Boost your skills in A Level Further Mathematics Core Pure. Study with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each question is followed by hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam with confidence!

Multiple Choice

For the quadratic z^2 - z + 2 = 0, which statement about its roots is true?

For a quadratic, the sum and product of its roots relate directly to its coefficients: if z1 and z2 are the roots of ax^2 + bx + c = 0, then z1 + z2 = -b/a and z1 z2 = c/a. Here the equation is z^2 - z + 2 = 0, so a = 1, b = -1, c = 2. The sum of the roots is -(-1)/1 = 1, and the product is 2/1 = 2. So the roots have product 2 and sum 1. The discriminant is negative (1 - 8 = -7), meaning the roots are complex, but these sum and product values still hold. Expanding (z - z1)(z - z2) gives z^2 - (z1 + z2) z + z1 z2, which becomes z^2 - 1 z + 2, matching the original equation.

For a quadratic, the sum and product of its roots relate directly to its coefficients: if z1 and z2 are the roots of ax^2 + bx + c = 0, then z1 + z2 = -b/a and z1 z2 = c/a. Here the equation is z^2 - z + 2 = 0, so a = 1, b = -1, c = 2. The sum of the roots is -(-1)/1 = 1, and the product is 2/1 = 2. So the roots have product 2 and sum 1. The discriminant is negative (1 - 8 = -7), meaning the roots are complex, but these sum and product values still hold. Expanding (z - z1)(z - z2) gives z^2 - (z1 + z2) z + z1 z2, which becomes z^2 - 1 z + 2, matching the original equation.