If the roots of the equation (b - c)x2 + (c - a)x + (a - b) = 0 are equal, then prove that 2b = a + c.
Solution
The given quadric equation is(b - c)x2 + (c - a)x + (a - b) = 0, and roots are real
Then prove that 2b = a + c
Here,
a = (b - c), b = (c - a) and c = (a - b)
As we know that D = b2 - 4ac
Putting the value of a = (b - c), b = (c - a) and c = (a - b)
D = b2 - 4ac
= (c - a)2 - 4 x (b - c) x (c - a)
= c2 - 2ca + a2 - 4 (ab - b2 - ca + bc)
= c2 - 2ca + a2 - 4ab + 4b2 + 4ca - 4bc
= c2 + 2ca + a2 - 4ab + 4b2 - 4bc
= a2 + 4b2 + c2 + 2ca - 4ab - 4bc
As we know that (a2 + 4b2 + c2 + 2ca - 4ab - 4bc) = (a + c - 2b)2
D = (a + c - 2b)2
The given equation will have real roots, if D = 0
(a + c - 2b)2 = 0
Square root both side we get
`sqrt((a + c - 2b)^2)=0`
a + c - 2b = 0
a + c = 2b
Hence 2b = a + c.