1.3.

1 Solve Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Summary

• A quadratic equation in one variable x is an equation that can be written in the standard form

ax2 + bx + c = 0, a 6= 0

where a, b, and c are real numbers.

- Examples: 2x2 + 5x − 24 = 0, x2 − x − 6 = 0, x2 − 36 = 0, etc.

• The main idea behind the factoring method for solving a quadratic equation is to factor and apply the zero
product property. The zero product property states that if the product of two expressions A(x)and B(x) is
zero, then one or both of them are zero, that is,

If A(x) · B(x) = 0, then either A(x) = 0 or B(x) = 0

• Steps for Solving a Quadratic Equation by Factoring

1. Write the equation in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.
2. Factor the equation completely.
3. Apply the zero product property. That is, set each factor equal to zero and solve the resulting equations.

• The Square Root Property

For any positive real number k,
√
If x2 = k, than x = ± k

Note: All examples and exercises in this section will be solved only over the set of real numbers.

Example(1)

Solve the quadratic equation by the factoring method: 4x2 + 5x = 6

Solution:

4x2 + 5x = 6

4x2 + 5x − 6 = 0 Write the equation in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.

(x + 2)(4x − 3) = 0 Factor the polynomial.

x+2=0 or 4x − 3 = 0 Apply the zero product property.

(1)

1/11
 x = −2 or 4x = 3 Solve each equation for x.

3
x = −2 or x=
4

 
3
Solution set = −2,
4

3
Check: x = −2 Check: x =
4
4x2 + 5x = 6 4x2 + 5x = 6
 2  
? 3 3 ?
4(−2)2 + 5(−2) = 6 4 +5 =6
4 4
 
? 9 15 ?
4(4) − 10 = 6 4 + =6
16 4
? 9 15 ?
16 − 10 = 6 + =6
4 2
24 ?
6=6X =6
4
6=6X

Example(2)

Solve the quadratic equation by the factoring method: x2 − 3x − 18 = 0

Solution:

x2 − 3x − 18 = 0 The equation is already in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.

(x + 3)(x − 6) = 0 Factor the polynomial.

x+3=0 or x−6=0 Apply the zero product property.

x = −3 or x=6 Solve each equation for x.

Solution set = {−3, 6}

Check: x = −3 Check: x = 6
2
x − 3x = 18 x2 − 3x = 18
? ?
(−3)2 − 3(−3) = 18 (6)2 − 3(6) = 18
? ?
9 − 3(−3) = 18 36 − 3(6) = 18
? ?
9 + 9 = 18 36 − 18 = 18
18 = 18 X 18 = 18 X

2/11
Example(3)

Solve the quadratic equation by the factoring method: 7x2 − x = 0

Solution:
7x2 − x = 0 The equation is already in the standard form
ax2 + bx + c = 0 (Note that c = 0).

x (7x − 1) = 0 Factor the polynomial.

x=0 or 7x − 1 = 0 Apply the zero product rule.

x=0 or 7x = 1 Solve each equation for x.

1
x=0 or x=
7

 
1
Solution set = 0,
7

Example(4)

Use the square root property to solve the quadratic equation: x2 − 16 = 0

Solution:
x2 − 16 = 0

x2 = 16 The equation is in the form x2 = k.

√
x = ± 16 Apply the square root property.

x = ±4

Solution set = {−4, 4}

Example(5)

Use the square root property to solve the quadratic equation: (2x − 5)2 − 9 = 0

Solution:

3/11
 (2x − 5)2 − 9 = 0

(2x − 5)2 = 9 Rewrite the equation in the form x2 = k.

√
2x − 5 = ± 9 Apply the square root property.

2x − 5 = ±3 Simplify the radical.

2x = 5 ± 3 Add 5 to both sides.

5±3
x= Divide both sides by 2.
2

5−3 5+3
x= or x =
2 2

x = 1 or x = 4

Solution set = {1, 4}

Example(6)

Use the square root property to solve the following quadratic equations.
2
a. x2 + 1 = 0 b. (x − 7) = −4

Solution:

a. x2 + 1 = 0

⇒ x2 = −1

Since x2 always is always greater than or equal to zero, the given equation has no real solution.

2
b. (x − 7) = −4

This equation has no real solutions because the right side is negative and the left side is always positive or zero.

4/11
Exercises (1.3.1)

1. Solve each of the following quadratic equations by factoring.

a. x2 + x = 0 b. 3x2 − 7x = 0 c. 5x2 − 6x = 0

d. x2 = 5x e. 7x2 = −49x f. x(x + 3) = 5x

2. Solve each of the following quadratic equations by factoring.

a. x2 + 3x + 2 = 0 b. x2 − 10x + 25 = 0 c. x2 − x − 6 = 0

d. 6x2 + 7x − 3 = 0 e. x2 − 9x + 20 = 0 f. x2 − 5x − 6 = 0

g. x(x − 2) = 15 h. x(2x − 3) = 9 i. 5x2 − x − 6 = 0

j. 3x2 + 10x = −8 k. 4x2 − 5x − 6 = 0 l. 7x2 − 2 = 5x

3. Solve, if possible, each of the following quadratic equations using the square root property.

a. 3x2 = 27 b. (2x − 5)2 = 4 c. (3x − 4)2 = 1

d. (2x − 7)2 + 1 = 0 e. (5x − 3)2 = −9 f. (7x + 2)2 − 25 = 0

g. x2 + 10x + 25 = 16 h. 2(x − 5)2 − 7 = 0 i. (4x + 1)2 − 32 = 0

5/11
 1.3.2 Use Quadratic Formula to Solve Quadratic Equations

Summary

• A quadratic equation in the standard form

ax2 + bx + c = 0, a 6= 0

where a, b and c are real numbers can be solved using the quadratic formula shown below:
p
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a

• The discriminant ∆ = b2 − 4ac determines the number of solutions of the quadratic equation.
– If b2 − 4ac > 0: the quadratic equation has two real distinct solutions (roots).
2
– If b − 4ac < 0: the quadratic equation has no real solutions (roots).
2
– If b − 4ac = 0: the quadratic equation has one double real solution (root).

• The Sum S and product P of the roots (solutions) of the quadratic equation are given by
p p
−b + b2 − 4ac −b − b2 − 4ac b
S= + =−
2a 2a a
p ! p !
−b + b2 − 4ac −b − b2 − 4ac b2 − (b2 − 4ac) c
P= = 2
=
2a 2a 4a a

Note: All examples and exercises in this section will be solved only over the set of real numbers.

Example(1)

Solve the quadratic equation 3x2 − 10x + 8 = 0 using the quadratic formula.

Solution:

The quadratic equation 3x2 − 10x + 8 = 0 is in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.

So, we have a = 3, b = −10, c = 8.

Now, evaluate the discriminant ∆ = b2 − 4ac

∆ = (−10)2 − 4(3)(8) = 100 − 96 = 4

∆ =4 > 0; Hence, the equation has two real distinct solutions (roots).

Substituting the values of a, b and c in the quadratic formula, we get

√
−(−10) ± 4
x=
2(3)

6/11
 10 ± 2
x=
6

10 + 2 10 − 2
x= or x =
6 6

4
x = 2 or x =
3
 
4
Solution set = 2,
3

4
Check: x = 2 Check: x =
3
3x2 − 10x + 8 = 0 2
3x − 10x + 8 = 0
 2  
? 4 4 ?
3(2)2 − 10(2) + 8 = 0 3 − 10 +8=0
3 3
 
? 16 40 ?
3(4) − 20 + 8 = 0 3 − +8=0
9 3
? 16 40 ?
12 − 20 + 8 = 0 − +8=0
3 3
?
0=0X −8 + 8 = 0
0=0X

Example(2)

Solve the quadratic equation 2x2 − 5x = 2 using the quadratic formula.

Solution:

First, rewrite the given quadratic equation in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0, that is,

2x2 − 5x − 2 = 0

Here, we have a = 2, b = −5, c = −2.

Now, evaluate the discriminant ∆ = b2 − 4ac

∆ = (−5)2 − 4(2)(−2) = 25 + 16 = 41

∆ =41 > 0; Hence, the equation has two real distinct solutions (roots).

Substituting the values of a, b and c in the quadratic formula, we get

√
−(−5) ± 41
x=
2(2)
√ √
5 + 41 5 − 41
x= or x =
4 4
( √ √ )
5+ 41 5 − 41
Solution set = ,
4 4

7/11
Example(3)

Solve the quadratic equation 4x2 + 4x + 1 = 0 using the quadratic formula.

Solution:

The quadratic equation 4x2 + 4x + 1 = 0 is in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.

So, we have a = 4, b = 4, c = 1.

Now, evaluate the discriminant ∆ = b2 − 4ac

∆ = (4)2 − 4(4)(1) = 16 − 16 = 0

∆=0

Hence, the equation has one double real solution (root).

Now substituting the values of a, b and c in the quadratic formula, we get

−4 4 1
x= =− =−
2(4) 8 2
 
1
Solution set = −
2

Example(4)

Solve the quadratic equation 3x2 + 2x + 7 = 0 using the quadratic formula.

Solution:

The quadratic equation 3x2 + 2x + 7 = 0 is in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.

So, we have a = 3, b = 2, c = 7.

Now, evaluate the discriminant ∆ = b2 − 4ac

∆ = (2)2 − 4(3)(7) = 4 − 84 = −80

∆ = −80 < 0

Hence, the equation has no real solutions (roots).

Example(5)

Find the value(s) of k so that 9x2 + kx + 25 = 0 will have only one real solution.

Solution:

8/11
The quadratic equation 9x2 + kx + 25 = 0 is in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0.

So, we have a = 9, b = k, c = 25.

The quadratic equation will have only one real solution if the discriminant is 0, that is,

∆ = b2 − 4ac = 0

Substituting the values of a, b and c, we get

(k)2 − 4(9)(25) = 0

k 2 − 900 = 0

k 2 = 900

Using the square root property, we obtain

√
k = ± 900

k = ±30

k = 30 or k = −30

Hence, the equation will have only one real solution if k = 30 or k = −30.

Example(6)

Find the value(s) of k so that 2x2 − 4x = −k will have two real solutions.

Solution:

First, rewrite the given quadratic equation in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0, that is,

2x2 − 4x + k = 0

Here, we have a = 2, b = −4, c = k.

The quadratic equation will have two real solutions if the discriminant is greater than 0, that is,

∆ = b2 − 4ac > 0

Substituting the values of a, b and c, we get

(−4)2 − 4(2)(k) > 0

16 − 8k > 0

−8k > −16

−8k −16
< Divide both sides by −8 and reverse the inequality sign.
−8 −8
k<2

Hence, the equation will have two real solutions if k < 2.

9/11
Example(7)

Find the sum and product of the roots of the equation 5x2 + 1 = −7x.

Solution:

First, rewrite the given quadratic equation in the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0, that is,

5x2 + 7x + 1 = 0

Now, we have a = 5, b = 7, c = 1 and hence,

b 7 2
Sum of roots = − = − = −1
a 5 5
c 1
Product of roots = =
a 5

10/11
Exercises (1.3.2)

1. Find the value of the discriminant ∆ = b2 − 4ac, then solve the quadratic equation using the quadratice formula..

a. 5x2 − 3x − 26 = 0 b. x(x + 7) + 4 = 0 c. 4x2 − 12x = −9

d. x2 + 12x + 36 = 0 e. (x − 3)(x − 1) = 15 f. 6x2 − 3 = 7x

g. 13x2 − 17x − 18 = 0 h. (3x − 5)(x + 2) = 14 i. 3x2 + 6x = 7

2. Find the sum and product of the roots of the following quadratic equations.

a. x2 + 3x − 5 = 0 b. 3x2 − 7x = −1 c. 2x2 − 7 = 3x

d. (2x − 5)(3x − 8) = 0 e. (x − 5)(x + 6) = −9 f. (x + 1)(x − 8) = 3

3. In each of the following quadratic equations, determine the value of k so that the equation has a double root.

a. x2 − kx + 9 = 0 b. kx2 + 5x + 1 = 0 c. x2 − 8x + k = 0

d. 2x2 − 5x − k = 0

4. In each of the following quadratic equations, determine the value(s) of k so that the equation has two real roots.

a. x2 − 2x − k = 0 b. kx2 − 6x − 3 = 0 c. 5x2 + 17x = −k

d. kx2 + 7x = 3

5. In each of the following quadratic equations, determine the value(s) of k so that the equation has no real roots.

a. x2 + x + k = 0 b. 3x2 − 4x + k = 0 c. kx2 − 6x + 1 = 0

d. x2 − 3x − (k + 2) = 0

6. In each of the following quadratic equations, one real root is given. Find the value of k and then find the other
root.

a. kx2 − 5x + 7 = 0, x1 = −1 b. x2 + kx − 8 = 0, x1 = 2 c. 3x2 + k = −2x, x1 = −1

11/11