Q.If one root of the equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) \((a \ne 0)\) is double the other, show that \(2b^2 = 9ac\).

Let us assume that one root of the equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\) is \(α\), and the other root is \(2α\).

∴ \(α + 2α = -\cfrac{b}{a}\)
or, \(3α = -\cfrac{b}{a}\)
or, \(α = -\cfrac{b}{3a}\)

Again, \(α \cdot 2α = \cfrac{c}{a}\)
or, \(2α^2 = \cfrac{c}{a}\)
or, \(2 \times \left(-\cfrac{b}{3a}\right)^2 = \cfrac{c}{a}\)
or, \(\cfrac{2b^2}{9a^2} = \cfrac{c}{a}\)
or, \(2ab^2 = 9a^2c\)
or, \(2b^2 = 9ac\) (Proved)

Similar Questions