The total number of distinct for which is
Answer: 2
Solution
Expanding the determinant by factoring:
The first determinant: .
The second determinant: .
So: , which gives .
Factoring: .
Solutions: (one real root) and (one real root ).
Total: 2 distinct real values.
The first determinant: .
The second determinant: .
So: , which gives .
Factoring: .
Solutions: (one real root) and (one real root ).
Total: 2 distinct real values.
JEE Advanced · 2016 · 22 May 2016 · Paper 1 · Integer answer