Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Basics of Quadratics

An Introduction to Quadratics

• Solving quadratic equations:

1. Group all the terms together.
2. Factor.
3. Set each factor equal to zero and solve.

• Polynomials have a number of solutions equal to their highest power.

Equations produce different patterns depending on their

degree.
• A first degree or linear equation makes a line.
• A second degree or quadratic equation makes a
parabola.
• A third degree or cubic equation often makes a “Z” curve.

Solving for x reveals the points at which the graph of the

equation crosses a horizontal line, like the x-axis.
A linear equation has all its variables to the first degree. Its
graph is a line. Expect to solve for one answer.
Check each answer by substituting it into the equation and
performing the arithmetic to see if the value produces a
true statement.

A quadratic equation has one variable squared. Its graph is

a parabola; i.e., an open curve with one turning point.
When solving a quadratic equation, expect to get two
answers. One answer may be used twice, so the answers
may be represented by only one value.
Even so, always look for two answers.

A cubic equation has one variable cubed. Its graph may be

a soft sideways “Z” shape; i.e. an open curve with two
turning points.
When solving one of these equations, expect to find three
answers. A single value may be used more than once, so
there may not be three unique values.
However, always check for three answers.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 1952 –rev 05/17/2001

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Basics of Quadratics [Page 1 of 1]

Solving Quadratics by Factoring

• Quadratic equations have a squared variable in them.

• Solving quadratic equations is easiest if:

• you bring all your terms to left side of the equal sign;
• set everything equal to 0 (because you added and subtracted them all to the
left);
• factor;
• solve for the variable.

• Factoring when all the terms total 0 depends on the fact that no group of numbers
can multiply for a product of 0 unless one or more of the numbers actually equals 0;
i.e., you only get 0 for the answer when you multiply with 0.
Quadratic equations introduce the idea that there is
more than one specific answer for an equation.
To be sure you find all the answers, add and subtract
everything over to the left side of the equal with only 0
remaining on the right.

Then factor your numbers.

Set each factor equal to 0, and solve for the variable
in each situation.
You’ve got all your answers, generally two of them in
a quadratic equation.

In this case one of your factors is a monomial, which

is OK. It can still equal 0, which gives you a value for
x.

Remember: Check each of your answers to be sure it

satisfies the equation.

In this example, we use the same process.

We just have to think a little harder to accommodate

the coefficient 2 on the x2.

What situations might there be when you only get one

answer to a quadratic equation?

In this example, we see one. There are two answers

and they are the same number.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6683 –rev 05/01/2001