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Can you please elaborate on this?
kingbucky
I wasted 5 minutes in this question. it could have been easily solved by setting m=0, and cheeky the options ...

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alanvaa
Can you please elaborate on this?

alanvaa Here is how to execute it fully.

Testing with m = 0:

When \(m = 0\), the new roots become \(p\) and \(q\) (the original roots), so the equation should be the original: \(2x^2 - 5x + 2 = 0\), or when multiplied by \(2\): \(4x^2 - 10x + 4 = 0\).

Checking each option with \(m = 0\):

  • A: \(4x^2 - 10x - 4 = 0\) ✗
  • B: \(4x^2 - 10x + 4 = 0\) ✓
  • C: \(4x^2 - 10x + 4 = 0\) ✓
  • D: \(4x^2 - 10x - 4 = 0\) ✗
  • E: \(4x^2 - 10x + 4 = 0\) ✓

This eliminates A and D, but B, C, and E all match. You need a second test value.

Testing with m = 1:

When \(m = 1\), the new roots are \((p + q)\) and \((q + p)\) - these are equal! So you have a repeated root.

From the original equation \(2x^2 - 5x + 2 = 0\), the sum of roots \(p + q = \frac{5}{2}\).

The equation with repeated root \(\frac{5}{2}\) is: \((x - \frac{5}{2})^2 = 0\)

Expanding: \(x^2 - 5x + \frac{25}{4} = 0\)

Multiply by \(4\): \(4x^2 - 20x + 25 = 0\)

Now check B, C, E with \(m = 1\):

  • B: \(4x^2 - 20x + (-4 + 17 + 4) = 4x^2 - 20x + 17 = 0\) ✗
  • C: \(4x^2 - 20x + (-4 - 17 + 4) = 4x^2 - 20x - 17 = 0\) ✗
  • E: \(4x^2 - 20x + (4 + 17 + 4) = 4x^2 - 20x + 25 = 0\) ✓

Answer: E

Strategic Takeaway:

For abstract algebra problems with parameters:
  1. Test the simplest value first (often \(0\) or \(1\))
  2. If multiple options remain, test a second simple value
  3. Choose values that create special cases (like repeated roots or zero) - they're easier to verify

Hope this helps you.

You can practice similar questions here (you'll find a lot of OG questions) - select Algebra - Quadratic Equations under Quant.
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