CHAPTER 2

THE QUADRATIC FUNCTION

2.1 Quadratic Equations and Their Roots

A quadratic equation has the form of: ax2 + bx + c = 0 and general has two values of x
that satisfy, which are called roots, and are often written as x1 and x2. At least there
are three methods of finding roots of a quadratic equation as shown below .
Find roots of quadratic equation: x2 + x – 6 = 0

First method: by factoring

(x + 3)(x – 2) = 0
x + 3 = 0 or x – 2 = 0
which gives the roots of either x = -3 or x = 2

Second method : by completing the square

x2 + x = 6
(x + ½)2 - ¼ = 6
25
(x + ½)2 =
4
5
(x + ½) = ±
2
1 5
x= − ±
2 2
1 5 1 5
either x1 = − + = 2 or x2 = − − = −3
2 2 2 2

Third method: by quadratic formula (abc formula)

ax2 + bx = -c
b c
x2 + x= −
a a
2 2
 b  b c
x +  − 2 =−
 2a  4a a
2
 b  b 2 − 4ac
 x +  =
 2a  4a 2
b b 2 − 4ac
x+ =±
2a 4a 2
− b + b 2 − 4ac − b − b 2 − 4ac
x1 = or x2 =
2a 2a
Applying this formula to the quadratic equation x2 + x – 6 = 0 we obtain:
a= 1, b = 1 and c = -6
 −1 ± 12 − 4.1.( −6) −1 ± 5
x1,2 = =
2.1 2
either x1 = - 3 or x2 = 2
Exercise 1:
Find roots of each quadratic equation below.
1) 2x2 + 3x – 2 = 0
2) 2x2 – 9x – 9 = 0
3) 6x2 + 5x + 1 = 0
4) 20x2 + 41x + 20 = 0
5) 9x2 – 30x + 25 = 0
6) 49x2 + 28x + 4 = 0
7) x2 – 2x = 0
8) x2 – 4 = 0
9) x2 + x – 1 = 0
10) 2x2 + 4x + 1 = 0
11) x2 – x – 1 = 0
12) -3x2 – 6x – 2 = 0

2.2 Discriminant

The term b2 – 4ac in quadratic formula is called discriminant and symbolized by D

(D=b2-4ac).
By looking back at the quadratic formula, then we find that:
(i) If D = 0, then the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are
b
equal, that x= − .
2a
(ii) If D > 0, then the two roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are
−b + D −b − D
real and different one another, that is x1 = and x 2 = .
2a 2a
(iii) If D < 0, then the two roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are
imaginary.

Examples:
1. Of the quadratic equation 25x2 – 30x + 9 = 0, find :
a. Discriminant
b. Its roots
Answer:
a. D = (-30)2 – 4.25.9 = 900 – 900 = 0 , ( D=0)
− 30 3
b. x= − =
2( 25 ) 5
2. Of the quadratic equation x2 + x – 11 = 0, find:
a. Discriminant
b. Its roots
Answer:
a. D = 12 – 4(1)(-11) = 45, (D>0)
 −1 ± 45 1 3
b. x= =− ± 5
2 2 2
1 3 1 3
x1 = − + 5 or x 2 = − − 5
2 2 2 2
3. Of the quadratic equation x2 + 2x + 2 = 0, find:
a. Discriminant
b. Its roots
Answer:
a. D = 22 – 4(1)(2) = -4, (D<0)
b.
−2 ± −4 − 2 ± 4.( −1) − 2 ± 2 −1
x= = = = −1 ± −1 (because −1
2 2 2
imaginary number, then roots equation x2 + 2x + 2 = 0 are imaginary.

Exercise 2:
Of each quadratic equation below, find: a) discriminant and its roots
1. 36x2 + 60x + 25 = 0
2. x2 – 8x + 16 = 0
3. 4x2 – 24x + 36 = 0
4. 9x2 + 6x + 1 = 0
5. x2 – 2x – 5 = 0
6. 3x2 + 2x – 3
7. x2 – x – 5 = 0
8. 2x2 + 6x + 1 = 0
9. x2 – 4x + 8 = 0
10. 2x2 – 2x + 3 = 0
11. 3x2 + 4x + 2 = 0
12. x2 + 2x + 4 = 0

2.3 The Sum and Product of The Roots

The sum of the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 is:

−b + D −b − D −b
x1 + x 2 = + =
2a 2a a
Meanwhile, the product of the roots is:
(
x1 . x 2 = .
)(
−b + D −b − D
=
)
b 2 − D b 2 − (b 2 − 4ac ) 4ac c
= = =
2a 2a 4a 2 4a 2 4a 2 a
Examples:
1. If x1 and x2 are roots of the quadratic equation 3x2 + 2x + 5
= 0, then find the value of:
a). x1 + x2
b). x1 . x2
1 1
c). +
x1 x 2
Answer:
 −b 2
a). x1 + x2 = =−
a 3
c 5
b). x1 . x2 = =
a 3

x + x2 − 23 2
c).
1
x1
+
1
x2
=
1
= 5 =−
x1 .x2 3 5
2. If x1 and x2 are roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 + x – 3 =
0, then find the values of:
a). x12 + x22
b). x13 + x23
x1 x 2
c). +
x2 x1
1 1
d). 3
+ 3
x1 x 2
e). x12 x 2 + x1 x 22

Answer:
a). x12 + x22 = (x1 + x2)2 – 2x1.x2
= (-1/2)2 – 2(-3/2)
=¼+3
=3¼
b). x13 + x23 = (x1 + x2)3 – 3x12x2 – 3x1x22
= (x1 + x2)3 – 3 x1x2 (x1 + x2)
= (-1/2)3 – 3(-3/2)(-1/2)
= -1/8 – 9/4
= -19/4
x1 x 2 ( x12 + x 22 )
c). + =
x2 x1 x1 .x 2
( x1 + x 2 ) 2 − 2 x1 .x 2
=
x1 .x 2
( −1 / 2) 2 − 2(−3 / 2)
=
−3 / 2
= -3/2 (¼ +3)
 2 13  13
= −  =−
3 4  6
1 1
d). 3
+ 3 =
x1 x 2
2.4 Determining Quadratic Equations Of Given Roots
If x1 and x2 are roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 then
b c
x1 + x2 = − or b = -a(x1 + x2) and x1.x2 = or c = a.x1.x2 so that the quadratic
a a
equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 can be written as :
ax2 – a(x1 + x2)x + ax1.x2 = 0 or x2 – (x1 + x2)x + x1.x2 = 0
Examples:
1. Find the quadratic equation whose roots are -3 + √5 and -3
- √5
Answer:
x2 – (x1 + x2)x + x1.x2 = 0
x1 + x2 = (-3 + √5) + (-3 - √5) = -6
x1.x2 = (-3 + √5)(-3 - √5)
= 9 + 3√5 - 3√5 – 5
=4
2
x – (-6)x + 4 = 0
x2 + 6x + 4 = 0
2. If x1 and x2 are roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 + 3x – 4
1 1
= 0, then find the quadratic equation whose roots are and .
x1 x2
Answer:
x1 + x2 = -b/a = -3/2
x1.x2 = c/a = -2
1 1
If = α and = β then the quadratic equation whose roots α and β are x2 –
x1 x2
(α+β)x + α.β = 0
1 1
(α+β) = +
x1 x2
x1 + x 2
=
x1 .x 2
−3/ 2 3
= =
−2 4
1 1 1
α.β = . =
x1 x 2 x1 .x 2
1
=
−2
1 1
So. The quadratic equation whose roots and are:
x1 x2
3 1
x2 - x- = 0 or 4x2 – 3x – 2 = 0
4 2
3. If x1 and x2 are roots of the quadratic equation 3x2 + 2x – 5
= 0, then find quadratic equation whose roots are 2x1 + 1 and 2x2 + 1.
2.5 The Quadratic Function and Plotting its Graph
If ax + bx + c = 0 is a quadratic equation, then the function f(x) = ax2 + bx + c is
2

called a quadratic function.

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola as shown below.
▪P

Axis of symmetry
for a<0

Properties of these parabolas are:

▪P b −D
1. has vertex at P of coordinate: P( − , )
Axis of symmetry 2a 4a
The point P is also called extreme. And as shown in the figure above , for a>0 we
for a>0
obtain minimum extreme, and for a<0 we obtain maximum extreme.
b
2. The equation of axis of symmetry is the line x = − ,
2a
that is the abscissa of the point P.
3. The parabola intersects Y at the point (0,c). Since when x =
2
0, then y=a.0 +b.0+c=c
4. The parabola intersects X at the points (x1,0) and (x2,0),
where x1 and x2 are roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0.
By recalling discriminant (D) of a quadratic equation, then:
a. If D>0, then the quadratic equation has two real and different roots, which
means the parabola quadratic function intersects x axis at two different points,
that is the points (x1,0) and (x2,0). Here x1 and x2 are called zero makers of the
function.
b. If D=0, then the quadratic equation has two equal roots, which means the
parabola of the quadratic function intersects x axis at two equal points ,
means: at one point. Here, the parabola touches the x axis.
c. If D<0, then the quadratic equation has imaginary roots, which means the
parabola of the quadratic function does not intersect the x axis.

Examples:
1. Plot the graph of:
a. y = x2 – 2x – 8
b. y = 10x – x2
c. y = x2 – 6x + 9
d. y = x2 + x + 1
Answer: (a) y=x2- 2x – 8
b D  − 2 ( −2) 2 − 4.1.( −8) 
(i) Vertex P( − , )= P 
− 2.1 , 
 = P(1,-9)
2a − 4a  − 4.1 
b − ( −2 )
(ii) Axis of symmetry x = − = = −1
2a 2 .1
(iii) Intersects y axis at the point (0,c) that is the point (0,-8)
(iv)Intersects x axis (if y = 0)
x2 – 2x – 8 = 0
(x – 4)(x + 2) = 0
x = 4 or x = -2
Parabola intersects x axis at two different points, that is point (4,0) and (-2,0)
Y x=1
y=x2 – 2x – 8

-2 0 1 4 X

Answer: (b) y = 10x – x2

b D  −10 10 2 − 4.( −1)( 0) 
(i) Vertex P( − , )= P  −
 2.( −1) , 
 = P(5,25)
2a − 4a  − 4.( −1) 
b −10
(ii) Axis of symmetry x = − = =5
2a 2.( −1)
(iii) Intersects y axis at the point (0,c) that is the point (0,0)
(iv)Intersects x axis (if y = 0)
10x – x2 = 0 Y P(5,25)
x(10 – x) = 0 25
x = 0 or x = 10
Parabola intersects x axis at two different
points, that is point (0,0) and (10,0)

0 10 X
x=5
2.6 Finding Quadratic Function Formula From The Graph
1. If graph of the quadratic function (the parabola) has the given extreme
P(xp,yp), then the quadratic function formula is: f(x) = a(x – xp)2 + yp, also means,
the equation of the parabola is y = a(x – xp)2 + yp, since:
2
 b  b2
Y = ax + bx + c = a x +  −
2
+c
 2a  4a
2
 b  b 2 − 4ac
= a x +  + = a( x − x p ) 2 + y p
 2a  − 4a
The point a can be determined when another point is given.
2. If the parabola is as bellow that is intersects x axis at the point (x1,0) and
(x2,0) the equation of the parabola is y = a(x – x1)(x – x2)

Y Y

x1 x2 X x1 x2 X

The point a can be determined when another point is given.

3. To determine a parabola is required at least three different point, if none

of the three points is the extreme, and the three points are not collinear. If the
points (x1,y1), (x2,y2), (x3,y3) of the parabola are given, then a, b, c in parabola
equation can be found from the equation system:
y1 = ax12 + bx1 + c
y2 = ax22 + bx2 + c
y3 = ax32 + bx3 + c

Examples:
1. Find equation of each parabola below:
a) Y b) Y

12
4

0 1 X -2 0 3 X

-3

Answer:
a) y = a(x – xp)2 + yp
y = a(x – 1)2 + (-3)
(0,4) → 4 = a(0 – 1)2 – 3
4=a–3
a=7
So: y = 7(x – 1)2 – 3 or y = 7x2 – 14x + 4

b) y = a(x – x1)(x – x2)

y = a(x – (-2))(x – 3)
(0,12) → 12 = a(0 + 2)(0 – 3)
12 = -6a
a = -2
So: y = -2(x + 2)(x – 3) or y = -2x2 + 2x + 12

2. Graph of quadratic function passes through the points (1,-4), (-1,0) and
(2,-3). Find of equation quadratic function it.
Answer:
y = ax2 + bx + c
(1,-4) → -4 = a(1)2 + b(1) + c
a + b + c = -4 .................. (1)
2
(-1,0) → 0 = a(-1) + b(-1) + c
a–b+c=0 .................. (2)
2
(2,-3) → -3 = a(2) + b(2) + c
4a + 2b + c = -3 .................. (3)
By substitution method:
(2) → c = -a + b
(1) → a + b – a + b = -4
2b = -4
b = -2
(3) → 4a + (-4) –a + (-2) = -3
3a = 3
a=1
c = -1 + (-2)
c = -3
So: y = (1)x2 + (-2)x + (-3) or y = x2 – 2x – 3
2.7 Aplications of Quadratic Functions
Examples:

Consider the following figure A metal plate of width  is

x x bent on its sides of length x to
flow the water. Find x so that
debit of flowing water is
maximum.
x
x

