Math Problem Statement

Find the value of p so that the each pair of equations may have a common root.

Solution

To find the value of pp so that a pair of quadratic equations has a common root, let's generalize the problem. Assume the two quadratic equations are:

  1. ax2+bx+c=0ax^2 + bx + c = 0
  2. px2+qx+r=0px^2 + qx + r = 0

Let the common root of both equations be α\alpha. This means that α\alpha satisfies both equations. Therefore, we have:

aα2+bα+c=0(Equation 1)a\alpha^2 + b\alpha + c = 0 \quad \text{(Equation 1)} pα2+qα+r=0(Equation 2)p\alpha^2 + q\alpha + r = 0 \quad \text{(Equation 2)}

To solve this problem, follow these steps:

Step 1: Express one root of each equation using the quadratic formula.

Let the roots of the first equation be α\alpha and β\beta. The quadratic formula gives: α,β=b±b24ac2a\alpha, \beta = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

Similarly, let the roots of the second equation be α\alpha and γ\gamma. The quadratic formula for the second equation is: α,γ=q±q24pr2p\alpha, \gamma = \frac{-q \pm \sqrt{q^2 - 4pr}}{2p}

Step 2: Set up the relationship between the roots.

Since both equations share a common root α\alpha, let's assume that the sum and product of the roots for both equations are related. Using Vieta's formulas:

  • For the first equation ax2+bx+c=0ax^2 + bx + c = 0:

    • Sum of the roots: α+β=ba\alpha + \beta = -\frac{b}{a}
    • Product of the roots: αβ=ca\alpha \beta = \frac{c}{a}
  • For the second equation px2+qx+r=0px^2 + qx + r = 0:

    • Sum of the roots: α+γ=qp\alpha + \gamma = -\frac{q}{p}
    • Product of the roots: αγ=rp\alpha \gamma = \frac{r}{p}

Step 3: Compare the equations and find the value of pp.

If α\alpha is a common root, we can use the following strategy: eliminate α\alpha from the equations by subtracting one from the other. This will allow us to determine a relationship between aa, bb, cc, pp, qq, and rr.

However, without specific forms for the equations or additional constraints, this becomes a system of equations problem, typically solved with the help of simultaneous equations.

To assist further, could you please provide the specific pair of quadratic equations you're working with?

Once the specific equations are given, we can determine the value of pp precisely.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Quadratic Equations
Roots of Equations
Vieta's Formulas

Formulas

Quadratic formula
Vieta's formulas for quadratic equations

Theorems

Vieta's formulas

Suitable Grade Level

Grades 10-12