Q.Passing through the point (−4,3) with slope 21.
Concept understanding — Slope Calculation
Slope Calculation — From Intuition to Precision
Imagine you're walking up a hill. Some hills are gentle — you barely notice the climb. Others are so steep you have to lean forward and use your hands. That "steepness" is what slope measures. In mathematics, slope tells us how fast a line rises or falls as we move from left to right.
The Intuition: Rise Over Run
Take any two points on a straight line. As you walk from the left point to the right point, two things happen:
- You move horizontally — that's the run.
- You move vertically — that's the rise (upwards) or fall (downwards).
Slope is simply the ratio:
Slope = (vertical change) ÷ (horizontal change)
If you climb 3 metres while walking 5 metres forward, the slope is 3/5=0.6. If you descend 2 metres while walking 4 metres forward, the slope is −2/4=−0.5 — negative because you're going downhill.
The Precise Definition
Given two distinct points (x1,y1) and (x2,y2) on a non-vertical line, the slope m is:
m=x2−x1y2−y1
The numerator is the rise (change in y), the denominator is the run (change in x). The order matters: subtract the first point's coordinates from the second's, consistently.
Never divide by zero. If x2=x1, the line is vertical — slope is undefined (not zero, not infinite — just undefined).
What the Number Tells You
| Slope value | What the line does |
|---|---|
| m>0 | Rises left to right (uphill) |
| m<0 | Falls left to right (downhill) |
| m=0 | Horizontal (flat) |
| m undefined | Vertical (straight up/down) |
The larger the absolute value ∣m∣, the steeper the line. A slope of 5 is much steeper than a slope of 0.2.
A Worked Example
Find the slope of the line through (1,2) and (4,8).
Step 1: Label the points. Let (x1,y1)=(1,2) and (x2,y2)=(4,8).
Step 2: Compute the rise: y2−y1=8−2=6.
Step 3: Compute the run: x2−x1=4−1=3.
Step 4: Divide: m=36=2.
The line rises 2 units vertically for every 1 unit it moves right.
You can swap which point is first — just be consistent. Using (4,8) as (x1,y1) and (1,2) as (x2,y2) gives m=1−42−8=−3−6=2, the same result.
Why Slope Matters
Slope is the foundation of linear relationships. It tells you the rate of change — how one quantity changes as another changes. In physics, slope of a distance-time graph gives speed. In economics, slope of a cost line gives marginal cost. In geometry, slope determines whether lines are parallel (same slope) or perpendicular (slopes multiply to −1).
Once you see slope as "rise over run", you've unlocked the language of change.
Slope Calculation is one of the very first ideas introduced in the NCERT Class 11 Mathematics chapter on Straight Lines, and it's what students mean when they search "slope of a line formula class 11 maths" or "coordinate geometry important questions". Being fluent with rise-over-run also pays off directly in JEE Main and CET questions on lines, parallelism, and perpendicularity.
Concept: Slope Calculation — the equation of a line is built from a known point and the slope using the point-slope form.
Step 1: Recall the point-slope form:
y−y1=m(x−x1), where (x1,y1) is the given point and m is the slope.
Step 2: Substitute x1=−4, y1=3, and m=21:
y−3=21(x−(−4))=21(x+4).
Step 3: Simplify to slope-intercept form:
y−3=21x+2
y=21x+5.
The equation of the line is y=21x+5.
The equation of a line is found using the point-slope form: y−y1=m(x−x1). Substituting (−4,3) and m=21 gives y=21x+5.
The core idea here is simple: if you know one point a line passes through and its slope, you can write the entire equation. The slope tells you the line's steepness and direction; the point anchors it in the plane. The point-slope form is just a direct translation of that geometric fact into algebra.
Why point-slope works: Slope is defined as the ratio of vertical change to horizontal change between any two points on a line. If you fix one point (x1,y1) and let (x,y) be any other point on the line, then the slope m must equal x−x1y−y1. Multiply both sides by (x−x1) and you get the point-slope equation.
Let's apply this step by step.
-
Identify the given information.
The point is (−4,3), so x1=−4 and y1=3. The slope is m=21.
-
Write the point-slope form.
The general formula is:
y−y1=m(x−x1)
Substitute the values:
y−3=21(x−(−4))
- Simplify inside the parentheses. x−(−4)=x+4, so:
y−3=21(x+4)
- Distribute the slope. Multiply 21 by each term inside:
y−3=21x+2
- Solve for y to get slope-intercept form. Add 3 to both sides:
y=21x+5
You can quickly check your answer: plug x=−4 into y=21x+5. You get y=21(−4)+5=−2+5=3, which matches the given point. Always verify — it catches sign errors.
A common mistake is forgetting to change the sign when substituting x1=−4 into x−x1. Since x1 is negative, x−(−4) becomes x+4, not x−4. Double-check the sign.
The equation of the line is y=21x+5.
Showing the 12 most recent of 26 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.Let L1≡x+2y+1=0,L2≡2x+y−3=0,L3≡ax+by+1=0,a,b∈Z represent the sides of an isosceles triangle. If L1=0 is the base and (5,1) is a point on L3=0, then a−b= (A) 13 (B) -9 (C) 12 (D) -7
›Reveal solutionSolution
Isosceles-with-base-L1 forces L3 to make the same angle with L1 as L2 does; that plus "(5,1) on L3" pins down a=2,b=−11, giving a−b=13.
Concept and Intuition
In an isosceles triangle the two base angles (between the base and each of the equal sides) are equal. So if L1 is the base and L2,L3 are the two slant sides, L1 must be equally inclined to L2 and to L3 — this is the key geometric fact that lets us find the slope of L3 without knowing the triangle's vertices.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Slopes: L1:x+2y+1=0⇒m1=−21. L2:2x+y−3=0⇒m2=−2.
- Angle between L1,L2: tanθ=1+m1m2m1−m2=1+1−21+2=23/2=43.
- Let m3 be the slope of L3. Require 1+m1m3m1−m3=43, i.e. 1−21m3−21−m3=±43.
- The "+" sign reproduces m3=−2=m2 (the trivial/parallel case, not a genuine third side). The "−" sign: 4(−21−m3)=−3(1−21m3)⇒−2−4m3=−3+1.5m3⇒1=5.5m3⇒m3=112.
- L3:ax+by+1=0 has slope −a/b=112, so b=−211a.
- L3 passes through (5,1): 5a+b+1=0⇒b=−5a−1.
- Equate: −211a=−5a−1⇒−11a=−10a−2⇒−a=−2⇒a=2, then b=−5(2)−1=−11.
- Check: both integers as required, and 2x−11y+1=0 indeed passes through (5,1): 10−11+1=0. ✓
- a−b=2−(−11)=13.
Common Mistakes
- Keeping the trivial solution m3=m2 (parallel lines can't form a triangle) instead of discarding it.
- Sign slip solving the "−" branch of the tangent-angle equation.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 13.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.If the sum of the slopes of the lines given by x2−2cxy−7y2=0 is four times their product, then the value of 'c' is (A) 2 (B) -2 (C) 1 (D) -1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using the standard slope-sum and slope-product formulas for a homogeneous pair of lines through the origin, the given condition reduces to a single linear equation in c, giving c=2.
Concept and Intuition
A homogeneous second-degree equation ax2+2hxy+by2=0 always represents a pair of straight lines through the origin. Dividing by x2 and setting m=y/x gives bm2+2hm+a=0, whose roots m1,m2 are the slopes of the two lines. By Vieta's formulas, m1+m2=−2h/b and m1m2=a/b — this lets us translate a condition on slopes directly into a condition on the coefficients.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: x2−2cxy−7y2=0. Here a=1, 2h=−2c⇒h=−c, b=−7.
- Sum of slopes: m1+m2=−b2h=−−72(−c)=−72c.
- Product of slopes: m1m2=ba=−71=−71.
- Given condition: sum =4×product: −72c=4(−71)=−74.
- So −2c=−4⇒c=2.
Common Mistakes
- Sign slip when reading off 2h from the xy-coefficient of −2cxy (it's easy to drop the minus sign twice and cancel it away incorrectly).
- Confusing the roles of a and b in the Vieta's formulas for y/x vs x/y.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 2.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.If the slope of one of the lines is twice the slope of the other in the pair of straight lines 6x2+2hxy+y2=0 then ∣h∣= (A) 2−33 (B) 332 (C) 233 (D) 235
›Reveal solutionSolution
Pair-of-lines slope-sum/product relations with the constraint "one slope is twice the other" gives ∣h∣=233.
Concept and Intuition
A homogeneous equation ax2+2hxy+by2=0 represents two lines through the origin with slopes m1,m2 satisfying m1+m2=−b2h and m1m2=ba (dividing through by x2 and solving the resulting quadratic in m=y/x). Given a ratio between the slopes, both relations combine to pin down h.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Equation: 6x2+2hxy+y2=0, so a=6,b=1. Dividing by x2: y/x=m satisfies m2+2hm+6=0, giving m1+m2=−2h and m1m2=6.
- Let m2=2m1. Then m1+2m1=3m1=−2h, and m1(2m1)=2m12=6⇒m12=3⇒m1=±3.
- From 3m1=−2h: h=−23m1, so h2=49m12=49⋅3=427.
- ∣h∣=27/4=233.
Common Mistakes
- Using m1+m2=−2h/1 vs −h/1 — the coefficient of xy here is written as 2h (not h), so care is needed to keep the factor of 2 correct in the sum-of-roots formula.
- Forgetting the question asks for ∣h∣ (magnitude), not a signed value — both +233 and −233 are mathematically valid for h, but ∣h∣ is unambiguous.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 233.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-21-AN1 markMCQQ.The angle between the tangents drawn from the point (1,4) to the parabola y2=4x is (A) 6π (B) 4π (C) 3π (D) 2π
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests the tangent-pair formula for a parabola from an external point; the angle comes out to π/3.
Concept and Intuition
Any tangent to y2=4ax has the form y=mx+ma for some slope m. From an external point, exactly two values of m satisfy the condition that the line passes through that point — these give the two tangent slopes, and the angle between them is found from the standard formula for the angle between two lines.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Here 4a=4⇒a=1, so a tangent is y=mx+m1.
- This tangent passes through (1,4): 4=m(1)+m1⇒4m=m2+1⇒m2−4m+1=0.
- So m1+m2=4 and m1m2=1.
- Angle between the two tangent lines: tanθ=1+m1m2m1−m2.
- (m1−m2)2=(m1+m2)2−4m1m2=16−4=12⇒∣m1−m2∣=23.
- 1+m1m2=1+1=2.
- tanθ=223=3⇒θ=3π.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting that m1m2=1 (a special feature here) massively simplifies the denominator; students often needlessly expand the full quadratic in θ.
- Mixing up a in y2=4ax — here 4a=4 so a=1, not a=4.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — 3π.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.The equation of the base of an equilateral triangle is x+y=2 and its opposite vertex is (2,1). If m1,m2 are the slopes of the other two sides and the length of its side is a, then ∣m1−m2∣+a2= (A) 83 (B) 38 (C) 432 (D) 832
›Reveal solutionSolution
Use the perpendicular height to get the side length a, and the fixed 60∘ base angles to get the two slopes; combine. Answer: 8/3.
Concept and Intuition
In an equilateral triangle, the altitude from any vertex to the opposite side relates to the side length by h=23a, and each base angle is exactly 60∘. So the two "other sides" are simply the two lines through the apex making a 60∘ angle with the base line.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Height from (2,1) to x+y−2=0: h=12+12∣2+1−2∣=21.
- Since h=23a: a=32h=232=32=32.
- So a2=32⋅2=34=32.
- Base line slope m=−1. The two other sides pass through (2,1) making 60∘ with this base, so their slopes m′ satisfy tan60∘=1+(−1)m′m′−(−1)=1−m′m′+1=3.
- Case (+): m′+1=3(1−m′)⇒m′(1+3)=3−1⇒m′=3+13−1=2−3 (after rationalizing).
- Case (−): m′+1=−3(1−m′)⇒m′(1−3)=−(3+1)⇒m′=3−13+1=2+3.
- ∣m1−m2∣=∣(2−3)−(2+3)∣=23.
- Total: 23+32=363+23=383=38 (these are the same number, just written differently).
Common Mistakes
- Using h=23a backwards (solving for h instead of a).
- Forgetting to rationalize 2−3 vs 2+3 correctly when computing the slope difference — the sign inside the absolute value must be tracked carefully.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (B) — 38.
ANSWER: B
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.The triangle formed by the lines 2x2+xy−6y2=0 and x+y−1=0 is (A) equilateral (B) isosceles (C) right angled (D) scalene
›Reveal solutionSolution
Factor the homogeneous pair of lines, find all three vertices with the transversal line, then compare the three side lengths. Answer: scalene.
Concept and Intuition
2x2+xy−6y2=0 is a homogeneous second-degree equation representing a pair of straight lines through the origin. Factoring it, along with the given line x+y−1=0, gives three lines whose pairwise intersections are the triangle's vertices — from there, side lengths settle the triangle's type.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Factor: 2x2+xy−6y2=(2x−3y)(x+2y) — check: (2x−3y)(x+2y)=2x2+4xy−3xy−6y2=2x2+xy−6y2. ✓. So the two lines are L1:2x−3y=0 and L2:x+2y=0; the third line is L3:x+y−1=0.
- Vertex O (intersection of L1,L2): both pass through the origin, so O=(0,0).
- Vertex P (intersection of L1,L3): from 2x=3y, x=23y; substitute into x+y=1: 23y+y=1⇒25y=1⇒y=52, x=53. So P=(3/5,2/5).
- Vertex Q (intersection of L2,L3): x=−2y; substitute into x+y=1: −2y+y=1⇒y=−1, x=2. So Q=(2,−1).
- Side lengths squared: OP2=(3/5)2+(2/5)2=9/25+4/25=13/25; OQ2=22+12=5; PQ2=(2−3/5)2+(−1−2/5)2=(7/5)2+(−7/5)2=98/25.
- All three squared lengths (13/25, 5=125/25, 98/25) are distinct, so no two sides are equal — not isosceles, not equilateral.
- Check right angle: is any pair's sum equal to the third? 13/25+98/25=111/25=125/25; 13/25+125/25=138/25=98/25; 98/25+125/25=223/25=13/25. None match, so no right angle either.
- Hence the triangle is scalene.
Common Mistakes
- Assuming any "pair of lines + transversal" triangle must be isosceles or right-angled by pattern — always verify with actual side lengths.
- Sign/arithmetic slips when solving the two linear systems for the vertices.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (D) — scalene.
ANSWER: D
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-AN1 markMCQQ.If α is the angle made by the perpendicular drawn from origin to the line 12x−5y+13=0 with the positive X-axis in anti-clockwise direction, then α= (A) Tan−1125 (B) 2π−Tan−1125 (C) π−Tan−1125 (D) π+Tan−1125
›Reveal solutionSolution
Convert the line to normal form xcosα+ysinα=p (p≥0) to read off α directly; the negative-cosine, positive-sine signs place α in Q2. Answer: π−Tan−1125.
Concept and Intuition
The perpendicular dropped from the origin onto a line makes some angle α with the positive x-axis; α and the perpendicular distance p together define the line's normal form xcosα+ysinα=p, always written with p≥0. Reading cosα,sinα off this form tells us both the magnitude and the quadrant of α — we can't just take Tan−1 of the raw slope ratio, because that only returns a principal value in (−π/2,π/2).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Line: 12x−5y+13=0⇒12x−5y=−13.
- Since 122+52=13, dividing by 13 gives RHS =−1 (negative) — not the required normal form. Divide by −13 instead so RHS becomes +1:
−1312x+135y=1
- So cosα=−1312, sinα=135, p=1.
- cosα<0, sinα>0⇒α is in the second quadrant (90∘<α<180∘).
- The reference (acute) angle θ=Tan−1(12/135/13)=Tan−1125.
- In Q2, α=π−θ=π−Tan−1125.
- Check: cos(π−θ)=−cosθ=−1312 ✓, sin(π−θ)=sinθ=135 ✓.
Common Mistakes
- Dividing by +13 and getting a negative p, which breaks the sign convention needed to read the quadrant correctly.
- Taking Tan−1(−5/12) directly, which gives a negative principal angle rather than the correct Q2 angle.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — π−Tan−1125.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If one of the lines given by the pair of lines 3x2−2y2+axy=0 is making an angle 60° with x-axis then a= (A) 3 (B) 31 (C) 3 (D) 31
›Reveal solutionSolution
Converting the homogeneous pair-of-lines equation into a quadratic in slope m and plugging in m=tan60° gives a=3.
Concept and Intuition
A homogeneous second-degree equation px2+qxy+ry2=0 represents a pair of straight lines through the origin. Dividing by x2 and writing m=y/x turns it into a quadratic in m, whose two roots are the slopes of the two lines. Knowing one line's slope lets us solve for the unknown coefficient.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: 3x2−2y2+axy=0, i.e. 3x2+axy−2y2=0.
- Divide by x2 (with m=y/x): 3+am−2m2=0, i.e. 2m2−am−3=0.
- One line makes 60° with the x-axis, so m=tan60°=3 is a root.
- Substitute: 2(3)2−a3−3=0⇒2(3)−a3−3=0⇒6−3=a3⇒3=a3.
- Solve: a=33=3.
Common Mistakes
- Sign slip converting −2y2 into the quadratic in m (dividing by −2 vs keeping the −2m2 term as is).
- Rationalizing 3/3 incorrectly instead of getting 3.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 3.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2024Set eng-2024-05-22-AN1 markMCQQ.A line L passing through the point P(−5,−4) cuts the lines x−y−5=0 and x+3y+2=0 respectively at Q and R such that PQ18+PR15=2, then slope of the line L is (A) ±1 (B) ±31 (C) ±3 (D) ±32
›Reveal solutionSolution
Using a directional parametrization of the line through P, the given condition reduces to cosθ=21, giving slope ±3.
Concept and Intuition
Parametrize points on line L through P(−5,−4) as (x,y)=(−5+tcosθ, −4+tsinθ), where t is the signed distance from P and θ is the inclination. Substituting into each cutting line's equation gives the parameter value t at the intersection point directly.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Intersection with x−y−5=0: (−5+tcosθ)−(−4+tsinθ)−5=0⇒t(cosθ−sinθ)=6⇒tQ=cosθ−sinθ6, so PQ=∣tQ∣.
- Intersection with x+3y+2=0: (−5+tcosθ)+3(−4+tsinθ)+2=0⇒t(cosθ+3sinθ)=15⇒tR=cosθ+3sinθ15, so PR=∣tR∣.
- Then PQ18=3∣cosθ−sinθ∣ and PR15=∣cosθ+3sinθ∣.
- Taking the branch where both are positive: 3(cosθ−sinθ)+(cosθ+3sinθ)=2⇒4cosθ=2⇒cosθ=21.
- So θ=±60°, and slope =tanθ=±3.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting that PQ,PR are unsigned distances, requiring care with signs when clearing the t parameter.
- Algebra slip when combining the two linear-in-t equations.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (C) — ±3.
ANSWER: C
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.Let P = (-1,0), Q = (0,0) and R = (3, 3\sqrt{3}) be three points. Then the equation of the bisector of the ∠PQR is (A) 3x+y=0 (B) x+23y=0 (C) 2−3x+y=0 (D) x+3y=0
›Reveal solutionSolution
The angle bisector at vertex Q runs along the sum of the unit vectors toward P and R; this gives slope −3 through the origin, i.e. 3x+y=0.
Concept and Intuition
Just as with the earlier vector-bisector question, the bisector of the angle at a vertex of a triangle (or here, angle PQR) points along the sum of the unit vectors from that vertex toward the two other points defining the angle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- P=(−1,0), Q=(0,0), R=(3,33).
- QP=P−Q=(−1,0), magnitude 1, so unit vector is (−1,0) itself.
- QR=R−Q=(3,33), magnitude 9+27=36=6, unit vector =(63,633)=(21,23).
- Bisector direction =(−1,0)+(21,23)=(−21,23).
- Slope of bisector =−1/23/2=−3.
- Since the bisector passes through Q=(0,0): y=−3x⇒3x+y=0.
Common Mistakes
- Using the raw (non-unit) vectors QP and QR to add directly for the bisector direction — this only gives the correct bisector when the two vectors have equal length, which they don't here (1 vs 6).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 3x+y=0.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.If the angle between the curves y=e2(1+x)−4 and x2y=1 at the point (1,1) is θ, then ∣sinθ∣+∣cosθ∣= (A) 7/5 (B) 3/5 (C) 8/7 (D) 6/5
›Reveal solutionSolution
Find the tangent slopes of both curves at (1,1), use the angle-between-two-lines formula, and convert the resulting tanθ=4/3 into ∣sinθ∣+∣cosθ∣.
Concept and Intuition
The angle between two curves at a common point is defined as the angle between their tangent lines there. Once we have both slopes, this reduces to a standard angle-between-lines calculation, followed by translating tanθ into sinθ,cosθ via a right triangle.
Step-by-Step Solution
- First curve: y=e2(1+x)−4=e2x−2. At x=1: y=e0=1 ✓ point (1,1). dxdy=2e2x−2, at x=1: m1=2.
- Second curve: x2y=1⇒y=1/x2. dxdy=−2/x3, at x=1: m2=−2.
- tanθ=1+m1m2m1−m2=1+2(−2)2−(−2)=−34=34.
- From a 3-4-5 right triangle, sinθ=4/5, cosθ=3/5 (taking the acute angle).
- ∣sinθ∣+∣cosθ∣=4/5+3/5=7/5.
Common Mistakes
- Forgetting to verify (1,1) actually lies on both curves before computing slopes there.
- Sign slips in the angle-between-lines formula (the absolute value protects against picking the wrong one of the two supplementary angles, since ∣sin∣+∣cos∣ is the same either way).
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — 7/5.
ANSWER: A
- AP EAPCET 2023Set eng-2023-05-15-FN1 markMCQQ.The equal sides of an isosceles triangle are given by equations 7x−y+3=0 and x+y−3=0. If the slope m of the third side is an integer, then m = (A) −3 (B) 3 (C) 4 (D) −1
›Reveal solutionSolution
The base of an isosceles triangle makes equal angles with both equal sides; equating the two tangent expressions and solving gives m=31 or m=−3 — the integer one is −3.
Concept and Intuition
Base angles of an isosceles triangle are equal. The base angle at a vertex is the angle between that equal side and the base (third side). So if the equal sides have slopes m1=7, m2=−1, and the base has slope m, the acute angle between (line1, base) must equal the acute angle between (line2, base). This is captured by setting the absolute tangent-of-angle-between-lines formula equal for both pairs.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Slopes of equal sides: from 7x−y+3=0, m1=7; from x+y−3=0, m2=−1.
- Equal-angle condition: 1+m1mm1−m=1+m2mm2−m, i.e. 1+7m7−m=1−m−1−m.
- One sign case gives 8m2+8=0 (no real root) — rejected.
- The other sign case: (7−m)(1−m)=(1+m)(1+7m). LHS =7−8m+m2; RHS =1+8m+7m2.
- 7−8m+m2=1+8m+7m2⇒6−16m−6m2=0⇒3m2+8m−3=0.
- Solve: m=6−8±64+36=6−8±10, giving m=31 or m=−3.
- Since m must be an integer, m=−3.
Common Mistakes
- Trying only one of the two sign cases and missing the valid quadratic (the other sign case gives a spurious no-real-solution equation, but it's easy to stop there).
- Forgetting the "integer" constraint and reporting the non-integer root 31 instead.
✓Final answerThe correct option is (A) — −3.
ANSWER: A
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