Analyzing the Setup
Imagine you are standing at the intersection of two mathematical paths. You have two quadratic equations:
x2−x+2λ=0 and 3x2−10x+27λ=0.
They share a secret: a common root, α. This root is the key that unlocks the entire problem.
If
α is a root of the first equation, it satisfies:
α2−α+2λ=0
If it is a root of the second, it satisfies:
3α2−10α+27λ=0
The Algebraic Dance
Eliminating the Obstacle
We have a system of two equations. Our goal is to find α and λ. The α2 term is the obstacle preventing us from finding a direct relationship.
We use the power of elimination. If we multiply the first equation by
3, we get:
3α2−3α+6λ=0
Now, consider the second equation:
3α2−10α+27λ=0
By subtracting the first from the second, the
α2 terms vanish. We are left with:
(−10α−(−3α))+(27λ−6λ)=0
This simplifies beautifully to
−7α+21λ=0, which yields the linear relationship:
α=3λ
Unlocking the Mystery of λ
Now that we know
α=3λ, we substitute this into the first equation:
(3λ)2−(3λ)+2λ=0
Factoring this, we get
λ(9λ−1)=0. Since the problem explicitly states
$\lambda
eq 0$, we discard that root and find:
λ=91
The Final Reveal
With
λ=91, we find our common root:
α=3λ=3(91)=31
For the first equation, the sum of roots is
α+β=1. Since
α=31, then:
β=1−31=32
For the second equation, the sum of roots is
α+γ=310. Since
α=31, then:
γ=310−31=3
Finally, we calculate the expression
λβγ:
91(32×3)=912=18
The journey is complete. We have navigated the algebra and arrived at the elegant result of 18.