9.

Quadratics - Quadratic Formula

Objective: Solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula.

The general from of a quadratic is a x2 + bx + c = 0. We will now solve this for-

mula for x by completing the square

Example 465.

ax2 + bc + c = 0 Separate constant from variables

−c−c Subtract c from both sides
ax2 + bx =−c Divide each term by a
a a a
b −c
x2 + x = Find the number that completes the square
a
2  2 a
b2

1 b b
 = = 2 Add to both sides,
2 a 2a 4a

b2 b2 4ac b2 − 4ac
 
c 4a
− = − = Get common denominator on right
4a2 a 4a 4a2 4a2 4a2

b b2 b2 4ac b2 − 4ac
x2 + x + 2 = 2 − 2 = Factor
a 4a 4a 4a 4a2
2
b2 − 4ac

b
x+ = Solve using the even root property
2a 4a2
 2 
b b2 − 4ac
x+ =± Simplify roots
2a 4a2

√
b ± b2 − 4ac b
x+ = Subtract from both sides
2a 2a 2a
√
−b± b2 − 4ac
x= Our Solution
2a

This solution is a very important one to us. As we solved a general equation by

completing the square, we can use this formula to solve any quadratic equation.
Once we identify what a, b, and c are in the quadratic, we can substitute those

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 
−b± b2 − 4ac
values into x = 2a
and we will get our two solutions. This formula is
known as the quadratic fromula

−b± b2 − 4a c
Quadratic Formula: if a x2 + b x + c = 0 then x =
2a

World View Note: Indian mathematician Brahmagupta gave the rst explicit
formula for solving quadratics in 628. However, at that time mathematics was not
done with variables and symbols, so the formula he gave was, “To the absolute
number multiplied by four times the square, add the square of the middle term;
the square root of the same, less the middle term, being divided by twice the
square

is the value.” This would translate to
4ac + b2 − b
2a
as the solution to the equation ax2 + bx = c.

We can use the quadratic formula to solve any quadratic, this is shown in the fol-
lowing examples.

Example 466.

x2 + 3x + 2 = 0 a = 1, b = 3, c = 2, use quadratic formula


− 3 ± 32 − 4(1)(2)
x= Evaluate exponent and multiplication
2(1)
√
−3± 9−8
x= Evaluate subtraction under root
2 √
−3± 1
x= Evaluate root
2
−3±1
x= Evaluate ± to get two answers
2
−2 −4
x= or Simplify fractions
2 2
x = − 1 or − 2 Our Solution

As we are solving using the quadratic formula, it is important to remember the

equation must st be equal to zero.

Example 467.

25x2 = 30x + 11 First set equal to zero

− 30x − 11 − 30x − 11 Subtract 30x and 11 from both sides
25x2 − 30x − 11 = 0 a = 25, b = − 30, c = − 11, use quadratic formula

30 ± ( − 30)2 − 4(25)( − 11)
x= Evaluate exponent and multiplication
2(25)

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 √
30 ± 900 + 1100
x= Evaluate addition inside root
50 √
30 ± 2000
x= Simplify root
50 √
30 ± 20 5
x= Reduce fraction by dividing each term by 10
50 √
3±2 5
x= Our Solution
5

Example 468.

3x2 + 4x + 8 = 2x2 + 6x − 5 First set equation equal to zero

− 2x2 − 6x + 5 − 2x2 − 6x + 5 Subtract 2x2 and 6x and add 5
x2 − 2x + 13 = 0 a = 1, b = − 2, c = 13, use quadratic formula

2 ± ( − 2)2 − 4(1)(13)
x= Evaluate exponent and multiplication
2(1)
√
2 ± 4 − 52
x= Evaluate subtraction inside root
2
√
2 ± − 48
x= Simplify root
2 √
2 ± 4i 3
x= Reduce fraction by dividing each term by 2
2√
x = 1 ± 2i 3 Our Solution

When we use the quadratic formula we don’t necessarily get two unique answers.
We can end up with only one solution if the square root simplies to zero.

Example 469.

4x2 − 12x + 9 = 0 a = 4, b = − 12, c = 9, use quadratic formula


12 ± ( − 12)2 − 4(4)(9)
x= Evaluate exponents and multiplication
2(4)
√
12 ± 144 − 144
x= Evaluate subtraction inside root
8 √
12 ± 0
x= Evaluate root
8
12 ± 0
x= Evaluate ±
8
12
x= Reduce fraction
8
3
x= Our Solution
2

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If a term is missing from the quadratic, we can still solve with the quadratic for-
mula, we simply use zero for that term. The order is important, so if the term
with x is missing, we have b = 0, if the constant term is missing, we have c = 0.

Example 470.

3x2 + 7 = 0 a = 3, b = 0(missing term), c = 7


− 0 ± 02 − 4(3)(7)
x= Evaluate exponnets and multiplication, zeros not needed
2(3)
√
± − 84
x= Simplify root
6√
± 2i 21
x= Reduce, dividing by 2
6√
± i 21
x= Our Solution
3

We have covered three dierent methods to use to solve a quadratic: factoring,

complete the square, and the quadratic formula. It is important to be familiar
with all three as each has its advantage to solving quadratics. The following table
walks through a suggested process to decide which method would be best to use
for solving a problem.

x2 − 5x + 6 = 0
1. If it can easily factor, solve by factoring (x − 2)(x − 3) = 0
x = 2 or x = 3
x2 + 2x = 4
 2
1
2
 2 = 12 = 1
2. If a = 1 and b is even, complete the square x2 + 2x + 1 = 5
(x + 1)2 = 5
√
x+1=± 5
√
x=−1± 5
x2 − 3x + 4 = 0

3± ( − 3)2 − 4(1)(4)
3. Otherwise, solve by the quadratic formula x= 2(1)
√
3±i 7
x= 2

The above table is mearly a suggestion for deciding how to solve a quadtratic.
Remember completing the square and quadratic formula will always work to solve
any quadratic. Factoring only woks if the equation can be factored.

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 9.4 Practice - Quadratic Formula

Solve each equation with the quadratic formula.

1) 4a2 + 6 = 0 2) 3k 2 + 2 = 0

3) 2x2 − 8x − 2 = 0 4) 6n2 − 1 = 0

5) 2m2 − 3 = 0 6) 5p2 + 2p + 6 = 0

7) 3r 2 − 2r − 1 = 0 8) 2x2 − 2x − 15 = 0

9) 4n2 − 36 = 0 10) 3b2 + 6 = 0

11) v 2 − 4v − 5 = − 8 12) 2x2 + 4x + 12 = 8

13) 2a2 + 3a + 14 = 6 14) 6n2 − 3n + 3 = − 4

15) 3k 2 + 3k − 4 = 7 16) 4x2 − 14 = − 2

17) 7x2 + 3x − 16 = − 2 18) 4n2 + 5n = 7

19) 2p2 + 6p − 16 = 4 20) m2 + 4m − 48 = − 3

21) 3n2 + 3n = − 3 22) 3b2 − 3 = 8b

23) 2x2 = − 7x + 49 24) 3r 2 + 4 = − 6r

25) 5x2 = 7x + 7 26) 6a2 = − 5a + 13

27) 8n2 = − 3n − 8 28) 6v 2 = 4 + 6v

29) 2x2 + 5x = − 3 30) x2 = 8

31) 4a2 − 64 = 0 32) 2k 2 + 6k − 16 = 2k

33) 4p2 + 5p − 36 = 3p2 34) 12x2 + x + 7 = 5x2 + 5x

35) − 5n2 − 3n − 52 = 2 − 7n2 36) 7m2 − 6m + 6 = − m

37) 7r 2 − 12 = − 3r 38) 3x2 − 3 = x2

39) 2n2 − 9 = 4 40) 6b2 = b2 + 7 − b

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9.5

Quadratics - Build Quadratics From Roots

Objective: Find a quadratic equation that has given roots using reverse
factoring and reverse completing the square.

Up to this point we have found the solutions to quadratics by a method such as

factoring or completing the square. Here we will take our solutions and work
backwards to nd what quadratic goes with the solutions.

We will start with rational solutions. If we have rational solutions we can use fac-
toring in reverse, we will set each solution equal to x and then make the equation
equal to zero by adding or subtracting. Once we have done this our expressions
will become the factors of the quadratic.

Example 471.

The solutions are 4 and − 2 Set each solution equal to x

x = 4 or x = − 2 Make each equation equal zero
−4−4 +2 +2 Subtract 4 from rst, add 2 to second
x − 4 = 0 or x + 2 = 0 These expressions are the factors
(x − 4)(x + 2) = 0 FOIL
x2 + 2x − 4x − 8 Combine like terms
x2 − 2x − 8 = 0 Our Solution

If one or both of the solutions are fractions we will clear the fractions by multi-
plying by the denominators.

Example 472.

2 3
The solution are and Set each solution equal to x
3 4
2 3
x = or x = Clear fractions by multiplying by denominators
3 4
3x = 2 or 4x = 3 Make each equation equal zero
−2−2 −3−3 Subtract 2 from the rst, subtract 3 from the second
3x − 2 = 0 or 4x − 3 = 0 These expressions are the factors
(3x − 2)(4x − 3) = 0 FOIL
12x2 − 9x − 8x + 6 = 0 Combine like terms

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 12x2 − 17x + 6 = 0 Our Solution

If the solutions have radicals (or complex numbers) then we cannot use reverse
factoring. In these cases we will use reverse completing the square. When there
are radicals the solutions will always come in pairs, one with a plus, one with a
minus, that can be combined into “one” solution using ± . We will then set this
solution equal to x and square both sides. This will clear the radical from our
problem.

Example 473.

√ √
The solutions are 3 and − 3 Write as ′′one ′′ expression equal to x
√
x=± 3 Square both sides
x2 = 3 Make equal to zero
−3−3 Subtract 3 from both sides
x2 − 3 = 0 Our Solution

We may have to isolate the term with the square root (with plus or minus) by
adding or subtracting. With these problems, remember to square a binomial we
use the formula (a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2

Example 474.

√ √
The solutions are 2 − 5 2 and 2 + 5 2 Write as ′′one ′′ expression equal to x
√
x=2±5 2 Isolate the square root term
−2−2 Subtract 2 from both sides
√
x−2=±5 2 Square both sides
x2 − 4x + 4 = 25  2
x2 − 4x + 4 = 50 Make equal to zero
− 50 − 50 Subtract 50
2
x − 4x − 46 = 0 Our Solution

World View Note: Before the quadratic formula, before completing the square,
before factoring, quadratics were solved geometrically by the Greeks as early as
300 BC! In 1079 Omar Khayyam, a Persian mathematician solved cubic equations
geometrically!

If the solution is a fraction we will clear it just as before by multiplying by the

denominator.

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Example 475.
√ √
2+ 3 2− 3
The solutions are and Write as ′′one ′′ expresion equal to x
4 4√
2± 3
x= Clear fraction by multiplying by 4
4√
4x = 2 ± 3 Isolate the square root term
−2−2 Subtract 2 from both sides
√
4x − 2 = ± 3 Square both sides
16x2 − 16x + 4 = 3 Make equal to zero
−3−3 Subtract 3
2
16x − 16x + 1 = 0 Our Solution

The process used for complex solutions is identical to the process used for radi-
cals.

Example 476.

The solutions are 4 − 5i and 4 + 5i Write as ′′one ′′ expression equal to x

x = 4 ± 5i Isolate the i term
−4−4 Subtract 4 from both sides
x − 4 = ± 5i Square both sides
x2 − 8x + 16 = 25i2 i2 = − 1
x2 − 8x + 16 = − 25 Make equal to zero
+ 25 + 25 Add 25 to both sides
x2 − 8x + 41 = 0 Our Solution

Example 477.

3 − 5i 3 + 5i
The solutions are and Write as ′′one ′′ expression equal to x
2 2
3 ± 5i
x= Clear fraction by multiplying by denominator
2
2x = 3 ± 5i Isolate the i term
−3−3 Subtract 3 from both sides
2x − 3 = ± 5i Square both sides
4x − 12x + 9 = 5i2
2
i2 = − 1
4x2 − 12x + 9 = − 25 Make equal to zero
+ 25 + 25 Add 25 to both sides
2
4x − 12x + 34 = 0 Our Solution

350
 9.5 Practice - Build Quadratics from Roots

From each problem, nd a quadratic equation with those numbers as

its solutions.

1) 2, 5 2) 3, 6

3) 20, 2 4) 13, 1

5) 4, 4 6) 0, 9

7) 0, 0 8) − 2, − 5
9) − 4, 11 10) 3, − 1
3 1
11) 4 , 4 5 5
12) 8 , 7
1 1
13) 2 , 3 1 2
14) 2 , 3
3
15) 7 , 4 16) 2, 9
2

1 5
17) − 3 , 6 5
18) 3 , − 2
1

1
19) − 6, 9 2
20) − 5 , 0
21) ± 5
22) ± 1
1 √
23) ± 5 24) ± 7
√ √
25) ± 11 26) ± 2 3
√
3
27) ± 4 28) ± 11i
√ √
29) ± i 13 30) ± 5i 2
√ √
31) 2 ± 6 32) − 3 ± 2

33) 1 ± 3i 34) − 2 ± 4i
√ √
35) 6 ± i 3 36) − 9 ± i 5
√
−1± 6 2 ± 5i
37) 2
38) 3
√ √
6±i 2 − 2 ± i 15
39) 8
40) 2

351