Find the value of a/b + b/a, if a and b are the roots of the quadratic equation x2 + 8x + 4 = 0?
A. 15
B. 14
C. 24
D. 26
Explanation:
a/b + b/a = (a2 + b2)/ab = (a2 + b2 + a + b)/ab
= [(a + b)2 – 2ab]/ab
a + b = -8/1 = -8
ab = 4/1 = 4
Hence a/b + b/a = [(-8)2 – 2(4)]/4 = 56/4 = 14.