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Pure Mathematics 1.1: Quadratics
You should be able to learn:
1.1.1 Completing the square and use a completed square form
1.1.2 Find and use the discriminant of a quadratic polynomial
1.1.3 Solve quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, in one unknown
1.1.4 Solve simultaneous equations of which one is linear and one is quadratic
1.1.5 Recognise and solve equations in ! which are quadratic in some function of !

1.1.1 Completing the square and use a completed square form

Types of Completing the Square
When " = 1 When " ≠ 1
General Form: %(!) = ! ! + )! + * General Form: %(!) = "! ! + )! + *
Completed Square Form: %(!) = (! + +)! + , Completed Square Form: %(!) = "(! + +)! + ,

Techniques: Techniques:
" ! "
1. Divide b by 2 and put into bracket -! + !. 1. Factorize " and you get " -! ! + !. + *
&
!
" ! " ! " "
2. Add − -!. to -! + !. 2. Divide & by 2 and put into bracket -! + !&.
! !
" ! "
3. Add − - . to -! +
"
.
3. Simplify − - . + * using calculator !& !&
!
" ! " !
4. Multiply " into the bracket 4-! + !& . − -!&. 5
# $ #!
Outcome: 0(1) = -1 + $. − +2
% ""
5. Simplify − + * using calculator
'&

# $ #!
Outcome: 0(1) = 6 -1 + . − +2
$( %(

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Exercise – Completing the Square
1. %(!) = ! ! + 4! + 2 2. %(!) = 2 + ! − ! !

3. %(!) = 1 + ! − 3! ! 4. %(!) = 6! ! − 29! − 5

5. %(!) = −! ! + 5! + 9 6. %(!) = 3 + 13! + 12! !

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Sketching Graph and Finding Range/Equation of Axis of Symmetry
%(!) = "(! + +)! + ,, the values of ", + "?@ , will determine the position and shape of graph.
a) Value of " will determine if the shape of graph and if graph is narrower or broader.
6 > B, graph is minimum (happy face) and 6 < B, graph is maximum (sad face)
%(!) = ! ! %(!) = −! !

6 > D, graph is narrower and 6 < D, graph is broader

%(!) = 2! ! 1
%(!) = ! !
3

b) Value of p will determine if the graph is shifted left or right

***Equation of axis of symmetry: 1 = −E
E > B, graph is shifted to left and E < B, graph is shifted to right
%(!) = (! + 2)! %(!) = (! − 2)!

c) Value of q will determine if the graph is shifted up or down

F > B, graph is shifted up and F < B, graph is shifted down
%(!) = ! ! + 2 %(!) = ! ! − 2

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Find maximum or minimum points and Equation of Axis of Symmetry
1. %(!) = (! − 3)! + 5 2. %(!) = −(! + 3)! − 7

3. %(!) = −2(! + 1)! + 4 4. %(!) = −2(! − 1)! + 3

5. %(!) = 2! ! + 3! 6. %(!) = 5! ! + 9! − 2

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Sketching Quadratic Function Graph (Using Completing the Square Method)
%(!) = ! ! − 4! + 3
Shape of the graph:

Step 1: Completing the Square to find Maximum/Minimum point

Step 2: Find the y-intercept

Step 3: Find the x-intercept (if necessary)

Step 4: Plot graph

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Sketching Quadratic Function Graph (Using the intersection Points Method)
%(!) = (! + 2)(6 − !)
Shape of graph:

Step 1: Find the x-intercept

Step 2: Determine the Maximum/Minimum point

Step 3: Find y-intercept

Step 4: Plot graph

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1. Plot the graph for the equation below
%(!) = 7 + 2! − 5! !

2. Plot the graph for the equation below

%(!) = 4! ! + ! − 1

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1.1.2 Find and use the discriminant of a quadratic polynomial
Discriminant: H$ − I62, where it determines the nature of the roots
) ! − 4"* > 0

) ! − 4"* = 0

) ! − 4"* < 0

) ! − 4"* ≥ 0

Example:
Find the range of values of k if the graph %(!) = ! ! − L! + L + 8 intersects the x-axis at two points.

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1. The roots of ! ! + +! + (+ − 1) = 0 are equal. Find p.

2. Find the range of values of m if the graph of the quadratic function N(!) = ! ! + O! + 16 does not
meet the x-axis.

3. Prove that the roots of the equation L! ! + (2L + 4)! + 8 = 0 are real for all values of L.

4. Show that the equation ! ! + 2(+ − 1)! + + = 0 always has real roots.

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1.1.3 Solve quadratic equations, quadratic inequalities, in one unknown
Skills to solve quadratic equations
1. Factorisation
2. Completing the Square
3. Formula to find roots

1. Solve the following equations using Formula to find roots

a. 4! ! + 3! = 5 b. 1 = 5! − 5! !

c. 8! − ! ! = 1 c. 5! ! + 9! + 2 = 0

2. Find the range of values of x if 7! + 4 ≤ 5! ! − 2

3. Solve the inequality 2(! − 3)! < 8

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4. Solve the inequality 3! ! − ! < 2

5. Given that %(!) = 5! ! − 4! − 1, find the range of values of x so that %(!) is positive.

6. Given that %(!) = ! ! + 4! − 1 and N(!) = 6! + 2, find the range of values of x if %(!) > N(!).

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1.1.4 Solve simultaneous equations of which one is linear and one is quadratic
***We use the linear equation express one unknown in terms of the other and substitute this in the quadratic
equation.

Example:
Solve the equation
!−Q =2
2! ! − 3Q ! = 15

Solve the following pairs of equations

!! + Q! = 5
Q−! =1

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! ! + 4Q ! = 2
2Q + ! + 2 = 0

! ! − !Q = 14
Q =3−!

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1.1.5 Recognise and solve equations in ! which quadratic in some function of !

An equation that is quadratic in a function of x can be reduced to a quadratic equation in x by replacing the
function of x by y.

Example
! ' + ! ! − 12 = 0

Solve the equations below

1.
)
−
)+
+ 36 = 0 2. (4! ! − 5)(! ! − 2) = 10
*" *

3. 8! ' − 4! ! = 0 , )
4. 9 = * " − * #

5. 2! + 5√! − 12 = 0 6. (! ! − 1)! − 5(! ! − 1) + 4 = 0

1st Edition: Mr Zi Yao

Producer: Mr Austin Lau & Jack
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