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Quadratic Equations appeared 26 times across 3 years — 3% of Mathematics. This question is from Newton's Theorem on Roots.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 11 10 5 26

Let α and β be the roots of x² + √(3)x - 16 = 0, and γ and δ be the roots of x² + 3x - 1 = 0. If Pₙ = αⁿ + βⁿ and Qₙ = γⁿ + δⁿ, then P₂₅ + √(3)P₂₄2P₂₃ + Q₂₅ - Q₂₃Q₂₄ is equal to ______

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

Newton's Theorem for roots: If α, β satisfy ax² + bx + c = 0 and Sₙ = αⁿ + βⁿ, then:

aSₙ + bSₙ₋₁ + cSₙ₋₂ = 0
Core Logic

Apply Newton's Theorem directly to the first equation x² + √(3)x - 16 = 0:

Pₙ + √(3)Pₙ₋₁ - 16Pₙ₋₂ = 0

For n = 25:

P₂₅ + √(3)P₂₄ - 16P₂₃ = 0 P₂₅ + √(3)P₂₄ = 16P₂₃

Dividing both sides by 2P₂₃:

P₂₅ + √(3)P₂₄2P₂₃ = 16P₂₃2P₂₃ = 8
Step 1: Evaluation of the Second Part

For the second equation x² + 3x - 1 = 0:

Qₙ + 3Qₙ₋₁ - Qₙ₋₂ = 0 Qₙ - Qₙ₋₂ = -3Qₙ₋₁

For n = 25:

Q₂₅ - Q₂₃ = -3Q₂₄

Dividing both sides by Q₂₄:

Q₂₅ - Q₂₃Q₂₄ = -3
Step 2: Total Calculation

Add both evaluated components:

Total Expression Value = 8 + (-3) = 5
Pattern Recognition

Shortcut: High sequential indices (25, 24, 23) indicate recurrence via Newton's Theorem. Relate Pₙ and Qₙ directly to their characteristic quadratic polynomials to evaluate the ratios in one step without calculating powers.

Evaluation Rubric / Model Answer

Option (C)

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Quadratic Equations

More Quadratic Equations Previous-Year Questions

Q19 jee_main_2026_21_jan_morning Equations Involving Modulus
The sum of all the roots of the equation (x-1)²-5|x-1|+6=0 , is:
  • A. 4
  • B. 3
  • C. 1
  • D. 5

Solution

Related Formula

X² = |X|² Quadratic factorization: t² - 5t + 6 = (t-2)(t-3)

Core Logic

Rewrite the equation taking |x - 1| = t, where t ≥ 0. Since (x-1)² = |x-1|², the equation becomes:

t² - 5t + 6 = 0
Step 1: Solve for modulus
(t - 2)(t - 3) = 0 ⇒ t = 2, 3

Since both roots are positive, both provide valid solutions for the modulus. |x - 1| = 2 and |x - 1| = 3

Step 2: Unpack x values

From |x - 1| = 2:

x - 1 = 2 ⇒ x = 3 x - 1 = -2 ⇒ x = -1

From |x - 1| = 3:

x - 1 = 3 ⇒ x = 4 x - 1 = -3 ⇒ x = -2

The roots are 3, -1, 4, -2.

Step 3: Sum of Roots
Sum = 3 + (-1) + 4 + (-2) = 4
Pattern Recognition

In symmetric modulus equations f(|x-a|) = 0, every valid root t generates twin solutions (a+t) and (a-t). The sum of each pair is perfectly 2a. If there are n distinct valid positive roots for t, the sum of all x-roots is exactly n × 2a. Here, n=2, a=1 ⇒ 2 × 2(1) = 4.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Quadratic Equations

Q1 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Nature Of Roots
The positive integer n, for which the solutions of the equation x(x+2)+(x+2)(x+4)+…+(x+2n-2)(x+2n) = (8n)/(3) are two consecutive even integers, is :
  • A. 3
  • B. 6
  • C. 12
  • D. 9

Solution

Related Formula
Σr=1ⁿ (2r-1) = n² Σr=1ⁿ r(r-1) = (n(n²-1))/(3)
Core Logic

Rewrite the series in summation form:

Σr=1ⁿ(x+2r-2)(x+2r)=(8n)/(3) nx² + 2xΣr=1ⁿ(2r-1) + 4Σr=1ⁿr(r-1) = (8n)/(3)
Step 1: Simplify the Equation

Substitute the standard summation formulas:

nx² + 2x(n²) + (4n(n²-1))/(3) - (8n)/(3) = 0

Divide the entire equation by n:

x² + 2nx + (4(n²-1))/(3) - (8)/(3) = 0

Let the roots be α and β.

Step 2: Apply the Condition for Roots

Since the roots are two consecutive even integers, their difference is 2.

|α - β| = 2 √(D)|a| = 2 D = 4 (2n)² - 4(1)( (4(n²-1))/(3) - (8)/(3) ) = 4 4n² - (16(n²-1))/(3) + (32)/(3) = 4 n² - (4n²)/(3) = -3 (-n²)/(3) = -3 n² = 9

Since n is a positive integer, n = 3.

Pattern Recognition

When dealing with equations where roots have a specific difference k, instantly use D = a²k². Here k=2, so D=4a².

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Quadratic Equations Class 11 Maths: Sequence and Series

Q9 jee_main_2026_21_jan_evening Location of Roots
Let α and β be the roots of equation x² + 2ax + (3a + 10) = 0 such that α < 1 < β. Then the set of all possible values of a is:
  • A. (-∞, (-11)/(5)) (5, ∞)
  • B. ( - ∞, -2) (5, ∞)
  • C. ( - ∞, -3)
  • D. (-∞, (-11)/(5))

Solution

Related Formula
For ax²+bx+c=0 with a > 0 , if a point k lies strictly between the roots, f(k) < 0.
Core Logic

Given f(x) = x² + 2ax + (3a + 10). Since the coefficient of x² is 1 > 0, the parabola opens upward. For 1 to lie between the roots α and β, the value of the function at x = 1 must be strictly less than 0. f(1) < 0

Step 1: Evaluate Inequality
f(1) = 1² + 2a(1) + 3a + 10 < 0 1 + 2a + 3a + 10 < 0

5a + 11 < 0

a < -(11)/(5)

So, a in (-∞, -(11)/(5)).

Pattern Recognition

When a specified value k lies between roots, a · f(k) < 0. If a>0, this simplifies to f(k) < 0. No need to check discriminant Δ > 0 manually because a f(k) < 0 guarantees real distinct roots.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Quadratic Equations

Q8 jee_main_2026_22_january_morning Equations Involving Absolute Values
The number of distinct real solutions of the equation x|x+4|+3|x+2|+10=0 is
  • A. 3
  • B. 1
  • C. 0
  • D. 2

Solution

Related Formula
|y| = cases y, & y ≥ 0 -y, & y < 0 cases
Core Logic

Break the domain into intervals based on the critical points of the absolute values, which are x = -4 and x = -2. Intervals to test: Case I: x < -4 Case II: -4 ≤ x < -2 Case III: x ≥ -2

Step 1: Analyzing Case I

For x < -4: Both (x+4) and (x+2) are negative. The equation becomes:

x(-(x + 4)) + 3(-(x + 2)) + 10 = 0 -x² - 4x - 3x - 6 + 10 = 0 x² + 7x - 4 = 0

Roots are x = -7 ± √(49 + 16)2 = -7 ± √(65)2.

Check if they fall in the interval x < -4: √(65) ≈ 8.06 x₁ = (-7 + 8.06)/(2) ≈ 0.53 (Rejected, not <-4) x₂ = (-7 - 8.06)/(2) ≈ -7.53 (Accepted) So, 1 valid solution here.

Step 2: Analyzing Case II

For -4 ≤ x < -2: (x+4) ≥ 0 and (x+2) < 0. The equation becomes:

x(x + 4) + 3(-(x + 2)) + 10 = 0 x² + 4x - 3x - 6 + 10 = 0

x² + x + 4 = 0

Discriminant D = 1² - 4(1)(4) = 1 - 16 = -15 < 0. No real roots in this interval.

Step 3: Analyzing Case III

For x ≥ -2: Both (x+4) and (x+2) are positive. The equation becomes:

x(x + 4) + 3(x + 2) + 10 = 0 x² + 4x + 3x + 6 + 10 = 0 x² + 7x + 16 = 0

Discriminant D = 49 - 64 = -15 < 0. No real roots in this interval.

Step 4: Final Count

Combining the results from all cases, there is exactly 1 distinct real solution.

Pattern Recognition

For sum-of-absolute-value equations, systematically partition the number line using the roots of the arguments. Discard roots generated by the quadratics that fall outside their respective assumed interval.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Quadratic Equations

Q13 jee_main_2026_22_january_evening Difference of Roots Inequality
Let α, β be the roots of the quadratic equation 12x² - 20x + 3λ = 0, λ in Z. If (1)/(2) ≤ |β - α| ≤ (3)/(2), then the sum of all possible values of λ is:
  • A. 6
  • B. 1
  • C. 3
  • D. 4

Solution

Related Formula

Difference of roots formula:

(α - β)² = (α + β)² - 4αβ

For 12x² - 20x + 3λ = 0: α + β = (20)/(12) = (5)/(3), αβ = (3λ)/(12) = (λ)/(4).

Core Logic

Square the inequality (1)/(2) ≤ |α - β| ≤ (3)/(2):

(1)/(4) ≤ (α - β)² ≤ (9)/(4) (1)/(4) ≤ (25)/(9) - λ ≤ (9)/(4) -(91)/(36) ≤ -λ ≤ -(19)/(36) (19)/(36) ≤ λ ≤ (91)/(36)
Step 1: Integer Values of Lambda

Since λ in Z, the valid integer values are λ = 1, 2.

Sum = 1 + 2 = 3
Pattern Recognition

Convert root difference inequality into quadratic discriminant bounds for quick integer extraction.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Maths: Quadratic Equations

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