CAT 2019 Slot 2 QA Question & Solution

AlgebraEasy

The quadratic equation $x^2 + bx + c = 0$ has two roots 4a and 3a, where a is an integer. Which of the following is a possible value of $b^2 + c$?

3721

361

427

549

Given,

The quadratic equation $x^2 + bx + c = 0$ has two roots 4a and 3a

7a=-b

12$a^2$ = c

We have to find the value of $b^2 + c = 49a^2+ 12a^2=61a^2$

Now lets verify the options

61$a^2$ = 3721 ==> a= 7.8 which is not an integer

61$a^2$ = 361 ==> a= 2.42 which is not an integer

61$a^2$ = 427 ==> a= 2.64 which is not an integer

61$a^2$ = 549 ==> a= 3 which is an integer