If \(p(x)=x^2-6\sqrt{2}x+17\), what is the difference between its zeroes?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: \(2\)
For a quadratic \(ax^2+bx+c\) with roots \(\alpha,\beta\), the difference is \(|\alpha-\beta|=\dfrac{\sqrt{D}}{|a|}\) where \(D=b^2-4ac\). Here \(a=1,\;b=-6\sqrt{2},\;c=17\), so \(D=(6\sqrt{2})^2-4\cdot1\cdot17=72-68=4\). Hence \(|\alpha-\beta|=\sqrt{4}=2\). The common distractor \(4\) is the discriminant itself, not the root difference. Exam tip: use \(|\alpha-\beta|=\sqrt{(\alpha+\beta)^2-4\alpha\beta}\) or \(|\alpha-\beta|=\dfrac{\sqrt{D}}{|a|}\) to get the answer quickly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct answer to this question?
\(2\)
Why is this the correct answer?
For a quadratic \(ax^2+bx+c\) with roots \(\alpha,\beta\), the difference is \(|\alpha-\beta|=\dfrac{\sqrt{D}}{|a|}\) where \(D=b^2-4ac\). Here \(a=1,\;b=-6\sqrt{2},\;c=17\), so \(D=(6\sqrt{2})^2-4\cdot1\cdot17=72-68=4\). Hence \(|\alpha-\beta|=\sqrt{4}=2\). The common distractor \(4\) is the discriminant itself, not the root difference. Exam tip: use \(|\alpha-\beta|=\sqrt{(\alpha+\beta)^2-4\alpha\beta}\) or \(|\alpha-\beta|=\dfrac{\sqrt{D}}{|a|}\) to get the answer quickly.
Which subject and chapter does this question cover?
This is a Class 10 Mathematics question. Chapter: Polynomials. Topic: Irrational numbers and real numbers.
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