Let p and q be the roots of the quadratic equation x2 - (α - 2)x...
Let α be equal to k.
⇒ f(x) = x2 − (k − 2) x − (k + 1) = 0
p and q are the roots
⇒ p + q = k - 2 and pq = -1 - k
We know that (p + q)2 = p2 + q2 + 2pq
⇒ (k − 2)2 = p2 + q2 + 2(−1 − k)
⇒ p2 + q2 = k2 + 4 − 4k + 2 + 2k
⇒ p2 + q2 = k2 − 2k + 6
This is in the form of a quadratic equation.
The coefficient of k2 is positive. Therefore this equation has a minimum value.
We know that the minimum value occurs at x = -b/2a
Here a = 1, b = -2 and c = 6
⇒ Minimum value occurs at k = 2/2 = 1
If we substitute k = 1 in k2 − 2k + 6, we get 1 -2 + 6 = 5.
Hence 5 is the minimum value that p2 + q2 can attain.