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CHAPTER 4
QUADRATIC EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS
4.1 Quadratic Expression
A quadratic expression is an expression of the form ax2 + bx + c where a, b and c are
constants, a 0 and x is an unknown.

Factorisation of Quadratic Expressions using the cross method.

Example :
Factorise each of the following :
1 x2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3)
x

2x

3x

x2

+6

5x

Exercise
(i) x2 + 7 x + 10

(ii) x2 + 6 x + 8

2 x2 7x + 12 = (x 3)(x 4)
x

3x

4x

x2

+12

(i) x2 5x + 6

7x
(ii) y2 8y + 15

Quadratic Expressions and Equations

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Solution of Quadratic Equations

First, write the quadratic equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 , a 0.
Then factorise and write in the form of
(x + a)(x + b) = 0
Thus
x + a = 0 or x + b = 0
And
x = - a,
x = - b.

Questions based on the examination format

1. Solve (f 1)(f 2) 6 = 0
2.
3.

Solve the equation

2n 2 3
1
5n

Solve the following equation

3m = 2(m-3) + 11.
9. Solve equation

4. Solve the equation y 2 3 7( y 1)

2m 2 3m
2
m6

6. Solve the equation k

2k 2 3
.
7

1. November 2003
Solve the equation 3x2 = 2(x 1) + 7.
2. July 2004
3 2 p
p 2.
4
2

3. November 2004
Solve the equation

2m 2 5m
2.
m 1

4. July 2005
2
Solve the quadratic equation 2m 1

7
m.
2

5. November 2005

Quadratic Expressions and Equations

2 n2 6
1
11n

10. Solve the equation

x2 - 3x + 2 = 2(x - 1)

Past Year SPM Questions

Solve the quadratic equation

h2 3
.
h

8 . Solve the equation 5 h

5. Solve the equation

1
3 5 p .
2

2
7. Solve the equations p

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Solve the quadratic equation

2k 2 5
3k .
3

6. July 2006
Solve the quadratic equation 2 x 2 3 x 15 2 x.
7. November 2006
Solve the quadratic equation

3 x ( x 1)
x6
2

8. June 2007
Using factorization, solve the following quadratic equation 5 x 2 8 x 6 5 x
9. Nov 2007
Using factorization, solve the following quadratic equation 4 x 2 15 17 x
10. June 2008
Solve the quadratic equation x(2 x 1) 2 x 2
11 Nov 2008
Solve the quadratic equation x 1

Quadratic Expressions and Equations

6 3x
2x

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ANSWERS
Questions based on examination format
1

f = -1, 4

6
3
,4
2
9
10
3
n=
,4
2
SPM Past Year Questions
5

1
5
9

m=

5
, 1
3
1
k ,5
2

3
x , 5
4

10

Quadratic Expressions and Equations

n=

1
,3
2

1
, -3
2
x = 1, 4
k=

4
,2
3

5
,3
2

p
x

11

2
x , 1
3

5
, -1
3
1
P=
, -3
2
m=

1
,2
2
4
x ,3
3

3
x , 2
2

4
8

4
8

y = 5, 2
h=

1
,3
2

1
, 2
4

2
x , 3
5