The coefficients $a_2 and a_1$ of a 2nd order polynomial $a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0=0$ are 3 and 5 respectively. One solution of the polynomial is 1/3. Determine the other solution?

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Answer 1 · 2017-01-19T08:21:17

-2

$a_2x^2+a_1x+a_0=0$

$a_2=3$

$a_1=5$

one root is $1/3$

for a quadratic if $alpha, beta$ are the roots then

$alpha+beta=-a_1/a_2$

$alphabeta=a_0/a_2$

from the information given:

let $alpha=1/3$

$1/3+beta=-5/3$

$beta=-5/3-1/3=-6/3=-2$