How can you find the coefficients of a monic quadratic when you know only one non-real root?

We know that non-real roots appear in complex conjugate pairs. Hence when we know one root, we know both of them. Then, as we can factorise a quadratic in it's linear factors, we know our quadratic is a constant times the product of x minus the roots. Lastly, as our quadratic is monic, we must have that this constant is 1. Then find the coefficients by expanding the brackets.

Answered by Ward V. Maths tutor

3638 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

An object of mass 2kg is placed on a smooth plane which is inclined at an angle of 30 degrees from the ground. Calculate the acceleration of the object.


How to solve the absolute-value inequalities?


A cubic curve has equation y x3 3x2 1. (i) Use calculus to find the coordinates of the turning points on this curve. Determine the nature of these turning points.


Differentiate and find the stationary point of the equation y = 7x^2 - 2x - 1.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences