11 Chapter 1 | Fundamentals of Mathematics

Chapter
Quadratic Equations
2
LECTURE-2 EQUATIONS REDUCIBLE
TO QUADRATIC EQUATION

A. IRRATIONAL OR SURD EQUATIONS WE shall now discuss some problems which give
DEFINITION : If the root of a quantity cannot be rise to quadratic equations.
exactly obtained the root is called a surd.
3 5
Thus √2, √5, √a3, √a2 + b2 are surds. Example 2.4
A surd is sometimes called an irrational quantity; A train travels 300 kilometres at a uniform speed; if
and quantities which are not surds are, for the the speed had been 5 kilometres per hour more, the
sake of distinction, termed rational quantities. journey would have taken two hours less: find the
speed of the train.
Sometimes equations are proposed in which the Solution : Suppose the train travels at the speed of x
unknown quantity appears under the radical sign. 300
For a fuller discussion of surd equations the kilometres per hour, then the time occupied is x
student may consult the Elementary Algebra. hours.
300
Here we shall only consider a few simple cases, On the other supposition the time is x+5 hours;
which can generally be solved by the following 300 300
 = x − 2;
method. Bring to one side of the equation a single x+5
radical term by itself: on squaring both sides this Hence x2 + 5 – 750 = 0, or (x + 30) (x – 25) = 0,
radical will disappear. By repeating this process  x = 25 or – 30.
any remaining radicals can in turn be removed. Hence the train travels 25 kilometres per hour, the
negative value being inadmissible.
Example 2.1
Example 2.5
Solve 2√x − √4x − 11 = 1.
A man buys a number of articles for Rs. 10, and sells all
Solution : Transposing, 2√x − 1 = √4x − 11
but two for Rs. 10.80 at 10 paise a piece more than
Square both sides; then
they cost; how many did he buy?
4x – 4√x + 1 = 4x – 11,
Solution : Let x be the number of articles bought; then
4√x = 12, 1000
the cost price of each is x paise, and the sale price is
√x = 3; 1080
 x = 9. x−2
paise.
1080 1000
 x−2
− x
= 10;
Example 2.2 108 100
That is, x−2 − x = 1.
3
Solve 2 + √x − 5 = 13. After simplification, 8x + 20 = x2 – 2x,
3
Solution : Transposing, √x − 5 = 11. or x2 – 10x – 200 = 0;
Here we must cube both sides; thus x – 5 = 1331; that is, (x – 20) (x + 10) = 0;
whence x = 1336.  x = 20, or –10.
Thus the number required is 20.
Example 2.3
6√x−11 2√x+1 Example 2.6
Solve 3√x
= 1
√x+6
A cistern can be filled by two pipes in 33 minutes; if
Solution : Multiplying across, we have 3
(6√x − 11)(√x + 6) = 3√x(2√x + 1); the larger pipe takes 15 minutes less than the smaller
to fill the cistern, find in what time it will be filled by
that is, 6x − 11√x + 36√x − 66 = 6x + 3√x,
each pipe singly.
−11√x + 36√x − 3√x = 66, Solution : Suppose that the two pipes running singly
22√x = 66, would fill the cistern in x and x – 15 minutes; then they
√x = 3; 1 1
will fill x and x−15 of the cistern respectively in one
 x = 9.
minute, and therefore when running together they will
1 1
PROBLEMS LEADING TO QUADRATIC EQUATIONS fill + of the cistern in one minute.
x x−15

By : Prashant Jain Sir

 Chapter 1 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 12
1 3
But they fill 1 or 100 of the cistern in one minute. Note
33
3
1 1 3 1. By a simple reduction many equations can be
Hence + x−15 = 100
x brought to the form in which the above
100(2x – 15) = 3x(x – 15), equation is given. When this is the case, the
3x2 – 245x + 1500 = 0, necessary simplification is readily completed
(x – 75) (3x – 20) = 0; by "multiplying up" or "multiplying across'', as
2
 x = 75, or 6 3. it is sometimes called.
Thus the smaller pipe takes 75 minutes, the larger 60
2
minutes. The other solution 6 is inadmissible. Example 2.9
3
8x+23 5x+2 2x+3
Solve 20 − 3x+4 = 5 − 1.
Sometimes it will be found convenient to use more Solution : Multiply by 20, and we have
20(5x+2)
than one unknown. 8x + 23 – 3x+4 = 8x + 12 – 20.
20(5x+2)
By transposition, 31 = .
3x+4
Example 2.7 Multiplying across, 93x + 124 = 20(5x + 2).
Nine times the side of one square exceeds the 84 = 7x;
perimeter of a second square by one metre, and six  x = 12.
times the area of the second square exceeds twenty- When two or more fractions have the same denominator,
nine limes the area of the first by one square metre; they should be taken together and simplified.
find the length of a side of each square.
Solution : Let x metres and y metres represent the Example 2.10
sides of the two squares; 1 1
then the perimeter of the second square is 4y metres; 13−2x 23x+8 16− x
Solve x+3 + 4x+53 = x+34 = 4.
thus
9x – 4y = l. Solution : By transposition, we have
1 1
23x+8 16− x−13+2x
The areas of the two squares are x2 and y2 square 3
−4 = 4
4x+5 x+3
metres; thus 7x−
35
3+
7x
6y2 – 29x2 =1.  3
= x+3 . 4
9x−1 4x+5
From the first equation, y = 4 . Multiplying across, we have ·
35x 35x
By substitution in the second equation, 7x 2 − 3 + 21x − 35 = 12x + 7x 2 + 15 + 4
3(9x−1)2 137x
− 29x 2 = 1; − = 50;
8 12
that is, 11x2 – 54x – 5 = 0,  x = − 137 .
600
or (x – 5) (11x + 1) = 0;
Whence x = 5, the negative value being inadmissible.
9x−1 Example 2.11
Also, y = 4 = 11.
x−8 x−4 x−5 (x−7)
Thus, the lengths are 5 metres and 11 metres. Solve x−10 + x−6 = x−7 + x−9 .
Solution : This equation might be solved by clearing of
fractions, but the work would be very laborious. The
HARDER EQUATIONS solution will be much simplified by proceeding as
In this topic we propose to give a miscellaneous follows:
collection of equations. Some of these will serve as a x−8 x−5 x−7 (x−4)
Transposing, x−10 − x−7 = x−9 − x−6 .
useful exercise for revision of the methods already
explained in previous topics; but we also add others Simplifying each side separately, we have
(x−8)(x−7)−(x−5)(x−10) (x−7)(x−6)−(x−4)(x−9)
presenting more difficulty, the solution of which will (x−10)(x−7)
= (x−9)(x−6)
;
often be facilitated by some special artifice. x2 −15x+56−(x2 −15x+50) x2 −13x+42−(x2 −13x+36)
The following examples worked in full will sufficiently  (x−10)(x−7)
= (x−9)(x−6)
illustrate the most useful methods. 6 6
 (x−l0)(x−7)
= (x−9)(x−6).
Hence, since the numerators are equal, the
Example 2.8 denominators must be equal;
6x−3 3x−2 that is, (x – l0)(x – 7) = (x – 9)(x – 6),
Solve = .
2x+7 x+5
x2 – 17x + 70 = x2 – 15x + 54;
Solution : Multiplying up, we have
(6x – 3)(x + 5) = (3x – 2)(2x + 7).  16 = 2x;
6x2 + 27x – 15 = 6x2 + 17x – 14;  x = 8.
 10x = 1; The above equation may also be solved very neatly by
1 the following artifice.
 x= . The equation may be written in the form
10
(x−10)+2 (x−6)+2 (x−7)+2 (x−9)+2
x−10
+ x−6 = x−7 + x−9 ;
whence we have
By : Prashant Jain Sir
13 Chapter 1 | Fundamentals of Mathematics
2 2 2 2 3
1 + 𝑥−10 + 1 + 𝑥−6 = 1 + 𝑥−7 + 1 + 𝑥−9; Solution : Transposing √𝑥 − 5 = 11.
1 1 1 1 Here we must cube both sides; thus x – 5 = 1331;
which gives x−10 + x−6 = x−7 + x−9.
1 1 1 1
whence x = 1336.
Transposing, x−10 − x−7 = x−9 − x−6;
3 3
 (x−10)(x−7)
= (x−9)(x−6). Example 2.15
and the solution may be completed as before. Solve √𝑥 + 5 + √3𝑥 + 4 = √12𝑥 + 1.
Solution : Squaring both sides,
Example 2.12 x + 5 + 3x + 4 + 2√(𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 + 4) = 12x + 1.
5x−64 2x−11 4x−55 x−6 Transposing and dividing by 2,
Solve x−13 − x−6 = x−14 − x−7.
√(𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 + 4) = 4x – 4 …(1).
Solution : We have Squaring
1 1 1 1
5+ − (2 + )=4+ − (1 + ); (x + 5)(3x + 4) =16x2 – 32x + 16,
x−13 x−6 x−14 x−7

1 1
− x−6 = x−14 − x−7.
1 1 or 13x2 – 51x – 4 = 0,
x−13 (x – 4) (13x + 1) =0,
The solution may now be completed as before, and we 1
obtain x = 10.  x = 4, or – 13.
If we proceed to verify the solution by substituting
these values in the original equation, it will be found
1
EQUATIONS INVOLVING SURDS that it is satisfied by x = 4, but not by x = − 13. But this
Sometimes equations are proposed in which the latter value will be found on trial to satisfy the given
unknown quantity appears under the radical sign. equation if we alter the sign of the second radical, thus
Such equations are very varied in character and often √𝑥 + 5 − √3𝑥 + 4 = √12𝑥 + 1.
require special artifices for their solution. Here, we On squaring this and reducing, we obtain
shall only consider a few of the simpler cases, which
−√(𝑥 + 5)(3𝑥 + 4) = 4𝑥 − 4 ... (2)
can generally be solved by the following method. Bring
to one side of the equation a single radical term by and a comparison of (1) and (2) shows that in the next
stage of the work the same quadratic equation is
itself. On squaring both sides this radical will 1
disappear. By repeating this process any remaining obtained each case, the roots of which are 4 and − 13,
radicals can in turn be removed. as already found.

Example 2.13
From this it appears that when the solution of an
Solve 2√𝑥 − √4𝑥 − 11 = 1. equation requires that both sides should be squared,
Solution : Transposing 2√𝑥 − 1 = √4𝑥 − 11. we cannot be certain without trial which of the values
Squaring both sides then found for the unknown quantity will satisfy the
4x – 4√𝑥 + 1 = 4x – 11, original equation.
4√𝑥 = 12, √𝑥 = 3; In order that all the values found by the solution of the
 x = 9. equation may be applicable it will be necessary to take
into account both signs of the radicals in the given
Example 2.14 equation.
3
Solve 2 + √𝑥 − 5 = 13.

WORKED-OUT PROBLEMS - 2
3 2
1. Solve the equations : √5 − 2x = 7. A reaches Q in 3 7 hours, and B reaches P in 4 3
3
hours after they meet: find the speed of each train.
2. Solve the equations : √x − 7 = 2.
8. Solve the equations :
3. Solve the equations : 2√5x − 3 − 7√x = 0. x 9−x x+1 8−x
(1) x−2 + 7−x = x−1 + 6−x
m n n m
(2) + y = a, x + = b.
4. Solve the equations : 3√1 − 7x + 4x 2 = 5 − 6x. x y

5.
3
Solve the equations : 1 + √x 3 − 3x 2 + 7x − 11 = x. 9. Solve the equations:
6
(1) √x + 16 − √x = ;
1 √x
2√x−
6. Solve the equations :
2√x−3
= 2
3
. (2) √𝑥 2 + 11𝑥 + 20 − √𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 1 = 3;
√x−1 √x+3
(3)√{4x 2 + 20x + 17 + √16x 2 + 11x + 10}
7. Two trains A and B start simultaneously from two +2(x + 2) = 0.
stations P and Q which are 260 kilometres apart.
10. Solve the equations:
By : Prashant Jain Sir
 Chapter 1 | Fundamentals of Mathematics 14
a+√x a+√x b+√x 4𝑥 − 17 10𝑥 − 13 8𝑥 − 30 5𝑥 − 4
(1) (b−√x)(c−√x) + (b−√x)(c−√x) + (c−√x)(a−√x) + = + .
𝑥−4 2𝑥 − 3 2𝑥 − 7 𝑥−1
c+√x
+ (a−√x)(b−√x) = 0.
3 3 3
14. Solve the following :
(2) √1 + 𝑥 + √1 − 𝑥 = √2. √𝑥 − 4 + 3 = √𝑥 + 11.
11. Solve the following : 15. Solve the following :
𝑥−7 𝑥−9 𝑥 − 13 𝑥 − 15
− = − . √25𝑥 − 29 − √4𝑥 − 11 = 3√𝑥.
𝑥 − 9 𝑥 − 11 𝑥 − 15 𝑥 − 17

12. Solve the following : 16. Solve the following :

𝑥+3 𝑥+6 𝑥+2 𝑥+5 √8𝑥 + 17 − √2𝑥 = √2𝑥 + 9.
− = − .
𝑥+6 𝑥+9 𝑥+5 𝑥+8
17. Solve the following :
13. Solve the following : √𝑎 − 𝑥 + √𝑏 − 𝑥 = √𝑎 + √𝑏.

Answer Key
WORKED-OUT PROBLEMS - 2

1. –22 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
7. I =60 km/hr and II =80 km/hr. 8. 9. 10. 11. 13
1
12. –7 13. 2 2 14. 5 15. 9 16. 8 17. 0, a – b.

By : Prashant Jain Sir