Question

The sum of the reciprocals of the roots of the equation 3x2 +8x+2=0

Answer 1

Given equation : 3x² + 8x + 2 = 0
comparing the equation with general eq ax² +bx + c
Here a =3 , b = 8 and c = 2
Discriminant Δ = b² -4ac 
= (8)² - 4(3)(2)
= 64 - 24
= 40
x = [- b + √(b² -4ac)]/a    or          [-b - √(b² -4ac)]/a
x = (-8 + 40) /3               or         (-8 - 40)/3        
x = 42/3                          or          -48/3
x = 14                             or          -16
∴The roots are 14 and -16
Sum of reciprocals of the roots
= (1/14 ) +( - 1/16)
= [8+(-7)]/112
= (8-7)/112
= 1/112

Answer 2

3x2+8x+2=0

the sum of the roots is 2/3

Step-by-step explanation:

if we compare with ax2+bx+c

then a=3,b=8,c=2

so the sum is c/a or, 2/3