1.4: Quadratic Equations

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1.4: Quadratic Equations M. R.

Abujiya

1.4: QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

I. Introduction

Definition: If a, b and c are real numbers with a ≠ 0 then an equation of the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0
is called a quadratic equation in one variable. A quadratic equation is also called a second-degree
equation. This quadratic equation is said to be in standard form.

Methods for Solving Quadratic Equations


1. Factoring
2. Taking Square Root
3. Completing the Square
4. Quadratic Formula

II. Solve by Factoring

The Zero Product Principle:

If a and b are complex numbers with ab = 0, then a = 0 or b=0 or both.

Example 1: Solve each quadratic equation.

(a) 4 x2 − 2 = 7 x (b) 4 x 2 − 10 x − 24 = 0 (c) ( x − 2 )( x + 2 ) = 12

( 3x + 4 )
2
(d) 36 x 2 − 12 x + 1 = 0 (e) 3x 2 = 5 x (f) − 16 = 0

III. Solve by Taking Square Roots

The Square Root Procedure: If x2 =k then, x = k or x =− k

Example 2: Find the solution set of each equation.

( x + 4)
2
(a) x 2 = 81 (b) 3x 2 − 12 = 0 (c) x 2 = − 25 (d) = 121

IV. Solve by Completing the Square

To solve ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , a ≠ 0 , by completing the square:

5. Re-write ax 2 + bx + c = 0 in the form x 2 + bx = constant. (with coefficient of x 2 = 1)


2
6. Add the constant ⎛⎜ 1 × coefficienct of x ⎞⎟ to both sides of 1 above
2 ⎝ ⎠
7. Factor and solve using square root procedure.
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1.4: Quadratic Equations M. R. Abujiya

Example 3: Solve each equation by completing the square.


(a) x2 = 2 x + 6 (b) x2 + 2 = x (c) 3x 2 + 18 x − 4 = 0

( x − a)
2
Example 4: If after completing the square in the given quadratic equations, we get = b . Find a + b

(a) 3x 2 − 2 x + 1 = 0 (b) 2 x 2 + 8 x = − 10

V. Solve by Quadratic Formula: If ax 2 + bx + c = 0, a ≠ 0, then

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
x =
2a
1 2 1
Example 5: Use the quadratic formula to solve (a) x 2 + 7 = 5 x (b) x + x −3 = 0
2 4

VI. Solve a Cubic Equation: Some cubic equations can be solved by factoring and the quadratic formula.

Example 6: Solve each equation (a) x3+ 8 = 0 (b) x 3 − 27 = 0

VII. Solve for a Specified Variable:

Example 7: Solve for a specified variable


1
(a) A = πd 2 for d
4
(b) S = 2π rh + 2 π r 2 for r

(c) 4x 2 − 2xy + 3 y 2 = 2 for x

(d) rt 2 − st = k , ( r ≠ 0) for t

VIII. The Discriminant of a Quadratic Equation

The expression b 2 − 4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0

The discriminant and the solution of a quadratic equation:


(a) If b 2 − 4ac > 0 & equal perfect square, then ax 2 + bx + c = 0 has two rational solutions.

(b) If b 2 − 4ac > 0 & not equal perfect square, then ax 2 + bx + c = 0 has two irrational solutions.

(c) If b 2 − 4ac = 0 , then ax 2 + bx + c = 0 has one rational solution. (double solution)

(d) If b 2 − 4ac < 0 , then ax 2 + bx + c = 0 has two nonreal complex solutions. (solutions are conjugate of
each other).
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1.4: Quadratic Equations M. R. Abujiya

Example 8: For each equation, state the number of distinct solutions, and tell whether they are rational,
irrational, or nonreal complex numbers. (a) 5x 2 + 2x − 4 = 0 (b) x 2 − 10x = − 25

(c) 2x 2 − x + 1 = 0 (d) 3x 2 = − 5x − 2

Example 9: Find values of k for which kx 2 + ( 2k + 8 ) x = − 25 has exactly one real solution.

More Examples

Example 10: Find the equation whose roots are (a) 3, − 4 & (b) 5 as a double root.

Example 11: If – 4 is a solution to kx 2 + 10 x − 8 = 0 , then find k and the other solution.

Example 12: If m and n are the solutions to the equation 2 x 2 − 2 x + 1 = 0 , then find the equation whose
solutions are 3m and 3n.

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