I'm sorry but what you are asked to prove is simply not true. Here is why: Take the equation x² - 6x + 8 = 0 Solving it by factoring the left side: (x - 2)(x - 4) = 0 x - 2 = 0; x - 4 = 0 x = 2; x = 4 So one root is 2 and the other root is 4 Since 4 is the square of 2, the equation x² - 6x + 8 = 0 fulfills the requirements that one of the roots is the square of the other. So if we compare it to: x² - px + q = 0 We see that p=6 and q=8. So if what you are asked to prove were true, then this pq-q(3p+1)-q² = 0 would have to be true when we substitute p=6 and q=8 Substituting: 6·8-8(3·6+1)-8² = 0 48-8(18+1)-64 = 0 48-8(19)-64 = 0 48-152-64 = 0 -168 = 0 But as you see, this is not true at all. So the problem is botched. If you can correct it in the thank-you note, we will help you. Edwin