JEE Main · Mathematics ↑ Rising

Quadratic Equations appeared 24 times across 3 years — 2.8% of Mathematics. This question is from Location of Roots.

Year 2026 2025 2024 Total
Questions 9 10 5 24

Let the set of all values of p in R , for which both the roots of the equation x² - (p + 2)x + (2p + 9) = 0 are negative real numbers, be the interval (α, β] . Then β - 2α is equal to

Solution & Explanation

Related Formula

For both roots of a quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0 to be negative real numbers, three mandatory rules must be met simultaneously:

  • D ≥ 0 (Real roots)
  • Sum of roots = -b/a < 0
  • Product of roots = c/a > 0
Core Logic

From the given quadratic equation x² - (p + 2)x + (2p + 9) = 0:

Condition 1: Discriminant D ≥ 0

D = [-(p + 2)]² - 4(1)(2p + 9) ≥ 0 p² + 4p + 4 - 8p - 36 ≥ 0 p² - 4p - 32 ≥ 0 (p - 8)(p + 4) ≥ 0 p in (-∞, -4] [8, ∞) (i)
Step 1: Evaluate Sum and Product Conditions

Location of Roots diagram for Q64 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Location of Roots diagram for Q64 - JEE Main 2025 Morning
Condition 2: Sum of roots < 0

α + β = p + 2 < 0 p < -2 (ii)

Condition 3: Product of roots > 0

αβ = 2p + 9 > 0 p > -(9)/(2) (iii)
Step 2: Find Intersection Domain

Take the operational intersection across all three parameters: (i), (ii), and (iii):

  • From (ii) and (iii): p in (-(9)/(2), -2)
  • Intersecting this with (i) limits the range cleanly to:
p in (-(9)/(2), -4]

Thus, α = -(9)/(2) and β = -4.

Step 3: Final Value Calculation

Calculate the requested target expression:

β - 2α = -4 - 2(-(9)/(2)) = -4 + 9 = 5
Pattern Recognition

Remember that if roots are strictly real and matching signs, managing product rules before analyzing spatial configurations saves major compute overhead during intersection evaluation.

Chapter Mix

Class 11 Mathematics: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations

Reference Study Guides

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

More Quadratic Equations Questions — jee_main_2025_07_april_morning

Practice all Quadratic Equations previous-year questions →

Rankbit System
JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%) | JEE Physics: Waves (+15.5%) | Electrostatics: Concentric Shells (-29.7%) | Modern Physics: Photoelectric Clones (+34.2%) | Mathematics: Definite Integrals (+18.1%) | Chemistry: Coordination Splitting (-11.4%)