Q29 / 75 · JEE Main 2026 (06 April Shift 1) · Mathematics
Let the set of all values of $k \in \mathbb{R}$ such that the equation $z(\bar{z} + 2 + i) + k(2 + 3i) = 0$, $z \in \mathbb{C}$, has at least one solution, be the interval $[\alpha, \beta]$. Then $9(\alpha + \beta)$ is equal to:
- Correct answerA$-10$
- B$-8$
- C$10\sqrt{13}$
- D$8\sqrt{13}$
Solution
Let $z = x + iy$, then $\bar{z} = x - iy$.
Substituting $z$ into the given equation:
$(x + iy)(x - iy + 2 + i) + k(2 + 3i) = 0$
$x^2 + y^2 + 2x + ix + 2iy - y + 2k + 3ki = 0$
Separating the real and imaginary parts, we get:
Real part: $x^2 + y^2 + 2x - y + 2k = 0$
Imaginary part: $x + 2y + 3k = 0 \Rightarrow x = -2y - 3k$
Substituting $x$ into the real part equation:
$(-2y - 3k)^2 + y^2 + 2(-2y - 3k) - y + 2k = 0$
$4y^2 + 12ky + 9k^2 + y^2 - 4y - 6k - y + 2k = 0$
$5y^2 + (12k - 5)y + 9k^2 - 4k = 0$
For the equation to have at least one solution $z \in \mathbb{C}$, there must be at least one real value of $y$. Thus, the discriminant of this quadratic equation in $y$ must be non-negative ($\Delta \ge 0$):
$\Delta = (12k - 5)^2 - 4(5)(9k^2 - 4k) \ge 0$
$144k^2 - 120k + 25 - 180k^2 + 80k \ge 0$
$-36k^2 - 40k + 25 \ge 0$
$36k^2 + 40k - 25 \le 0$
The values of $k$ lie in the interval $[\alpha, \beta]$, where $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are the roots of the equation $36k^2 + 40k - 25 = 0$.
The sum of the roots is given by:
$\alpha + \beta = -\dfrac{40}{36} = -\dfrac{10}{9}$
Therefore, $9(\alpha + \beta) = 9 \left( -\dfrac{10}{9} \right) = -10$.
Answer: $-10$
Substituting $z$ into the given equation:
$(x + iy)(x - iy + 2 + i) + k(2 + 3i) = 0$
$x^2 + y^2 + 2x + ix + 2iy - y + 2k + 3ki = 0$
Separating the real and imaginary parts, we get:
Real part: $x^2 + y^2 + 2x - y + 2k = 0$
Imaginary part: $x + 2y + 3k = 0 \Rightarrow x = -2y - 3k$
Substituting $x$ into the real part equation:
$(-2y - 3k)^2 + y^2 + 2(-2y - 3k) - y + 2k = 0$
$4y^2 + 12ky + 9k^2 + y^2 - 4y - 6k - y + 2k = 0$
$5y^2 + (12k - 5)y + 9k^2 - 4k = 0$
For the equation to have at least one solution $z \in \mathbb{C}$, there must be at least one real value of $y$. Thus, the discriminant of this quadratic equation in $y$ must be non-negative ($\Delta \ge 0$):
$\Delta = (12k - 5)^2 - 4(5)(9k^2 - 4k) \ge 0$
$144k^2 - 120k + 25 - 180k^2 + 80k \ge 0$
$-36k^2 - 40k + 25 \ge 0$
$36k^2 + 40k - 25 \le 0$
The values of $k$ lie in the interval $[\alpha, \beta]$, where $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are the roots of the equation $36k^2 + 40k - 25 = 0$.
The sum of the roots is given by:
$\alpha + \beta = -\dfrac{40}{36} = -\dfrac{10}{9}$
Therefore, $9(\alpha + \beta) = 9 \left( -\dfrac{10}{9} \right) = -10$.
Answer: $-10$
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'A'.