Chapter 2 : Quadratic expressions and Equations

2.1 Quadratic expressions

* Identifying quadratic expressions
1. A quadratic expression in the form ax2+bx+c,where a,b and c are constants,a0 and
is an unknown.
For example:
(a) 3x2 - 4x + 5
(b) 2x2 + 6x
(c) x2-9
2.In a quadratic expression:

there is only one unknown

the highest power of the unknown is 2

* Forming quadratic expressions by multiplying two linear expressions1. When two
linear expressions with the same unknown are multiplied,the product is a quadratic
expression.
2. The multiplication process is known as expansion
* Forming quadratic expressions based on specific situationsTo form quadratic
expressions based on specific situations :
1.Choose a letter to represent the unknown.2.Form a quadratic expressions based on the
information given.

2.2 Factorisation of quadratic expressions

*Factorising quadratic expressions of the form ax2 + bx + c,where b =0 or c
=01.When b = 0, ax2 + c can be factorised by finding the highest common factor (HCF)
of the coefficients a and c.
2.When c=0,ax2x< + bx can be factorised by finding the highest common factor of the
coefficients a and b.x is also a common factor of the two
terms.
*Factorising quadratic expressions of the form px2 - q,where p and q are perfect
squaresLet p = a and q = b
px - q = (ax) - b
= (ax + b) (ax - b)

*Factorising quadratic expressions of the form ax2 + bx + c, where a 0, b 0 and

c0
1.We can use the inspection method and cross method to factorise quadratic equations of
this form.
2.To factorise quadratic expressions :
(a) ax + bx + c, where a = 1
x + bx + c =(x + p) (x + p)
=x + qx + px + q
=x + (p + q) x + pq
In comparison,
b = p + q ,c = pq
- Find the combination of two numbers whose product is c.
- Choose the number combination from step 1 whose sum is b.

(b) ax + bx + c, where a > 1

ax + bx + c =(mx + p) (nx + q)
=mnx + mqx + npx + pq
=mnx + (mq + np) x + pq
In comparison,
a = mn , b = mq + np , c = pq
- Find the combination of two numbers whose product is a.
- Find the combination of two numbers whose product is c.
- Choose the number combination from step 1 and step 2 whose sum is b.
*Factorising quadratic expressions containing coefficients with common factors For
quadratic expressions containing coefficients with common factor first before
carrying out the factorisation of the expressions.

2.3 Quadratic Equations

* Indentifying quadratic equations with one unknown

1. Quadratic equations with one unknown are equations involving quadratic expressions.
2. In a quadratic equation :

there is an equal sign '='

there is only one unknown

the highest power of the unknown is 2

* Writing quadratic equadratic equations in general form
The general form of quadratic equations is ax2 + bx + c = 0,
where a,b and c are constants,a 0 and x is an unknown.
* Forming quadratic equations based on specific situations
To form quadratic equation based on specific situations :
1.Choose a letter to represent the unknown.
2.Form a quadratic equation based on the information given.

2.4 Roots of Quadratic Equations

* Determining the roots of a specific quadratic equationThe roots of a quadratic
equation are the values of the unknown which satisfy the quadratic equation.
* Determining the solutions for quadratic equations1.The solutions for a quadratic
equation can be determined by :

Trial and improvement method

Factorisation
2.To determine the solutions for ax2 + bx + c = 0 using trial and improvement
method :

Try using the factors of the last term,c.

If a > 1, try using fractions with a as the denominator and the factors of c as
numerator.
3.To determine the solutions for ax + bx + c = 0, using factorisation method :

Factorisation the equation to the from (mx + p)(nx + q) = 0

Equate each factor to zero to obtain the solutions.

mx + p = 0
nx + q = 0
x=-p
x=-q
m
m