Quadratic Equations

Equations of the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0 where 𝑎 ≠ 0 are called linear equations and have only
one solution.

For example, 3𝑥 − 2 = 0 is the linear equation with 𝑎 = 3 and 𝑏 = −2 :

2
It has the solution 𝑥 = 3

Equations of the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 where 𝑎 ≠ 0 are called Quadratic Equations. They

may have two, one, zero solutions.

Here are some simple quadratic equations which clearly show the truth of this statement:

Now consider the example 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 0

If 𝑥 = 2 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 22 + 3.2 − 10 = 0

If 𝑥 = −5 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = (−5)2 + 3. (−5) − 10 = 0
𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = −5 are both satisfy the equation 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 0 so we say that they are both
solutions.

But, how do we find these solutions without using trial and error?

1. Quadratic Equations of the Form 𝒙𝟐 = ∓𝒌:

Consider the equation 𝑥 2 = 7

Now √7 𝑥 √7 = 7 so 𝑥 = √7 is one solution, and (−√7) ) 𝑥 (− √7) = 7 is also a solution. Thus

if 𝑥 2 = 7 then 𝑥 = ± √7

Solution of 𝒙𝟐 = ∓𝒌

Examples
1. Solve for x:

a. 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏 = 𝟏𝟓

b. 𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙𝟐 = 𝟖

2. Solve for x:

a. (𝒙 − 𝟑)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔

b. (𝒙 + 𝟐)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟏
Exercises:

2. Solution by factorization

THE NULL FACTOR LAW

For quadratic equations which are not of the form 𝑥 2 = 𝑘, we need an alternative method of
solution. One method is to factorise the quadratic and then apply the Null Factor law.

The Null Factor law states that:

When the product of two (or more) numbers is zero, then at least one of them must be zero.

𝐼𝑓 𝑎. 𝑏 = 0 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑎 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝑏 = 0
Example: Solve for x by using Null factor law

a. 𝟑𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟓) = 𝟎

b. (𝒙 − 𝟒)(𝟑𝒙 + 𝟕) = 𝟎

Exercises
STEPS FOR SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

To use the Null Factor law when solving equations, we must have one side of the equation
equal to zero.

Step 1: If necessary, rearrange the equation so one side is zero.

Step 2: Fully factorise the other side (usually the LHS).
Step 3: Use the Null Factor law.
Step 4: Solve the resulting linear equations.
Step 5: Check at least one of your solutions.

Example: Solve for x: 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟑𝒙

ILLEGAL CANCELLING

Let us reconsider the equation 𝒙𝟐 = 𝟑𝒙. We notice that there is a common factor of x on both
sides. If we cancel x from both sides, we will find 𝑥 = 3 . Consequently, we will ‘lose’ the
solution 𝑥 = 0. From this example we conclude that:

We must never cancel a variable that is a common factor from both sides of an equation
unless we know that the factor cannot be zero.
Example: Solve for x: 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟐𝟖

Example: Solve for x: 5𝒙𝟐 = 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐

Exercises

1.
2.

3.
4.

5.

6.
7.

8.
COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Try as much as we like, we will not be able to solve quadratic equations such as
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 = 0

using the factorisation methods already practised. This is because the solutions are not
rationals.

To solve this equation we need a different technique.

We saw in that if (𝑥 + 2)2 = 11 then 𝑥 + 2 = ±√11 . So 𝑥 = −2 ± √11

So, we can solve 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 = 0 if we can rearrange it so there is a perfect square on the left
hand side.

Consider
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 = 0

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 = 7

𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 7 + 4

(𝑥 + 2)2 = 11

𝑥 + 2 = ∓√11

𝑥 = −2 ∓ √11
Hence the solutions to 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 7 = 0 are
𝑥 = −2 ∓ √11

The process of creating a perfect square on the left hand side is called completing the
square.

From our previous study of perfect squares we observe that:

(𝑥 + 3)2 = 𝑥 2 + 2 . 3 . 𝑥 + 32

(𝑥 − 5)2 = 𝑥 2 + 2 . (−5) . 𝑥 + (−5)2

(𝑥 + 𝑝)2 = 𝑥 2 + 2 . (𝑝) . 𝑥 + 𝑝 2

So, the constant term is “the square of half the coefficient of x”.
Exercises:

1. For each of the following equations:

i. find what must be added to both sides of the equation to create a perfect square on the LHS

ii. write each equation in the form (𝑥 + 𝑝)2 = 𝑘

2. If possible, solve for x by completing the square, leaving answers in simplest radical form:

3. Solve for x by completing the square, leaving answers in simplest radical form:
PROBLEM SOLVING

The problems in this part can all be converted to algebraic form as quadratic equations. They
can all be solved using factorisation or completing the square.

PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD

Step 1:Carefully read the question until you understand the problem. A rough sketch may be
useful.

Step 2: Decide on the unknown quantity and label it x, say.

Step 3: Use the information given to find an equation which contains x.

Step 4: Solve the equation.

Step 5: Check that any solutions satisfy the equation and are realistic to the problem.

Step 6: Write your answer to the question in sentence form.

Exercises:

1. The sum of a number and its square is 110. Find the number.

2. The product of a number and the number increased by 4 is 117. Find the two possible
values of the number.

3. When 24 is subtracted from the square of a number, the result is five times the original
number. Find the number.

4. The sum of two numbers is 6 and the sum of their squares is 28. Find the exact values of
these numbers.
5. Two numbers differ by 7 and the sum of their squares is 29. Find the numbers.

6. A rectangle has length 4 cm greater than its width. Find its width given that its area is 96 𝑐𝑚2

THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

Many quadratic equations cannot be solved by factorisation, and completing the square is rather
tedious. Consequently, the quadratic formula has been developed.
USE OF THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

If 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 is a rational perfect square then √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 will be rational, and so the solutions of
the quadratic will also be rational. In such instances, it is preferable to solve the quadratic by
factorisation.

For example,

6𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 − 8 = 0

has 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 169 − 4(6)(−8) = 361 = 192 so we should solve this equation by factorizing
6𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 − 8 into (3𝑥 − 8)(2𝑥 + 1)

Exercises
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS WITH NO REAL SOLUTIONS

Consider 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 = 0

−2 ∓ √4 −(4)(1)(5) −2 ∓ √−16
Using the quadratic formula, the solutions are: 𝑥 = =
2 2

However, in the real number system,

√−16does not exist. We therefore say that
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 = 0 has no real solutions.
Exercises

THE DISCRIMINANT : ∆

In the quadratic formula, the quantity 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 under the square root sign is called the
discriminant.

The symbol delta or ∆ is used to represent the discriminant, so ∆ = 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐.

−𝑏 ± √∆
The quadratic formula can be written as 𝑥 = where ∆ replaces 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐.
2𝑎

−𝑏
• If ∆ = 0 , 𝑥 = is the only solution and is known as repeated root.
2𝑎

• If ∆ > 0 , √∆ is a real number and so there are two distinct real roots.

−𝑏 ± √∆
𝑥=
2𝑎

• If ∆ < 0 , √∆ is not a real number and so there are no real roots.

• If a, b and c are rational and ∆ is a perfect square then the equation has two rational
roots which can be found by factorisation.
Exercises