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If the sum of the squares of the roots of the equation $x^2 - (a-2)x - (a+1) = 0$ is least for an appropriate value of the variable parameter $a$, then that value of $a$ will be
If the sum of the squares of the roots of the equation $x^2 - (a-2)x - (a+1) = 0$ is least for an appropriate value of the variable parameter $a$, then that value of $a$ will be
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When asked to minimize expressions involving roots, express everything in terms of sum and product of roots and simplify. For quadratics, minimum or maximum occurs at $a = -\frac{b}{2a}$.
Updated On: Nov 28, 2025
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