CAT 2020

Slot 1

QA

Question & Solution

Let $a=x+\frac{1}{x}$
So, the given equation is $a^2-3a+2=0$
So, $a$ can be either 2 or 1.

If $a=1$, $x+\frac{1}{x}=1$ and it has no real roots. 
If $a=2$, $x+\frac{1}{x}=2$ and it has exactly one real root which is $x=1$

So, the total number of distinct real roots of the given equation is 1