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The difference between the roots of the equation 3x^2-5x+q=0 is 1/3. find q

User Linsey
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1 Answer

6 votes

Answer:

q = 2

Explanation:

You want to find q such that the difference between the two roots of 3x²-5x+q is 1/3.

Sum of roots

In quadratic ax²+bx+c, the sum of the roots is (-b/a). For roots p and s, this tells us ...

p + s = -(-5)/3 = 5/3

The problem statement tells us the difference is ...

p - s = 1/3

Adding these two equations gives ...

2p = (5+1)/3 = 2

p = 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . divide by 2

s = p -1/3 = 2/3 . . . . find the smaller root

Product of roots

The product of the two roots is (c/a) = (q/3):

ps = (1)(2/3) = q/3

q = 2 . . . . . multiply by 3

The value of q is 2.

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