Quadratic Equations

Quadratic equations can be solved by factorising, completing the square and using a
formula. In this section you will learn how to:

 solve quadratic equations by factorising

 solve quadratic equations by completing the square
 solve quadratic equations by using the formula
 solve simultaneous equations when one of them is quadratic

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY FACTORISING

Unless a graphical method is asked for, quadratic equations on the non-calculator paper will
probably involve factorising or completion of the square.
Quadratic equations can have two different solutions or roots.
You may need a quick look at 'factorising' again to remind yourself how to factorise
expressions such as:
𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 which factorises into (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2),
𝑎2 − 3𝑎 which factorises into a(a − 3)
and
𝑏2 − 2𝑏 + 1 which will factorise into (𝑏 − 1)2.
This video shows you how to solve a quadratic equation by factoring.
IF TWO NUMBERS OR EXPRESSIONS ARE MULTIPLIED AND THE RESULT IS ZERO,
THEN ONE OR BOTH OF THEM MUST BE ZERO
IF 𝐴 × 𝐵 = 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝐴 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝐵 = 0
IF (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) = 0 then (𝑥 − 3) = 0 𝑜𝑟 (𝑥 + 2) = 0
and if (𝑥 − 3) = 0 then 𝑥 = 3
or if (𝑥 + 2) = 0 then 𝑥 = −2
EXAMPLES
a. Solve 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6
Factorising gives (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 2) = 0

A METHOD TO FACTORISE QUADRATIC EQUATION.

Let us take the quadratic equation of the general form
𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 where
 a (≠ 0) is the coefficient of 𝒙𝟐 ,
  b the coefficient of x and
 c the constant term.

IF 𝑎 = 1 : 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 and the roots of 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 are 𝒙𝟏 and 𝑥2

( Quadratic equation  the biggest exponent of x is 2  will be 2 roots )
Note : Quadratic equation has 2 roots
Cubic ecuation : 𝒂𝒙𝟑 + 𝒃𝒙𝟐 + 𝒄𝒙 + 𝒅 = 𝟎 has 3 roots and so on.
If 𝒃 = 𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 and 𝒄 = 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐  𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = (𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 )(𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐 )
IMPORTANT IS THAT a=1
Example:
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎
 𝑎 = 1 (≠ 0) is the coefficient of 𝒙𝟐 ,
 2 the coefficient of 𝑥 and
 −15 the constant term.
𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟐 and 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟏𝟓
𝟑 − 𝟓 = −𝟐 and 𝟑 × (−𝟓) = −𝟏𝟓 ∴ 𝒙𝟏 = 𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟓
∴
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 = (𝒙 − 𝟑)(𝒙 + 𝟓) = 𝟎

MORE EXAMPLE:
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑 = 𝟎
Make sure that a = 1
∴ 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
 𝑎 = 1 (≠ 0) is the coefficient of 𝒙𝟐 ,
 4 the coefficient of 𝑥 and
 3 the constant term.
𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟒 and 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟑
−𝟏 − 𝟑 = −𝟒 and (−𝟏) × (−𝟑) = 𝟑 ∴ 𝒙𝟏 = −𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟑
∴ 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟑 = (𝒙 + 𝟏)(𝒙 + 𝟑) = 𝟎
Ex. 2

𝟓 + 𝟒𝒙 − 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟎
First step :
Put the equation into the form −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 = 0. · Make sure that a = 1 (if a ≠ 1, multiply
through the equation by equation before proceeding ... ∴ −𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 5 = 0 × (−1)
∴ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 5 = 0
 𝑎 = 1 (≠ 0) is the coefficient of 𝒙𝟐 ,
 −4 the coefficient of 𝑥 and
 −5 the constant term.
𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 = −(−𝟒) = 𝟒 and 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟓
−𝟏 + 𝟓 = 𝟒 and (−𝟏) × 𝟓 = −𝟓 ∴ 𝒙𝟏 = −𝟏 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟓
∴
−𝒙𝟐 + 𝟒𝒙 + 𝟓 = −(𝒙 + 𝟏)(𝒙 − 𝟓) = 𝟎

Ex. 3

Solve 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 − 𝟔 = 𝟎
First step :
Make sure that a = 1
𝑎 = 1 (≠ 0) is the coefficient of 𝒙𝟐 ,
 −1 the coefficient of 𝑥 and
 −6 the constant term.
𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 = +𝟏 and 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟔
𝟑 − 𝟐 = 𝟏 and (𝟑) × (−𝟐) = −𝟔 ∴ 𝒙𝟏 = 𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟐
∴
𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 − 𝟔 = (𝒙 − 𝟑)(𝒙 + 𝟐)

Ex. 4
6x2 + 5x – 6=0

Make sure that a = 1

𝑎 = 6 ∴ 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 – 6 = 𝟎 ÷ (𝟔)
5
∴ 𝑥2 + 𝑥 – 1 = 𝟎
6
𝑎 = 1 (≠ 0) is the coefficient of 𝒙𝟐 ,
5
 the coefficient of 𝑥 and
6
 −1 the constant term.
𝟓
𝒙𝟏 + 𝒙𝟐 = − and 𝒙𝟏 × 𝒙𝟐 = −𝟏
𝟔
𝟐 𝟑 𝟒 𝟗 𝟓 𝟐 𝟑 𝟔
− = − =− and (− ) × ( ) = − = −𝟏 ∴ 𝒙𝟏 = 𝟐𝟑 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒙𝟐 = − 𝟑𝟐
𝟑 𝟐 𝟔 𝟔 𝟔 𝟑 𝟐 𝟔
𝟐 𝟑
∴ 𝒙𝟐 − 𝒙 − 𝟔 = (𝒙 − 𝟑) (𝒙 + 𝟐) = (𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐)(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟑)

Ex. 5
Solve 𝒂𝟐 − 𝟑𝒂 = 𝟎
Factorising gives 𝒂(𝒂 − 𝟑) = 𝟎.
So either 𝒂 = 𝟎 or 𝒂 − 𝟑 = 𝟎 in which case 𝒂 = 𝟑
The two roots are 𝒂 = 𝟎 or 𝒂 = 𝟑

Ex. 6
Solve 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟐𝒃 + 𝟏 = 𝟎
Factorising gives (𝒃 − 𝟏)𝟐 = 𝟎.
So 𝑏 − 1 = 0 in which case 𝒃 = 𝟏
In this case there are two identical solutions 𝑏 = 1
A METHOD TO USE COMPLETING SQUARE
Completing the square involves rearranging a quadratic equation into the form (𝒙 + 𝒂)𝟐 −
𝒃=𝟎
Where a and b are numbers , so that (𝒙 + 𝒂)𝟐 = 𝒃
Taking the square root of both sides gives
(𝒙 + 𝒂) = ±√𝒃 giving 𝒙 = ±√𝒃 − 𝒂 (±𝒃 𝒈𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒔 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒓𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒔)
Completing the square can be used to give answers to a given accuracy or in surd form

(e.g. 𝒙 = √𝟓 , 𝒙 = √𝟑 ).

We have seen that expressions of the form 𝑥 2

− 𝑏2 are known as differences of
squares and can be factorised as ((𝑥 − 𝑏)(𝑥 + 𝑏)This simple factorisation leads to
another technique for solving quadratic equations known as completing the
square.

Consider the equation 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1 = 0.

We cannot easily factorise this expression.
When we expand the perfect square (𝑥 − 1)2 and examine the terms we see
that (𝑥 − 1)2 = 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1.
We compare the two equations and notice that only the constant terms are different.
We can create a perfect square by adding and subtracting the same amount to the
original equation.

𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 1 = 0
2
(𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 1) − 1 − 1 = 0
(𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 1) − 2 = 0
(𝑥 − 1 )2 − 2 = 0

Method 1:
Take square roots on both sides of the equation to solve for 𝑥.

(𝑥 − 1 )2 − 2 = 0
(𝑥 − 1)2 = 2
 √(𝑥 − 1)2 = ±√2
𝑥 − 1 = ±√2
𝑥 = 1 ± √2

Therefore
𝑥 = 1 + √2 or 𝑥 = 1 − √2

Very important: Always remember to include both a positive and a negative answer
when taking the square root, since 22 = 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (−2)2 = 4.

2
Method 2: Factorise the expression as a difference of two squares using 2 = (√2)
We can write

(𝑥 − 1 )2 − 2 = 0
2
(𝑥 − 1)2 − (√2) = 0
(((𝑥 − 1) − √2) ((𝑥 − 1) + √2)) = 0

The solution is then

(𝑥 − 1) − √2 = 0

𝑥 = 1 + √2

Or
(𝑥 − 1) + √2 = 0

𝑥 = 1 − √2

METHOD FOR SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE

SQUARE

1. Write the equation in the standard form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

2. Make the coefficient of the 𝑥 2 term equal to 1 by dividing the entire equation
by a.
3. Take half the coefficient of the 𝑥 term and square it; then add and subtract it from
the equation so that the equation remains mathematically correct.
In the example above, we added 11to complete the square and then subtracted 1 so
that the equation remained true.
4. Write the left hand side as a difference of two squares.
5. Factorise the equation in terms of a difference of squares and solve for 𝑥 .

https://intl.siyavula.com/read/maths/grade-11/equations-and-inequalities/02-
equations-and-inequalities-02
https://revisionmaths.com/gcse-maths-revision/algebra/quadratic-equations
https://intl.siyavula.com/read/maths/grade-11/equations-and-inequalities/02-
equations-and-inequalities-04
https://www.ecexams.co.za/2020_September_Gr_12_Preparatory_Exams.htm
WORKED EXAMPLE 1:

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Solve by completing the square:𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 11 = 0

STEP 1.

The equation is already in the form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎.

STEP 2

Make sure the coefficient of the 𝒙𝟐 term is equal to 1

𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 11 = 0
STEP3
Take half the coefficient of the 𝒙 term and square it; then add and subtract it from
the equation.

The coefficient of the 𝒙 term is −10.

Half of the coefficient of the 𝑥 term is (−5) and the square of it is 25.
Therefore (−5)2 = 25
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 − 25 − 11 = 0
STEP 4
Write the trinomial as a perfect square

(𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25) − 25 − 11 = 0
(𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25) − 36 = 0

STEP 5
Method 1: Take square roots on both sides of the equation

(𝒙 − 𝟓)𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔 = 𝟎
(𝒙 − 𝟓)𝟐 = 𝟑𝟔
√(𝒙 − 𝟓)𝟐 = ±√𝟑𝟔
𝒙 − 𝟓 = ±√𝟑𝟔
Important: When taking a square root always remember that there is a positive and
negative answer, since (6)2 = 36 and (−6)2 = 36
𝒙 − 𝟓 = ±𝟔
STEP 6
Solve for 𝒙

𝒙 − 𝟓 = 𝟔 ∴ 𝒙 = 𝟏𝟏 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 − 𝟓 = −𝟔 ∴ 𝒙 = −𝟏
STEP 7

Method 2: Factorise equation as a difference of two squares

(𝑥 − 5)2 − (6)2 = 0
[(𝑥 − 5) + 6][(𝑥 − 5) − 6] = 0
STEP 8
Simplify and solve for 𝒙:

[𝑥 − 5 + 6][𝑥 − 5 − 6] = 0

[𝑥 + 1][𝑥 − 11] = 0

STEP 9

Write the final answer

𝑥 = −1 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 11
Notice that both methods produce the same answer.
These roots are rational because 36 is a perfect square.
WORKED EXAMPLE 2:

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Solve by completing the square:2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 10 = 0

STEP 1.

The equation is already in the form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎.

STEP 2

Make sure the coefficient of the 𝒙𝟐 term is equal to 1

The coefficient of the 𝑥 2 term is 2. Therefore divide the entire equation by 2:

2𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 10 = 0 ÷ 2
∴ 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 5 = 0
STEP3
Take half the coefficient of the 𝒙 term and square it; then add and subtract it from
the equation.

The coefficient of the 𝒙 term is −3.

3 9
Half of the coefficient of the 𝑥 term is (− ) and the square of it is .
2 4
3 2 9
Therefore (− ) =
2 4
9 9
𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + − −5= 0
4 4
9 9
(𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + ) − − 5 = 0
4 4

STEP 4
Write the trinomial as a perfect square

9 9
(𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + ) − −5=0
4 4
 3 2 9
(𝑥 2− ) − =5
2 4
2
3 9 20
(𝑥 2 − ) − =
2 4 4
STEP 5
Method 1: Take square roots on both sides of the equation

3 2
2
29
(𝑥 − ) =
2 4
3 2 29
√(𝑥 2 − ) = ±√
2 4

3 29
𝑥− = ±√
2 4
Remember: When taking a square root there is a positive and a negative answer.

STEP 6
Solve for 𝒙

3 29
𝑥− = ±√
2 4

3 29
𝑥 =− ±√
2 4
3 √29
𝑥=− ±
2 2
3 ± √29
𝑥=−
2
STEP 7

Method 2: Factorise equation as a difference of two squares

3 2 29
(𝑥 − ) − =0
2 4
2
2
3 29
(𝑥 − ) − (√ ) = 0
2 4

3 √29 3 √29
(𝑥 − − ) (𝑥 − + )=0
2 2 2 2

STEP 8
Simplify and solve for 𝒙:

3 √29 3 √29
(𝑥 − − ) (𝑥 − + )=0
2 2 2 2
Therefore

3 √29 3 √29
𝑥= + or 𝑥 = −
2 2 2 2

Notice that these roots are irrational since 29 is not a perfect square.
EXERCISE
1. Solve the following equations by completing the square:
𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 2 = 0
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
𝑝2 − 5 = 8𝑝
2(6𝑥 + 𝑥 2 ) = −4
𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 9 = 0
𝑡 2 + 30 = 2(10 − 8𝑡)
3𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 2 = 0
𝑧 2 + 8𝑧 − 6 = 0
2𝑧 2 = 11𝑧
5 + 4𝑧 − 𝑧 2 = 0
2. Solve for 𝑘 in terms of a: 𝑘 2 + 6𝑘 + 𝑎 = 0
3. Solve for 𝑦 in terms of 𝑝, 𝑞 and 𝑟: 𝑝𝑦2 + 𝑞𝑦 + 𝑟 = 0
 SOLVE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY USING THE FORMULA

Quadratic formula
It is not always possible to solve a quadratic equation by factorisation and it can take a
long time to complete the square.

The method of completing the square provides a way to derive a formula that can be
used to solve any quadratic equation.

The quadratic formula provides an easy and fast way to solve quadratic
equations.

Consider the standard form of the quadratic equation

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0. Divide both sides by a (𝑎 ≠ 0) to get
𝑏𝑥 𝑐
𝑥2 + + =0
𝑎 𝑎
Now using the method of completing the square, we must halve the coefficient of 𝑥 and
square it.
𝑏 2
We then add and subtract ( ) so that the equation remains true.
2𝑎
𝑏𝑥 𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑐
𝑥2 + + 2− 2
+ =0
𝑎 4𝑎 4𝑎 𝑎

𝑏𝑥
2
𝑏2 𝑏2 𝑐
(𝑥 + + 2) − + =0
𝑎 4𝑎 4𝑎2 𝑎

𝑏 2 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
(𝑥 + ) − =0
2𝑎 4𝑎2

We add the constant to both sides and take the square root of both sides of the
equation, being careful to include a positive and negative answer.

𝑏 2 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
(𝑥 + ) =
2𝑎 4𝑎2

𝑏 2 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
√(𝑥 + ) = ±√
2𝑎 4𝑎2
 𝑏 √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥+ =±
2𝑎 2𝑎

−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

Therefore, for any quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 we can determine two roots

−𝑏+√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏−√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐

𝑥= or 𝑥 =
2𝑎 2𝑎

It is important to notice that the expression 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 must be greater than or equal to
zero for the roots of the quadratic to be real.
If the expression under the square root sign is less than zero, then the roots are non-
real (imaginary).

WORKED EXAMPLE 1 : USING THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

QUESTION
Solve for 𝑥 and leave your answer in simplest surd form: 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 7
SOLUTION
STEP 1
Check whether the expression can be factorised
The expression cannot be factorised, so the general quadratic formula must be used.
STEP2

Write the equation in the standard form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎

𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟕 = 𝟎

STEP3

Identify the coefficients to substitute into the formula

𝑎 = 2; 𝑏 = 3; 𝑐 = −7

STEP4

Apply the quadratic formula

Always write down the formula first and then substitute the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 .

−𝒃 + √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄 −𝟑 ± √𝟑𝟐 − 𝟒 × 𝟐 × (−𝟕)

𝒙= =
𝟐𝒂 𝟐×𝟐
−𝟑 ± √𝟗 + 𝟓𝟔 −𝟑 ± √𝟔𝟓
= =
𝟒 𝟒

STEP5

Write the final answer

The two roots are

−𝟑+√𝟔𝟓 −𝟑−√𝟔𝟓
𝒙= or 𝒙=
𝟒 𝟒
WORKED EXAMPLE 2 : USING THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

QUESTION
Find the roots of the function 𝑓 (𝑥 ) =𝑥2 − 𝟓𝑥 + 8
SOLUTION
STEP 1
Finding the roots

To determine the roots of 𝒇(𝒙), we let 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟓𝒙 + 𝟖 = 𝟎

STEP2

Check whether the expression can be factorised

The expression cannot be factorised, so the general quadratic formula must be used.

STEP3

Identify the coefficients to substitute into the formula

𝑎 = 𝟏; 𝑏 = −𝟓; 𝑐 = 𝟖

STEP4

Apply the quadratic formula

Always write down the formula first and then substitute the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 .
 −𝒃 + √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄 −(−𝟓) ± √(−𝟓)𝟐 − 𝟒 × 𝟏 × (𝟖)
𝒙= =
𝟐𝒂 𝟐×𝟏
𝟓 ± √𝟐𝟓 − 𝟑𝟐 𝟓 ± √−𝟕
= = =
𝟐 𝟐

STEP5

Write the final answer

There are no real roots for 𝑓 (𝑥 ) =𝑥2 − 𝟓𝑥 + 8 since the expression under the square
root is negative (√−7)is not a real number).

This means that the graph of the quadratic function has no 𝑥 -intercepts; the entire

graph lies above the 𝑥 -axis.