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JEE Main Maths: Complex Numbers and Quadratic Equations questions with solutions

453 questions with worked solutions.

Questions

Q1. Given z1 = √3 + i√3 and z2 = √3 + i, determine the quadrant in which the complex number z1/z2 lies.

  1. I
  2. II
  3. III
  4. IV

Answer: I

z1/z2 = (sqrt3 + i sqrt3)/(sqrt3 + i). Multiplying by the conjugate gives a positive real part (~1.18) and positive imaginary part (~0.32), so the quotient lies in Quadrant I.

Q2. For the quadratic equation 2(1+i)x² − 4(2−i)x − (5+3i) = 0, the root with the larger absolute value is

  1. (3−5i)/2
  2. (5−3i)/2
  3. (3−i)/2
  4. None of these

Answer: (3−5i)/2

Solving 2(1+i)x^2 -4(2-i)x -(5+3i)=0 gives roots x = (3-5i)/2 (modulus sqrt(34)/2 ~ 2.92) and x = (-1-i)/2 (modulus ~0.71). The root of larger absolute value is (3-5i)/2.

Q3. Find the value of ((cosθ+isinθ)⁴)/((cosθ-isinθ)³).

  1. cos 5θ+isin 5θ
  2. cos 7θ+isin 7θ
  3. cos 4θ+isin 4θ
  4. cos θ+isin θ

Answer: cos 7θ+isin 7θ

(cosT+isinT)^4 = e^(i4T) and (cosT-isinT)^3 = e^(-i3T), so the ratio is e^(i4T)/e^(-i3T) = e^(i7T) = cos7T + isin7T.

Q4. How many complex numbers z satisfy the equation z³ + (3|z|²)/(z) = 0, given that |z| = √(3)?

  1. 2
  2. 3
  3. 6
  4. 4

Answer: 4

With |z|=sqrt(3), |z|^2=3, so z^3 + 3*3/z = z^3 + 9/z = 0, giving z^4 = -9. This quartic has exactly 4 roots, each of modulus 9^(1/4)=sqrt(3), so 4 complex numbers satisfy it.

Q5. Let z = x + iy be a variable complex number. If arg((z - 1)/(z + 1)) = π/4, then which relation is satisfied?

  1. x² − y² − 2x = 1
  2. x² + y² − 2x = 1
  3. x² + y² − 2y = 1
  4. x² + y² + 2x = 1

Answer: x² + y² − 2y = 1

Setting z = x+iy and equating the argument of (z-1)/(z+1) to pi/4 gives an arc of a circle through +1 and -1; algebra (or direct testing of points on the locus) yields x^2 + y^2 - 2y = 1.

Q6. For positive values of a, b and c, consider the quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0. What can be said about its two roots?

  1. Both roots are real and less than zero
  2. Both roots have negative real parts
  3. Both roots are rational
  4. None of the above

Answer: Both roots have negative real parts

The roots of the quadratic equation can be determined using the quadratic formula, and since the coefficients a, b, and c are all positive, the sum of the roots (given by -b/a) is negative, indicating that both roots must have negative real parts.

Q7. Let a point z lie on a circle with centre at the origin. If the area of the triangle formed by the points z, 0, and z+ω, where ω is a cube root of unity, is 4√3 square units, then the radius of the circle is:

  1. 1 unit
  2. 2 units
  3. 4 units
  4. None of these

Answer: None of these

The area of the triangle formed by the points z, 0, and z+ω can be calculated using the formula for the area of a triangle in the complex plane. Given that the area is 4√3 square units, and knowing that the area of a triangle is also related to the radius of the circumcircle, we can deduce that the radius must be greater than the options provided, leading to the conclusion that 'None of these' is the correct answer.

Q8. For a complex number z, what is the least possible value of |z + i| + |z - 2|?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. None of these

Answer: None of these

|z+i|+|z-2| is the sum of distances from z to (0,-1) and to (2,0). The minimum is the straight-line distance between these points = sqrt((2-0)^2+(0+1)^2) = sqrt5 ≈ 2.236, which is none of 1, 2 or 3, so the answer is None of these.

Q9. Let α, β, γ and a, b, c be complex numbers satisfying (α)/(a)+(β)/(b)+(γ)/(c)=1+i and (a)/(α)+(b)/(β)+(c)/(γ)=0. Then the value of (α²)/(a²)+(β²)/(b²)+(γ²)/(c²) is

  1. −1
  2. 2i
  3. 0
  4. +1

Answer: 2i

Let x=alpha/a, y=beta/b, z=gamma/c. Then x+y+z=1+i and 1/x+1/y+1/z=0 gives xy+yz+zx=0. So x^2+y^2+z^2 = (x+y+z)^2 - 2(xy+yz+zx) = (1+i)^2 = 2i.

Q10. If (7 - 4√3) raised to the power (x² - 4x + 3), together with (7 + 4√3) raised to the same power, adds up to 14, then the possible value(s) of x are

  1. 2, 2 ± √2
  2. 2 ± √3, 3
  3. 3 ± √2, 2
  4. None of these

Answer: 2, 2 ± √2

With k = x^2-4x+3, putting a = (7+4sqrt3)^k gives a + 1/a = 14, so a = 7 +/- 4sqrt3, i.e. k = 1 or k = -1. k=-1 gives x^2-4x+4=0 -> x=2; k=1 gives x^2-4x+2=0 -> x = 2 +/- sqrt2. Solutions: 2, 2 +/- sqrt2.

Q11. If α and β are the zeros of a x² + b x + c = 0, and γ and δ are the zeros of l x² + m x + n = 0, then the equation whose roots are α + βδ and αδ + βγ is

  1. a² l² x² - abmx + b² l n + acm² - 4acln = 0
  2. a l x² - ablm x + (a + b - c)(l + m - n) = 0
  3. a² l² x² + (a² + b²)(l² + m²)x - (a + b - c)(l + m - n) = 0
  4. None of these

Answer: a² l² x² - abmx + b² l n + acm² - 4acln = 0

For roots (alpha*gamma+beta*delta) and (alpha*delta+beta*gamma): their sum = (alpha+beta)(gamma+delta) = (b/a)(m/l) and product reduces to b^2 l n + a c m^2 - 4 a c l n over a^2 l^2. Forming the monic equation and clearing denominators gives a^2 l^2 x^2 - a b m x + b^2 l n + a c m^2 - 4 a c l n = 0.

Q12. Evaluate the value of [(-1 + √-3)/2]¹⁰⁰ + [(-1 - √-3)/2]¹⁰⁰.

  1. 2
  2. 0
  3. -1
  4. 1

Answer: -1

(-1 +/- sqrt(-3))/2 are the complex cube roots of unity omega and omega^2. Since 100 ≡ 1 and 200 ≡ 2 (mod 3), the sum is omega^100 + (omega^2)^100 = omega + omega^2 = -1.

Q13. For a real number x, what is the greatest possible value of the expression (3x² + 9x + 17)/(3x² + 9x + 7)?

  1. 1/4
  2. 41
  3. 1
  4. 17/7

Answer: 41

Let t = 3x^2+9x, whose minimum is -27/4. The expression = 1 + 10/(t+7); t+7 is smallest at t = -27/4, giving t+7 = 1/4. Then the maximum value = 1 + 10/(1/4) = 1 + 40 = 41.

Q14. Evaluate the complex expression ((1)/(1-2i)+(3)/(1+i)) ((3+4i)/(2-4i)):

  1. (1)/(2)+(9)/(2)i
  2. (1)/(2)-(9)/(2)i
  3. (1)/(4)-(9)/(4)i
  4. (1)/(4)+(9)/(4)i

Answer: (1)/(4)+(9)/(4)i

1/(1-2i) = (1+2i)/5 and 3/(1+i) = 3(1-i)/2; their sum is (2/10+4i/10)+(15/10-15i/10) = (17 -11i)/10. Multiplying by (3+4i)/(2-4i) = (3+4i)(2+4i)/20 = (-10+20i)/20 = (-1+2i)/2 gives (17-11i)(-1+2i)/20 = (5+45i)/20 = 1/4 + (9/4)i.

Q15. Let p, q, r be non-zero real numbers. The equations 2a²x² - 2abx + b² = 0 and p²x² + 3pqx + q² = 0 are such that they:

  1. have no common root
  2. have exactly one common root if 2a² + b² = p² + q²
  3. have two common roots if 3pq = 2ab
  4. have two common roots if 3qb = 2ap

Answer: have no common root

The two quadratic equations can be analyzed for common roots by examining their discriminants and coefficients. If the conditions for having common roots are not satisfied, as indicated in the problem, then the equations will not share any roots, confirming that option A is correct.

Q16. A regular hexagon has its centre at the complex number z = i. If one vertex is located at 2 + i, then the two vertices next to it are at which points?

  1. 1 ± 2i
  2. 1 ± i√3
  3. 2 + i(1 ± √3)
  4. 1 + i(1 ± √3)

Answer: 1 + i(1 ± √3)

Vector from centre i to vertex (2+i) is 2. Adjacent vertices: 2*e^(+-i*pi/3)=2(1/2 +- i*sqrt(3)/2)=1 +- i*sqrt(3). Add centre i: 1 + i(1 +- sqrt(3)).

Q17. Let a, b, c be real numbers with a ≠ 0. Suppose α is a solution of a x² + b x + c = 0 and β is a solution of a x² - b x - c = 0, with 0 < α < β. For the quadratic equation having α and β as its roots, which of the following is always a root?

  1. γ = (α + β)/2
  2. γ = (α - β)/2
  3. γ = α
  4. α < γ < β

Answer: γ = α

The correct option is that b3 = b1 because b1 is one of the roots of the quadratic equation formed by b1 and b2. Since b1 is a root, it must satisfy the equation, making it a valid solution.

Q18. If the quadratic equation (x - a)(x - b) + (x - b)(x - c) + (x - c)(x - a) = 0 has equal roots, then the value of a² + b² + c² is:

  1. a + b + c
  2. 2a + b + c
  3. 3abc
  4. ab + bc + ca

Answer: ab + bc + ca

Expanding gives 3x^2-2(a+b+c)x+(ab+bc+ca)=0. Equal roots need discriminant 0: 4(a+b+c)^2-12(ab+bc+ca)=0, so (a+b+c)^2=3(ab+bc+ca). Expanding, a^2+b^2+c^2+2(ab+bc+ca)=3(ab+bc+ca), hence a^2+b^2+c^2=ab+bc+ca.

Q19. Let a, b, c, p, q be real numbers. Let α and β be the two zeros of the quadratic x² + 2px + q = 0, and let α and 1/β be the two zeros of the quadratic x² + 2bx + c = 0, where β² ∈ (-1, 0, 1). Consider the following statements: Statement-1: (p² - q)(b² - ac) ≥ 0 Statement-2: b ≠ p or c ≠ qa

  1. Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true; Statement-2 is a correct explanation for Statement-1
  2. Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is true; Statement-2 is NOT a correct explanation for Statement-1
  3. Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is false
  4. Statement-1 is false, Statement-2 is true

Answer: Statement-1 is true, Statement-2 is false

Statement-1 is true because it reflects a relationship between the coefficients and roots of the quadratics, indicating a certain condition on the discriminants. However, Statement-2 is false as it incorrectly suggests a necessary condition that does not hold true given the established relationships between the variables.

Q20. Let α and β be the zeros of the quadratic ax² + bx + c = 0, with β < α < 0. The quadratic equation whose roots are |α| and |β| is:

  1. a|x² + |b|x + |c| = 0
  2. ax² − |b|x + c = 0
  3. a|x² − |b|x + |c| = 0
  4. a|x|² + b|x| + |c| = 0

Answer: ax² − |b|x + c = 0

The correct option is right because the roots |α| and |β| are both positive, and the quadratic formed by these roots must maintain the leading coefficient 'a' while adjusting the linear coefficient to account for the absolute value of 'b', which reflects the change in sign of the roots.

Q21. Let α and β be the zeros of the quadratic equation 2x² + 6x + b = 0, where b < 0. Then the value of α/β + β/α is less than:

  1. 1
  2. −1
  3. 2
  4. −2

Answer: −2

Sum=-3, product=b/2. alpha/beta+beta/alpha=((alpha+beta)^2-2*product)/product=(9-b)/(b/2)=18/b-2. Since b<0, 18/b<0, so the value is < -2.

Q22. The expression ((cos x+isin x)(cos y+isin y))/((cot u+i)(1+itan v)) can be written in the form A+iB. Which of the following is it equal to?

  1. sin ucos v [cos(x+y-u-v)+isin(x+y-u-v)]
  2. sin ucos v [cos(x+y+u-v)+isin(x+y+u-v)]
  3. sin ucos v [cos(x+y+u+v)-isin(x+y+u+v)]
  4. None of these

Answer: sin ucos v [cos(x+y-u-v)+isin(x+y-u-v)]

Numerator = e^(i(x+y)). cot u + i = e^(iu)/sin u and 1 + i tan v = e^(iv)/cos v, so denominator = e^(i(u+v))/(sin u cos v). Dividing gives sin u cos v * e^(i(x+y-u-v)) = sin u cos v[cos(x+y-u-v) + i sin(x+y-u-v)].

Q23. For the complex number z = 1 - t + i√(t² + t + 2), where t is a real parameter, the path traced by z in the Argand plane is

  1. an ellipse
  2. a hyperbola
  3. a straight line
  4. none of these

Answer: a hyperbola

The expression for the complex number z can be separated into its real and imaginary parts, where the real part is linear in t and the imaginary part is quadratic in t. This combination of a linear term and a quadratic term in the complex plane typically represents a hyperbolic path.

Q24. Let z_r = cos(rα/n²) + i sin(rα/n²), for r = 1, 2, 3,..., n. Then the limit as n → ∞ of the product z₁ z₂ z₃... zₙ is

  1. cos α + i sin α
  2. cos(α/2) − i sin(α/2)
  3. e^(iα/2)
  4. ∛(e^(iα))

Answer: e^(iα/2)

Product z_1...z_n = exp(i*(a/n^2)*sum r) = exp(i*(a/n^2)*n(n+1)/2) = exp(i*a(n+1)/(2n)) -> exp(ia/2) as n->infinity, i.e. e^(ia/2).

Q25. If θ and ϕ are the two roots of the quadratic equation 8x² + 22x + 5 = 0, which of the following statements is true?

  1. Both sin⁻¹ θ and sin⁻¹ ϕ are real.
  2. Both sec⁻¹ θ and sec⁻¹ ϕ are real.
  3. Both tan⁻¹ θ and tan⁻¹ ϕ are real.
  4. None of these.

Answer: Both tan⁻¹ θ and tan⁻¹ ϕ are real.

The roots θ and ϕ of the quadratic equation are real numbers, and the inverse tangent function (tan⁻¹) is defined for all real numbers, making both tan⁻¹ θ and tan⁻¹ ϕ real.

Q26. Consider the polynomial equation aₙ xⁿ + aₙ₋₁xⁿ⁻¹ + ⋯ + a₁ x = 0, where a₁ ≠ 0 and n ≥ 2. If it has a positive root x = α, then the related equation n aₙ xⁿ⁻¹ + (n-1)aₙ₋₁xⁿ⁻² + ⋯ + a₁ = 0 has a positive root that is

  1. greater than α
  2. less than α
  3. greater than or equal to α
  4. equal to α

Answer: less than α

The polynomial p(x) has no constant term, so p(0)=0, and it also has p(alpha)=0. The second equation is p'(x)=0. By Rolle's theorem applied on [0, alpha], p' has a root strictly between 0 and alpha, i.e. a positive root less than alpha.

Q27. If a complex number z satisfies z + 1/z = 2cosθ, then the magnitude of (z^(2n) - 1)/(z^(2n+1) + 1) is

  1. |tan nθ|
  2. tan nθ
  3. |cot nθ|
  4. cot nθ

Answer: |tan nθ|

With z + 1/z = 2cosθ we have z = e^(iθ). Then (z^(2n) - 1)/(z^(2n) + 1) = (e^(inθ)·2i·sin nθ)/(e^(inθ)·2·cos nθ) = i·tan nθ, whose magnitude is |tan nθ|. Since a modulus cannot be negative, the answer is |tan nθ|.

Q28. Evaluate the sum (1 + 1/ω) + (1 + 1/ω²) + (2 + 1/ω) + (2 + 1/ω²) + (3 + 1/ω) + (3 + 1/ω²) +... + (n + 1/ω) + (n + 1/ω²), where ω is an imaginary cube root of unity.

  1. n(n² - 2)/3
  2. n(n² + 2)/3
  3. n(n² - 1)/3
  4. None of these

Answer: None of these

Since 1/w = w^2 and 1/w^2 = w, we have 1/w + 1/w^2 = w + w^2 = -1. Each pair (k+1/w)+(k+1/w^2) = 2k - 1, so the sum over k=1..n is sum(2k-1) = n^2, which is not among the first three forms, hence None of these.

Q29. Let p and q be two positive numbers such that p + q = 2 and p⁴ + q⁴ = 272. Then p and q are roots of the equation.

  1. x² - 2x + 2 = 0
  2. x² - 2x + 8 = 0
  3. x² - 2x + 136 = 0
  4. x² - 2x + 16 = 0

Answer: x² - 2x + 16 = 0

With p+q=2, p^2+q^2=4-2pq and p^4+q^4=(p^2+q^2)^2-2(pq)^2=(4-2pq)^2-2(pq)^2=272 -> 2(pq)^2-16pq-256=0 -> (pq)^2-8pq-128=0 -> pq=16 (taking the positive root). So p,q are roots of x^2-(p+q)x+pq=0 = x^2-2x+16=0.

Q30. How many real values of x satisfy the equation x² - 3|x| + 2 = 0?

  1. 3
  2. 2
  3. 4
  4. 1

Answer: 4

The equation can be analyzed by considering the cases for |x|, leading to two separate quadratic equations: one for x ≥ 0 and another for x < 0. Each case yields two distinct real solutions, resulting in a total of four real solutions.

Q31. Let z = x - i y and z³ = p + i q. Then the value of (x/p + y/q)/(p² + q²) is

  1. -2
  2. -1
  3. 2
  4. 1

Answer: -2

Writing z=(p+iq)^3 gives x=p(p^2-3q^2) and -y=q(3p^2-q^2), so x/p=p^2-3q^2 and y/q=q^2-3p^2. Their sum is -2(p^2+q^2), hence (x/p + y/q)/(p^2+q^2) = -2.

Q32. If the quadratic equation x² + px + (1 - p) = 0 has (1 - p) as one of its roots, what are the two roots of the equation?

  1. -1, 2
  2. -1, 1
  3. 0, -1
  4. 0, 1

Answer: 0, -1

Put x = (1-p) into x^2 + px + (1-p) = 0: (1-p)[(1-p)+p+1] = 2(1-p) = 0, so p = 1. The equation becomes x^2 + x = 0 -> x(x+1) = 0, giving roots 0 and -1.

Q33. For the quadratic equation x² + px + 12 = 0, suppose 4 is one of its roots. If another quadratic x² + px + q = 0 is known to have repeated roots, then what is the value of q?

  1. 4
  2. 12
  3. 3
  4. 49/4

Answer: 49/4

Since 4 is a root of x^2+px+12=0: 16+4p+12=0 -> p=-7. For x^2-7x+q=0 to have repeated roots, discriminant 49-4q=0 -> q=49/4.

Q34. For which value of a does the sum of the squares of the roots of the quadratic equation x² - (a - 2)x - a - 1 = 0 become minimum?

  1. 1
  2. 0
  3. 3
  4. 2

Answer: 1

The sum of the squares of the roots of a quadratic equation can be expressed in terms of its coefficients. By analyzing the expression derived from the equation, we find that the minimum occurs when a equals 1, leading to the least value for the sum of the squares.

Q35. Given that the cube roots of unity are 1, ω, and ω², which of the following is the set of roots of the equation (x - 1)³ + 8 = 0?

  1. -1, -1 + 2ω, -1 - 2ω²
  2. -1, -1, -1
  3. -1, 1 - 2ω, 1 - 2ω²
  4. -1, 1 + 2ω, 1 + 2ω²

Answer: -1, 1 - 2ω, 1 - 2ω²

The equation can be rewritten as (x - 1)³ = -8, which simplifies to (x - 1) = -2, leading to x = -1. The other roots are derived from the cube roots of -8, which correspond to the expressions 1 - 2ω and 1 - 2ω², making option C the correct choice.

Q36. If two non-zero complex numbers z1 and z2 satisfy |z1 + z2| = |z1| + |z2|, then the value of arg z1 - arg z2 is

  1. π/2
  2. 0
  3. -π/2

Answer: 0

The triangle-inequality becomes an equality only when z1 and z2 point in the same direction, i.e. they have equal arguments. Therefore arg z1 - arg z2 = 0.

Q37. If ω = (z)/(z - (i)/(3)) and |ω| = 1, then the point z must lie on

  1. an ellipse
  2. a circle
  3. a straight line
  4. a parabola

Answer: a straight line

With w=z/(z-i/3) and |w|=1, we get |z|=|z-i/3|, i.e. z is equidistant from 0 and i/3. That locus is the perpendicular bisector of the segment joining them, a straight line. Answer: option 2.

Q38. For the quadratic equation x² - 2kx + k² + k - 5 = 0, if each of its two roots is smaller than 5, then the parameter k must belong to which interval?

  1. (5, 6]
  2. (6, ∞)
  3. (-∞, 4)
  4. [4, 5]

Answer: (-∞, 4)

The roots of the quadratic equation must be less than 5, which can be determined by analyzing the vertex and the behavior of the parabola. For the roots to be smaller than 5, the value of k must be such that the vertex of the parabola, which occurs at x = k, is less than 5, leading to the conclusion that k must be in the interval (-∞, 4).

Q39. If the complex number z satisfies |z + 4| ≤ 3, what is the greatest possible value of |z + 1|?

  1. 6
  2. 0
  3. 4
  4. 10

Answer: 6

The inequality |z + 4| ≤ 3 describes a circle in the complex plane centered at -4 with a radius of 3. The farthest point from -1 within this circle occurs at the point on the boundary of the circle that is directly opposite -1, which results in a maximum distance of 6.

Q40. If the conjugate of a complex number is given by 1/(i−1), then the complex number is:

  1. −1/(i−1)
  2. 1/(i+1)
  3. −1/(i+1)
  4. 1/(i−1)

Answer: −1/(i+1)

The conjugate of a complex number is obtained by changing the sign of its imaginary part. Since the given conjugate is 1/(i−1), the original complex number must be the negative of the conjugate of that expression, which simplifies to −1/(i+1).

Q41. If the quadratic equation bx² + cx + a = 0 has non-real roots, then for every real x, the quantity 3b²x² + 6bcx + 2c² is:

  1. less than 4ab
  2. greater than −4ab
  3. less than −4ab
  4. greater than 4ab

Answer: greater than −4ab

The quadratic equation has non-real roots when its discriminant is negative, which implies that the parabola opens upwards and does not intersect the x-axis. Therefore, the expression 3b²x² + 6bcx + 2c², being a quadratic in x with positive leading coefficient, will always yield values greater than a certain minimum, which in this case is greater than -4ab.

Q42. If the complex number z satisfies |z - 4/z| = 2, what is the greatest possible value of |z|?

  1. √5 + 1
  2. 2
  3. 2 + √2
  4. √3 + 1

Answer: √5 + 1

The equation |z - 4/z| = 2 represents a geometric condition in the complex plane, where the distance from the point z to the point 4/z is constant. By analyzing the relationship and maximizing the modulus |z| under this constraint, we find that the greatest possible value occurs when z is positioned optimally, leading to the result of √5 + 1.

Q43. How many complex numbers z satisfy the condition |z - 1| = |z + 1| = |z - i|?

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. Infinitely many
  4. 0

Answer: 1

The condition |z - 1| = |z + 1| describes the perpendicular bisector of the segment connecting the points 1 and -1 on the complex plane, which is the vertical line x = 0. The condition |z - i| = |z + 1| describes the perpendicular bisector of the segment connecting -1 and i, which intersects the first line at a single point, resulting in exactly one complex number that satisfies all three conditions.

Q44. Let α and β be the roots of the quadratic equation x² - x + 1 = 0. What is the value of α²⁰⁰⁹ + β²⁰⁰⁹?

  1. −1
  2. 1
  3. 0
  4. −2

Answer: 1

The roots α and β of the equation x² - x + 1 = 0 can be expressed in terms of complex numbers, specifically as α = e^(iπ/3) and β = e^(-iπ/3). Using De Moivre's theorem, we find that αⁿ + βⁿ can be computed using the periodicity of complex exponentials, leading to α²⁰⁰⁹ + β²⁰⁰⁹ = 1.

Q45. Let α and β be real numbers, and let z be a complex number. If the quadratic equation z² + αz + β = 0 has two different roots lying on the vertical line Re(z) = 1, which condition must hold?

  1. β lies in the interval (−1,0)
  2. The modulus of β is 1
  3. β is greater than 1
  4. β lies in the interval (0,1)

Answer: β is greater than 1

For the quadratic equation to have two distinct roots on the vertical line Re(z) = 1, the roots must be complex conjugates of the form 1 + yi and 1 - yi. This requires that the discriminant is positive, which leads to the condition that β must be greater than 1 to ensure the roots are real and distinct.

Q46. Sachin and Rahul attempted to solve a quadratic equation. Sachin made a mistake in writing down the constant term and ended up in roots (4,3). Rahul made a mistake in writing down coefficient of x to get roots (3,2). The correct roots of equation are:

  1. 6, 1
  2. 4, 3
  3. -6, -1
  4. -4, -3

Answer: 6, 1

Sachin got the x-coefficient right, so the true sum of roots = 4+3 = 7. Rahul got the constant right, so the true product = 3*2 = 6. The correct equation is x^2-7x+6=0, whose roots are 6 and 1.

Q47. Let for a ≠ a1 ≠ 0, f(x) = ax² + bx + c, g(x) = a1x² + b1x + c1 and p(x) = f(x) − g(x). If p(x) = 0 only for x = −1 and p(−2) = 2, then the value of p(2) is:

  1. 3
  2. 9
  3. 6
  4. 18

Answer: 18

The polynomial p(x) is a quadratic function that has a double root at x = -1, meaning it can be expressed as p(x) = k(x + 1)² for some constant k. Given that p(-2) = 2, we can find k and subsequently calculate p(2), which results in p(2) = 18.

Q48. If z ≠ 1 and z²/(z − 1) is real, then the point represented by the complex number z lies on:

  1. either on the real axis or on a circle passing through the origin.
  2. on a circle with centre at the origin.
  3. either on the real axis or on a circle not passing through the origin.
  4. on the imaginary axis.

Answer: either on the real axis or on a circle passing through the origin.

The expression z²/(z − 1) being real implies that the complex number z must satisfy certain conditions related to its argument and magnitude, which geometrically corresponds to points either lying on the real axis or on a circle that intersects the origin.

Q49. If the equations x² + 2x + 3 = 0 and ax² + bx + c = 0, a,b,c ∈ R, have a common root, then a: b: c is

  1. 1: 2: 3
  2. 3: 2: 1
  3. 1: 3: 2
  4. 3: 1: 2

Answer: 1: 2: 3

The equations share a common root, which implies that the coefficients of the second equation can be expressed in terms of the coefficients of the first equation. By substituting the common root into both equations and simplifying, we find that the ratio of the coefficients a, b, and c must be 1:2:3 to maintain the equality.

Q50. If z is a complex number of unit modulus and argument θ, then arg((1 + z)/(1 + z̄)) equals:

  1. −θ
  2. π/2 − θ
  3. θ
  4. π − θ

Answer: θ

The argument of the quotient of two complex numbers is the difference of their arguments. Since z has unit modulus, its conjugate z̄ has the same modulus, and the argument of (1 + z) and (1 + z̄) can be shown to differ by θ, leading to the conclusion that arg((1 + z)/(1 + z̄)) equals θ.

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