QUADRATIC EQUATIONS WORKBOOK

BY: BEN MCGAHEE

Method 1: Solving x2 + bx + c = 0 by factoring.

Find factors of the constant term c that add up to the
middle term b. This means that c = pq, where p and q are
factors of c and b = p + q. After you factor the quadratic
expression in the form (x – p)(x – q) = 0, you will set each
equation equal to zero and solve for x.
Guided Practice: Solve x2 – 4x – 45 = 0.
Solution: Find factors of -45 that add up to -4. We know
that -45 = -9*5 and that -9 + 5 = -4. So, the quadratic
expression can be factored as (x – 9)(x + 5).
Therefore, our equation is (x – 9)(x + 5) = 0.
Setting each equation equal to zero, we have
x – 9 = 0 OR x + 5 = 0. Solving for x, we have x = 9 OR
x = -5. Our solution is {9, -5}. 
Method 2: Solving x2 + bx + c = 0 by completing the
square.
Not every quadratic expression is factorable, so we need
another method to solve for x. Completing the square
helps us do that, but it involves many steps to get to the
answer. The goal is to get a perfect square trinomial
(that is a binomial squared) that can be factored and set
equal to a constant in the form (x – a)2 = c Below are the
steps to get the job done.
1. Get the constant c to the other side.
2. Take half of the b-term. b/2
3. Square b/2 and add it to both sides of the equation.
4. Factor the perfect square trinomial.
5. Square root both sides.
6. Solve for x.
Guided Practice: Solve x2 + 6x – 9 = 0.
Solution: Bring 9 to other side to get x 2 + 6x = 9.
Take half of b = 6, which is 3. Square 3, which is 9. Add
9 to both sides to get x2 + 6x + 9 = 9 + 9, which becomes
x2 + 6x + 9 = 18. Now factor x2 + 6x + 9 = (x + 3)2. This
is a perfect square trinomial! Now we have the equation
(x + 3)2 = 18. Square root both sides of the equation to
get x + 3 = sqrt(18) or x + 3 = -sqrt(18). To break down
the radical, we know that 18 = 9*2, so sqrt(18) =
sqrt(9)*sqrt(2) = 3*sqrt(2).
So, x + 3 = 3*sqrt(2) or x + 3 = -3*sqrt(2). Solving for x
in each equation, we have
x = -3 + 3*sqrt(2) or x = -3 – 3*sqrt(2) for our final
answer. 

Completing the square can become long-winded and

tedious at times, so we can employ one more method to
the mix in our guide of solving quadratic equations. It is
known as the quadratic formula! Some math teachers
(including Mr. McGahee) refer to it as the weapon of
math instruction. 
Method 3: Solving quadratic equations by quadratic
formula.
Quadratic Formula is an important equation in algebra
that was derived by our second method on completing the
square. It helps us to solve quadratic equations in an
effective manner. Many people who use quadratic
formula on a daily basis have it programmed into their
computer or calculators and only have to enter three
important numbers to get the answer in seconds!
 b  b 2  4ac
Quadratic Formula: x
2a

All we need to know is the constants a, b, and c in our

quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 and plug them into the
formula and solve for x!
Guided Practice: Solve 2x2 – 7x + 5 = 0 by quadratic
formula.
Solution: Let a = 2, b = -7, and c = 5. Plug each number
into the quadratic formula and simplify to lowest terms.
 (7)  (7) 2  4(2)(5) 7  49  40 7  9 7  3
x   
2(2) 4 4 4

So x = (7 + 3) / 4 OR x = (7 – 3) / 4.
Therefore, x = 10/4 = 5/2 OR x = 4/4 = 1.
Our solution is {5/2, 1}. Note that 5/2 = 2.5 or 2 ½. You
can use a mixed number or decimal form if you like. 
Now there is one more thing you need to know about the
quadratic formula. That is the discriminant. The
discriminant is the expression underneath the square root.
DISCRIMINANT = b2 – 4ac.
This can tell you how many real or complex solutions
exist for any given quadratic equation! Consider the
following three cases below.
1. If the discriminant is positive, then the equation has
two real solutions.
2. If the discriminant is zero, then the equation has one
real solution.
3. If the discriminant is negative, then the equation has
two complex solutions (no real solutions).

Guided Practice: Find the number of real or complex

solutions for the quadratic equation -8x2 + 10x – 2 = 0.
Solution: a = -8, b = 10, and c = -2. So, the discriminant
is b2 – 4ac = (10)2 – 4(-8)(-2) = 100 – 64 = 36 > 0.
Since the discriminant is positive, we know by case 1. that
the equation will have two real solutions.
Now try some problems on your own! 

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS EXERCISES

Solve by factoring.
1. x2 + 12x – 28 = 0.
2. t2 – 14t + 49 = 0.
Solve by completing the square. If the quadratic equation
has no real solution, please state this.
3. y2 – 2y – 1 = 0.
4. z2 + 8z + 25 = 0.

Solve by quadratic formula. Simplify completely.

5. 4x2 – 12x + 9 = 0.
6. -7x2 + 3x + 2 = 0.
Determine how many real or complex solutions exist in
each quadratic equation.
7. 3p2 – 5p + 6 = 0.
8. 9r2 + 18r + 9 = 0.

Challenge A: Find the value(s) of K such that the

quadratic equation has only one real solution.
Kx2 – 2x +3K = 0.

Challenge B: Given the quadratic equation

x2 + bx + c = 0 has roots r1 and r2, what are the values of
the constants b and c in terms of r1 and r2?
 SOLUTIONS
1. {-14, 2}
2. {7}
3. {1 + sqrt(2), 1 – sqrt(2)}
4. No Real Solution
5. {3/2}
6. {(3 – sqrt(65)) / 14, (3 + sqrt(65))/14}
7. Two Complex Solutions
8. One Real Solution
Challenge A: K = sqrt(3)/3 or –sqrt(3)/3
Challenge B: b = -(r1 + r2) and c = r1r2