Find $\frac{1}{a-1}+\frac{1}{b-1},$ where $a$ and $b$ are the roots of the quadratic equation $2x^2-7x+2 = 0.$
+288 Let me try this again :)
When the roots are subtracted by 1, we have to plug in x + 1. This gives us:
2(x + 1)^2 - 7(x + 1) + 2 = 0
2x^2 + 4x + 2 - 7x - 5 = 0
2x^2 - 3x - 3 = 0
Taking the reciprocal of the roots, we would have to "flip" the coefficients of the polynomial this gives us:
-3x^2 - 3x + 2 = 0
Using vieta's, the sum of the roots of this polynomial equals -1.
