Quadratic Equation

A quadratic equation ( 二次方程 ) is an equation of the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0
in which a, b and c are constants and a  0.

Methods of solving quadratic equations :

1. Factorization
For a quadratic equation which can be factorized as
( mx + n )( px + q ) = 0,
n q
the roots are m and p .

2. Completing the square

The quadratic equation is first put in the form
( x + m )2 = k.
Taking the square roots of both sides gives the roots –m + k and –m – k .

3. By the Quadratic Equation Formula

The roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 ( a  0 ) are
 b  b 2  4ac
x= 2a .
Proof :
Given the quadratic equation
ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a  0.
To reduce the coefficient of x2 to unity, divide the equation throughout by a:
b c
x2 + a x + a = 0
b c
x2 + a x = –a
2 2 2
1 b b 1 b c 1 b
       
2 a    
Add to both sides : x + x+ 2 a
2 a =–a + 2 a
2
 b b2 c
x   
 2a  4a 2
a
=
2
 b b 2  4ac
x  
 2a  2
= 4a

b b 2  4ac

Take the square root of each side : x + 2a = 2a

b b 2  4ac

x = 2a 2a

 b  b 2  4ac
Thus, x= 2a