Question 1 · Structured Pure Math Questions
10.7 marksThe cubic equation \(x^3 + px^2 + qx + r = 0\), where \(p, q, r\) are real constants, has roots \(\alpha, \beta, \gamma\).
It is given that:
\[ \alpha + \beta + \gamma = -2 \]
\[ \alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2 = 14 \]
\[ \alpha^3 + \beta^3 + \gamma^3 = -20 \]
(i) Find the values of \(p, q, r\). [5 marks]
(ii) Find the value of \(\alpha^4 + \beta^4 + \gamma^4\). [3 marks]
(iii) Find a cubic equation with integer coefficients whose roots are \(\alpha^2, \beta^2, \gamma^2\). [3 marks]
It is given that:
\[ \alpha + \beta + \gamma = -2 \]
\[ \alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2 = 14 \]
\[ \alpha^3 + \beta^3 + \gamma^3 = -20 \]
(i) Find the values of \(p, q, r\). [5 marks]
(ii) Find the value of \(\alpha^4 + \beta^4 + \gamma^4\). [3 marks]
(iii) Find a cubic equation with integer coefficients whose roots are \(\alpha^2, \beta^2, \gamma^2\). [3 marks]
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Worked solution
(i) Since \(\alpha + \beta + \gamma = -p\), we have:
\(-p = -2 \implies p = 2\).
We know that:
\(\alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2 = (\alpha+\beta+\gamma)^2 - 2(\alpha\beta+\beta\gamma+\gamma\alpha)\)
\(14 = (-2)^2 - 2q\)
\(14 = 4 - 2q\)
\(2q = -10 \implies q = -5\).
To find \(r\), we use the identity:
\(\alpha^3 + \beta^3 + \gamma^3 - 3\alpha\beta\gamma = (\alpha+\beta+\gamma)(\alpha^2+\beta^2+\gamma^2 - (\alpha\beta+\beta\gamma+\gamma\alpha))\)
\(-20 - 3(-r) = (-2)(14 - (-5))\)
\(-20 + 3r = -2(19)\)
\(-20 + 3r = -38\)
\(3r = -18 \implies r = -6\).
(ii) Let \(S_k = \alpha^k + \beta^k + \gamma^k\). Using Newton's sums for the cubic equation \(x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6 = 0\):
\(S_4 + p S_3 + q S_2 + r S_1 = 0\)
\(S_4 + 2(-20) - 5(14) - 6(-2) = 0\)
\(S_4 - 40 - 70 + 12 = 0\)
\(S_4 = 98\).
(iii) Let \(y = x^2\). The original equation is \(x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6 = 0\).
Rearranging to group even and odd powers of \(x\):
\(x(x^2 - 5) = -2x^2 + 6\)
\(x(y - 5) = -2y + 6\)
Squaring both sides:
\(x^2(y-5)^2 = (-2y+6)^2\)
\(y(y^2 - 10y + 25) = 4y^2 - 24y + 36\)
\(y^3 - 10y^2 + 25y = 4y^2 - 24y + 36\)
\(y^3 - 14y^2 + 49y - 36 = 0\).
\(-p = -2 \implies p = 2\).
We know that:
\(\alpha^2 + \beta^2 + \gamma^2 = (\alpha+\beta+\gamma)^2 - 2(\alpha\beta+\beta\gamma+\gamma\alpha)\)
\(14 = (-2)^2 - 2q\)
\(14 = 4 - 2q\)
\(2q = -10 \implies q = -5\).
To find \(r\), we use the identity:
\(\alpha^3 + \beta^3 + \gamma^3 - 3\alpha\beta\gamma = (\alpha+\beta+\gamma)(\alpha^2+\beta^2+\gamma^2 - (\alpha\beta+\beta\gamma+\gamma\alpha))\)
\(-20 - 3(-r) = (-2)(14 - (-5))\)
\(-20 + 3r = -2(19)\)
\(-20 + 3r = -38\)
\(3r = -18 \implies r = -6\).
(ii) Let \(S_k = \alpha^k + \beta^k + \gamma^k\). Using Newton's sums for the cubic equation \(x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6 = 0\):
\(S_4 + p S_3 + q S_2 + r S_1 = 0\)
\(S_4 + 2(-20) - 5(14) - 6(-2) = 0\)
\(S_4 - 40 - 70 + 12 = 0\)
\(S_4 = 98\).
(iii) Let \(y = x^2\). The original equation is \(x^3 + 2x^2 - 5x - 6 = 0\).
Rearranging to group even and odd powers of \(x\):
\(x(x^2 - 5) = -2x^2 + 6\)
\(x(y - 5) = -2y + 6\)
Squaring both sides:
\(x^2(y-5)^2 = (-2y+6)^2\)
\(y(y^2 - 10y + 25) = 4y^2 - 24y + 36\)
\(y^3 - 10y^2 + 25y = 4y^2 - 24y + 36\)
\(y^3 - 14y^2 + 49y - 36 = 0\).
Marking scheme
(i)
B1: State \(p = 2\).
M1: Use formula for sum of product pairs \(q\).
A1: Obtain \(q = -5\).
M1: Use identity for sum of cubes with substitution of values.
A1: Obtain \(r = -6\).
(ii)
M1: Formulate the Newton's sum relation for \(S_4\).
M1: Substitute the values of \(p, q, r, S_1, S_2, S_3\) into the relation.
A1: Obtain \(S_4 = 98\).
(iii)
M1: Express the original equation in terms of \(y = x^2\) and isolate \(x\).
M1: Square both sides to eliminate \(x\).
A1: Obtain the correct simplified cubic equation: \(y^3 - 14y^2 + 49y - 36 = 0\) (allow any variable).
B1: State \(p = 2\).
M1: Use formula for sum of product pairs \(q\).
A1: Obtain \(q = -5\).
M1: Use identity for sum of cubes with substitution of values.
A1: Obtain \(r = -6\).
(ii)
M1: Formulate the Newton's sum relation for \(S_4\).
M1: Substitute the values of \(p, q, r, S_1, S_2, S_3\) into the relation.
A1: Obtain \(S_4 = 98\).
(iii)
M1: Express the original equation in terms of \(y = x^2\) and isolate \(x\).
M1: Square both sides to eliminate \(x\).
A1: Obtain the correct simplified cubic equation: \(y^3 - 14y^2 + 49y - 36 = 0\) (allow any variable).