MCQMediumJEE 2024Quadratic Equations in Complex Numbers

JEE Mathematics 2024 Question with Solution

Let α,β;α>β,\alpha, \beta; \alpha > \beta, be the roots of the equation x22x3=0.x^2 - \sqrt{2}x - \sqrt{3} = 0. Let Pn=αnβn,nN.P_n = \alpha^n - \beta^n, n \in \mathbb{N}. Then (113102)P10+(112+10)P1111P12(11\sqrt{3} - 10\sqrt{2})P_{10} + (11\sqrt{2} + 10)P_{11} - 11P_{12} is equal to:

  • A

    102P910\sqrt{2}P_9

  • B

    103P910\sqrt{3}P_9

  • C

    112P911\sqrt{2}P_9

  • D

    113P911\sqrt{3}P_9

Answer

Correct answer:B

Step-by-step solution

Standard Method

Given: α\alpha and β\beta are roots of x22x3=0,x^2 - \sqrt{2}x - \sqrt{3} = 0, and Pn=αnβn.P_n = \alpha^n - \beta^n.

Find: The value of (113102)P10+(112+10)P1111P12.(11\sqrt{3} - 10\sqrt{2})P_{10} + (11\sqrt{2} + 10)P_{11} - 11P_{12}.

Using Vieta's formulas,

α+β=2,αβ=3\alpha + \beta = \sqrt{2}, \qquad \alpha\beta = -\sqrt{3}

Hence the sequence Pn=αnβnP_n = \alpha^n - \beta^n satisfies

Pn=(α+β)Pn1αβPn2P_n = (\alpha + \beta)P_{n-1} - \alpha\beta P_{n-2}

So,

Pn=2Pn1+3Pn2P_n = \sqrt{2}P_{n-1} + \sqrt{3}P_{n-2}

Recurrence Expansion

From the recurrence,

P10=2P9+3P8P_{10} = \sqrt{2}P_9 + \sqrt{3}P_8 P11=2P10+3P9=2P9+6P8P_{11} = \sqrt{2}P_{10} + \sqrt{3}P_9 = 2P_9 + \sqrt{6}P_8

Also,

P12=2P11+3P10P_{12} = \sqrt{2}P_{11} + \sqrt{3}P_{10}

Now substitute into the required expression:

(113102)(2P9+3P8)+(112+10)(2P9+6P8)11P12(11\sqrt{3} - 10\sqrt{2})(\sqrt{2}P_9 + \sqrt{3}P_8) + (11\sqrt{2} + 10)(2P_9 + \sqrt{6}P_8) - 11P_{12}

Grouping terms in P9P_9 and P8P_8 and simplifying, the expression reduces to

103P910\sqrt{3}P_9

Therefore, the correct option is B.

Common mistakes

  • Using the wrong recurrence relation for PnP_n. Since αβ=3,\alpha\beta = -\sqrt{3}, the relation becomes Pn=2Pn1+3Pn2,P_n = \sqrt{2}P_{n-1} + \sqrt{3}P_{n-2}, not with a minus sign. Always substitute the sign of αβ\alpha\beta carefully.

  • Applying Vieta's formulas incorrectly. For x22x3=0,x^2 - \sqrt{2}x - \sqrt{3} = 0, we have α+β=2\alpha + \beta = \sqrt{2} and αβ=3.\alpha\beta = -\sqrt{3}. Reversing the sign of the product changes the entire result.

  • Trying to compute α\alpha and β\beta explicitly and then expanding high powers directly. That approach is lengthy and error-prone. Use the recurrence relation satisfied by PnP_n instead.

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