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Quadratic Equations
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
39
2
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
Recall that an algebraic equation of the second degree is written in general form as
2
0, 0 ax bx c a + +
It is called a quadratic equation inx. The coefficient a is the first or leading coefficient, b
is the second or middle coefficient and c is the constant term (or third coefficient).
For example, 7x + 2x + 5 = 0,
2
5
x +
2
1
x + 1 = 0,
3x x = 0, x +
2
1
= 0,
2
x + 7x = 0, are all quadratic equations.
In this lesson we will discuss how to solve quadratic equations with real and complex
coefficients and establish relation between roots and coefficients. We will also find cube
roots of unity and use these in solving problems.
OBJECTIVES
After studying this lesson, you will be able to:
solve a quadratic equation with real coefficients by factorization and by using quadratic
formula;
Real numbers
L.H.S = R.H.S.
Again put x = 3 in (ii), we get
L.H.S. = ( 3)
2
3 6 = 0
L.H.S = R.H.S.
Again put x = 1 in (ii) ,we get
L.H.S = ( 1)
2
+ ( 1) 6 = 6
0
= R.H.S.
x = 2 and x = 3 are the only values of x which satisfy the quadratic equation (ii)
There are no other values which satisfy (ii)
either x =
p
q
or, x =
r
s
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
41
Either 2x + 3 = 0 x =
2
3
or, 3x 2 = 0 x =
3
2
Either
2
x + 3 = 0
x =
2
3
or, 3x
2
= 0
x =
3
2
either (a + b) x + 3 (a b) =0 x =
b a
) b a ( 3
+
=
b a
) a b ( 3
+
or, (a + b) x + 3 (a b) =0 x =
b a
) b a ( 3
+
=
b a
) a b ( 3
+
,
b a
) a b ( 3
+
Alternative Method
The given quadratic equation is
(a + b)
2
x
2
+ 6(a
2
b
2
) x + 9(a b)
2
= 0
This can be rewritten as
{(a + b) x}
2
+ 2 .(a + b)x . 3 (a b) + {3(a b)}
2
= 0
or, { (a + b)x + 3(a b) }
2
= 0
or, x =
b a
) b a ( 3
+
=
b a
) a b ( 3
+
,
b a
) a b ( 3
+
ab
c
c
ab
x 1 = 0 (iv) x
2
4
2
x + 6 = 0
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
43
2.3 SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY QUADRATIC
FORMULA
Recall the solution of a standard quadratic equation
a x
2
+ bx + c = 0, a
0
by the Method of Completing Squares
Roots of the above quadratic equation are given by
x
1
=
a 2
ac 4 b b
2
+
and x
2
=
a 2
ac 4 b b
2
=
a 2
D b+
, =
a 2
D b
where D = b
2
4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation.
For a quadratic equation
2
0, 0 ax bx c a + +
if
(i) D>0, the equation will have two real and unequal roots
(ii) D=0, the equation will have two real and equal roots and both roots are
equal to
b
2a
(iii) D<0, the equation will have two conjugate complex (imaginary) roots.
Example 2.4 Examine the nature of roots in each of the following quadratic equations and
also verify them by formula.
(i) x
2
+ 9 x +10 = 0 (ii)
2
9 6 2 2 0 y y +
(iii)
2
t
2
3t + 3
2
= 0
Solution:
(i) The given quadratic equation is x
2
+ 9 x + 10 = 0
Here, a = 1, b = 9 and c= 10
D = b
2
4ac = 81 4.1.10
= 41>0.
where
1 i
The quadratic equation will have real and distinct roots for all real values of p.
Example 2.6 For what value of k the quadratice equation
(4k+ 1) x
2
+ (k + 1) x + 1 = 0 will have equal roots ?
Solution: The given quadratic equation is
(4k + 1)x
2
+ (k + 1) x + 1 = 0
Here, D = (k + 1)
2
4.(4k + 1).1
For equal roots, D = 0
(k + 1)
2
4 (4k + 1) = 0
k
2
14k 3 = 0
k =
2
12 196 14 + t
or k =
2
208 14t
= 7 2
13
or 7 + 2
13
, 7 2
13
which are the required values of k.
Example 2.7 Prove that the roots of the equation
x
2
(a
2
+ b
2
) + 2x (ac+ bd) + (c
2
+ d
2
) = 0 are imaginary. But if ad = bc,
roots are real and equal.
Solution: The given equation is x
2
(a
2
+ b
2
) + 2x (ac + bd) + (c
2
+ d
2
) = 0
Discriminant = 4 (ac + bd)
2
4 (a
2
+ b
2
) (c
2
+ d
2
)
= 8 abcd 4(a
2
d
2
+ b
2
c
2
)
= 4 ( 2 abcd + a
2
d
2
+ b
2
c
2
)
= 4 (ad bc)
2
<0 for all a, b, c, d
...(iv)
(iii) and (iv) are the required relationships between roots and coefficients of a given quadratic
equation. These relationships helps to find out a quadratic equation when two roots are
given.
Example 2.8 If, , are the roots of the equation 3x
2
5x + 9 = 0 find the value of:
(a)
2
+
2
(b)
2
1
+ 2
1
Solution: (a) It is given that , are the roots of the quadratic equation 3x
2
5x +9 = 0.
5
3
+
... (i)
and
9
3
3
... (ii)
Now,
, )
2
2 2
2 + +
=
2
3
5
,
_
+ 2
1
=
2 2
2 2
+
=
9
9
29
[By (i) and (ii)]
=
81
29
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
48
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
Example 2.9 If , are the roots of the equation 3y
2
+ 4y + 1 = 0, form a quadratic
equation whose roots are
2
,
2
Solution: It is given that , are two roots of the quadratic equation 3y
2
+ 4y + 1 = 0.
,
_
2.
3
1
[ By (i) and (ii)]
=
9
16
3
2
=
9
10
and
2
2
= ( )
2
=
9
1
[By (i) ]
2
= 0
or, y
2
9
10
y +
9
1
= 0
or, 9y
2
10y + 1 = 0
Example 2.10 If one root of the equation
2
0, 0 ax bx c a + +
be the square of
the other, prove that b
3
+ ac
2
+ a
2
c = 3abc
Solution: Let ,
2
be two roots of the equation ax
2
+ bx + c = 0.
+
2
=
a
b
... (i)
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
49
and .
2
=
a
c
i.e.,
3
=
a
c
. ... (ii)
From (i) we have
( + 1) =
a
b
or,
{ ]
3
1) ( +
=
3
a
b
,
_
=
3
3
a
b
or,
3
(
3
+ 3
2
+ 3 +1) =
3
3
a
b
or,
a
c
'
,
_
+ 1
a
b
3
a
c
=
3
3
a
b
... [ By (i) and (ii)]
or,
2
2
c
a
2
bc 3
a
+
a
c
=
3
3
a
b
or, ac
2
3abc + a
2
c = b
3
or, b
3
+ ac
2
+ a
2
c = 3abc
which is the required result.
Example 2.11 Find the condition that the roots of the equation ax
2
+ bx + c = 0 are in the
ratio m : n
Solution: Let m and n be the roots of the equation ax
2
+bx + c = 0
Now, m + n =
a
b
... (i)
and mn
2
=
a
c
... (ii)
From (i) we have, (m + n ) =
a
b
or,
2
(m + n)
2
=
2
2
a
b
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
50
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
or,
a
c
(m + n)
2
= mn
2
2
a
b
[ By (ii)]
or, ac (m+n)
2
= mn b
2
which is the required condition
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 2.3
1. If , are the roots of the equation ay
2
+ by + c = 0 then find the value of :
(i)
2
1
+ 2
1
(ii)
4
1
+ 4
1
t =
2
16 9 3 t
=
2
7 3 t
Here, D= 7 < 0
y =
) 3 ( 2
) 2 ).( 3 ( 4 5 5
t
or y =
6
19 5
t
Here, D = 19 < 0
Here, also roots are complex and conjugate. From the above examples , we can make the
following conclusions:
(i) D < 0 in both the cases
(ii) Roots are complex and conjugate to each other.
Is it always true that complex roots occur in conjugate pairs ?
Let us form a quadratic equation whose roots are
2 + 3i and 4 5i
The equation will be {x (2 + 3i)} {x (4 5i)} = 0
or, x
2
(2 + 3i)x (4 5i)x + (2 + 3i) (4 5i) = 0
or, x
2
+ (6 + 2i)x + 23 + 2i = 0
which is an equation with complex coefficients.
Note : If the quadratic equation has two complex roots, which are not conjugate
of each other, the quadratic equation is an equation with complex coefficients.
2.6 CUBE ROOTS OF UNITY
Let us consider an equation of degree 3 or more. Any equation of degree 3 can be expressed
as a product of a linear and quadratic equation.
The simplest situation that comes for our consideration is
x 1 = 0 ...(i)
x 1 = (x 1) (x + x + 1) = 0
either x 1 = 0 or, x + x + 1 = 0
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
52
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
or, x = 1 or, x =
2
i 3 1t
Roots are 1,
2
i 3
2
1
+ and
2
i 3
2
1
These are called cube roots of unity.
Do you see any relationship between two non-real roots of unity obtained above ?
Let us try to find the relationship between them
Let w =
2
i 3
2
1
+
Squaring both sides, we have
w =
2
2
i 3
2
1
,
_
+
=
) i 3 2 i 3 1 (
4
1
2
+
=
) i 3 2 3 1 (
4
1
=
4
i 3 2 2
=
, )
4
i 3 1 2 +
=
, )
2
i 3 1+
w =
2
i 3
2
1
= other complex root.
,
_
+
2
i 3
2
1
+
,
_
2
i 3
2
1
=
2
1
2
1
1
= 1 1
= 0
1 + w + w = 0
Sum of cube roots of unity is zero.
Product of cube roots of 1
i.e., 1.w.w = w = 1 (since ,w is a root the equation x
3
1 = 0)
We can conclude that , if 1, w and w
2
are cube roots of unity then
(i) square of one complex root is same as the other complex root i.e., w
2
= w
(ii) 1+ w + w
2
= 0
(iii) w
3
= 1
Let us now consider another equation
x + 1 = 0 ... (ii)
or (x + 1) (x x + 1) = 0
Either, x + 1 = 0 or, x x + 1 = 0
or, x = 1 or, x =
2
4 1 1 t
x = 1 or, x =
2
3 1 t
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
54
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
Roots are 1,
2
i 3
2
1
and
2
i 3
2
1
+ which can also be written as 1 , w and w
2
Therefore, cube roots of 1 are 1 , w and w
2
In general, roots of any cubic equation of the form x
3
=
t
a
3
would be
t
a ,
t
aw and
t
aw
2
Example 2.12 If 1, w and w are cube roots of unity, prove that
(a) 1 + w
2
+ w
7
= 0
(b) (1 w + w
2
) (1 + w w
2
) = 4
(c) (1 + w)
3
(1 + w
2
)
3
= 0
(d) (1 w + w
2
)
3
= 8 and (1 + w w
2
)
3
= 8
Solution:
(a) 1 + w
2
+ w
7
= 0
L.H.S = 1 + w
2
+ (w
3
)
2
. w
= 1 + w
2
+ w [ since w
3
=1]
= 0 [ since 1+ w + w
2
= 0]
= R.H.S
L.H.S = R.H.S
(b) (1 w + w
2
) (1 + w w
2
) = 4
L.H.S = (1 w + w
2
) (1 + w w
2
)
= (1 + w
2
w) (1 + w w
2
)
(since 1 + w
2
= w and 1 + w = w
2
)
= ( w w) ( w
2
w
2
)
= ( 2w) ( 2w
2
)
= 4w
3
= 4.1 = 4 =R.H.S
L.H.S = R.H.S
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
55
(c) (1 + w)
3
(1 + w
2
)
3
= 0
L.H.S = (1 + w)
3
(1 + w
2
)
3
= ( w
2
)
3
( w)
3
(
1 + w = w
2
= w
6
+ w
3
and 1 + w
2
= w)
= (w
3
)
2
+ 1
= (1)
2
+ 1
= 0 =R.H.S
L.H.S = R.H.S
(d) (1 w + w
2
)
3
= 8 and (1 + w w
2
)
3
= 8
Case I : L.H.S = (1 w + w
2
)
3
= (1 + w
2
w)
3
= ( w w)
3
= ( 2w)
3
= 8w
3
= 8 = R.H.S
L.H.S = R.H.S
Case II : L.H.S = (1 + w w)
= ( w
2
w
2
)
3
= ( 2w
2
)
3
= 8w
6
= 8(w
3
)
2
= 8 = R.H.S
L.H.S = R.H.S
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 2.4
1. Solve each of the following cubic equations:
(i) x
3
= 27 (ii) x
3
= 27
(iii) x
3
= 64 (iv) x
3
= 64
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
56
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
2. If 1, w, w
2
are cube roots of unity, show that
(i) (1 + w) (1 + w
2
) (1 + w
4
) (1 + w
8
) = 1
(ii) (1 w) (1 w
2
) (1 w
4
) (1 w
5
) = 9
(iii) (1 + w)
4
+ (1 + w
2
)
4
= 1
(iv) (1 + w
3
)
3
= 8
(v) (1 w + w
2
)
6
= (1 + w w
2
)
6
= 64
(vi) (1 + w)
16
+ w = (1 + w
2
)
16
+ w
2
= 1
LET US SUM UP
(ii) +
1
, +
1
(iii)
2
+
2
,
2
1
+ 2
1
4. If 1, w and w
2
are cube roots of unity , prove that
(a) (2 w) (2 w
2
) (2 w
10
) (2 w
11
) = 49
(b) ( x y) (xw y) ) (xw
2
y) = x
3
y
3
5. If x = a + b , y = aw + bw
2
and z = aw
2
+ bw , then prove that
(a) x
2
+ y
2
+ z
2
= 6 ab (b) x y z = a
3
+ b
3
MATHEMATICS
Notes
MODULE - I
Algebra
58
Quadratic Equations
Quadratic Equations
ANSWERS
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 2.1
1. (i)
2 3
4
3
,
(ii)
a b a + b ,
(iii)
ab
c
,
c
ab
(iv)
2 , 2 3
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 2.2
1. (i)
4
i 15 3 t
(ii)
2
i 1t
(iii)
8
i 43 5 t
(iv)
6
i 58 2 t
2. 1,
2
1
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 2.3
1. (i)
2
2
c
2ac b
(ii)
4
2 2 2 2
c
c 2a 2ac) b (
2. (i) 25x
2
6x + 9 = 0 (ii) 625x
2
90x + 81 = 0
4. q
2
5p
2
= 0
CHECK YOUR PROGRESS 2.4
1. (i) 3, 3w, 3w
2
(ii) 3, 3w , 3w
2
(iii) 4, 4w, 4w
2
(iv) 4, 4w , 4w
2
TERMINAL EXERCISE
3. (i) 5x
2
8x + 5 = 0 (ii) 10x
2
42x + 49 = 0 (iii) 25x
2
116x + 64 = 0