Math Class Notes

Topic: Quadratic Equations

1. Introduction to Quadratic Equations
Definition: A quadratic equation is a second-degree polynomial equation in a single
variable
𝑥
x with the form:
𝑎
𝑥
2
+
𝑏
𝑥
+
𝑐
=
0
ax
2
+bx+c=0

where
𝑎
a,
𝑏
b, and
𝑐
c are constants, and
𝑎
≠
0
a

=0.
2. Standard Form and Vertex Form
Standard Form:
𝑎
𝑥
2
+
𝑏
𝑥
+
𝑐
=
0
ax
2
+bx+c=0
Vertex Form:
𝑎
(
𝑥
−
ℎ
)
2
+
𝑘
=
0
a(x−h)
2
+k=0
(
ℎ
,
𝑘
)
(h,k) is the vertex of the parabola.
Useful for finding the maximum or minimum value of the quadratic function.
3. Solving Quadratic Equations
Factoring:

Find two numbers that multiply to

𝑎
𝑐
ac and add to
𝑏
b.
Example:
𝑥
2
+
5
𝑥
+
6
=
(
𝑥
+
2
)
(
𝑥
+
3
)
=
0
x
2
+5x+6=(x+2)(x+3)=0
Solutions:
𝑥
=
−
2
x=−2,
𝑥
=
−
3
x=−3
Quadratic Formula:

𝑥
=
−
𝑏
±
𝑏
2
−
4
𝑎
𝑐
2
𝑎
x=
2a
−b±
b
2
−4ac

Derivation from completing the square.

Useful for all types of quadratic equations.
Discriminant:
Δ
=
𝑏
2
−
4
𝑎
𝑐
Δ=b
2
−4ac
Δ
>
0
Δ>0: Two real and distinct solutions.
Δ
=
0
Δ=0: One real and repeated solution.
Δ
<
0
Δ<0: Two complex solutions.
Completing the Square:

Rewrite the equation in the form

(
𝑥
−
𝑝
)
2
=
𝑞
(x−p)
2
=q.
Example:
𝑥
2
+
6
𝑥
+
9
=
0
x
2
+6x+9=0 becomes
(
𝑥
+
3
)
2
=
0
(x+3)
2
=0
Solution:
𝑥
=
−
3
x=−3
4. Graphing Quadratic Equations
Parabola: The graph of a quadratic equation is a parabola.

Vertex: The highest or lowest point.

Axis of Symmetry: Vertical line through the vertex,
𝑥
=
−
𝑏
2
𝑎
x=−
2a
b

.
Direction: Opens upwards if
𝑎
>
0
a>0, downwards if
𝑎
<
0
a<0.
Key Points:
Vertex:
(
ℎ
,
𝑘
)
(h,k) or
(
−
𝑏
2
𝑎
,
𝑓
(
−
𝑏
2
𝑎
)
)
(−
2a
b

,f(−
2a
b

))
Y-intercept:
𝑐
c
X-intercepts: Solutions to
𝑎
𝑥
2
+
𝑏
𝑥
+
𝑐
=
0
ax
2
+bx+c=0
5. Applications of Quadratic Equations
Projectile Motion:

Describes the path of an object under the influence of gravity.

Equation:
ℎ
(
𝑡
)
=
−
1
2
𝑔
𝑡
2
+
𝑣
0
𝑡
+
ℎ
0
h(t)=−
2
1

gt
2
+v
0

t+h
0

𝑔
g = acceleration due to gravity
𝑣
0
v
0

= initial velocity
ℎ
0
h
0

= initial height
Optimization Problems:

Finding maximum or minimum values.

Example: Maximizing the area of a rectangle with a given perimeter.
6. Example Problems
Solve by Factoring:

𝑥
2
−
7
𝑥
+
10
=
0
x
2
−7x+10=0
Factors:
(
𝑥
−
2
)
(
𝑥
−
5
)
=
0
(x−2)(x−5)=0
Solutions:
𝑥
=
2
x=2,
𝑥
=
5
x=5
Solve using the Quadratic Formula:

2
𝑥
2
+
3
𝑥
−
2
=
0
2x
2
+3x−2=0
𝑎
=
2
a=2,
𝑏
=
3
b=3,
𝑐
=
−
2
c=−2
Discriminant:
Δ
=
3
2
−
4
⋅
2
⋅
(
−
2
)
=
9
+
16
=
25
Δ=3
2
−4⋅2⋅(−2)=9+16=25
Solutions:
𝑥
=
−
3
±
25
4
=
−
3
±
5
4
x=
4
−3±
25

=
4
−3±5

𝑥
=
2
4
=
1
2
x=
4
2

=
2
1

𝑥
=
−
8
4
=
−
2
x=
4
−8

=−2
Graphing:

𝑦
=
𝑥
2
−
4
𝑥
+
3
y=x
2
−4x+3
Vertex:
(
2
,
−
1
)
(2,−1)
Axis of Symmetry:
𝑥
=
2
x=2
Y-intercept:
(
0
,
3
)
(0,3)
X-intercepts:
𝑥
=
1
x=1,
𝑥
=
3
x=3
7. Review Questions
What is the standard form of a quadratic equation?
How do you determine the number of real solutions using the discriminant?
What is the vertex form of a quadratic equation, and what information does it
provide?
Solve
𝑥
2
+
6
𝑥
+
8
=
0
x
2
+6x+8=0 by factoring.
Use the quadratic formula to solve
3
𝑥
2
−
2
𝑥
−
5
=
0
3x
2
−2x−5=0.