Indian Statistical Institute B.Math & B.Stat : Polynomials

If the roots of the equation \(x^4 + ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d = 0\) are in geometric progression then show that $c^2 = a^2d$.$$$$ Let the roots of the equation be \(x_1,x_2,x_3,x_4\). Since the roots are in geometric progression we have \(x_1x_4 = x_2x_3 \). Also using Vieta's Formulas ( relation between roots and coefficients ) we have $$$$ \[ x_1+x_2+x_3+x_4 = - a \] \[ (x_1+x_4)(x_2+x_3)+x_1x_4+x_2x_3 = b \] \[ x_1x_4(x_2+x_3)+x_2x_3(x_1+x_4) = -c\] \[ x_1x_2x_3x_4 = d\] Since \(x_1x_4 = x_2x_3 \) and \( x_1x_4(x_2+x_3)+x_2x_3(x_1+x_4) = -c\) we have \( x_1x_4(x_2+x_3+x_1+x_4) = -c\). Now using \( x_1+x_2+x_3+x_4 = - a \) we have \( x_1x_4 \times -a = -c \implies x_1x_4 = \frac{c}{a} \). Thus \( x_1x_4 = x_2x_3 = \frac{c}{a} \). Again since \( x_1x_2x_3x_4 = d \implies \frac{c}{a} \times \frac{c}{a} = d \implies c^2 = da^2 \)