If the lines x+y=a and x-y=b touch the curve y=x2-3x+2 at the points where the curve intersects the x-axis, then ab is equal to
Step 1: Calculate the x-intersects of the given curve
The equation of the curve, C1: y=x2-3x+2.
For the x-intersects, y=0.
⇒ 0=x2-3x+2⇒ x2-2x-x+2=0⇒xx-2-1x-2=0⇒ x-2x-1=0⇒ x=1, 2
Therefore, the x-intersects of the curve are 1,0 and 2,0.
Step 2: Calculate the values of a and b
The equations of the lines are,
L1:x+y=a
L2:x-y=b
The line L1 intersects the curve C1 at point 1,0.
1+0=a⇒a=1
The line L2 intersects the curve C1 at point 2,0.
2-0=b⇒b=2
Thus, ab=12.
Hence, the value of ab is equal to 12.