If the equation a(b−c)x2+b(c−a)x+c(a−b)=0a(b - c)x^2 + b(c - a)x + c(a - b) = 0 has equal roots, where a+c=15a + c = 15 and b=365b = \frac{36}{5}, then a2+c2a^2 + c^2 is equal to

Answer: a2+c2=144.4a^2 + c^2 = 144.4

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Apply condition for equal roots

For a quadratic equation of the form Ax2+Bx+C=0Ax^2 + Bx + C = 0 to have equal roots, its discriminant DD must be equal to zero. In this problem, A=a(b−c)A = a(b-c), B=b(c−a)B = b(c-a), and C=c(a−b)C = c(a-b).

Step 2: Substitute coefficients into discriminant equation

Substitute the given coefficients AA, BB, and CC into the discriminant formula B2−4AC=0B^2 - 4AC = 0. This gives us an equation relating aa, bb, and cc.

Step 3: Simplify the equation

Expand and simplify the equation obtained in the previous step. This involves squaring the term b(c−a)b(c-a) and multiplying the terms a(b−c)a(b-c) and c(a−b)c(a-b).

Step 4: Use the property for equal roots

A special property of quadratic equations states that if the sum of the coefficients A+B+C=0A+B+C=0, then x=1x=1 is a root. If the roots are equal, then x=1x=1 must be the repeated root. Let's check if A+B+C=0A+B+C=0 for the given equation. If A+B+C=0A+B+C=0, then a(b−c)+b(c−a)+c(a−b)=ab−ac+bc−ab+ac−bc=0a(b-c) + b(c-a) + c(a-b) = ab - ac + bc - ab + ac - bc = 0. Since the sum of the coefficients is zero, the roots are equal, and x=1x=1 is the repeated root. This implies that b(c−a)2−4ac(b−c)(a−b)=0b(c-a)^2 - 4ac(b-c)(a-b) = 0 is satisfied.

Step 5: Substitute given values and solve for a and c

Since the roots are equal, and the sum of coefficients is zero, we know that x=1x=1 is the repeated root. This means that the quadratic equation can be written as A(x−1)2=0A(x-1)^2 = 0. Comparing the constant term, C=AC = A. So, c(a−b)=a(b−c)c(a-b) = a(b-c). Expanding this, we get ac−bc=ab−acac - bc = ab - ac. Rearranging, we have 2ac=ab+bc=b(a+c)2ac = ab + bc = b(a+c). We are given b=365b = \frac{36}{5} and a+c=15a+c = 15. Substitute these values into the equation 2ac=b(a+c)2ac = b(a+c).

Step 6: Calculate a2+c2a^2 + c^2

We need to find a2+c2a^2 + c^2. We know the value of a+ca+c and we just calculated 2ac2ac. We can use the algebraic identity (a+c)2=a2+c2+2ac(a+c)^2 = a^2 + c^2 + 2ac to find a2+c2a^2 + c^2. Rearranging the identity, we get a2+c2=(a+c)2−2aca^2 + c^2 = (a+c)^2 - 2ac.

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