and (n –1)a12 – 2na2 <0 then prove that
at least two roots of the equation xn + a1xn-1 + a2xn-2+ . . . +an = 0 are imaginary.

k
4. Find the possible value of k for which the equation  (x + m − 1) (x + m) = 10k has
m =1

solution  and  + 1 for some .

5. If a, b, c be the three possible values of n for which the polynomial

1 + x2 + x4 + ………+ x2n−2 is divisible by 1 + x + x2 + ……… + xn−1, shows that
the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are conjugate to each others.

6. If  and  are the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 and 4 and 4 are
the roots of the equation l x2 +mx +n =0, then prove that the roots of the
 equation a2l x2 - 4aclx +2c2 l +a2 m = 0 are always real and opposite in sign
(,  are real and distinct).
7. If f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, and ,  are the roots of the equation px2+qx+r=o, then
(cp − ar)2 − (bp − aq)(cq − br)
show that f()f() = . Hence or otherwise, show that if
p2
ax2+bx+c=0 and px2 + qx + r = 0 have a common root, then bp - aq, cp - ar, and
cq - br are in G.P.

8. Find all the values of p for which the equation x4 + 4x3 − 8x2 + p = 0 has
(a) all real solutions (b) two real solutions
(c) no real solution

9. Find all real values of the parameter a ( 0) for which the equation
x
 2a + 1 
 (t − 12t + 28) dt = x sin  
2
has a solution. Find that solution.
0
 x 

10. Show that for any real numbers a3, a4,…….a85, the roots of the equation a85x85 +
a84x84 + …….a3x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 1 = 0 are not real.

11. If f(x) is a real valued polynomial and f(x) = 0 has real and distinct roots, show
that the (f(x)2 – f(x)f(x) = 0 can not have real roots.

Find a such that −a  9x + ( a − 2) 3x −  a − 1 > 0 for x  (0, 1).

5
12.
4 

13. Suppose a, b and c are integers with a > 1 and p is a prime number. Show that
if
ax2 + bx +c is equal to p for two distinct integral values of x, then ax 2 +bx + c
cannot be equal to 2p for any integral value of x.

14. Find all real value of a for which the equation x4 + (a – 1)x3 + x+2 + (a – 1)x + 1 =
0 possesses at least two distinct positive roots

15. If f (x) = x3 + bx2 + cx + d and f (0), f (–1) are odd integers, prove that f (x) = 0
cannot have all integral roots.
 SINGLE CORRECT CHOICE
1. Let f(x) = x2 + bx + c, where b, c  R. If f(x) is a factor of both x4 + 6x2 + 25 and
3x4 + 4x2 + 28x + 5, then the least value of f(x) is
(A) 2 (B) 3
5
(C) (D) 4
2

2. Let a, b, c be the sides of a triangle. No two of them are equal and   R. If the
roots of the equation x2 + 2(a + b+ c) x + 3 (ab + bc + ca) = 0 are real, then
4 5
(A)   (B)  
3 3
 1 5
  , 
4 5
(C)    ,  (D) 
3 3 3 3

3. Let f(x) = x2 + ax + b be a quadratic polynomial in which a and b are integers. If

for a given integer n, f(n) f(n + 1) = f(m) for some integer m, then the value of m is
(A) n(a + b) + ab (B) n2 + an + b
(C) n(n + 1) + an + b (D) n2 + n +a + b

4. If the equations x2 + ax + b=0 and x2 + bx + a = 0 have exactly one common root,

then the numerical value of a + b is
(A) 1 (B) –1
(C) 0 (D) none of these

5. The number of ordered pairs of positive integers x, y such that x 2 + 3y and y2 +

3x are both perfect squares is
(A) 2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D) 5

6. For the equations x2 + bx + c = 0 and 2x2 + (b + 1)x + c + 1 = 0 select the correct

alternative
(A) both the equations can have integral roots
(B) both the equations can’t have integral roots simultaneously
(C) none of the equations can have integral roots
(D) nothing can be said

7. If x2 +ax +b is an integer for every integer x then

(A) ‘a’ is always an integer but ‘b’ need not be an integer.
(B) ‘b’ is always an integer but ‘a’ need not be an integer.
(C) a+b is always an integer.
(D) none of these.

8. If a, b, c be the sides of ABC and equations ax2 + bx + c=0 and 5x2+12x+13=0

have a common root, then C is
(A) 60° (B) 90°
 (C) 120° (D) 45°

9. The equation x2 + nx + m = 0, n, m  I, can not have

(A) integral roots (B) non-integral rational roots
(B) irrational roots (D) complex roots

10. If log3x +5 ( ax2 + 8x + 2)  2 then x lies in the interval

(A)  − , −  (B)  − , − 
4 20 4 23
 3 11   3 22 

(C)  − , − 
5 23
(D) None of these
 3 22 

11. The number of ordered pairs (a, b) such that the equations ax + by = 1 and x 2+ y2
= 50 have all solutions integral is
(A) 72 (B) 66
(C) 84 (D) 36

12. If the roots of the equation (a2 + b2) x2 + 2x (ac + bd) + c2 + d2 = 0, are real, then
these are equal. This statement is (a, b, c, d  R)
(A) true (B) false
(C) can’t say (D) none of these

13. If equation x2 – (2 + m)x + (m2 – 4m + 4) = 0 has coincident roots then

2
(A) m = 0, 1 (B) m = , 1
3
2
(C) m = 0, 2 (D) m = ,6
3

14. A root of the equation, sinx + x-1 = 0, lies in the interval

(A) (0, /2) (B) (-/2, 0)
(C) (/2, ) (D) (-,-/2)

15. If p, q, r  R and the quadratic equation px2 + qx + r = 0 has no real root, then
(A) p(p + q + r) < 0 (B) p(p – 2q + 4r)
(C) p(p + 4q + 2r) < 0 (D) None of these

16. If x2 - 4x +log1/2a = 0 does not have two distinct real roots, then maximum value
of a is
(A) 1/4 (B) 1/ 16
(C) –1/4 (D) none of these

17. The least value of |a| for which tan  and cot  are the roots of the equation
x2 + ax + b = 0 is
(A) 2 (B) 1
(C) 1/2 (D) 0
18. If the equation x3 − 3ax2 + 3bx − c = 0 has positive and distinct roots, then
(A) a2 > b (B) ab > c
3
(C) a > c (D) a3 > b2 > c
19. The value of a for which exactly one root of the equation e ax2 – e2ax + ea – 1 = 0
lies between 1 and 2 are given by
 5 − 13   5 + 13 
(A) ln    a  ln   (B) 0 < a < 100
 4   4 
5 10
(C) ln  a  ln (D) None of these
4 3

1 1 2
20. If ,  be the roots of x2 − a(x − 1) − b=0, then the value of + +
 − a
2
 − a
2 a+b
is
4 1
(A) (B)
a+b a+b
(C) 0 (D) 1

21. Consider the equation x3 – nx + 1 =0, n  N , n  3 . Then

(A) Equation has atleast one rational root .
(B) Equation has exactly one rational root.
(C) Equation has all real roots belonging to (0, 1).
(D) Equation has no rational root.

22. If sin, sin  and cos are in GP, then roots of x2 + 2xcot + 1 = 0 are always
(A) equal (B) real
(C) imaginary (D) greater than 1

x2 + 5
23. If a, b  (0, 2) and the equation = x − 2 cos(ax + b) has at least one solution
2
then a + b is
(A) 1 (B) 2
(C) e (D) 

24. Let P(x) and Q(x) be two polynomials. If f(x) = P(x4) + xQ(x4) is divisible by x2 +1,
then
(A) P(x) is divisible by (x-1) (B) Q(x) is divisible by (x-1)
(C) f(x) is divisible by (x-1) (D) all of them

25. If ,  be the roots of 4x2 − 16x +  = 0,   R such that 1 <  < 2 and 2 <  < 3,
then the number of integral solutions of  is
(A) 5 (B) 6
(C) 3 (D) 2
26. The solution of the equation |x + 1|2 – 2|x + 2| – 26 = 0 is
(A) 7 (B) –7, 29
(C)  29 (D) –7, 29

27. The roots of the equation (c2 –ab)x2 – 2(a2 –bc)x + (b2 – ac) =0 are equal then
(A) a2 + b3 + c3 = 3abc or a = 0 (B) a + b + c = 0
2 3 3
(C) a + b + c = 3abc or a = 1 (D) none of these
28. If ( +  - 2)x + ( + 2)x < 1, x  R, then  belongs to the interval
2 2

(B)  −2, 
2
(A) (-2, 1)
 5 
(C)  , 
2
1 (D) None of these
5 

29. If expression x2 – 4cx + b2 > 0  x  R and a2 + c2 < ab, then range of the
x+a
function is
x + bx + c 2
2

(A) (- , 0) (B) (0, )

(C) (- , ) (D) None of these

4x 2 + 1 1
30. If for all real values of x,  then  lies in the interval
64x − 32x sin  + 29
2 32
  2 
(A)  0,  (B)  ,
 3  3 3 
 
 4 5 
(C)  , (D) none of these
 3 3 

31. The number of real solutions of the equation sin ex = 5x + 5−x is

(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) infinitely many

32. The equation (x – 3)9 + (x – 32)9 + …..(x - 39)9 = 0 has

(A) all real equation (B) real root namely 3, 32, …..39
(C) one real & of imaginary roots (D) None of these

33. The set of all real numbers x for which x2 – |x + 2| + x > 0 is

(A) (–, –2)  (2, ) (B) ( −, − 2 )  ( 2,  )
(C) (–, –1)  (1, ) (D) ( 2,  )
34. If f(x) = x2 + 2bx + 2c2 and g(x) = −x2 − 2cx + b2, such that minimum f(x) >
maximum g(x), then the relation b and c, is
(A) no real value of b and c (B) 0 < c < b 2
(C) |c| > b 2 (D) |c| < b 2
  + 5i
35. If one of the roots of the equation 2x2 – 6x + k = 0 is then the values of 
2
and k are
3
(A)  = 3, k = 8 (B)  = , k = 17
2
(C)  = –3, k = –17 (D)  = 3, k = 17

36. The set of all x in the interval [0, ] for which 2 sin2 x – 3 sin x + 1  o is

(A)   (B) 
2
  5 
(C) 0,  (D) 0,    ,    
 4   6   6    2
37. Let a > 0, b > 0 then both roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0
(A) are real and negative (B) have negative real parts
(C) have positive real parts (D) none of these

38. The number of positive integral solutions of x4 – y4 = 3789108 is

(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) 4

39. The set of values for which x3+ 1  x2 + x is

(A) x  0 (B) x  0
(C) x  –1 (D) –1  x  1

40. If a  0, then the roots of x2 – 2a|x – a| – 3a2 = 0 is

(A) ( −1 + 6 ) a , a(1 – 2 ) (B) ( 6 − 1) , ( 2 – 1)
(C) a (D) none of these

41. If the roots of the equation x2 – 2ax + a2 +a -3 = 0 are less than 3 then
(A) a < 2 (B) 2  a  3
(C) 3 < a  4 (D) a > 4

42. If a1, a2, a3 (a1 > 0) are in G. P. with common ratio r, then the value of r, for which
the inequality 9a1 + 5 a3 > 14 a2 holds, can not lie in the interval
(A) [1, ) (B) [1, 9/5]
(C) [4/5, 1] (D) [5/ 9, 1]

43. Let p(x) = 0 be a polynomial equation of least possible degree, with rational
coefficients, having 3 7 + 3 49 as one of its roots. Then the product of all the roots
of p(x) = 0 is
(A) 7 (B) 49
(C) 56 (D) 63
 7
44. If  and  are the roots of x2 – 3px + p2 = 0 such that 2 + 2 = then values of p
4
are
1
(A) 2, 1 (B) 2,
2
1 1 1
(C) , 1 (D) , –
2 2 2

45. For all ‘x’, x2 + 2ax + 10 − 3a > 0, then the interval in which ‘a’ lies is
(A) a < − 5 (B) − 5 < a < 2
(C) a > 5 (D) 2 < a < 5

46. If (m2 -3) x2 + 3mx + 3m + 1= 0 has roots which are reciprocals of each other,
then the value of m equals to
(A) 4 (B) 1,
(C) 2 (D) None of these

47. If the two equation x2 – cx + d = 0 and x2 – ax + b = 0 have one common root and
the second has equal roots then 2(b + d) is equal to
(A) 0 (B) a + c
(C) ac (D) –ac

mx 2 + 3x + 4
48. If the inequality 5 is satisfied for all x  R , then
x2 + 2x + 2
(A) 1 < m < 5 (B) -1 < m < 5
71
(C) 1< m < 6 (D) m <
24

a b
49. If the roots of the equation + =2 are equal in magnitude but
x +a+k x +b+k
opposite in sign, then the value of k is
a+b a+b
(A) – (B)
4 4
a+b
(C) (D) 0
2

50. The number of solutions of the equation n−|x| |m − |x|| = 1 (where m, n > 1 and
n > m) is
(A) 0 (B) 1
(C) 2 (D) 4
ANSWER:

1 (i).   (–, 2)  (3, ) (ii).  = 2, 3 (iii).  (2, 3)

(iv).   (–, 2) (v).  (vi).   [3, ]
(vii).  (viii).   (–, 2)  [3, ) (ix).   (3, )
(x).  (xi).   [2, ) (xii).   (−, 2)  (3,)
(xiii).  (xiv)   (−, 2)  (3,) (xv) 
 1 
2. − 4, 1 4. k = 11
 
8. (a) p [0, 3) (b) p  (−, 0)  (3, 128)
(c) p  (128, )
7
9. a=9n+  n  I, x = 9 12. a
4
14. a  (–, –1/2)

SINGLE CORRECT CHOICE

1. D 2. A 3. C
4. B 5. B 6. B
7. C 8. B 9. B
10. B 11. B 12. A
13. D 14. A 15. B
16. B 17. A 18. A
19. D 20. C 21. A
22. B 23. D 24. D
25. C 26. B 27. A
28. D 29. C 30. A
31. A 32. C 33. B
34. C 35. D 36. D
37. B 38. A 39. C
40. A 41. A 42. B
43. C 44. D 45. B
46. A 47. C 48. D
49. A 50. C

SOLUTION

1. Let f (x) = 4x2 − 4 ( − 2) x +  − 2 = 0

(i). Both the roots are real and distinct  D > 0
 16 ( − 2)2 − 16 ( − 2) > 0
 ( − 2)( − 3) > 0    (− , 2)  (3, )

(ii). Both the roots are equal  D = 0   = 2, or  = 3

(iii). Both the roots are imaginary  D < 0

 ( − 2)( − 3) < 0  2 <  < 3

(iv). Both the roots are opposite in sign

 D > 0 and product of the roots is negative    (− , 2)  (3, ) and   (− , 2)
   (− , 2)

(v). Both the roots are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign.
 sum of the roots is zero as well as D > 0
   (− , 2)  (3, ) and  = 2
 no such  exists    

(vi). Both the roots are positive  D > 0, sum and product of roots, both are positive
−2
   (− , 2]  [3, ), ,−2>0
4
   [3, )

(vii). Both the roots are negative

 D  0, sum is negative but product is positive
   (− , 2]  [3, ),  < 2,  > 2
 no such  exists    

(viii). Atleast one root is positive

Case 1: Both the roots are positive
   [3, ) from (vi)
Case 2 : One root is positive other is zero
 product of roots is zero   = 2
sum of roots is equal to one of root
 other root =  − 2
but for  = 2 other root is also zero
 Here is no such  for which one root is positive and other is zero.
Case 3 : One root is positive other is negative
   (− , 2)
combining all these we get   (− , 2)  [3, ).

1 1
(ix). One root is smaller than
and other root is greater than
2 2
1  1
 lies between the roots f   , D > 0
2 2
   > 3,   (1 − , 2)  (3, )    (3, ).

1
(x). Both the roots are greater than
2
−b 1
 f   > 0,
1
> ,D0
2 2a 2
−2 1
  < 3, > ,   (− , 2]  [3, )
2 2
 n such  exists    

1
(xi). Both the roots are smaller than
2
−b 1
 f   > 0,
1
< ,D0
2 2a 2
−2 1
  < 3, < ,   (− , 2]  [3, )
2 2
   [2, )

Exactly one root lies in  0,

1
(xii).
 2 

f (0) f   < 0, D > 0

1
2
 ( − 2)(3 − ) < 0 and  (− , 2)  (3, )
   (− , 2)  (3, )

Both the roots lie in  0,

1
(xiii). , then
 2 
 1 −b 1
D  0, f (0) > 0, f   > 0, 0 < <
2 2a 2
−2 1
   (− , 2]  [3, ),  > 2,  < 3, 0 < <
2 2
 no such  exists    

Atleast one root lies in  0,

1
(xiv).
 2 

Case 1 : Exactly one root lies in  0, 

1
2  
   (− , 2)  (3, ) from (xii)
Case 2 : Both roots lie in  0, 
1
2  
    from (xiii)
 atleast one root lies in  0,
1
, for   (− , 2)  (3, )
 2 
 1
(xv). One root is greater than and other is smaller than 0
2
1
 0 and lie between the roots
2
 f (0) < 0, f   < 0, D > 0
1
 
2
  < 2,  > 3,   (− , 2)  (3, )
 no such  exists    

2. Given equation x2 – 2x – (a2 – 1) = 0

,  =
2  4 + 4 a2 − 1 ( ) =1a  
2
Let f(x) = x2 – 2(a + 1)x + a(a −1 ) = 0
Now f() < 0 (1 + a)2 – 2(a+1)(1+a)+a(a – 1) < 0
− a2 – 2a −1 + a2 – 1 < 0
3a > −1  a > −1/3 ….(1)
f() < 0  (1 – a)2 – 2(1 – a2) + a(a – 1) < 0
 4a2 – 4a + a – 1 < 0
 (4a + 1) (a – 1) < 0
1
 − <a<1 ….(2)
4
From (1) and (2), a   − , 1 .
1
 4 
3. If 1,..., n are the roots then 1 +...+n = −a1

1i jn
i  j = a2

 ( n-1) a12 − 2na2 = (n − 1)  1 + ... + n  − 2n  

2
i j

 ( −  )
2
= i j 0
1i jn

Therefore if i's are all real, the given condition cannot hold.

k
4. Given that  (x + m − 1) (x + m) = 10k
m =1
k
  (x
m =1
2
+ m2 + 2mx − x − m) = 10k

k(k + 1)(2k + 1) k(k + 1)

 x2k + + x k (k + 1) − kx − = 10k
6 2
k2 − 1
 x2 + kx + − 10 = 0 …(1)
3
equation (1) has solution  and  + 1
therefore difference of roots is 1
Since (difference of roots)2 = (sum of roots)2 − 4 (product of roots)
  k 2 − 31
 1 = k2 − 4    k2 = 121  k =  11
 3 
Since k is a positive integer  k = 11.
5. Let f (x) = 1 + x2 + x4 + ……… + x2n−2
and g (x) = 1 + x + x2 + ……… + xn−1
x 2n − 1 xn − 1
 f (x) = and g (x) =
x2 − 1 x −1
f(x) x2n − 1
x − 1 xn + 1 f(x) xn + 1
 = 2  n =  =
g(x) x − 1 x − 1 x + 1 g(x) x + 1
 f (x) is divisible by for every odd integral value of n  a, b and c are all odd integers
 quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 has rational roots.
 roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 are conjugate to each other

b c
6. We have  +  = − ,   =
a a
m n
4 + 4 = − l , 4 4 =
l
m
Now, 4 + 4 = − = (2 + )2 - 222
l
2
 b2 2c  2c 2
= {( + )2 - 2)2 - 222 =  2
−  − 2
 a a  a
2
 b2  c  b2   c2  m
or,  2  − 4    2  + 2  2  + = 0
a   a  a  a  l
 a2lx2 – 4 aclx + 2c2l + ma2 = 0( x = b2/a2)
b2
this shows one root of given equation is (always positive)
a2
Now let the other root be 
b2 4c  b2 − 4ac 
+ =  = –   < 0 (as  and  are real and distinct roots of ax2+bx+c=0)
a2 a  a
2

Hence roots are real and opposite in sign.

q r
7. Here +  = - ,  =
p p
f() f() = (a2 + b + c) (a2 + b + c)
= a2 2 2 + ab2  + ac2+ ab2 + b2 + bc + ac2 + bc + c2
r2 qr  q2 2r  b2r  q
= a2 − ab + ac  2 −  + + bc  −  + c 2
p2 p2  p p  p  p
a2r 2 − abqr + acq2 − 2rpac + b2rp − bcqp + c 2p2 ( ar − cp )2 − (bp − aq)( cq − br )
= =
p2 p2
Let  be common root of ax2 + bx + c = 0 and px2 + qx + r = 0 then
 ( ar − cp )2 − (bp − aq)( cq − br )
f() f() = 0  =0
p2
 (cp – ar)2 = (bp – aq) (cq – br)
 bp – qr, cp – ar and cq – br are in GP.

8. Given equation x4 + 4x3 − 8x2 + p = 0 y

p = − (x4 + 4x3 − 8x2) … (1) 128

solution of equation (1) can be find out by finding the 3

intersection of the curve y = p
and y = − (x4 + 4x3 − 8x2 ) −4 0 1 x
(a) Line y = p will cut the curve at four points in region
0y<3
0p<3
(b) line y = p will cut the curve at two points in region 3 < y < 128 or y < 0
 3 < p < 128 or p < 0
(c) line y = p will not cut the curve if y > 128  p > 128

x
2a + 1 
9. Given equation  (t 2 − 12t + 28) dt = x sin  
0
 x 
x3 12x 2  2a + 1 
 − + 28x = x sin  
3 2  x 
2a + 1 
 x2 − 18x + 84 = 3sin   (Since x  0)
 x 
 2a + 1 
 (x − 9)2 + 3 = 3 sin   … (1)
 x 
RHS of equation (1) is always less than 3 and LHS is always greater than 3
2a + 1
So equation (1) is only possible for x = 9 and sin 
 = 1
 x 
2a + 1  2a + 1 1 7
  = 2n +  = 2n +  a = 9n + and x = 9.
x 2 9 2 4

10. Let P(x) = a85x85 + a84x84 + …….a3x3 + 3x2 + 2x + 1 = 0 … (1)

since P(x) = 1, then 0 is not a root of (1)
Let 1 , 2 , 3 , …….85 be the complex root of (1)
1
Then the i (Let ) are the complex roots of the polynomial
i
Q(y) = y85 + 2y84 + 3y83 + a3y82 +………a85
85 85
If follows that 
i=1
i = −2 and  
i j
i j =3

2
85  85 
Then 
i=1
i2 =



i=1



i  − 2 i  j = −2  0
i j

Thus the i's are not real and therefore the i's are not real hence the equation
 a85x85 + a84x84 +……..a3x3 + a2x2 + a1x + a0 = 0 does not have real roots

11. Let f(x) = a0xn + a1xn-1 + …………an

f(x) = a0 (x - 1) (x - 2)…………..(x - n)
n
= a0  ( x − k ) where 1 are the roots i = 1, 2, 3…..n
k =1
n
f(x) = a0  ( x − 1 )( x − 2 )....... ( x − i )( x − n )
i=1

f  (x) n

x−
1
=
f (x) k =1 k
n

 (x − 
1
f  (x) = f (x)
k =1 k )
Differentiating both sides w.r.t. x we have
n   n
 
  (x − 
1 1
f  ( x ) = f ( x ) − 2
+ f  (x)
k =1 
 ( x −  k ) 
 k =1 k )
(f (x))2
n

 (x − 
1
f  ( x ) = −f ( x ) +
k =1 )2 f (x)
k
n
f  ( x ) f ( x ) − ( f  ( x ) ) = − ( f ( x ) )  (x − 
2 2 1
k =1 k )2
n
( f  ( x )) − f ( x ) f  ( x ) = f ( x )  (x − 
2 2 1
0
k =1 k )2
f  ( x ) − f ( x ) f  ( x )  0
2

Hence f  ( x ) − f  ( x ) f ( x ) = 0 can not have real roots.

2

Let 3x = t, f(t) = - at2 + (a – 2)t –  a − 1

5
12.
4  1 3
 t  (30, 31), f(t) > 0
 Roots of f(t) = 0 should be real and distinct
 ( a − 2)2 − 4a  a − 1  0
5
4 
a2 + 4 – 4a – 5a2 + 4a > 0 1 3
a2 – 4 < 0
-2<a<2 … (1)

f(t) > 0  t  (1, 3)

 f(1)  0, f(3)  0
5a
 −a + a − 2 − +1 0
4
4
a− … (2)
5
 5a
and −9a + a − 2 − +1 0
4
5a
−6a − 5 − 0
4
−20
a … (3)
29
Taking (1), (2) and (3)
 −4 
a   −2,
 5 
but a > 0 hence a  {}

13. For the equation ax2 + bx + c – p = 0

c −p
Product of roots = = integer ……(1) ( roots of equation are integral)
a
b
And sum of roots = – = integer ……(2)
a
Now, if possible, let ax2 + bx + c = 2p for some integral x
c − 2p c −p p
 The product of roots = = –
a a a
= integer – fraction (using equation (1) and p is prime)
 integer
 atleast one x satisfying ax2 + bx + c = 2p is not an integer.
b
Also, sum of roots = – = integer (by equation (2))
a
But one of the roots is not an integer. So the other root also is not an integer.
 ax2 + bx + c  2p for any integral value of x.

1  1
14. x4 + + ( a − 1)  x +  + 1 = 0
x2
 x
2
  x +  + ( a − 1)  x +  − 1 = 0
1 1
… (1)
 x  x
t2 + (a – 1) t – 1 = 0 … (2)
1
t =x+ 2 x 0
x
Equation (1) should have at least two distinct positive roots
 equation (2) should have at least one distinct positive root
 Suppose t2 + ( a − 1) t − 1 = 0 has
both roots  2
 f(2)  0
b
− 2
2a
D>0
1
f(-2)   4+2(a - 1) – 1  0  a  − … (3)
2
 b
−  −2  a  −3 … (4)
a
1
Taking (3) and (4) a  −
2
1
for at least one positive root a  −
2
D = (a – 1)2 + 4 > 0
 root are real
 a   −, − 
1
 2 

15. f (0) = d  odd integer

f (–1) = –1 + b – c + d  odd integer
 b – c = odd integer.
Let f (x) = 0 has all integral roots as , ,  then
 +  +  = –b ……(1)
 +  +  = c ……(2)
 = –d ……(3)
from equation (3), , ,  all are odd integers
from equation (2), c is odd integer
from equation (3), b is odd integer
 b – c = even integer which is contradictory so assumption that equation f (x) = 0 has all integral
roots is wrong.
SINGLE CORRECT CHOICE:

1. f(x) will also be a factor of 3(x4 + 6x2 + 25) – (3x4 + 4x2 + 28x + 5), which equals 14(x2 – 2x + 5).
So, f(x) = x2 – 2x + 5  4.

2. D0
 4(a + b + c)2 − 12 (ab + bc + ca)  0
a2 + b2 + c 2 2
  +
3(ab + bc + ca) 3
Since |a − b| < c  a2 + b2 − 2ab < c2 …(1)
|b − c| < a  b2 + c2 − 2bc < a2 …(2)
|c − a| < b  c2 + a2 − 2ac < b2 …(3)
a2 + b2 + c 2
From (1), (2) and (3), we get  2.
ab + bc + ca
2 2 4
Hence   +  < .
3 3 3

3. Let the roots of f(x) = 0 be  and , then f(x) = (x − ) (x − ) …(i)

Now, f(n) f(n + 1) = (n − ) (n − ) (n + 1 − ) (n + 1 − )
= (n − ) (n + 1 − ) (n − ) (n + 1 − )
= {n(n + 1) − n ( + ) −  + } {n (n + 1) − n( + ) −  + }
= {n(n + 1) + na + b − } {n(n + 1) + na + b − }
= (m − ) (m − ) = f(m), where m = n(n + 1) + an + b.

4. Let  be the common root of x2 + ax + b = 0 and x2 + bx + a = 0.

Then 2 + a +b = 0 and 2 + b + a = 0 ,
subtracting one from other we get,
(a – b) = a – b   = 1 (as a  b, since if a = b then both the quadratic equations have
same roots but given that they have exactly one common root.).
putting  = 1, we get a + b = – 1.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

7. Let f(x) = x2 + ax + b
Clearly, f(0) = b  b is an integer .
Now f(1) = 1+ a+ b  a is an integer.
Hence (C) is the correct answer.

8. Since 5x2 + 12x + 13 = 0 has imaginary roots as D = 144 – 4  5  13 < 0

So, both roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 and 5x2 + 12x + 13 = 0 will be common
a b c
 = =  a2 + b2 = c2  C = 90°.
5 12 13
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

9. The given equation can be written as x (x +n) +m = 0.

 If x is a non-integral rational number, then both x and x + n will have the same denominator (  1)
and x(x + n) will not be an integer .
The sum of a non-integer and an integer can never be zero.
 the given equation can not have non-integral rational roots.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

12. The discriminant of given equation is

D = 4(a + bd)2 – 4(a2 + b2)(c2 + d2) = – 4(ad – bc)2 ……(1)
If the roots of the equation are real, then D  0
 – 4(ad – bc)2  0  (ad – bc)2  0
 (ad – bc)2 = 0
 D = 0, then roots are equal if a, b, c, d  R.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

13. (2 + m)2 – 4(m – 2)2 = 0

m + 2 =  2(m – 2)
2
 m + 2 = 2m – 4 or m + 2 = -2m + 4  m = 6 or m = .
3
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

14. Let f(x) = sinx + x + 1


f(0) f   < 0
 2

 equation has at least one roots in  0,  .
 2
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

15. Let f(x) = px2 + qx + r

f(x) has not real roots
 f(x) will have same equation as that of P
 1
pf  −   0  p(p – 2q + 4r) > 0
 2

16. Since x2 - 4x +log1/2a = 0 does not have two distinct real roots,
discriminant  0
 16 − 4 log1/2 a  0  log1/2 a  4  a  1/16.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

17 Since product of roots is one, b = 1. Again since roots are real, a 2 – 4  0. Thus least value of |a| is
2.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

18. Let , ,  be the roots, then  +  +  = 3a,  +  +  = 3b  = c

We have ( +  + )3 > 27   a3 > c
  +  +     +  +  
Also,    (  ) (    )
1/ 3 1/ 3

2 2 2
= 
 3  3 
 ab > c
Again 2 + 2 + 2 −   −  −  > 0
 ( +  + )2 −3( +  + ) > 0  a2 > b.

19. f(1) f(2) < 0

(ea – e2a + ea – 1) (4ea – 2e2a + ea – 1) < 0
(2ea – e2a – 1) (5ea – 2e2a – 1) < 0
(e2a – 2ea + 1) (2e2a – 5ea + 1) < 0
5 − 17 5 + 17
solving  ea 
4 4
 5 − 17   5 + 17 
ln 
   a  ln   .
 4   4 

20. From given equation,  +  = a,  = a + b

1 1 2 + 2 − a( + ) ( + )2 − 2 − a( + )
consider + = =
2 − a 2 − a (2 − a)(2 − a) 22 − a(2 − 2) + a2
a2 − 2(a + b) − a2 2 2 2
= =−  Required expression = − = 0.
(a + b)2 − a2 (a + b) + a2 (a + b) a+b a+b a+b
Hence (C) is the correct answer.

21. Let f(x) = x3 – nx + 1

f(0) = 1 > 0
f(1) = 2 – n < 0
lim f ( x ) = + 
x →
lim f ( x ) = − 
x →−

f(x) has three real roots and exactly one between (0, 1)
since product of roots = 1 ( rational number )
 atleast one root must be rational as irrational roots occur in pair ( in case of coefficient are
rational)
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

22. sin , sin , cos are in GP  sin2 = sin  cos

Or, cos 2 = 1 – sin 2  0
Now discriminate of the given equation is
4cot2  – 4 = 4cos2. cosec2  0Hence roots are always real.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

23. x2 + 5 = 2x – 4 cos(ax + b)
(x – 1)2 + 4 = − 4cos(ax + b)  4
but – 4cos(ax + b)  4
 - 4cos(ax + b) = 4
 cos(ax + b) = − 1 at x = 1
a + b = (2n + 1) =  for x = 0

24. f(x) = P(x4) + xQ(x4) is divisible by (x + i) (x – i)

 f(i) = P(1) + iQ(1) = 0
f(-i) = P(1) – iQ(1) = 0  P(1) = Q(1) = f(1) = 0
 P(x), Q(x) and f(x) are divisible by (x - 1).
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

26. Given equation is |x + 1|2 – 2|x + 2| – 26 = 0.

Let x + 1 = t then equation becomes
|t|2 – 2|t + 1| – 26 = 0
Case I: t < –1, then t2 + 2(t + 1) – 26 = 0
 t2 + 2t – 24 = 0  t = –6, 4
 t = –6 (as t < –1)
 x = –7.
Case II: t  –1, then t2 – 2t – 2 – 26 = 0
2  4 + 112
 t2 – 2t – 28 = 0  t = = 1  29
2
 t = 1 + 29 so x = 29
hence required solution is x = –7, 29 .
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

27. Since roots are equal,

so, D = 0  4(a2 – bc)2 – 4(c2 – ab)(b2 – ac) = 0
 a4 – 2a2bc + b2c2 – b2c2 + ac3 + ab3 – a2bc = 0
 a(a3 + b3 + c3 – 3abc) = 0
 either a = 0 or a3+ b3 + c3 = 3abc.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.
4x 2 + 1 1
30. Given 
64x − 32x sin  + 29
2 32
 128x2 + 32 – 64x2 + 32x sin  – 29 > 0
 64x2 + 32x sin  + 3 > 0  x  R
3
 (32 sin )2 < 4  64  3  sin2  <
4
3 3
– < sin  <
2 2
    2 4   5 
   0,    ,    3 , 2  .
 3   3 3   
Hence (A) and (C) are the correct answers.

1
31. Given equation sin ex = 5x + 5–x = 5x +
5x
Here LHS  1, RHS  2
 So, given equation has no solution.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

32. f(x) = (x – 3)9 = (x – 32)9 + ……..(x – 39)9

f(x) = 9[(x – 3)8 + (x – 32)8 +……….(x – 39)8]
f(x) > 0
 f(x) = 0 has no real root, hence f(x) has one real and 8 imaginary roots.

33. Given inequation is x2 – |x + 2| + x > 0

Case I: x + 2  0 i.e. x  –2
Then x2 – x – 2 + x > 0  x2 > 2
 x > 2 or x < – 2
x> 2 and –2  x  – 2
Case II: x < –2
Then x2 + x + 2 + x > 0
x2 + 2x + 2 > 0 which is true  x  R
so, x < – 2
hence required solution x  (–, – 2 )  ( 2 , )
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

3 5
(log2 x)2 +log2 x −
34. Given equation is x 4 4 = 2
taking log with base 2
3 5 1
 4 (log2 x) + log2 x − 4  log2 x = 2
2
 
put log2 x = t
then  t2 + t −  t =
3 5 1
4 4 2
 + – 5t = 2
3t3 4t2
 3t3 + 4t2 – 5t – 2 = 0
 (t – 1)(3t2 + 7t + 2) = 0
if t = 1 then log2 x = 1  x = 2
if 3t2 + 7t + 2 = 0  (3t + 1)(t + 2) = 0
1
 t = –2, –
3
1
x= and x = 2–1/3
4
out of which 2–1/3 is an irrational root.
Hence (A), (B) and (C) are the correct answers.

 + 5i  − 5i
35. Given one root of 2x2 – 6x + k = 0 is then other root will be .
2 2
 + 5i  − 5i 6
So, + = =3
2 2 2
  + 5i   − 5i  k
Also,   =
 2  2  2
2+ 25 = 2k  k = 17.
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

36. Given inequation is 2 sin2 x – 3 sin x + 1  0

 2 sin2 x – 2 sin x – sin x + 1  0
 (2 sin x – 1)(sin x – 1)  0
 (sin x – 1)  sin x −   0
1
 2
1
 sin x  1 or sin x 
2
       5 
 x  0,       ,  .
 6  2  6 
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

37. Given ax2 + bx + c = 0, a > 0, b > 0

b
have sum of roots = – < 0 ……(1)
a
−b  b2 − 4ac
also, x = ……(2)
2a
from (1) and (2) equation has negative real parts.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

38. x4 – y4 is an even integer, so either both x and y are even integer or both of them are odd
integers
In any case x – y, x + y, x2 + y2 must be an even integer
 (x – y) (x + y) (x2 + y2) must be divisible by 8.
but R.H.S. = 3789108 is not divisible by 8.
 No solution

39. Given inequation is x3+ 1  x2 + x

 x3 – x2 + 1 – x  0
 x2(x – 1) – 1(x – 1)  0
 (x – 1)(x – 1)(x + 1)  0
 (x – 1)2(x + 1)  0
required solution is x  [–1, ).
Hence (C) is the correct answer.

40. Given equation

x2 – 2a(x – a) – 3a2 = 0, a  0
Case I: x  a i.e. x  0
Then x2+ 2a(x – a) – 3a2 = 0
x2 + 2ax – 5a2 = 0
 −2a  4a2 + 20a2
x=
2
= – a  6 a = a(–1  6 )
as x  0 so x = –a + 6 a = ( 6 – 1)a
Case II: x > a
Then x2 – 2a(x – a) – 3a2 = 0
x2 – 2ax – a2 = 0
2a  4a2 + 4a2
x= = a(1  2)
2
x = a(1 – 2 ).
Required solution is x = ( 6 – 1)a, a(1 – 2 ).
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

41. Since roots are less than a real number, roots must be real
 4a2 − 4 (a2 + a – 3 )  0
 a 3, ….. (1)
Let f(x) = x2 – 2ax + a2 +a - 3. Since 3 lie outside the roots,
f(3) > 0  a< 2 or a> 3 . . . .(2)
Sum of the roots must be less than 6
2a < 6  a < 3 . . . . (3)
From (1), (2) and (3) we have a < 2.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

42. Since a1, a2, a3 (a1 > 0) are in G.P.

So, a2 = a1 r ; a3 = a1 r2
Given inequality
9a1 + 5 a3 > 14 a2
9 a1+ 5 a1 r2 > 14 a1r
5r2 – 14 r +9 > 0  (r – 1) ( r – 9/5) > 0
r > 9/ 5 and r < 1
r  [1, 9/ 5].
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

43. x = 3 7 + 3 49
(
 x3 = 7 + 49 + 3 3 7 . 3 49 3 7 + 3 49 )
 x3 – 21 x – 56 = 0  Product of root = 56 .
Hence (C) is the correct answer.

7 7
44. Given  +  = 3p,  = p2, 2 + 2 = so, ( + )2 – 2 =
4 4
7 1
 9p2 – 2p2 = p= .
4 2
Hence (D) is the correct answer.
45. D < 0  4a2 − 4 (10 − 3a) < 0
 4a2 + 12a − 40 < 0
 − 5 < a < 2.
Hence (B) is the correct answer.

46. Let  and  be the roots of given equation.

1 3m + 1
=   = 1  2 = 1  m = − 1, 4
 (m − 3)
Note that roots can be reciprocal to each other even without being real.
Hence (A) is the correct answer.

47. Given equation x2 – cx + d = 0

x2 – ax + b = 0.
Let  be one common root and ,  are roots of 2nd equation  equation have both roots
common so,
1 c d
= =
1 a b
 c = a, d = b ……(1)
also both equation have equal roots
 c2 = 4d, a2 = 4b
so, 4(b + d) = a2 + c2 = 2a2 (from (1))
so, 2(B + d) = a = ac.
2

Hence (C) is the correct answer.

48. We have x2 +2x +2 = ( x +1 )2 +1 > 0 ,  x  R .

mx 2 + 3x + 4
Therefore , 5
x2 + 2x + 2
 mx2 + 3x + 4 < 5 ( x2 + 2x + 2)
 ( m − 5 ) x2 – 7x − 6 < 0 ,  x  R
This is possible if
D = b2 − 4ac = 49 + 24 (m − 5 ) < 0 and m − 5 < 0
71
m< .
24
Hence (D) is the correct answer.

a b
49. Given equation is + =2
x +a+k x +b+k
Simplifying it we get
2x2 + (a + b + 4k)x + 2(a + k)(b + k) – a(b + k) – b(a + k) = 0
since roots of this equation are equal in magnitude but opposite in sign, then
sum of roots = 0
a + b + 4k a+b
– = 0  a + b + 4k = 0  k = – .
2 4
Hence (A) is the correct answer.
 |x|
50. Given equation is n−|x| |m − |x|| = 1 y=n
y
 |m −|x|| = n|x|
Now, solution to the given equation can be find out y=|m−|x||
by intersection of curves y = n|x| and y = |m − |x||
Hence (C) is the correct.
−m O m
x