The quadratic equation whose roots are \(\displaystyle{\sec{{2}}}\theta\)

Zane Decker

Zane Decker

Answered question

2022-04-08

The quadratic equation whose roots are sec2θ and cscθ can be
a) x22x+2=0
b) x25x+5=0
c) x27x+7=0
d) x29x+9=0

Answer & Explanation

Kendall Clark

Kendall Clark

Beginner2022-04-09Added 8 answers

Step 1
As others have pointed out, you’ve assume that if uv then u2v2
This is true if u,v are both non-negative, but if both are non-positive, then the inequality reverses, u2v2, and there is nothing we can say if u is positive and v negative.
Another way to write the equation is as
((cos2θ)x1)((sin2θ)x1)=(cos2θsin2θ)x2x+1
So the monic polynomial with these two roots has
p=q=1sin2θcos2θ=4sin22θ
This is really the same as your first approach, but switches to sin and cos immediately.
Kendall Wilkinson

Kendall Wilkinson

Beginner2022-04-10Added 17 answers

Step 1
Recall that
1sec2θ+1csc2θ=1. If
x2+px+q=0
then
x=x1=p+p24q2
or
x=x2=pp24q2.
So you want 1x1+1x2=1 You have
1x1+1x2=2p+p24q+2pp24q=pq
So,
1=pq
p=q
p±p2+4p2={1±3if p=2,if p=5,if p=7,if p=9.
When p=2, one of the solutions is negative and so cannot be sec2θ or csc2θ if θ is real. The other one is negative and so cannot be sec2θ or csc2θ if θ is real.
Go on from there is a similar way.

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