What is the sum of all distinct roots of ?

Answer and explanation

Correct answer: A.

  1. Step 1: Factor the first quadratic: , so or . Step 2. Factor the second quadratic: , so or . Step 3. The distinct roots are . Step 4. Their sum is . **Answer: . Why not the others:** counts the repeated root twice; is the sum of only two roots; is a product, not a sum.

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