TOPIC: Solving Quadratic Equations

Content:

24.1 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorisation

24.2 Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Formula
24.3 Completing the Square
 MEP Jamaica: STRAND G UNIT 24 Solving Quadratic Equations: Student Text

24 Solving Quadratic Equations

24.1 Solving Quadratic Equations
by Factorisation
Equations of the form
ax 2 + bx + c = 0

are called quadratic equations. Many can be solved using factorisation. If a quadratic
equation can be written as
( x − a) ( x − b) = 0
then the equation will be satisfied if either bracket is equal to zero. That is,

( x − a) = 0 or ( x − b) = 0

So there would be two possible solutions, x = a and x = b .

Worked Example 1
Solve x 2 + 6 x + 5 = 0 .

Solution
Factorising gives
( x + 5) ( x + 1) = 0
So
x+5 = 0 or x +1 = 0
therefore
x = −5 or x = −1

Worked Example 2
Solve x 2 + 5 x − 14 = 0 .

Solution
Factorising gives
( x − 2) ( x + 7) = 0
So
x−2 = 0 or x+7 = 0
therefore
x = 2 or x = −7

Worked Example 3
Solve x 2 − 12 x = 0 .

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Solution
Factorising gives
x ( x − 12) = 0
So
x = 0 or x − 12 = 0
therefore
x = 0 or x = 12

Worked Example 4
Solve
4 x 2 − 81 = 0

Solution
Factorising gives
( 2 x − 9) ( 2 x + 9) = 0
So
2x − 9 = 0 or 2x + 9 = 0
therefore
9 9
x = or x = −
2 2
1 1
= 4 = −4
2 2

Worked Example 5
Solve x 2 − 4 x + 4 = 0 .

Solution
Factorising gives
( x − 2) ( x − 2) = 0
So
x−2 = 0 or x−2 = 0
therefore
x = 2 or x = 2

This type of solution is often called a repeated solution and results from solving a perfect
square, that is
( x − 2 )2 = 0

Most of these examples have had two solutions, but the last example had only one
solution.

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The graphs below show

y = x2 + 6x + 5 and y = x 2 − 4 x + 4.
y y

x x
−5 −1 2

The curve crosses the x-axis at The curve touches the x-axis at
x = − 5 and x = −1. x=2
These are the solutions of This is the solution of
2
x + 6x + 5 = 0 x2 − 4x + 4 = 0

Exercises
1. Solve the following quadratic equations.

(a) x 2 + x − 12 = 0 (b) x 2 − 2 x − 15 = 0 (c) x 2 + 4 x − 12 = 0

(d) x2 + 6x = 0 (e) 3x 2 − 4 x = 0 (f) 4x2 − 9x = 0

(g) x2 − 9 = 0 (h) x 2 − 49 = 0 (i) 9 x 2 − 64 = 0

(j) x 2 − 8 x + 16 = 0 (k) x 2 + 10 x + 25 = 0 (l) x 2 − 3 x − 18 = 0

(m) x 2 − 11x + 28 = 0 (n) x 2 + x − 30 = 0 (o) x 2 − 14 x + 40 = 0

(p) 2 x 2 + 7x + 3 = 0 (q) 2 x 2 + 5 x − 12 = 0 (r) 3x 2 − 7 x + 4 = 0

(s) 4x2 + x − 3 = 0 (t) 2 x 2 + 5x − 3 = 0 (u) 2 x 2 − 19 x + 35 = 0

2. The equations of a number of curves are given below. Find where each curve
crosses the x-axis and use this to draw a sketch of the curve.

(a) y = x2 + 6x + 9 (b) y = x2 − 4

(c) y = 2 x 2 − 3x (d) y = x 2 + x − 12

3. Use the difference of two squares result to solve the following equations.

(a) x 4 − 16 = 0 (b) x 4 − 625 = 0

4. Find the lengths of each side of the following rectangles.

(a) (b)

x−2 Area = 21 x Area = 32

x+2 x+4

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(c) (d)
2x − 3 Area = 45 x +6 Area = 224

2x + 1 2x

5. The height of a ball thrown straight up from the ground into the air at time, t, is
given by
h = 8 t − 10t 2
Find the time it takes for the ball to go up and fall back to ground level.

6. The diagram represents a shed.

G
The volume of the shed is given by
the formula
1
V = LW ( E + R) E R
2

(a) Make L the subject of the formula, giving

your answer as simply as possible.
W L

The surface area, A, of the shed, is given by the formula

A = 2GL + 2 EL + W ( E + R)

where V = 500 , A = 300 , E = 6 and G = 4 .

(b) By substituting these values into the equations for V and A show that L
satisfies the equation
L2 − 15 L + 50 = 0
Make the steps in your working clear.

(c) Solve the equation L2 − 15 L + 50 = 0 .

24.2 Solving Quadratic Equations

Using the Formula
The formula given below is particularly useful for quadratics which cannot be factorised.
To prove this important result requires some quite complex analysis, using a technique
called completing the square, which will be met again in Section 24.3.

Theorem
The solutions of the quadratic equation
ax 2 + bx + c = 0
are given by
−b ± b 2 − 4 ac
x =
2a

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Proof
The equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 is first divided by the non-zero constant, a, giving

b c
x2 + x+ = 0
a a
Note that
2
⎛x + b ⎞ = ⎛x +
b ⎞⎛
x+
b⎞
⎝ 2a ⎠ ⎝ 2a ⎠ ⎝ 2a ⎠
2
bx bx ⎛ b ⎞
= x2 + + + (expanding)
2a 2a ⎝ 2a ⎠
2
2 bx ⎛ b ⎞
= x2 + + (adding like terms)
2a ⎝ 2a ⎠

2
bx ⎛ b ⎞
= x2 + + (simplifying)
a ⎝ 2a ⎠

The first two terms are identical to the first two terms in our equation, so you can re-write
the equation as
2 2
⎛x + b ⎞ − ⎛ b ⎞ + c = 0
⎝ 2a ⎠ ⎝ 2a ⎠ a
2 2
⎛x + b ⎞ = ⎛ b ⎞ − c
⎝ 2a ⎠ ⎝ 2a ⎠ a

b2 c
= 2 −
4a a

2
⎛x + b ⎞ b 2 − 4 ac
i.e. =
⎝ 2a ⎠ 4a2

Taking the square root of both sides of the equation gives

b b 2 − 4 ac
x+ = ±
2a 4a2

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

−b ± b 2 − 4 ac
or x =
2a
as required.

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Worked Example 1
Solve
x2 + 6x − 8 = 0
giving the solution correct to 2 decimal places.

Solution
Here a = 1, b = 6 and c = − 8 . These values can be substituted into

−b ± b 2 − 4 ac
x =
2a
to give
−6 ± 6 2 − ( 4 × 1 × − 8)
x =
2 ×1

− 6 ± 68
=
2

− 6 + 68 − 6 − 68
= or
2 2
= 1.12 or − 7.12 (to 2 d.p.)

Worked Example 2
Solve the quadratic equation
4 x 2 − 12 x + 9 = 0 .

Solution
Here a = 4 , b = −12 and c = 9 . Substituting the values into

−b ± b 2 − 4 ac
x =
2a
gives

12 ± (− 12)2 − (4 × 4 × 9)
x =
2×4

12 ± 144 − 144
=
8

12 ± 0
=
8
12 ⎛ = 3⎞
=
8 ⎝ 2⎠

= 1.5

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Worked Example 3
Solve the quadratic equation
x2 + x + 5 = 0

Solution
Here a = 1, b = 1 and c = 5 . Substituting the values into the formula gives

−1 ± 12 − ( 4 × 1 × 5)
x =
2 ×1

−1 ± 1 − 20
=
2

−1 ± − 19
=
2

As it is not possible to find −19 , this equation has no solutions.

These three examples illustrate that a quadratic equation can have 2, 1 or 0 solutions.
The graphs below illustrate these graphically and show how the number of solutions
( )
depends on the sign of b 2 − 4 ac which is part of the quadratic formula.
y y y

x
x
xx x x

Two solutions One solution No solutions

b 2 − 4 ac > 0 b 2 − 4 ac = 0 b 2 − 4 ac < 0
(Worked Example 1) (Worked Example 2) (Worked Example 3)

Exercises
1. Use the quadratic equation formula to find the solutions, where they exist, of each
of the following equations. Give answers to 2 decimal places.

(a) 4 x 2 − 7x + 3 = 0 (b) 2 x 2 + x − 10 = 0 (c) 9 x 2 − 6 x − 11 = 0

(d) 3x 2 − 5x − 7 = 0 (e) x2 + x − 8 = 0 (f) 4x2 − 6x − 9 = 0

(g) 2 x 2 + 17 x − 9 = 0 (h) x 2 − 14 x = 0 (i) x 2 + 2 x − 10 = 0

(j) 3x 2 + 8 x − 1 = 0 (k) x2 + 6 = 0 (l) 2 x 2 − 8x + 3 = 0

(m) 4 x 2 − 5x − 3 = 0 (n) 5 x 2 − 4 x + 12 = 0 (o) x2 − 6x − 5 = 0

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2. A ticket printing and cutting machine cuts rectangular cards which are 2 cm longer
than they are wide.
(a) If x is the width of a ticket, find an expression for the area of the ticket.

(b) Find the size of a ticket with an area of 10 cm 2 .

3. A window manufacturer makes a range of windows for which the height is 0.5 m
greater than the width.
Find the width and height of a window with an area of 2 m 2 .

4. The height of a stone launched from a catapult is given by

h = 20 t − 9.8t 2
where t is the time after the moment of launching.
(a) Find when the stone hits the ground.
(b) For how long is the stone more than 5 m above the ground?
(c) Is the stone ever more than 12 m above ground level?
(d) If m is the maximum height of the stone, write down a quadratic equation
which involves m. Explain why this equation has only one solution and use
this fact to find the value of m, to 2 decimal places.

5. The equation below is used to find the maximum amount, x, which a bungee cord
stretches during a bungee jump:

mgx + mgl − 12 kx 2 = 0 ,
where m = mass of bungee jumper
l = length of rope when not stretched (10 m)
k = stiffness constant (120 Nm ) −1

g = acceleration due to gravity (10 m s )−2

(a) Find the maximum amount that the cord stretches for a bungee jumper of
mass 60 kg.
(b) How much more would the cord stretch for a person of mass 70 kg?

6. Solve the equation x 2 = 5 x + 7 , giving your answers correct to 3 significant

figures.

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24.3 Completing the Square

Completing the square is a technique which can be used to solve quadratic equations that
do not factorise. It can also be useful when finding the minimum or maximum value of a
quadratic.
2
A general quadratic ax 2 + bx + c is written in the form a ( x + p) + q when
completing the square. You need to find the constants p and q so that the two expressions
are identical.
Worked Example 1
Complete the square for x 2 + 10 x + 2 .

Solution
First consider the x 2 + 10 x . These terms can be obtained by expanding ( x + 5)2 .
But ( x + 5)2 = x 2 + 10 x + 25

so x 2 + 10 x = ( x + 5)2 − 25
Therefore x 2 + 10 x + 2 = ( x + 5)2 − 25 + 2
= ( x + 5)2 − 23
Worked Example 2
Complete the square for x 2 + 6 x − 8 .

Solution
2
To obtain x 2 + 6 x requires expanding ( x + 3) .

But ( x + 3)2 = x2 + 6x + 9
2
so x 2 + 6 x = ( x + 3) − 9

Therefore x2 + 6x − 8 = ( x + 3)2 − 9 − 8
2
= ( x + 3) − 17

Note
When completing the square for x 2 + bx + c , the result is
2
b b2
x 2 + bx + c = ⎛ x + ⎞ − +c
⎝ 2⎠ 4

2
and for a ≠ 0 , 2 ⎛ b⎞ b2
ax + b x + c = a ⎜ x + ⎟ − +c
⎝ 2a ⎠ 4a

Worked Example 3
Complete the square for 3 x 2 + 6 x + 7 .

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Solution
As a first step, the quadratic can be rearranged as shown below.

(
3x 2 + 6 x + 7 = 3 x 2 + 2 x + 7 )
Then note that x2 + 2x = ( x + 1)2 − 1
so ( ) [
3 x 2 + 2 x + 7 = 3 ( x + 1) − 1 + 7
2
]
2
= 3 ( x + 1) − 3 + 7
2
= 3 ( x + 1) + 4

Worked Example 4
(a) Complete the square for y = 2 x 2 − 8 x + 2 .
(b) Find the minimum value of y.

(c) Sketch the graph of y = 2 x 2 − 8 x + 2 .

Solution
(a) First rearrange the quadratic as shown.

(
2 x 2 − 8x + 2 = 2 x 2 − 4 x + 2 . )
Then x 2 − 4 x can be written as ( x − 2 )2 − 4 to give

( ) [
2 x 2 − 4 x + 2 = 2 ( x − 2) − 4 + 2
2
]
2
= 2 ( x − 2) − 8 + 2
2
= 2 ( x − 2) − 6

2
(b) As y = 2 ( x − 2) − 6 , the minimum possible value of y is − 6 , which is
obtained when x − 2 = 0 or x = 2 .

(c) Before sketching the graph, it is also useful to find where the curve crosses the
x-axis, that is when y = 0 . To do this, solve
2
0 = 2 ( x − 2) − 6
2
2 ( x − 2) = 6

( x − 2 )2 = 3

x−2 = ± 3

x = 2± 3

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y
So the curve crosses the x-axis at 2 + 3
and 2 − 3 , and has a minimum at 6
(2, − 6) .
4

This is shown in the graph opposite.

2
2− 3 2+ 3
← ←
x
0
1 2 3 4
–2

–4

–6
(2, − 6)
Worked Example 5
2
(a) Express 3 x 2 + 2 x + 1 in the form a ( x + p) + q where a, p and q are real
numbers.

(b) Hence, determine for f ( x ) = 3 x 2 + 2 x + 1

(i) the minimum value for f ( x )

(ii) the equation of the axis of symmetry. (CXC)

Solution
(a) 3 x 2 + 2 x + 1 = a ( x + p) 2 + q

( )
= a x 2 + 2 px + p 2 + q

(
= ax 2 + 2 a px + a p 2 + q )
Equating coefficients:

[x ]
2
3 = a ⇒ a=3

2 1
[ x] 2 = 2a p ⇒ p = =
2a 3
2
1
[c ]
t
1 = a p2 + q = 3 × ⎛ ⎞ + q
⎝ 3⎠

1
= +q
3
1 2
q = 1 − =
3 3
Thus
2
1 2
3x 2 + 2 x + 1 = 3 ⎛ x + ⎞ +
⎝ 3 ⎠ 3

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24.3

1
(b) (i) Minimum value of y = 3 x 2 + 2 x + 1 will occur when x + = 0 ; that is,
3
1 2
x = − , and the value is y = .
3 3

(ii) y

1
x=− is the equation of the
3
axis of symmetry.
2
3

1 x
−
3

Exercises
1. Complete the square for each of the expressions below.

(a) x2 + 4x − 5 (b) x2 + 6x − 1 (c) x 2 + 10 x − 2

(d) x 2 − 8x + 2 (e) x 2 + 12 x + 3 (f) x 2 − 20 x + 10

(g) x 2 + 3x − 1 (h) x 2 − 5x + 2 (i) x2 − x + 4

2. Use the completing the square method to solve each of the following equations.

(a) x2 − 4x + 3 = 0 (b) x2 − 6x − 4 = 0 (c) x 2 + 10 x − 8 = 0

(d) x 2 + 5x + 1 = 0 (e) x2 + x − 1 = 0 (f) x2 + 2x − 4 = 0

(g) x2 + 4x − 8 = 0 (h) x 2 + 5x − 2 = 0 (i) x 2 + 7x + 1 = 0

3. Complete the square for each of the following expressions.

(a) 2 x 2 + 8x − 1 (b) 2 x 2 + 10 x − 3 (c) 2x2 + 2x + 1

(d) 3x 2 + 6 x − 2 (e) 5 x 2 + 15 x − 4 (f) 7 x 2 − 14 x + 2

(g) 3 x 2 + 12 x − 4 (h) 4 x 2 + 20 x − 3 (i) 2 x 2 − 12 x + 3

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4. Solve each of the following equations by completing the square.

(a) 2x2 + 4x − 5 = 0 (b) 2 x 2 + 16 x − 3 = 0

(c) 3 x 2 + 12 x − 8 = 0 (d) 4x2 + 2x − 1 = 0

(e) 2x2 + x − 6 = 0 (f) 5 x 2 − 20 x + 1 = 0

5. Sketch the graph of each equation below, showing its minimum or maximum point
and where it crosses the x-axis.

(a) y = x2 − 2x − 1 (b) y = x2 + 6x + 8

(c) y = x 2 − 10 x + 24 (d) y = x 2 + 5 x − 14

(e) y = 4 + 3x − x 2 (f) y = 3x − 2 − x 2

6. The height of a ball thrown into the air is given by

h = 1 + 20t − 10t 2
Find the maximum height reached by the ball.

7. (a) By writing the quadratic expression

x2 − 4x + 2
2
in the form ( x + a) + b , find a and b and hence find the minimum value
of the expression.

(b) Solve the equation

x2 − 4x + 2 = 0
giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places.

8. (a) Factorise the expression x 2 + 2 x − 3 .

(b) Express x 2 + 2 x − 3 in the form ( x + a )2 − b , where a and b are whole

numbers.

(c) Sketch the curve with equation y = x 2 + 2 x − 3.

9. (a) Express the function f ( x ) = 2 x 2 − 4 x − 13 in the form

2
f ( x ) = a ( x + h) + k .

Hence, or otherwise, determine

(b) the values of x at which the graph cuts the x-axis.
(c) the interval for which f ( x ) ≤ 0

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(d) the minimum value of f ( x )

(e) the value of x at which f ( x ) is a minimum. (CXC)

10. (a) If 4 y 2 + 3 y + b is a perfect square, calculate the value of b.

(b) By the method of completing the square, solve the equation 5 y 2 = 8 y − 2 .

Give your answers to 3 significant figures.
(CXC)

Information
The word 'quadratic' comes from the Latin word 'quadratum', which means 'a squared
figure'.

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