Question 14 Marks
If the equation $a(b-c) x^2+b(c-a) x+c(a-b)=0$ has equal roots, where $a + c =15$ and $b =\frac{36}{5}$, then $a ^2+ c ^2$ is equal to __________.
Answer
View full question & answer→$
a(b-c) x^2+b(c-a) x+c(a-b)=0
$
$x=1$ is root $\therefore$ other root is 1
$
\begin{array}{l}
\alpha+\beta=-\frac{b(c-a)}{a(b-c)}=2 \\
\Rightarrow-bc+ab=2 ab-2 ac \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=ab+bc \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=b(a+c) \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=15 b \ldots(1) \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=15\left(\frac{36}{5}\right)=108
\end{array}
$
$
\Rightarrow ac=54
$
$
a+c=15
$
$
a^2+c^2+2 ac=225
$
$
a^2+c^2=225-108=117
$
a(b-c) x^2+b(c-a) x+c(a-b)=0
$
$x=1$ is root $\therefore$ other root is 1
$
\begin{array}{l}
\alpha+\beta=-\frac{b(c-a)}{a(b-c)}=2 \\
\Rightarrow-bc+ab=2 ab-2 ac \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=ab+bc \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=b(a+c) \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=15 b \ldots(1) \\
\Rightarrow 2 ac=15\left(\frac{36}{5}\right)=108
\end{array}
$
$
\Rightarrow ac=54
$
$
a+c=15
$
$
a^2+c^2+2 ac=225
$
$
a^2+c^2=225-108=117
$


