Consider two real numbers and such that and .

MATHEMATICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Mathematics · Polynomials · Polynomials

Problem

Consider two real numbers α\alpha and β\beta such that α+β=7\alpha+\beta=7 and αβ=10\alpha\beta=10. (i) State the relationship between the zeros and the coefficients of a quadratic polynomial ax2+bx+cax^{2}+bx+c whose zeros are α\alpha and β\beta. (ii) Explain briefly why every quadratic polynomial having α\alpha and β\beta as its zeros must be a non-zero constant multiple of a single minimal (monic) polynomial. (iii) Using your explanation in part (ii), write any two distinct quadratic polynomials whose zeros are α\alpha and β\beta, and verify that the ratio of their corresponding coefficients is the same non-zero constant.

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