Acknowledgement: Elaine Pham as author

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

Chapter Objectives
By the end of this chapter, students should be able to:
 Apply the Square Root Property to solve quadratic equations
 Solve quadratic equations by completing the square and using the Quadratic Formula
 Solve applications by applying the quadratic formula or completing the square

Contents
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS AND APPLICATIONS .................................................................. 355
SECTION 13.1: THE SQUARE ROOT PROPERTY .................................................................................... 356
A. SOLVE BASIC QUADRATIC EQUATIONS USING SQUAREROOT PROPERTY ............................. 356
B. ISOLATE THE SQUARED TERM .................................................................................................. 358
C. USE THE PERFECT SQUARE FORMULA ..................................................................................... 359
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 360
SECTION 13.2: COMPLETING THE SQUARE .......................................................................................... 361
A. COMPLETE THE SQUARE .......................................................................................................... 361
B. SOLVE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE, a = 1 .................................. 362
C. SOLVE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE, A ≠ 1.................................. 363
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 365
SECTION 13.3: QUADRATIC FORMULA ................................................................................................ 366
A. DETERMINANT OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION ......................................................................... 366
B. APPLY THE QUADRATIC FORMULA .......................................................................................... 368
C. MAKE ONE SIDE OF AN EQUATION EQUAL TO ZERO .............................................................. 370
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 371
SECTION 13.4: APPLICATIONS WITH QUADRATIC EQUATIONS .......................................................... 372
A. PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM ....................................................................................................... 372
B. PROJECTILE MOTION ................................................................................................................ 373
C. COST AND REVENUE ................................................................................................................. 374
EXERCISE ........................................................................................................................................... 376
CHAPTER REVIEW ................................................................................................................................. 377

355
We might recognize a quadratic equation from the factoring chapter as a trinomial equation. Although,
it may seem that they are the same, but they aren’t the same. Trinomial equations are equations with any
three terms. These terms can be any three terms where the degree of each can vary. On the other hand,
quadratic equations are equations with specific degree on each term.

Definition
A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the form
𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 + 𝒄𝒄 = 𝟎𝟎
Where 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 is called the leading term, 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 is call the linear term, and 𝒄𝒄 is called the constant coefficient
(or constant term). Additionally, 𝒂𝒂 ≠ 𝟎𝟎.

SECTION 13.1: THE SQUARE ROOT PROPERTY

A. SOLVE BASIC QUADRATIC EQUATIONS USING SQUAREROOT PROPERTY
Square root property

Let 𝒙𝒙 ≥ 𝟎𝟎 and 𝒂𝒂 ≥ 𝟎𝟎. Then

𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 = 𝒂𝒂 if and only if 𝒙𝒙 = ±√𝒂𝒂
In other words,
𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 = 𝒂𝒂 if and only if 𝒙𝒙 = √𝒂𝒂 or 𝒙𝒙 = −√𝒂𝒂

MEDIA LESSON
Solve basic quadratic equations using square root property (Duration 2:53)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:
a) 8𝑥𝑥 2 = 648 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 = 75

YOU TRY

Solve.
a) 𝑥𝑥 2 = 81 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 = 44

356
 MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations with even exponents (Duration 4:26)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Consider: 52 = ________________ and (−5)2 = ________________________

When we clear an even exponent, we have ________________________________________________.

Example: Solve.
a) (5𝑥𝑥 − 1)2 = 49 4
b) �(3𝑥𝑥 + 2)4 = 81

YOU TRY

Solve.
a) (𝑥𝑥 + 4)2 = 25 b) (6𝑥𝑥 − 9)2 = 45

357
B. ISOLATE THE SQUARED TERM
Let’s look at examples where the leading term, or squared term, is not isolated. Recall, the squared term
must be isolated to apply the square root property.

MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations using square root property – Isolating the squared term 1st (Duration
5:00)
View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Before we can clear an exponent, it must first be _____________________________.
Example:
a) 4 − 2(2𝑥𝑥 + 1)2 = −46 b) 5(3𝑥𝑥 − 2)2 + 6 = 46

YOU TRY

Solve.

a) 5(3x − 6)2 + 7 = 27 b) 5(r + 4)2 + 1 = 626

 Note: When we have the other side of the equation of a squared term negative, the equation does
not have a real solution. For example, the equation 𝑥𝑥 2 = −1 does not have a real solution. There is
a complex solution for this equation but we will not discuss it in this class.
Example:
Solve
2𝑛𝑛2 + 5 = 4
2𝑛𝑛2 = 4 − 5
2𝑛𝑛2 = −1
1
𝑛𝑛2 = −
2
This equation does not have a real solution.

358
C. USE THE PERFECT SQUARE FORMULA
In order for us to be able to apply the square root property to solve a quadratic equation, we cannot have
the 𝑥𝑥 term in the middle because if we apply the square root property to the 𝑥𝑥 term, we will make the
equation more complicated to solve.

However sometimes, we have special cases that we can apply the perfect square formula to get rid of
the 𝑥𝑥 term in the middle and then apply the square root property to solve the equations.

Recall: Perfect square formula 𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 = (𝒂𝒂 + 𝒃𝒃)𝟐𝟐 or 𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 − 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 = (𝒂𝒂 − 𝒃𝒃)𝟐𝟐

MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations using square root property – Perfect Square formula (Duration 4:09)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑥 + 16 = 4 b) 9𝑥𝑥 2 − 12𝑥𝑥 + 4 = 25

YOU TRY

Solve.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 9 = 81 b) 9𝑥𝑥 2 + 30𝑥𝑥 + 25 = 4

359
EXERCISE
Solve by applying the square root property.

1) (𝑥𝑥 − 3)2 = 16 2) (𝑥𝑥 − 2)2 = 49

3) (𝑥𝑥 − 7)2 = 4 4) (𝑠𝑠 − 5)2 = 16

5) (𝑝𝑝 + 5)2 = 81 6) (𝑠𝑠 + 3)2 = 4

7) (𝑡𝑡 + 9)2 = 37 8) (𝑎𝑎 + 5)2 = 57

9) (𝑛𝑛 − 9)2 = 63 10) (𝑟𝑟 + 1)2 = 125

11) (9𝑟𝑟 + 1)2 = 9 12) (7𝑚𝑚 − 8)2 = 36

13) (3𝑠𝑠 − 6)2 = 25 14) 5(𝑘𝑘 − 7)2 − 6 = 369

15) 5(𝑔𝑔 − 5)2 + 13 = 103 16) 2𝑛𝑛2 + 7 = 5

17) (2𝑠𝑠 + 1)2 = 0 18) (𝑧𝑧 − 4)2 = 25

19) 3𝑛𝑛2 + 2𝑛𝑛 = 2𝑛𝑛 + 24 20) 8𝑛𝑛2 − 29 = 25 + 2𝑛𝑛2

21) 2(𝑟𝑟 + 9)2 − 19 = 37 22) 3(𝑛𝑛 − 3)2 + 2 = 164

23) 7(2𝑥𝑥 + 6)2 − 5 = 170 24) 6(4𝑥𝑥 − 4)2 − 5 = 145

Apply the perfect square formula and solve the equations by using the square root property.

25) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 12𝑥𝑥 + 36 = 49 26) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑥 + 9 = 2

27) 16𝑥𝑥 2 − 40𝑥𝑥 + 25 = 16 28) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 4 = 1

29) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 14𝑥𝑥 + 49 = 9 30) 25𝑥𝑥 2 + 10𝑥𝑥 + 1 = 49

360
SECTION 13.2: COMPLETING THE SQUARE
When solving quadratic equations previously (then known as trinomial equations), we factored to solve.
However, recall, not all equations are factorable. Consider the equation 𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 − 7 = 0. This equation
is not factorable, but there are two solutions to this equation: 1 + √2 and 1 − √2. Looking at the form
of these solutions, we obtained these types of solutions in the previous section while using the square
root property. If we can obtain a perfect square, then we can apply the square root property and solve as
usual. This method we use to obtain a perfect square is called completing the square.
Recall. Special product formulas for perfect square trinomials:

(𝒂𝒂 + 𝒃𝒃)𝟐𝟐 = 𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 (𝒂𝒂 − 𝒃𝒃)𝟐𝟐 = 𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 − 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐

We use these formulas to help us solve by completing the square.

A. COMPLETE THE SQUARE

We first begin with completing the square and rewriting the trinomial in factored form using the perfect
square trinomial formulas.

MEDIA LESSON
Complete the square (Duration 5:00)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Complete the square. Find 𝒄𝒄.

𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 is easily factored to ________________________________
To make 𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 + 𝒄𝒄 a perfect square, 𝒄𝒄 = ___________________
Example:

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 10𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 7𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐

3 6
c) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 7 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 d) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 5 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐

361
  Note

To complete the square of any trinomial, we always square half of the linear term’s coefficient, i.e.,

𝒃𝒃 𝟐𝟐 𝟏𝟏 𝟐𝟐
� � 𝒐𝒐𝒐𝒐 � 𝒃𝒃�
𝟐𝟐 𝟐𝟐
We usually use the second expression when the middle term’s coefficient is a fraction.

YOU TRY

Complete the square by finding 𝒄𝒄:

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 7𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐 5
c) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3 𝑥𝑥 + 𝑐𝑐

B. SOLVE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE, a = 1

Steps to solving quadratic equations by completing the square

Given a quadratic equation 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 + 𝒄𝒄 = 𝟎𝟎, we can use the following method to solve for 𝒙𝒙.
Step 1. Rewrite the quadratic equation so that the coefficient of the leading term is one, and the
original constant coefficient is on the opposite side of the equal sign from the leading and
linear terms. 𝒂𝒂𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝒃𝒃 __________ = 𝒄𝒄 + _____________
Step 2. If 𝒂𝒂 ≠ 𝟏𝟏, divide both sides of the equation by 𝒂𝒂
𝒃𝒃 𝟐𝟐 𝟏𝟏
𝟐𝟐
Step 3. Complete the square, i.e., � � 𝑜𝑜𝑜𝑜 �𝟐𝟐 𝒃𝒃� and add the result to both sides of the quadratic
𝟐𝟐
equation.
Step 4. Rewrite the perfect square trinomial in factored form.
Step 5. Solve using the square root property.
Step 6. Verify the solution(s).

MEDIA LESSON
Solve quadratic equation by completing the square (Duration 8:40)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below
Solve the quadratic equation using the square root principle.
(𝑥𝑥 − 5)2 = 28

362
Example:
a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑥 − 9 = 0 b) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 5𝑥𝑥 + 10 = 0

c) 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 9 = 0

YOU TRY

Solve.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 10𝑥𝑥 + 24 = 0 b) 𝑛𝑛2 − 8𝑛𝑛 + 4 = 0

C. SOLVE QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING THE SQUARE, A ≠ 1

MEDIA LESSON
Solve quadratic equation by completing the square – a ≠1 (Duration 4:59)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

To complete the square: 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 = 0

1. Separate ____________________ and ______________________
2. Divide by ________________ (everything!)
3. Find _________ and _____________ to ______________________

363
Example
a) 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 15𝑥𝑥 + 18 = 0 b) 8𝑥𝑥 + 32 = 4𝑥𝑥 2

YOU TRY

Solve.

a) 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 36𝑥𝑥 + 60 = 0 b) 2𝑘𝑘 2 + 𝑘𝑘 − 2 = 0

364
 EXERCISE
Complete the square.

1) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 30𝑥𝑥 + _____ 2) 𝑚𝑚2 − 36𝑚𝑚 + _____ 3) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 15𝑥𝑥 + _____ 4) 𝑦𝑦 2 − 𝑦𝑦 + _____

1
5) 𝑎𝑎2 − 24𝑎𝑎 + _____ 6) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 34𝑥𝑥 + _____ 7) 𝑟𝑟 2 − 9 𝑟𝑟 + _____ 8) 𝑝𝑝2 − 17𝑝𝑝 + _____

Solve each equation by completing the square. If the solution is not a real solution, then state not a real
solution.

9) 6𝑟𝑟 2 + 12𝑟𝑟 − 24 = −6 10) 6𝑛𝑛2 − 12𝑛𝑛 − 14 = 4

11) 𝑎𝑎2 − 56 = 10𝑎𝑎 12) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑥 + 15 = 8

13) 8𝑛𝑛2 + 16𝑛𝑛 = 64 14) 𝑛𝑛2 + 4𝑛𝑛 = 12

15) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 16𝑥𝑥 + 55 = 0 16) 𝑛𝑛2 = −21 + 10𝑛𝑛

17) 4𝑏𝑏 2 − 15𝑏𝑏 + 56 = 3𝑏𝑏 2 18) 𝑏𝑏 2 + 7𝑏𝑏 − 33 = 0

19) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 10𝑥𝑥 − 57 = 4 20) 𝑛𝑛2 − 8𝑛𝑛 − 12 = 0

21) 𝑛𝑛2 − 16𝑛𝑛 + 67 = 4 22) 𝑥𝑥 2 = −10𝑥𝑥 − 29

23) 5𝑘𝑘 2 − 10𝑘𝑘 + 48 = 0 24) 7𝑛𝑛2 − 𝑛𝑛 + 7 = 7𝑛𝑛 + 6𝑛𝑛2

25) 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 38 = −6 26) 8𝑏𝑏 2 + 16𝑏𝑏 − 37 = 5

27) 5𝑥𝑥 2 + 5𝑥𝑥 = −31 − 5𝑥𝑥 28) 𝑣𝑣 2 + 5𝑣𝑣 + 28 = 0

29) 𝑘𝑘 2 − 7𝑘𝑘 + 50 = 3 30) 5𝑥𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑥 − 40 = 8

31) 8𝑟𝑟 2 + 10𝑟𝑟 = −55 32) −2𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 5 = −4𝑥𝑥 2

33) 8𝑎𝑎2 + 16𝑎𝑎 − 1 = 0 34) 𝑝𝑝2 − 16𝑝𝑝 − 52 = 0

365
SECTION 13.3: QUADRATIC FORMULA
The quadratic formula is derived from the method of completing the square. If we took a general
quadratic equation

𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 = 0
and solved for 𝑥𝑥 by completing the square, we would obtain the quadratic formula. Let’s try this.

MEDIA LESSON
Deriving the Quadratic Formula (Duration 4:04)

Quadratic formula

Given the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 = 0. Then

−𝑏𝑏 ± √𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎
𝑥𝑥 =
2𝑎𝑎
is called the quadratic formula. The quadratic formula is a formula for solving quadratic equations in
terms of the coefficients.

A. DETERMINANT OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION

To make the quadratic formula easier to manage, we should calculate the discriminant first. Then
substitute it into the quadratic formula to find 𝑥𝑥.

Discriminant

Given the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 = 0, then its discriminant, denoted as the upper-case
Greek letter delta, Δ, is defined as
𝚫𝚫 = 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 − 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒

√𝚫𝚫 = �𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 − 𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒𝟒

Quadratic formula:
−𝒃𝒃 ± √𝚫𝚫
𝒙𝒙 =
𝟐𝟐𝟐𝟐
Case 1: If Δ is positive, the equation has 2 solutions.
Case 2: If Δ is zero, the equation has 1 solution.
Case 3: If Δ is negative, the equation has no real solution. (The equation has two complex solutions
but we will not discuss complex numbers in this class).

366
 MEDIA LESSON
Determinant (Duration 4:58)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 2 + 𝑏𝑏𝑏𝑏 + 𝑐𝑐 = 0 𝑥𝑥 = _______________________________

• If 𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ________________________________________________________________________

• If 𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ________________________________________________________________________

• If 𝑏𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑎𝑎𝑎 ________________________________________________________________________

Example: Determine the number of solutions to the quadratic equation.

𝑥𝑥 2 + 14𝑥𝑥 + 49 = 0

MEDIA LESSON
Determinant examples (Duration 4:58)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Describe the type of solutions to the quadratic equation.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 3𝑥𝑥 − 28 = 0 a) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 12 = 0
𝑎𝑎 = ______ 𝑏𝑏 = ______ 𝑐𝑐 =______ 𝑎𝑎 = ______ 𝑏𝑏 = ______ 𝑐𝑐 =______

b) −2𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 + 5 = 0 c) 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 8𝑥𝑥 + 8 = 0

𝑎𝑎 = ______ 𝑏𝑏 = ______ 𝑐𝑐 =______ 𝑎𝑎 = ______ 𝑏𝑏 = ______ 𝑐𝑐 =______

367
YOU TRY

Find the determinant and determine how many solutions each of the following equation has.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 4 = 0 b) 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 1 = 0

c) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 + 4 = 0 d) 8𝑎𝑎2 + 5𝑎𝑎 + 1 = 0

B. APPLY THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations uing quadratic formula – two real rational solutions (Duration 3:14 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Solve using the quadratic formula.

6𝑥𝑥 2 − 𝑥𝑥 − 15 = 0

368
 MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations uing quadratic formula – two real irrational solutions (Duration 4:16 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Solve using the quadratic formula.

2𝑥𝑥 2 − 4𝑥𝑥 − 3 = 0

MEDIA LESSON
Solve equations uing quadratic formula – one solution (Duration 2:50 )

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example: Solve using the quadratic formula.

4𝑥𝑥 2 − 12𝑥𝑥 + 9 = 0

YOU TRY

Solve.

a) 𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 0 b) 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 2𝑥𝑥 − 7 = 0

369
C. MAKE ONE SIDE OF AN EQUATION EQUAL TO ZERO

MEDIA LESSON
Set one side of an equation equal to 0 before solving (Duration 4:46)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Before using the quadratic formula, the equation must equal ________.

Example:
a) 2𝑥𝑥 2 = 15 − 7𝑥𝑥 b) 3𝑥𝑥 2 − 5𝑥𝑥 + 2 = 7

YOU TRY

Solve.

a) 25𝑥𝑥 2 = 30𝑥𝑥 + 11 b) 3𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 8 = 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 6𝑥𝑥 − 5

370
EXERCISE
Find the determinant and solve each equation by applying the quadratic formula. If the solution is not
a real solution, then state not a real solution.

1) 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 8𝑥𝑥 − 2 = 0 2) 3𝑟𝑟 2 − 2𝑟𝑟 − 1 = 0

3) 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 5𝑥𝑥 = −3 4) 𝑣𝑣 2 − 4𝑣𝑣 − 5 = −8

5) 2𝑎𝑎2 + 3𝑎𝑎 + 14 = 6 6) 3𝑘𝑘 2 + 3𝑘𝑘 − 4 = 7

7) 7𝑥𝑥 2 + 3𝑥𝑥 − 16 = −2 8) 2𝑝𝑝2 + 6𝑝𝑝 − 16 = 4

9) 3𝑛𝑛2 + 3𝑛𝑛 = −3 10) 2𝑥𝑥 2 = −7𝑥𝑥 + 49

11) 5𝑥𝑥 2 = 7𝑥𝑥 + 7 12) 8𝑛𝑛2 = −3𝑛𝑛 − 8

13) 4𝑝𝑝2 + 5𝑝𝑝 − 36 = 3𝑝𝑝2 14) −5𝑛𝑛2 − 3𝑛𝑛 − 52 = 2 − 7𝑛𝑛2

15) 7𝑟𝑟 2 − 12 = −3𝑟𝑟 16) 2𝑥𝑥 2 + 4𝑥𝑥 + 12 = 8

17) 5𝑝𝑝2 + 2𝑝𝑝 + 6 = 0 18) 2𝑥𝑥 2 − 2𝑥𝑥 − 15 = 0

19) 6𝑛𝑛2 − 3𝑛𝑛 + 3 = −4 20) 𝑚𝑚2 + 4𝑚𝑚 − 48 = −3

21) 4𝑛𝑛2 + 5𝑛𝑛 = 7 22) 3𝑟𝑟 2 + 4 = −6𝑟𝑟

23) 3𝑏𝑏 2 − 3 = 8𝑏𝑏 24) 6𝑣𝑣 2 = 4 + 6𝑣𝑣

25) 6𝑎𝑎2 = −5𝑎𝑎 + 13 26) 2𝑘𝑘 2 + 6𝑘𝑘 − 16 = 2𝑘𝑘

27) 6𝑏𝑏 2 = 𝑏𝑏 2 + 7 − 𝑏𝑏 28) 49𝑚𝑚2 − 28𝑚𝑚 + 4 = 0

29) 12𝑥𝑥 2 + 𝑥𝑥 + 7 = 5𝑥𝑥 2 + 5𝑥𝑥 30) 𝑥𝑥 2 − 6𝑥𝑥 + 9 = 0

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SECTION 13.4: APPLICATIONS WITH QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
There are many applications involving quadratic equations that it is almost challenging to pick the few
equations to discuss for this section. Yet, we only choose a few applications that are common in most
algebra classes. We start with the very famous Pythagorean Theorem.

A. PYTHAGOREAN THEOREM
A long time ago, a Greek mathematician named Pythagoras discovered an interesting property about
right triangles: the sum of the squares of the lengths of each of the triangle’s legs is the same as the
square of the length of the triangle’s hypotenuse. This property- which has many applications in science,
art, engineering, and architecture – is now called the Pythagorean Theorem.

Pythagorean Theorem
If 𝒂𝒂 and 𝒃𝒃 are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle and 𝒄𝒄 is the length of the hypotenuse, then
the sum of the squares of the lengths of the legs is equal to the square of the length of the
hypotenuse:

(𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇𝒇 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍)𝟐𝟐 + (𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔𝒔 𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍𝒍)𝟐𝟐 = (𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉𝒉)𝟐𝟐

𝒂𝒂𝟐𝟐 + 𝒃𝒃𝟐𝟐 = 𝒄𝒄𝟐𝟐

MEDIA LESSON
Pythagorean theorem applications (Duration 5:00)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Pythagorean Theorem- Find the hypotenuse.

Name the sides of the right triangle: Pythagorean Theorem:

_____________________________
𝒄𝒄 is always the _______________________

Example:
a) Find the missing side. b) The base of a ladder is four feet from a
building. The top of the ladder is eight feet up
the building. How long is the ladder?

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YOU TRY

a) Find the length of the hypotenuse of a right b) Find the length of the missing leg of a right
triangle given lengths 6 cm and 13 cm for the triangle given the length of the hypotenuse is
legs. Round to two decimal places. 15 km and the length of the other leg is 11 km.
Round to two decimal places.

.
B. PROJECTILE MOTION

MEDIA LESSON
Quadratic equation application – Projectile motion (Duration 9:26)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:

You launch a toy rocket from a height of 5 feet. The height (h, in feet) of the rocket 𝑡𝑡 seconds after
taking off is given by the formula ℎ = −3𝑡𝑡 2 + 14𝑡𝑡 + 5.
a) How long will it take for the rocket to hit the ground?
b) Find the time when the rocket is 5 feet from hitting the ground.

373
YOU TRY

a) A rocket is launched at 𝑡𝑡 = 0 seconds. Its height, in meters above sea-level, is given by the equation
ℎ = −4.9𝑡𝑡 2 + 52𝑡𝑡 + 367
At what time does the rocket hit the ground? (Round answer to 2 decimal places.)

 Note: With applications, such as these, it doesn’t make sense to leave an exact answer, but better to
approximate. It is common language to say the rocket would hit the ground in decimal form.

C. COST AND REVENUE

Cost and Revenue

The cost refers to the amount of money the manufacturer should pay to produce a commodity.
The revenue refers to the amount of money the consumer (or customer) pays for a commodity.
Note, profit and revenue are often confused for one another. Be careful and note that revenue is the
money “in the register” and profit is money after all costs are paid.

MEDIA LESSON
Quadratic Applications – Cost (Duration 7:03 ) (Turn up the volume)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:

The cost C of producing 𝒙𝒙 “Total Cool Coolers” is modeled by the equation 𝑪𝑪 = 𝟎𝟎. 𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝟎𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 − 𝟎𝟎. 𝟑𝟑𝟑𝟑 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏.
How many coolers are produced when the cost is $19? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

374
 MEDIA LESSON
Quadratic Applications –Revenue (Duration 7:03) (Turn up the volume)

View the video lesson, take notes and complete the problems below

Example:
The revenue, R, of producing and selling 𝑥𝑥 “Awesome Hearing Aids” is modeled by the equation
𝑹𝑹 = −𝟒𝟒𝒙𝒙𝟐𝟐 + 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏. How many hearing aids need to be produced and sold in order to earn a revenue of
$850? You may have more than one answer. (Round to the nearest whole number.)

YOU TRY

a) The cost, C, of producing 𝑥𝑥 “Totally Cool b) The Revenue, R, of producing and selling x
Coolers” is modeled by the equation Awesome Hearing Aids is modeled by the
𝐶𝐶 = 0.005𝑥𝑥 2 − 0.5𝑥𝑥 + 21 equation
How many coolers are produced when the 𝑅𝑅 = −3𝑥𝑥 2 + 87𝑥𝑥
cost is $22? (Round to the nearest whole How many hearing aids need to be produced
number.) and sold to earn a revenue of $611? You may
have more than one answer. (Round to the
nearest whole number.)

375
EXERCISE
1) Find the length of the missing leg given the 2) Find the length of the missing leg given the
hypotenuse is 17 cm and the other leg is 12 hypotenuse is 15 cm and the other leg is 12
cm. (Round to two decimal places.) cm. (Round to two decimal places.)

3) Find the length of the missing leg given the 4) Find the length of the hypotenuse if the length
hypotenuse is 8 cm and the other leg is 6 cm. of the legs are 14 inches and 10 inches. Round
(Round to two decimal places.) to two decimal places.

5) Find the length of the hypotenuse if the length 6) Find the length of the hypotenuse if the length
of the legs are 10 inches and 12 inches. Round of the legs are 14 inches and 12 inches. Round
to two decimal places. to two decimal places.

7) The cost, 𝐶𝐶 , of producing 𝑥𝑥 Totally Cool Coolers is modeled by the equation

𝐶𝐶 = 0.005𝑥𝑥 2 − 0.3𝑥𝑥 + 18
How many coolers are produced when the cost is $19? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

8) The cost, 𝐶𝐶 , of producing 𝑥𝑥 Totally Cool Coolers is modeled by the equation

𝐶𝐶 = 0.005𝑥𝑥 2 − 0.25𝑥𝑥 + 10
How many coolers are produced when the cost is $19? (Round to the nearest whole number.)

9) The revenue, 𝑅𝑅 , of producing and selling 𝑥𝑥 Awesome Hearing Aids is modeled by the equation
𝑅𝑅 = −5𝑥𝑥 2 + 105𝑥𝑥
How many hearing aids need to be produced and sold to earn a revenue of $531? You may have
more than one answer. (Round to the nearest whole number.)

10) The revenue, 𝑅𝑅 , of producing and selling 𝑥𝑥 Awesome Hearing Aids is modeled by the equation
𝑅𝑅 = −4𝑥𝑥 2 + 120𝑥𝑥
How many hearing aids need to be produced and sold to earn a revenue of $880? You may have
more than one answer. (Round to the nearest whole number.)

11) A rocket is launched at 𝑡𝑡 = 0 seconds. Its height, in meters above sea-level, is given by the equation
ℎ = −4.9𝑡𝑡 2 + 325𝑡𝑡 + 227
After how many seconds does the rocket hit the ground? (Round to two decimal places.)

12) A rocket is launched at 𝑡𝑡 = 0 seconds. Its height, in meters above sea-level, is given by the equation
ℎ = −4.9𝑡𝑡 2 + 148𝑡𝑡 + 374
After how many seconds does the rocket hit the ground? (Round to two decimal places.)

376
CHAPTER REVIEW
KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS
Look for the following terms and concepts as you work through the workbook. In the space below,
explain the meaning of each of these concepts and terms in your own words. Provide examples that
are not identical to those in the text or in the media lesson.

Quadratic equation

Square root
property

Discriminant

Quadratic formula

Pythagorean
Theorem

Cost and Revenue

377