Repeated Root and Common Root

1.

(Method 1)
, ,

Let

+ + = 0,

Then

p(x) = x3 + ax + b = 0

be the roots of

+ + = a,

( - )2 = ( + )2 - 4 =

= -b

(1)

(2)

( + )2 4[a ( + )] = 4a + [( + )2 + ( + )] +3 ( + )

= 4a + [( + + ) ( + )] +3 ( + ) =
( - )2 = 4a 32

Similarly,

4a + 0 +3 () = 4a 32
( - )2 =

and

4a 32

( - )2 ( - )2 ( - )2 = ( 4a 32)( 4a 32)( 4a 32) = (4a + 32)( 4a + 32)( 4a + 32)

[64a3 + 48a2 (2 + 2 + 2) + 36a(22 + 22 + 22) + 27222]

{64a3 + 48a2 [(+ + )2 2( + + )] + 36 a[( + + )2 - 2( + + )+ 27222 ]

{64a3 + 48a2 [0 2a] + 36a[a2 2(-b)(0)] + 27(-b)2}

{4a3 + 27b2}
( - )2 ( - )2 ( - )2 < 0

(1) has 3 distinct roots

4a3 + 27b2 < 0

(Method 2)
p(x) = x3 + ax + b,

Let

p(x) = 3x2 + a,

p(x) = 6x

lim p( x ) = +, lim p( x ) = ,

Since

x +

p(x) = 0

For stationary points,

p(x) = 0,

has at least one real root .

3x2 + a = 0

x=

If

a > 0, then there is no stationary point, but the point

p(x) = 0

If

a=0

p(x) = 0

If

a=0

If

a < 0, then by (1),

b 0, there is a stationary point when

b = 0, the origin is at the inflexion and

y min = b +

p(x) = 0

b+

(Note :
2

x=+

x=

and

(1)

is a real point of inflexion.

x=0

and

(0, b) is a real inflexion.

has only one real root and two complex roots.

and

(0, b)

has only one real root and two complex roots.

and

2a

2a

a
,
3

has

a
3

a
3

is a min.

is a max.

y max = b

distinct roots

< 0 and

2a
3

2a
3

since

since

p(x) = 0

has roots

0, 0, 0.

a
p" + > 0 .
3

a
p" < 0 .
3

a
3

ymin < 0

and

ymax > 0

2a
a
2a
a
< 0
> 0 b +
b
3
3
3
3
3

27b2 + 4a3 < 0

If
3

a < 0, For two different real roots, one being repeated, the necessary and sufficient condition is

27b + 4a = 0.

For one real roots, two complex roots :

27b2 + 4a3 > 0)

1

2.

(Method 1)

Let

3x5 + 2x4 + x3 6x2 5x 4,

P(x) =

P(x) = 15x4 + 8x3 + 3x2 12x 5

then

By the multiple root theorem, P() =35 + 24 + 3 62 5 4 = 0, P() =154 + 83 + 32 12 5 = 0

By Euclidean algorithm, (working steps not shown here),
H.C.F. (P(x), P(x)) = x2 + x + 1

P(x) = (x2 + x + 1)2 (3x 4) , by division (working steps not shown here) .

The roots are

1 3

(double roots)

and

(Method 2)

Since

P(x) = 0

has a complex root

Thus

P(x) = 0

has four roots,

Since

deg [P(x)] = 5,

, its conjugate

has a factor : (ax2 + bx + c)2 .

P(x)

there is a linear factor left.

P(x)

From the constant term = 5

of

3, which is not a complete square, a = 1.

is

Similarly, from the constant term = 4

of

c = 1

P(x),
c = 2

P(x),

has a factor : (x2 + bx 1)2

P(x)

is also a root.

, , , . As a result,

Since the leading coefficient of

As a result,

2.

or

is rejected.

and the linear factor is therefore

On testing using the factor theorem P(4/3) = 0, and the linear factor is

P(x) = (x2 + bx + c)2(3x 4) .

(3x 4)

(3x 4)

On comparing coefficients, we can find

b = 1 , c = 1.

Result follows.
3.

p(z) = 1 + z +

Put

p(0) 0.

Since

p(z) = 0

z2
2!

z3
3!

+ ... +

z=0

1+ z +

2!

3!

Let

is not a root of
+ ... +

n 1

n!

p(z) = 0

p(z) .
n

n!

p' ( z ) =

zn
n!

has no repeated roots .

(x a1) (x a3) (x a5) + k2(x a2) (x a4) (x a6)

p(x) =

p(a1) = k2 (a1 a2) (a1 a4) (a1 a6) < 0,

p(a2) = (a2 a1) (a2 a3) (a2 a5) > 0

p(a4) = (a4 a1) (a4 a3) (a4 a5) < 0 ,

p(a6) = (a6 a1) (a6 a3) (a6 a5) > 0

Since

deg [p(x)] = 3

there are
5.

n!

By the multiple root theorem,

4.

zn

and there are

p(x) = x 4ax3 + 6x2 + 1 ,

Since

p(0) = 1 0.

q=0

By the multiple root theorem,

4q (q2 3aq + 3) = 0

Since

q0,

p(q) = 0

changes of sign as

increases from a1

to

a6 ,

distinct real roots .

4

Let

p(x) = 4x3 12a x2 12x

is not a root of

since

p(x) = 0 .

is the repeated root,

p(q) = 4q3 12a q2 12q = 0

q2 3aq + 3 = 0

q4 4a q3 + 6q2 + 1 = 0

a=

q2 + 3
3q

(1)

(2)

(1) (2),

q2 + 3 3
q + 6q 2 + 1 = 0 q 4 6q 2 3 = 0 q 4 = 6q 2 + 3
q 4 4
3
q

From (1),

(q 4 + 6q 2 + 9 ) = (6q 2 + 3 + 6q 2 + 9 ) = [12(q 2 + 1)] = 144 q 4 + 2q 2 + 1

q2 + 3
=
a 4 =
81q 4
81(6q 2 + 3)
81(6q 2 + 3) 243 2q 2 + 1
3q
4

16 6q 2 + 3 + 2q 2 + 1

=
6.

2q 2 + 1

27

16 8q 2 + 4

4
=
27 3

64

27 2q 2 + 1

4
a=
3

34

(Method 1)

p(x) = xn + p1xn-1 + p2xn-2 + + pn-1x + pn

Let

Since

is a multiple root of

or

1
1
+ p1
y
y

n 1

1/

1
+ ... + p n 1 + p n = 0,
y

By Multiple Root Theorem,

p(x) = 0,

1/

n 1

p(1/y) = 0

g( y ) = p n y n + p n1y n 1 + ... + p1 + 1 = 0

is a root of

1
np n
x

is also a root of

is a multiple root of

i.e., g' ( y ) = np n y n 1 + ( n 1) p n 1y n 2 + ... + p1 = 0

g(y) = 0,

1
+ ( n 1) p n 1
x

n 2

+ ... + p1 = 0 ,

or

p1xn-1 + 2p2xn-2 + 3p3xn-3 + + (n 1)pn-1x + npn = 0.

(Method 2)

Let

p(x) = xn + p1xn-1 + p2xn-2 + + pn-1x + pn

p(x) = nxn-1 + (n 1) p1xn-2 + (n 2)p2 xn-3 + + pn-1

7.

is a multiple root

(a)

a(h) = 0

a(x) = (x h)mq(x),

a(x) = (x h) q(x) + m(x h)

g(x) = (x h) q(x) + m q(x)
a(x) = (x h) f(x)

But

(x h)

If

s m 1,

m-1

is an

g(h) 0,

where

without lost of generality,

s=m1,
h

g(h) = m q(h) 0.

and

since

is an

s-multiple root of

a(x).

g(x) = (x h) f(x)

g(x) = (x h)

q(x) = (x h)m-1[(x h) q(x) + m q(x)] = (x h)m-1 g(x)

s-(m-1)

then

m-1

q(h) 0.

where

where

np() - p() = 0

p1xn-1 + 2p2xn-2 + 3p3xn-3 + + (n 1)pn-1x + npn = 0.

is a root of

p() = p() = 0

f(x)

m = s + 1,

and therefore
and

(s + 1)-multiple

we assume

g(h) = (h h) s-(m-1) f(h) = 0, contradicting to

s+1

a(x) = (x h)

root of

s>m1

q(x) ,

where

g(h) 0.

q(h) 0.

a(x) .

Converse:

is an

(s + 1)-multiple

Obviously,
Also,

root of

a(x)

a(x) = (x h)s+1q(x) , q(h) 0.

a(h) = 0 .

a(x) = (x h)s+1q(x) + (s + 1) (x h)s q(x) = (x h)s [(x h)q(x) + (s + 1) q(x)] = (x h)s g(x)

g(h) = (h h)q(h) + (s + 1) q(h) =

is an

s-multiple

root of

(s + 1) q(h) 0.

a(x) .

(b)

Let

f(x) = ax2 + bx + c ,

By (a),

h is a double root of

(3)(1) ,

= b2 4ac = 0

If

h is a double root of

f(h) = 3ah + 6bh + 3c = 0

f(h) = 6ah + 6b = 0

h=

From (6),
h

and

(5),

f(h) = 0
.

(2)

f(x) = 0 .

(4)

(5)

(6)

b c
b
b
a + 2 b + c = 0 =
a
a
a b

, subst. in (2),

(7)

(8)

bh2 + 2ch + d = 0

f(h) = 0

f(x) = ax3 + 3bx2 + 3cx + d , then

is a triple root of

f(h) = ah3 + 3bh2 + 3ch + d = 0

(4) -

f(x) = 0

ah + ah + c = 0 . (1)
and
2ah + b = 0
b
h=
. (3)
2a
2
b
b
a + b + c = 0 = b2 4ac = 0
2a
2a

From (2),

(c)

f(x) = 2ax + b .

c d
b
b
c
c
b + 2c + d = 0 b + 2c + d = 0 =
a
a
b
b
b c

Result follows from (7) and (8).

(d)

(i)

ax3 + 3bx2 + 3cx + d a(x e)2 (x f) ,

a(x 2ex + e ) (x f)
2

Comparing coeff.

e f , e 0.

where

ax a(2e + f) x + a(e2 + 2ef) x ae2f

3b = a(2e + f)

(9)

3c = a(e + 2ef)

(10)

d = ae2f

(11)

(9) (10) ,

9bc = a e(2e + f)(e + 2f)

From (11),

9ad =

ad = bc

9ad = 9bc

2e + 5ef + 2f = 9ef

Contradiction,
(ii)

If

9a2e2f

that is,

2e 4ef + 2f = 0

is a double root of
3

f(x) = 0 , then

g(y) = 3(dy + 2cy + d)

f(x) = ax + 3bx + 3cx + d

3

1/k

e=f

f(k) = 3ak2 + 6bk + 3c = 0

abk + 2ack + ad = 0

p(1/y) = 0 ,

3[d(1/k) + 2c(1/k) + b] = 0
bk2 + 2ck + d = 0
has a double root

f(k) = ak + 3bk + 3ck + d = 0

(9) a,

2(e f) = 0

is a double root of

(2e + f)(e + 2f) = 9ef

g(1/k) = 0

g(y) = dy + 3cy + 3by + a = 0.

ad bc .

(iii) If

a2e(2e + f)(e + 2f) = 9a2e2f

ak2 + 2bk + c = 0

(12)

(13)

(14)

(15)

k , then:

abk2 + 2b2k + bc = 0

(14)b,

2(ac b2)k (bc ad) = 0

(15) (16),
(iv) (14) c,

.
2 ac b 2

p(x) = (x - ) g(x) ,
2

where

k2 =

(ac b2)k2 (bd c2) = 0

anxn + + a1x + a0 = 0,

(19)
.

(20)

(bc ad)2 = 4(ac b2)(bd c2).

If

is a repeated root of p(x) = 0 , then

p() = 0

p(x) =

is root of

24x4 20x3 6x2 + 9x 2 ,

p(x) =

(18)

ac b 2

= (x - ) [2g(x) + (x - ) g(x)]

Let

(17)

.
bd c 2

p(x) = 2(x - ) g(x) + (x - ) g(x)

g(x) is a polynomial.
2

bc ad

b k + 2bck + bd = 0

(17)(20), and move terms,

p(x) =

2 2

(18) (19),

Let

ack2 + 2bck + c2 = 0

(12) b,

8.

k=

(16)

nanxn-1 + + 2a2 + a1 = 0.
p(x) = 96x3 60x2 12x + 9 = 3(32x3 20x2 4x + 3)

p(x) = 3(96x2 40x 4) = 12(24x2 10x 1)

Now,

p(x) = 0

Since

p(x) = 0

By trial,

p(1/2) = 0, therefore

1/2

or

-1/12

p(x) = 0.

is the triple root.

3

p(x) = (2x 1) (3x + 2)

f(x) = Axn+1 + Bxn + 1.

Let

and hence the roots are

1/2 (triple root)

Since

f(x) = (n + 1) Ax + n Bx

n-1

From (1),

nA + nB = -n

(3)(2),

-n + A = 0

B = -1 n

(4)(3),
(b)

See number 3.

Let

f(x) = x4 + 12x3 + 32x2 24x + 4

then

and

-2/3.

f(-3) 0 .

f(x) = (x + 6x 2)

f(x) = 0

then

x=1

f(1) = (n + 1)A + nB = 0

A= n
n

is a double root of

(1)

(2)

(3)

(4)

f(x) = 0.

f(x) = nx +1 (n + 1)x + 1 .

x2 + 6x 2

is a repeated factor of

f(x).

[irrational roots occur in pairs]

has roots

3 11

(repeated roots) .

f(x) = x6 5x5 + 5x4 + 9x3 14x2 4x + 8

f(x) = 6x5 25x4 + 20x3 + 27x2 28x 4 ,

By trial

(x 1)2,

f(x) = 4x3 + 36x2 + 64x 24 = 4(x3 + 9x2 + 16x 6) = 4(x2 + 6x 2) (x + 3)

By trial

Let

f(x) is divisible by

f(1) = A + B + 1 = 0
n

11.

x = 1/2

First part is omitted.

(a)

10.

has a triple root, this root must be a root of

By division, we get
9.

(2x 1)(12x + 1) = 0

f(x) = 30x4 100x3 + 60x2 + 54x 28

f(2) = f(2) = f(2) = 0

x=2

By division
The roots are

is the multiple roots of multiplicity 3 of

3

(triple root) , 1

f(x) = 0.

f(x) = (x 2) (x + x x 1) = (x 2) [x2(x + 1) (x + 1)] =

2

and

(x 2)3(x 1)(x + 2)2 .

-1 (double roots) .

12.

f(x)

has a double root at

r -a =0

Sub.

13.

r=0

in (1),

f(x) = 0

if

f(r) = 0

(1)

nr

n-1

f(r) = r + nr
r =0

f(x) = 0

if

n-2

x=r

+ n(n 1)r

f(0) = n! 0 .

contradicting to the given

f(r) = 0

+ + n!

and

f(r) = 0 .
f(r) = nrn-1 + n(n - 1)rn-2 + + n!

. (1),

r=0

is not a root of

f(x) = 0 .

f(x) = 4x + 2px = 0
f(x) = 12x + 2p = 0

12x + 2px = 0

(4) (2), 8x3 = 0

If

x = 0,

x=0

f(x) = 0

has

x=0

of multiplicity

4.

If

p 0,

f(x) = 0

has

x=0

of multiplicity

ax 2 + bx + a = 0
3
2
x 2x + 2x 1 = 0
From (2), x =1
If

(1) and (2)

and

in (1) ,

1 + (b/a)(1) + 1 = 0
2

is

x 2x + 1 = 0

x=

The common roots are

x3 x2 + 6x + 24 = 0
3

(3)

(4)

p as roots.

cannot have exactly three equal roots.

b/a = 2 .

(x 1)2 = 0

(1) and (2) have exactly two roots in common, then

(1) (2) x ,

(2)

have exactly one root in common. Then the root in common must be

(6 b)x = -24
2

1 3i
2

x=1.

x x+1=0

from (2).

.
x2 x + b = 0

(1),

1.

b/a = 1 .

Compare coefficients with (1),

16.

The other two roots are complex and are conjugate roots.

and the equation (1)

If

(1)

x 2 + ( b / a ) x + 1 = 0 ....(1)

2
( x 1)(x x + 1) = 0 ....( 2)

is a root.

Sub. x = 1
(b)

x4 + px2 + q = 0

the equation

f(x) = x4 + px2 = x2(x2 + p)

f(0) = q = 0

p = 0,

(a)

Contradiction.

may be the only possible repeated root.

If

In either case,
15.

(2)

cannot have repeated roots.

But ,

r=0.

By multiple root theorem,

(3) x,

a0.

f(x) = nxn-1 + n(n - 1)xn-2 + + n!

f(x) = x4 + px2 + q = 0

Let

(2)

cannot have repeated roots.

has a double root at

=0

a=0

an = 0

we get

f(x)

But

f(r) = 0 .

is the only possible multiple root.

f(x) = xn + nxn-1 + n(n 1)xn-2 + + n!

(1) (2),

and
n-1

Let

14.

r=0

f(x) = nxn-1.

x=r

From (2),

(a 0)

f(x) = xn an

Let

x = 24/(6 b)

(2)

(3)

From (1), x x + 6x + 24 = (x + 2)(x 3x + 12) = 0 .

Since the roots of

x2 3x + 12 = 0

common roots and the only common root is

are complex and must occur in pairs, (1) and (2) have no complex
x = -2.

Put x = -2 in (3),

b = -6.
6

17.

2x3 + 5x2 6x 9 = 0
Let

, ,

be the roots of

(1)

3x3 + 7x2 11x 15 = 0

, , be the roots of

(1) and

(2)

(2).

+ + = -5/2

(3)

= 9/2

(4)

+ + = -7/3

(5)

= 15/3

(6)

(3) (5) , - = -1/6

(7)

(4)/(6),

= 9/10

(8)

+ = -4

(10)

Then

(8)(7),

= 5/3

(9)

(9) (5),

(9)(6),

= 3

(11)

Solving (10), (11),

= -3,

= -1.

18.

Let f(x) = x3 2x2 2x + 1 = 0

g(x) = x4 7x2 + 1 = 0.

and

Apply Euclidean Algorithm, the H.C.F. of

x 3x + 1 = 0

x=

f(x) and g(x)

1 1 +0 -7 +0 +1 1 -2 -2 +1 1
2

is

x 3x + 1 .

3 5

1 -2 -2 +1
2

are the common roots .

1 -3 +1

2 -5 -1 +1

1 -3 +1 1

2 -4 -4 +2

1 -3 +1

-1 +3 -1

19.

Let

f(x) =6x3 + 7x2 x 2 = 0

g(x) = 6x4 + 19x3 + 17x2 2x 6 = 0. 3 6 +7 -1 -2 6 +19+17 -2 -6 1

&

Apply Euclidean Algorithm, the H.C.F. of

2x + x - 1 = 0

x = 1/2

and

f(x) and g(x)

(2x + 1)(x + 1) = 0

-1

2x2 + x - 1 .

is

x = 1/2

or

-1 .

6 +3 -3
2

are the common roots .

6 +7 -1 -2

4 +2 -2

12 +18+0-6 2

4 +2 -2

12 +14 -2 -4
4 +2-2

20.

21.

(a)

-1/2

(double root),

4.

(b)

(double root),

(c)

1/2

(triple root),

(a)

f ( x ) = x 2 + ax + b = 0

2
g ( x ) = x + a ' x + b' = 0

2 i , - 2i .
-3/2 .
has a common root .

f ( x ) g ( x ) = ( a a ' ) x + ( b b' ) = 0

2
ag ( x ) a ' f ( x ) = ( a a ' ) x + ( ab' a ' b ) = 0
x=

b b'
a a'

b b'

a a'

(b)

and

x2 =

has a common root .

ab' a ' b
a a'

ab' a ' b
a a'

(b b) + (a a)(ab ab) = 0

(1)

2 k+2
k + 2 , b = 6
x

x + 6 = 0 a =
2 x 2 ( k + 2) x + 12 = 0

2
2

2
4 x ( 3k 2) x + 36 = 0 x 2 3k 2 + 9 = 0 a ' = 3k 2 , b' = 9

4
4
Substitute in (1) and solve for

k,

k=9.