General Mathematic

(Preliminary)

Sum and Products

of Roots
Stage 6 - Year 11

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 Sum and Product of Roots
The general quadratic equation can be
written as
x2 - (α + β)x + αβ = 0
where α and β are the roots of the equation.
If α and β are the roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0.
-b
Sum of roots: α + β =
a
c
Product of roots: αβ =
a

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 Sum and Product of Roots
Find α + β and αβ if α and β are the roots of

2x2 – 3x – 6 = 0
c -6
Product of roots: αβ = a = = -3
2

-b -(-3)
Sum of roots: α + β = = = 1.5
a 2

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 Sum and Product of Roots

If you know the roots: α = 2 β = -3

x2 – (α + β)x + αβ = 0
x2 - (2 + –3)x + 2 x –3 = 0
x2 + x – 6 = 0

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 Sum and Product of Roots
Find α + β and αβ if α and β are the roots of
2x2 – 3x – 6 = 0
–(–3) ± (–3)2 – 4 x 2 x (–6)
x=
2x2
3 ± 9 + 48 3 ± 57
x= =
4 4
3 + 57 3 – 57 3 + 57 x 3 – 57
α+β = + αβ =
4 4 4 4
6 3 9 – 57 -48
= = = 1.5 = = = -3
4 2 16 16
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