Mathematics Reviewer

Chapter 1: Quadratic Equations

Quadratic Equations in One Variable
- A second-degree equation in one variable is an equation that can be
expressed in the form.
Can be expressed as:
ax^2+bx+c=0
Where a,b, and c are real numbers, and a c 0. This form of the quadratic equation
is said to be in standard form since all the nonzero terms are on the left side of
the equation and the powers of the variables are in a descending order.

There are two classifications of quadratic equations in two variables according

to the value of b in the standard form.
a.) If b ≠ 0, the equation is a complete quadratic equation.
Ex.
x^2 + 6x + 9 = 0
x^2 + 10x + 25 =0
b.) If b = 0, the equation is a pure of incomplete quadratic equation.
Ex.
x^2 + 9 = 0
x^ + 25 = 0

There are four ways to solve quadratic equations:

1. By extracting square roots
2. By factoring
3. By completing the square
4. By the quadratic formula

1.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by extracting square roots

Note: The incomplete quadratic equation x^2 - 9 = 0. Can be expressed as x^2 = 9
by applying Addition Property of Equality. By substitution, two values of x
satisfy this equation. These are 3 and -3. To check, if x^2 - 9 = 0 and x = 3, then

If x = 3
(3)^2 - 9 = 0
9-9=0
0 = 0 TRUE
If x = -3
(-3)^2 - 9 = 0
9-9=0
0=0 TRUE

As a general rule, to solve equations of the form x^2 = n, use the Square Root
Property.

1.2 Square Root Property

If x^2 = n, and n>0, then x=√n or x=-√n. Note that x=±√n is a shorthand way of
writing x=√n or x=-√n.

Example 1:
Solve the equation x^2-81=0

x^2 - 81 = 0
Using the APE, add 81 to both sides
x^2 = 81
Apply the square root property
x = ±√81
Simplify the square root
x=±9

Checking:

If x = 9
(9)^2 - 81 = 0
81 - 81 = 0
0 = 0 TRUE

If x = -9
(-9)^2 - 81 = 0
81 - 81 = 0
0 = 0 TRUE

- Therefore, the solutions are 9 and -9.

Example 2:
Solve the equation 6x^2 - 24 = 0

6x^2 - 24 = 0
Using the APE, add 24 to both sides
6x^2 = 24
Using the DPE, divide 6 to both sides
x^2=4
Apply the square root property
x = ±√4
Simplify the square root
x=±2
Checking:

If x = 2
6(2)^2 - 24 = 0
6(4) - 24 = 0
0 = 0 TRUE

If x = -2
6(-2)^2 - 24 = 0
6(4) - 24 = 0
0 = 0 TRUE

- Therefore, the solutions are 2 and -2.

2.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by factoring

Recall that the test for factorability of a trinomial of the form ax^2 + bx + c states
that if the discriminant D = b^2 - 4ac is a perfect square, then the trinomial is
factorable.

2.2 Zero Factor Property

The product AB = 0, if A = 0 or B = 0 or both A and B are equal to zero.

Example 1:
Solve the equation 5x^2 - 13x - 6 = 0

5x^2 - 13x - 6 = 0
Factor the left side
(5x+2)(x-3) = 0
Apply the Zero Factor Property
5x+2 = 0 or x-3 = 0

Solving the linear equations:

5x + 2 = 0
Using the APE, subtract 2 to both sides
5x = -2
Using the DPE, divide 5 to both sides
x = -2/5

x-3=0
Using the APE, subtract 3 to both sides
x=3

- Therefore, the solutions are -⅖ and 3

Example 2:
Solve the equation x^2 - 10x + 25 = 0

x^2 - 10x + 25 = 0
Factor the left side
(x-5)^2 = 0
Apply the Zero Factor Property
x - 5 = 0 and x -5 = 0

Solve the linear equations:

x-5=0
Using the APE, add 5 to both sides
x=5

x-5=0
Using the APE, add 5 to both sides
x=5

- Therefore, the solutions are 5 and 5.

3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by completing the square

This method is used when the problem arises when it cannot be factored. The
main task in using this method is to produce a perfect square trinomial (PST)
on the left side of the equation. Then, use the Square Root Property to solve the
equation.

3.2 Steps in Solving Quadratic Equations by completing the square

1. Write the equation in the form x^2 + bx = c
2. Add to each side of the equation [½(b)]^2
3. Factor the perfect-square trinomial
x^2 + bx + [½(b)]^2 = c + [½(b)]^2
4. Take the square root of both sides of the equation
5. Solve for x
Example 1:
Solve the equation 2^r = 3 - 5r

First, rewrite the with the constant on one side of the equals and a lead
coefficient of 1.
2r^2 + 5r = 3 —-------- r^2 + (5/2) = (3/2)
Add [½(b)]^2 to both sides: b = 5/2 [½(5/2)]^2 = (5/4)^2 = 25/16
r^2 + 5/2 + 25/16 = 3/2 + 25/16
r^2 + 5/2 + 25/16 = 24/16 + 25/16
(r + 5/4)^2 = 49/16
√(r + 5/4)^2 = √49/16
r+5/4 = ±(7/4)

r = -5/4 + 7/4
= 2/4 or ½
r = -5/4-7/4
= -12/4
= -3

- Therefore, the solutions are ½ and -3.

Example 2:
Solve the equation 3p - 5 = (p-1)(p-2)
Simplify the right side of the equation using the FOIL method
3p - 5 = p^2 - 3p + 2
0 = p^2 - 6p + 7
-7 = p^2 - 6p
Add [½(b)]^2 to both sides: b = -6 [½(-6)]^2 = (-3)^2 = 9
2 = p^2 - 6p + 9
(p-3)^2 = 2
√(p-3)^2 = √2
p - 3 = ±√2
p = 3 ± √2

- The solutions are 3 + √2 and 3 - √2.

4.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by the quadratic formula

4.2 The Quadratic Formula

In the quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0 where a ≠ 0,
x = -b ± √b^2-4ac/ 2(a)
Example 1:
Solve the equation x^2 + 7x + 6 = 0
a = 1, b = 7, c = 6

x= -7 ± √7^2 - 4 (1)(6) / 2(1)

= -7 ± √49-24 / 2
= -7 ± √25 / 2
= -7 ± 5 / 2

X1 = -7 + 5 / 2
= -1
X2 = -7 - 5 / 2
= -6

- Therefore, the solutions are -1 and -6.

Example 2:
Solve the equation 2m^2 + m - 10 = 0
a = 2, b = 1, c = -10

X = -1 ± √1^2 - 4(2)(-10) / 2 (2)

= -1 ± √1 + 80 / 4
= -1 ± √81 / 4
= -1 ± 9 / 4

X1 = -1 + 9 / 4
=2
X2 = -1 - 9 / 4
= -5/2
Chapter 2: Quadratic Functions
ax^2 + bx + c, where a, b, and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0. The highest power of
the independent variable x is 2. A degree of 2.

General form:
f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c
y = ax^2 + bx + c
Standard form/vertex form:
f(x) = a(x-h)^2+k

Sample problem 1:
y = x^2 + 10x + 25 (general form)
To vertex form:
y = a(x-h)^2+k
1. Bracket the first 2 terms
y = (x^2+10x)+23
2. Add a value to make a Perfect Square Trinomial
y =(x^2 +10x+25-25)+23
3. Group the Perfect Square Trinomial
y = (x^2+10x+25) -25+23
4. Factor the trinomial and simplify
y = (x+5)^2 - 2

a = 1; h = -5; k = -2
(-5,-2)

Sample problem 2:
y = 2x^2 - 12x -11 (general form)
To vertex form:
y = a(x-h)^2+k
1. Bracket the first 2 terms
y = (2x^2-12x)-11
= 2(x^2-6x)-11
2. Add a value to make a Perfect Square Trinomial
y =2(x^2 -6x+9-9)-11
3. Group the Perfect Square Trinomial
y = (x^2-6x+9) -18-11

4. Factor the trinomial and simplify

y = (x-3)^2 - 29

a = 2; h = 3; k = -29
(3,-29)
Solving Problems involving Quadratic Functions

How to find the vertex directly?

(h,k)
ax^2 + bx + c
h = -b/2a
k =4ac-b^2/4a

Extreme Values of Quadratic Functions

- Superlative degree (could be the minimum or the maximum value)

When graphed, the maximum or minimum value of the function can be found
through the vertex of the parabola.

If a>0, parabola OPENS UPWARD. There is a minimum value (positive numbers).

If a<0, parabola OPENS DOWNWARD. There is a maximum value (negative
value).

Take note:
k = extreme point
(x,y) or (h,k) = x/h is the abscissa (dependent variable), y/k is the ordinate
(independent variable)
(h,k)
h = the value needed to get the maximum/minimum value
k = maximum/minimum value
Sample Problem 1:
The sum of two numbers is 48. Find the maximum product of the two numbers.
Let:
n = the 1st number
48 - n = the 2nd number
f(n) = the product of the two numbers

f(n) = n(48-n)
f(n) = 48n-n^2
f(n) = -n^2+48

Remember that k is the maximum/minimum value.

k = 4ac - b^2/4(a)
k = f(h)

We have to find the maximum value first.

f(n) = -n^2+48
a = -1; b = 48; c = 0
k = 4(-1)(0)-(48)^2/4(-1) = -2304/-4 = 576

n(48-n) = 576
48n-n^2 = 576
n^2 - 48n + 576 = 0
(n-24)(n-24) = 0
n-24 = 0
n = 24

If n=24, then the 48-n=24. Therefore, the 2 numbers whose sum is 48 and whose
product is the maximum are, 24 and 24.

Find the vertex of the parabola having equation f(x) = 2x^2 + 4x + 5 using the
vertex formula.

Solution
a = 2; b = 4; c = 5

h = -b/2a = -4/2(2) = -1

The vertex is (-1,f(-1)). Since f(-1) = 2(-1)^2 + 4(-1) + 5 = 3, the vertex is (-1,3)