Question

If 1 is a zero of the quadratic polynomial ax² – 3(a – 1)x – 1 is 1, then find the value of a.

Answer 1

Given: x = 1 is one zero of the polynomial ax² – 3(a – 1)x – 1

Therefore, it will satisfy the above polynomial.

Now, we have

a(1)² – (a – 1)1 – 1 = 0

⇒ a – 3a + 3 – 1 = 0

⇒ –2a = –2

⇒ a = 1