Algebra : Linear Quadratic Equations - Practice Questions

1. The question for the day is a sample practice problem in quadratic equation. Helps understand concepts related to roots of a quadratic equation and the nature of the roots of the quadratic equation. The question for the day is on finding a missing co-efficient from the topic quadratic equation..
Question If one of the roots of the quadratic equation x2 + mx + 24 = 0 is 1.5, then what is the value of m? 1. 2. 3. 4. -22.5 16 -10.5 -17.5

Correct Answer is -17.5. Correct Choice is (4) Explanatory Answer

We know that the product of the roots of a quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 is

In the given equation, x2 + mx + 24 = 0, the product of the roots = = 24. The question states that one of the roots of this equation = 1.5. If x1 and x2 are the roots of the given quadratic equation and let x1 = 1.5. Therefore, In the x2 = is the = co-efficient of the x 16. term. = -m -17.5.

given

equation,

We know that the sum of the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 is Sum of the roots = 16 + 1. 5 = 17 Therefore, the value of m = -17.5

2. Find the remainder when the polynomial x4 - 3x2 + 7x - 10 is divided by x - 2

(1) (2) (3) (4) Correct Choice is (1) and Correct Answer is 8 Explanatory 8 -20 18 0

Answer

By remainder theorem: If a polynomial in one variable 'x' is divided by (x - a), where 'a' is any real number, then the remainder is the value of the polynomial at x = a. Therefore, remainder = (2)4 - 3(2)2 + 7(2) - 10 = 8

3. If one of the roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 - 7x + q = 0 is 3, find the other root
(1) (2) (3) (4) Correct Choice is (3) and Correct Answer is 1/2 Explanatory Substituting 2(32) Now, the x 7 given = (3) 3 + equation in q the = becomes (x given equation 0. Therefore, 2x2 3) 7x (2x + we q 3 1) = = = Answer get 3 0 0 -3 -1/2 1/2 1/4

By solving this we get i.e., x = 3 & 1/2. The second root is 1/2.

4. A railway half ticket costs half the full fare and the reservation charge is the same on half ticket as on full ticket. One reserved first class ticket from Chennai to Trivandrum costs Rs. 216 and one full and one half reserved first class tickets cost Rs. 327. What is the basic first class full fare and what is the reservation charge?
1. 2. 3. 4. Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. 105 216 210 210 and and and and Rs. Rs. Rs. Rs. 6 12 12 6

Correct Answer is Rs. 210 and Rs. 6. Correct Choice is (4) Explanatory Let half Therefore, of full the basic full basic fare fare is be Rs. Rs. Answer X. 2X.

Let the reservation charge be Rs. Y per ticket. Now, one full reservation ticket would cost 2X (basic fare) + Y (reservation charge) 2X + Y = 216 --(1) The total basic fare for one half and one full ticket = X + 2X = 3X and the total reservation charge is

2Y. Hence, Solving X

3X (1) =

2Y and

= (2) and

327 we Y

---

(2) get, 6

105

Hence, the full basic fare is 2X = Rs. 210 and the reservation charge is Y = Rs. 6

5. If p and q are the roots of the equation x2 - bx + c = 0, then what is the equation if the roots are (pq + p + q) and (pq p q)?
(1) (2) (3) (4) x2 x2 2

Bcx2 x +

2cx 2bx 2bx

+ + 2(b+c)x -

(c2 (b2 + (c 2

b2) c2) + b)
2

c2 =

= = =

0 0 0 0

Correct Choice is (1). Correct Answer is x2 - 2cx + (c2 - b2) = 0 Explanatory In The And the sum the given quadratic equation x2 bx of the roots p + q product of the roots pq + = = b c c Answer = ----0, (1) (2)

We have to formulate a quadratic equation whose roots are (pq + p + q) and (pq - p - q). The sum of But from Therefore, the two eqn the roots = (2), sum pq + we of p +q know the + pq - p that pq roots q = = = 2pq c 2c (p+q)2 = b b2

The product of the roots = (pq + p + q)(pq - p From equation (1) and (2), we know that pq = c Therefore, the product of the roots

- q)= (pq)2 and p + q = c2 -

We know the sum of the roots and the product of the roots. 2 Therefore, the quadratic equation is x - (sum of the roots)x + product of the roots = 0 => x2 - 2cx + c2 - b2 = 0

6. If (x + 2) 2 = 9 and (y + 3) 2 = 25, then the maximum value of x / y is

(1) (2) (3) (4) 1 5 5 1 / / / / 2 2 8 8

Correct Answer is 5 / 8. Correct Choice is (3) Explanatory (x + => x + 2 => x = and (y + => y + 3 => y = Therefore, maximum value of x / y = -5 / -8 = 5 / 8. 2) 2 = = 1 = 2 or 3) 2 = or Answer 9 3 -5 25 5 -8

7. For what values of 'm' is y = 0, if y = x2 + (2m + 1)x + m2 - 1?

(1) (2) (3) (4) Correct Answer is m Explanatory

x is a real number. m -2 0 0 -1.25

m m

< = m

-1.25 . Correct Choice is (4) Answer 0. 0 1) 1)

When x is real, then the discriminant of a quadratic equation (ax2 + bx + c = 0) i.e. D = b2 4ac In this case, 2 4m + 4m Solving for m, we get m - 1.25 (2m + + 1 1)2 4(m2 2 4(m -

8. For what value of m will the roots of the quadratic equation x2 + mx + 4 = 0 have real and equal roots? 1. 4
2. -4 3. 4 or -4 4. 16

Correct Answer
Choice (3). 4 or -4

Explanatory Answers
The question states that the roots of the equation are real and equal.

Note
The roots of a quadratic equation of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 will be real and equal if its discriminant D = b2 - 4ac = 0 In this case, b = m, a = 4 and c = 4. Therefore, m2 4 * 4 * 1 = 0 Or m2 = 16 Orr m = +4 or m = -4.

22.Functions - Quant/Math - CAT 2010

1.The question for the day is from the topic functions. If f(2, 7) = 57 and f(1, 6) = 37, what is the value of f(3, 10)? (1) 107 Correct Answer - (2) (2) 127 (3) 147 (4) None of these

Solution: The f(2, f(1, 7) function therefore 6) = f(3, 10) is 1 + =

3

f(a, = 23 + 62 = 33 +

b) 72 = 1 102 = 27 8

= + + + 49 36

a3 + = = 100 = 57

b2 and 37. 127.

Therefore,

The key to cracking a problem of this kind is the ability with which you can identify the relationship or the function. One suggestion would be to try and see if you can get the pattern in about 30 seconds. If you cannot, do not waste time on the problem. Just skip it and proceed.

2. The question for the day is from the topic of Function.

Which of the following is not an odd function?

(1) f(x) = -x3 (2) f(x) = x5 (3) f(x) = x2 x (4) f(x) = |x|3 Correct Answer - (4)

Solution: An odd function is a function whose value reverses in sign for a reversal in sign of its argument. i.e. f(x) = -f(-x). Except f(x) = |x|3 all other functions mentioned in the choices change values.