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Let p,q>0 be real numbers. The triangle formed by the roots and the lowest point on the parabola

y=px2−2pqx

forms an equilateral triangle.

Find the value of

(pq)12
Hint

The factorised form of the parabola's equation is

y=px(x−2q)

This should enable you to find the roots and vertex in terms of p and q.

You should definitely draw a diagram!

Hint

Here is the diagram

Parabola with triangle

Hint

Since the triangle is equilateral, you know that all sides of the triangle are equal.

Therefore, the distance between the roots is equal to the distance from the origin to the vertex.

To make use of this information, you will need Pythagoras.

Solution

We have

y=px2−2pqx=px(x−2q)

so the roots are x=0 and x=2q. This means the vertex occurs when x=q, so

y=pq2−2pq2=−pq2

Since p>0 the parabola is convex.

With this information, we can draw an accurate diagram:

Parabola with triangle

Since the triangle is equilateral, the sides of the triangle have the same length, let's call it â„“.

Clearly, the base of the triangle has length 2q, so â„“=2q and â„“2=4q2.

On the other hand, consider the other two sides. We use Pythagoras', noting that the dashed line has length pq2, to find that

â„“2=q2+(pq2)2=q2+p2q4=q2(1+p2q2)

By equating these two expressions for â„“2, we find that

q2(1+p2q2)=4q21+p2q2=4(pq)2=3pq=3

So (pq)12=36=729.