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  1. If a2 + b2 = a, then the value of a12 + a6 + 1 is ?
    1. 2
    2. 3
    3. -3
    4. 1
Correct Option: B

a2 + 1 = a ⇒ a + 1/a = 1
On squaring both sides, we get
a2 + 1/a2 + 2 = 1
⇒ a2 + 1/a2 = -1
On cubing both sides, we get
(a2 + 1/a2)3 = (-1)3
⇒ a6 + 1/a6 + 3a2 x 1/a2(a2 + 1/a2) = -1
⇒ a6 + 1/a6 + 3 x (-1) = -1
Now, a6 + 1/a6 + 1 = 3
As, a12 + a6 + 1 can also be written as a6 + 1/a6 + 1
∴ a12 + a6 + 1 = 3



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