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Week 3 - 1
Week 3 - 1
Week 3 - 1
mc-TY-quadeqns-1
This unit is about the solution of quadratic equations. These take the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. We
will look at four methods: solution by factorisation, solution by completing the square, solution
using a formula, and solution using graphs
In order to master the techniques explained here it is vital that you undertake plenty of practice
exercises so that they become second nature.
After reading this text, and/or viewing the video tutorial on this topic, you should be able to:
Contents
1. Introduction 2
2. Solving quadratic equations by factorisation 2
3. Solving quadratic equations by completing the square 5
4. Solving quadratic equations using a formula 6
5. Solving quadratic equations by using graphs 7
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a can be any number excluding zero. b and c can be any numbers including zero. If b or c is zero
then these terms will not appear.
Key Point
A quadratic equation takes the form
ax2 + bx + c = 0
In this unit we will look at how to solve quadratic equations using four methods:
• solution by factorisation
4 × −1 = −4 4 + −1 = 3
so the two numbers are 4 and −1. We use these two numbers to write 3x as 4x − x and then
factorise as follows:
2x2 + 3x − 2 = 0
2x2 + 4x − x − 2 = 0
2x(x + 2) − (x + 2) = 0
(x + 2)(2x − 1) = 0
from which
x+2=0 or 2x − 1 = 0
so that
1
x = −2 or x=
2
These are the two solutions.
Example
Suppose we wish to solve 4x2 + 9 = 12x.
First of all we write this in the standard form:
4x2 − 12x + 9 = 0
We should look to see if there is a common factor - but there is not. To factorise we seek two
numbers which multiply to give 36 (the coefficient of x2 multiplied by the constant term) and
add to give −12. Now, by inspection,
−6 × −6 = 36 − 6 + −6 = −12
so the two numbers are −6 and −6. We use these two numbers to write −12x as −6x − 6x and
proceed to factorise as follows:
4x2 − 12x + 9 = 0
4x2 − 6x − 6x + 9 = 0
2x(2x − 3) − 3(2x − 3) = 0
(2x − 3)(2x − 3) = 0
from which
2x − 3 = 0 or 2x − 3 = 0
so that
3 3
x= or x=
2 2
These are the two solutions, but we have obtained the same answer twice. So we can have
quadratic equations for which the solution is repeated.
Key Point
Formula for solving ax2 + bx + c = 0:
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a
a>0
a<0
x x x
x x
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 x
-2
Figure 4. Graph of y = x2 − 3x − 2
8
6
-2 -1 1 2 3 4 5 x
Answers
Exercise 1
3
a) 1, 2 b) 2, −2 c) 5, −1 d) 0, 5 e) −4, −15 f) −2, 2
g) 2, − 32 h) 2, 3
4
Exercise 2 √
√ 5± 21 √
a) 1, −3 b) 3 ± 14 c) d) −4 ± 12
2
Exercise 3 √ √ √
5+ 33 −12 ± 120 3± 17
a) 1, 2b) 2, 43 c) d) e) f) No real roots
√ 2 6 4
g) −2 ± 14 h) 45 repeated.
Exercise 4
a) 4.6, 0.4 b) 5.4, −0.4 c) 5.2, −0.2 d) 6.7, 0.3
Chapter 1
Quadratic Equations
1.1 Equation:
An equation is a statement of equality „=‟ between two expression for particular
values of the variable. For example
5x + 6 = 2, x is the variable (unknown)
The equations can be divided into the following two kinds:
Conditional Equation:
It is an equation in which two algebraic expressions are equal for particular
value/s of the variable e.g.,
a) 2x = 3 is true only for x = 3/2
b) x2 + x – 6 = 0 is true only for x = 2, -3
Note: for simplicity a conditional equation is called an equation.
Identity:
It is an equation which holds good for all value of the variable e.g;
a) (a + b) x ax + bx is an identity and its two sides are equal for all values of x.
b) (x + 3) (x + 4) x2 + 7x + 12 is also an identity which is true for all values of x.
For convenience, the symbol „=‟ shall be used both for equation and identity.
1.2 Degree of an Equation:
The degree of an equation is the highest sum of powers of the variables in one of the
term of the equation. For example
2x + 5 = 0 1st degree equation in single variable
3x + 7y = 8 1st degree equation in two variables
2
2x – 7x + 8 = 0 2nd degree equation in single variable
2xy – 7x + 3y = 2 2nd degree equation in two variables
x – 2x + 7x + 4 = 0 3rd degree equation in single variable
3 2
i) Solution by Factorization:
Method:
Step I: Write the equation in standard form.
Step II: Factorize the quadratic equation on the left hand side if possible.
Step III: The left hand side will be the product of two linear factors. Then
equate each of the linear factor to zero and solve for values of x. These values
of x give the solution of the equation.
Example 1:
Solve the equation 3x2 + 5x = 2
Solution:
3x2 + 5x = 2
Write in standard form 3x2 + 5x – 2 = 0