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Bunuel
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CrackVerbalGMAT
Dividing the equation by 5, we get \(x^2 - \frac{p}{5}x + \frac{1}{5} = 0\)

In the quadratic equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), the sum of roots = \(-\frac{b}{a}\) and the product of the roots = \(\frac{c}{a}\)

Therefore in the above equation, with roots \(r_1\) and \(r_2\)

\(r_1\) + \(r_2\) = \(\frac{p}{5}\) and \(r_1*r_2 = \frac{1}{5}\)

Also |\(r_1 - r_2 = 1\)|, so \(r_1 - r_2 = 1 \space -1\)

Using the algebraic expression \((a - b)^2 = (a + b)^2 - 4ab\)

\((r_1 - r_2)^2 = (r_1 + r_2)^2 - 4r_1*r_2\)

\(1^2 = (\frac{p}{5})^2 - 4 * \frac{1}{5}\)

\(1 + \frac{4}{5} = \frac{p^2}{25}\)

\(\frac{9}{5} = \frac{p^2}{25}\)

\(9 = \frac{p^2}{5}\)

\(p^2 = 45\)

p = \(3\sqrt{5}\)


Option E

Arun Kumar

Can you please explain why \(-3\sqrt{5}\) is not a possibility?
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Bunuel

p may be +ve or -ve
Both A & E are possible answers.
Please correct if needed.

chetan2u
Bunuel
If the two roots \(r_1\) and \(r_2\) of the quadratic equation \(5x^2 - px + 1 = 0\) are such that \(|r_1 - r_2| = 1\), what is the value of \(p\)?


A. \(-3\sqrt 5\)

B. \(-2\sqrt 3\)

C. \(\sqrt 5\)

D. \(2\sqrt 3\)

E. \(3\sqrt 5\)




If the quadratic equation is \(ax^2+bx+c=0\),
Sum of roots = \(\frac{-b}{a}\)
Product of roots = \(\frac{c}{a}\)


\(5x^2 -px + 1 = 0\) is the quadratic equation here.
Sum of roots = \(r_1+r_2=\frac{-(-p)}{5}=\frac{p}{5}\).....(i)
Product of roots = \(r_1r_2=\frac{1}{5}\)....(ii)

\(|r_1 - r_2| = 1\)
Square both sides.......
\((|r_1 - r_2|)^2 = 1^2\)..........
\(r_1^2+r_2^2-2r_1r_2=1\)............
\(r_1^2+r_2^2+2r_1r_2-4r_1r_2=1\).........
\((r_1+r_2)^2-4r_1r_2=1\)

Substitute the values of \(r_1+r_2 \ \ and \ \ r_1r_2\) from i and ii

\((r_1+r_2)^2-4r_1r_2=1\)............
\((\frac{p}{5})^2-4*\frac{1}{5}=1\)...............
\(\frac{p^2}{25}\)\(=1+\frac{4}{5}=\frac{9}{5}\)
\(p^2=25*\frac{9}{5}=5*9......p=3\sqrt{5}\)

E

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Bunuel

p may be +ve or -ve
Both A & E are possible answers.
Please correct if needed.

chetan2u
Bunuel
If the two roots \(r_1\) and \(r_2\) of the quadratic equation \(5x^2 - px + 1 = 0\) are such that \(|r_1 - r_2| = 1\), what is the value of \(p\)?


A. \(-3\sqrt 5\)

B. \(-2\sqrt 3\)

C. \(\sqrt 5\)

D. \(2\sqrt 3\)

E. \(3\sqrt 5\)




If the quadratic equation is \(ax^2+bx+c=0\),
Sum of roots = \(\frac{-b}{a}\)
Product of roots = \(\frac{c}{a}\)


\(5x^2 -px + 1 = 0\) is the quadratic equation here.
Sum of roots = \(r_1+r_2=\frac{-(-p)}{5}=\frac{p}{5}\).....(i)
Product of roots = \(r_1r_2=\frac{1}{5}\)....(ii)

\(|r_1 - r_2| = 1\)
Square both sides.......
\((|r_1 - r_2|)^2 = 1^2\)..........
\(r_1^2+r_2^2-2r_1r_2=1\)............
\(r_1^2+r_2^2+2r_1r_2-4r_1r_2=1\).........
\((r_1+r_2)^2-4r_1r_2=1\)

Substitute the values of \(r_1+r_2 \ \ and \ \ r_1r_2\) from i and ii

\((r_1+r_2)^2-4r_1r_2=1\)............
\((\frac{p}{5})^2-4*\frac{1}{5}=1\)...............
\(\frac{p^2}{25}\)\(=1+\frac{4}{5}=\frac{9}{5}\)
\(p^2=25*\frac{9}{5}=5*9......p=3\sqrt{5}\)

E

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Kinshook you are correct. We could have the answer as A too. But now A has been changed
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isn't the algebraic identity (x-y)^2 = x^2 + y^2 -2xy?

Why is it that in the answers they are using, they use (x-y)^2 = x^2 +y^2 -4xy?
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DanyP
isn't the algebraic identity (x-y)^2 = x^2 + y^2 -2xy?

Why is it that in the answers they are using, they use (x-y)^2 = x^2 +y^2 -4xy?


Hi DanyP. But I've written \((x - y)^2 = (x + y)^2 - 4xy\) not \(x^2 + y^2 - 4xy\)


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Bunuel
If the two roots \(r_1\) and \(r_2\) of the quadratic equation \(5x^2 - px + 1 = 0\) are such that \(|r_1 - r_2| = 1\), which of the following could be the value of \(p\)?


A. \(-3\sqrt 6\)

B. \(-2\sqrt 3\)

C. \(\sqrt 5\)

D. \(2\sqrt 3\)

E. \(3\sqrt 5\)


Are You Up For the Challenge: 700 Level Questions

Alternatively, you can try using the quadratic roots formula:

Roots = \(\frac{-b + \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}, \frac{-b - \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \)

The difference between the roots is 1 which means the term \(\frac{\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\) is 1/2. So one root is 1/2 more than -b/2a and the other is 1/2 less than -b/2a.

\(\frac{\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} = \frac{1}{2}\)

\(\frac{\sqrt{p^2 - 4*5}}{2*5} = \frac{1}{2}\)

\(p = +-3\sqrt{5}\)

Answer (E)
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