QUADRATIC EQUATION

Learning Target

 Find the solution using three method i.e. factorisation, completing square, and formula
 Use quadratic equation to solve the problem

Picture a swing moving back and forth. When you look at it from the side, it draws an outline, a shape,
perhaps? Is it some kind of arc or part of a circle? Yes, we call it a parabola. Do you know that a parabola is a
graph drawn by quadratic equations? But first let’s understand what exactly do we mean by the applications of
quadratic equations.

Many physical and mathematical problems are in the form of quadratic equations.
1. Application to Problems of Area
 There is a hall whose length is five times the width. The area of the floor is 45m2. Find the
length and width of the hall.
 Find the dimensions of the rectangle whose length is 7 in more than its twice its width, and
whose area is 120 in2.
2. Application to Problems of Motion
 A ball is thrown upwards from a rooftop, 80 m above the ground. It will reach a maximum
vertical height and then fall back to the ground. The height of the ball from the ground at time
t is h, and is given by h = -16t2 + 64t + 80. Find:
a. The height reached by the ball after 1 second?
b. The maximum height reached by the ball?
c. The time it will take before hitting the ground?
 A motorboat whose speed is 18 km/h in still water takes 1 hour more to go 24 km upstream
than to return downstream to the same spot. The speed of the stream is:
A) 6 km/h B) 5 km/h C) 3.5 km/h D) 4.5 km/h

Can you solve the problem?

A. The form of quadratic equation

A quadratic equation is any equation that can be written in the form:

ax2 + bx + c = 0

where a  0 and a, b, c are the member of real numbers.

In the form a and b are called as variable, while c is constant.

The term that identifies these expression as quadratic is the exponent of 2 or the power of 2.

The example of quadratic equation are:

2x2 + 4x + 6=0 – 3x2 + 27=0 4x2 – 8x = 8

 Which of the following equation are quadratic?

a. 3x3- 4x + 5 =0
b. 5x2 – 4x + 2=0
c. 7x2 = 49
d. 2x2 = 8x – 3

Answer:

The value of the variable that satisfy the quadratic equation is called a solution or a root of the quadratic
equation.

Which one is the solution of x2 + 5x + 6 = 0?

a. x=0
b. x=2
c. x=– 2
d. x =– 3

Answer:

To know whether the above value is the solution or not, we can substitute it to the equation and check whether
it satisfy the equation or not.

x=0 x2 + 5x + 6 = 02 + 5 . 0 + 6 = 6 It doesn’t satisfy, so x=0 is not the

60 solution or root
x=2 x2 + 5x + 6 = 22 + 5 . 2 + 6 = 4 + 10 + 6= 20 It doesn’t satisfy, so x=2 is not the
20  0 solution or root
x= – 2 x2 + 5x + 6 = (– 2)2 + 5 . (– 2) + 6 = 4 – 10 + 6= 0. It satisfy, so x= – 2 is not the
0=0 solution or root
x= – 3 x2 + 5x + 6 = (– 3)2 + 5 . (– 3) + 6 = 9 – 15 + 6= 0. It satisfy, so x= – 3 is not the
0=0 solution or root

B. Finding Solution of Quadratic Equation

There are three ways(methods) of finding solution on quadratic equation, i.e.:
a. Factorisation
b. Completing the Square
c. General Formula of Quadratic Solution
1. FACTORISATION METHOD
 The idea of factorisation is writing the quadratic equation into the product of two factors.
 If the product of two factors is zero, then one of those factors must be zero. If mn= 0 then either
m=0 or n=0
 This method can used if the quadratic expression can be factorized completely.

ax2 + bx + c = 0
:a
b c
2
x + a
x + a
= 0

(x + p) (x +q) = 0

It means (x+p) = 0 or (x+q)=0

From (x + p) = 0, we get x = – p

From (x + q) = 0, we get x = – q

So, the solution is x1 = – p or x2= – q

 Example 1
Solve the following quadratic equation!
a) 2x2 = 7x
b) 3x2 – 5x – 8 = 0
c) (2x – 1) (x – 2) = 5
Answer:

 Example 2
3
Find the quadratic equation in x whose roots are 2 and − 4 !
Answer:
3
Since x=2 or x=− 4
It means (x – 2)= 0 or (4x + 3) = 0
The equation is (x – 2) ( 4x +3) = 0
By using FOIL method we can express it into 4x2 – 5x – 6 = 0
  Practice
I. Solve the following quadratic equation!
1. x2 – 5x = 0
2. 4x2 = 7x
3. a2 + 9a = 0
4. a2 + a – 12 = 0
5. a2 + 7a – 18 = 0
6. c2 + 2c = 35
7. 8p – 16 – p2 =0
8. 2x2 + 5x – 3 = 0
9. 3x2 + 14x – 5 = 0
10. 6x2 + 11x = 7
II. Form a quadratic equation in x with the given roots for each of the following:
1. 2,3
2. 3, – 4
3. –5,6
1
4. 5, 2
2 4
5. 3
,−5

2. COMPLETING THE SQUARE

 Sometimes the roots of a quadratic equation cannot be obtained by simple factorisation. So, a
more general method is used to obtain the roots of the quadratic equation. This method is based
on the fact that any quadratic equation may be written in the form (x+p)2 = q, where p and q are
real numbers.
 For example:
Solve:
a. (x+2)2 = 16
b. (x – 3)2 = 5
Answer:

 Deriving the rule of completing a square

To write a given quadratic equation in the form (x + a)2= b, we first consider the identity learnt in
secondary 2 , which is x2 + 2ax + a2 = (x+a)2
In the quadratic expression x2 + 2ax,the coefficient of x2 is 1 and the constant term is 0. What must
be added to this expression to make it a perfect square?
 The following diagrams illustrate the idea of “completing the square”:

k 2
In general, to make x 2 + kx a perfect square, ( ) must be added to it.
2

k 2 k 2
Thus x 2 + kx + (2) = (𝑥 + 2) .

Notice that the quantity to be added is the square of half the coefficient of x, provided the
8 2
coefficient of x2 is 1, i.e. make x2 – 8x a perfect square, (− 2) must be added to it. The result is

8 2
x 2 − 8x + (− ) = x 2 − 8x + (−4)2
2

= (𝑥 − 4)2

 Example:
What must be added to each of the following expressions to obtain a perfect square?
a. x2 + 5x b. c2 – 4c
Answer:
a. x2 + 5x
5
The coefficient of x is 5. Half of this is 2 .
5 2 5 2
x2 + 5x + (2) = (𝑥 + 2
)
5 2
It means (2) must be added.
b. c2 – 4c
this is a quadratic expression in c. The coefficient of c is – 4. Half of this is – 2.
c2 – 4x + (– 2)2 = (c – 2)2
It means (– 2)2 must be added.
 The following examples demonstrate how quadratic equations are solved using completing ttre
square method.

Example : Solve x2 + 8x + 9!

Answer:

x2 + 8x + 9 = 0

x2 + 8x = – 9

x2 + 8x + (4)2 = – 9 + (4)2

(x + 4)2 = 7

(x+4) = √7 or (x+4) = −√7

x = – 4 +√7 or x = – 4 – √7

 Practice

3. Solve the following quadratic equation using completing the square!

a. x2 + 2x – 3 = 0
b. x2 – 6x – 16 = 0
c. x2 + x – 6 = 0
d. x2 + 2x + 1 = 0
e. 2x2 + 7x + 3 = 0
3. GENERAL FORMULA OF QUADRATIC SOLUTION
 The general form of a quadratic equation is ax2 +bx+c =0, where a,b and c are real numbers and
a0.
 Now, we shall use the method of completing the square to derive a formula for the solution to all
quadratic equations.

ax2 + bx + c = 0
:a
b c
x2 + x+ =0
a a

2
b b 2 c b 2
x + x+ ( ) =− +( )
a 2a a 2a
b 2 b2 − 4ac
(x + ) =
2a 4a2
b ± √b 2 − 4ac
x+ =
2a 2a
−b+ √b2 −4ac −b− √b2 −4ac
 x= or x=
2a 2a

−b± √b2 −4ac

 Hence, if ax2 + bx + c = 0, a0 then x =
2a

 Example 1: solve 2x2 + 7x + 3 = 0

Answer:
From 2x2 + 7x + 3 = 0, we can identify that a = 2, b= 7 and c= 3
Use the formula:
−b ± √b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a

−7 ± √72 − 4 . 2 . 3
x=
2. 2

−7 ± √49 − 24
x=
4
−7 ± √25
x=
4
−7 ± 5
x=
4
−7+ 5 2 1 −7− 5 −12
 x= =4=2 or x= = = −3
4 4 4
1
The solution is x=2 or x = −3

 Example 2: solve 9x2 – 42x + 49 = 0

Answer:
From 9x2 – 42x + 49 = 0, we can identify that a = 9, b= – 42 and c= 3
Use the formula:

−(−42) ± √(−42)2 − 4 . 9 . 3 42 ± √1764 − 1764 42 ± 0 42 1

x= = = = =2
2. 9 18 18 18 3
 1
The equation has the repeated roots(solution) of x = 23

 Example 3: solve 5x2 – 10x + 13 = 0

Answer:
From 5x2 – 10x + 13 = 0, we can identify that a = 5, b= – 10 and c= 13
Use the formula:

−(−10) ± √(−10)2 − 4 . 5 . 13 10 ± √100 − 260 10 ± √−160

x= = =
2. 5 10 10
√−160 is an imaginary number. Thus, there are no real roots(solution) for 5x2 – 10x + 13 = 0

From example 1, 2, and 3, we can conclude that the nature of the roots of a quadratic
equation depends on 𝐛𝟐 − 𝟒𝐚𝐜.

If 𝐛𝟐 − 𝟒𝐚𝐜 is positive, then the equation has two real and distinct(different) roots

If 𝐛𝟐 − 𝟒𝐚𝐜 is zero, then the equation has equal roots, i.e. the root are real and repeated

If 𝐛𝟐 − 𝟒𝐚𝐜 is negative, then the equation has no real root, i.e. the roots are complex

Since 𝐛𝟐 − 𝟒𝐚𝐜 discriminates the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation, it is known
as the discriminant(D) of the equation.

−b± √D
Hence, if ax2 + bx + c = 0, a0 then x1,2 =
2a

 Practice: Find the solution of the following quadratic equation!

a. x2 – 5x + 6 = 0
b. x2 +9x + 20 = 0
c. x2 – 5x – 24 = 0
d. 2x2 – x – 3 = 0
e. 4x2 – 12x + 7 = 0
C. Nature of Roots (Sum and Product)

We have seen that the b2 - 4ac portion of the quadratic formula, called the discriminant, can tell us the type
of roots of a quadratic equation. The quadratic formula can also give us information about the relationship
between the roots and the coefficient of the second term(b) and the constant of the equation(c) itself. Consider
the following:

Given a quadratic equation: ax2 + bx + c = 0

By the quadratic formulas, the two roots can be represented as

−b+ √D −b− √D
x1 = and x2 =
2a 2a

Sum of the Root Product of the Root

(−b + √D) (−b − √D) (−b + √D) (−b − √D)
x1 + x2 = + x1 . x2 = ×
2a 2a 2a 2a
2
−b + √D − b − √D (−b)2 − (√D)
= =
2a 4a2
−2b b2 − 𝐷
= =
2a 4a2
b b2 − (b2 − 4ac)
=− =
a 4a2
b
x1 + x2 = − b2 − b2 + 4ac
a =
4a2

4ac
=
4a2
c
=
a
c
x1 . x2 =
a

D. Word Problem
1. Example 1: The product of two consecutive positive odd numbers is 195. Find the numbers!
Answer:
Suppose the first number is x, so the second number is (x+2)
The product of two consecutive positive odd numbers is 195
First number × second number = 195
x . ( x+2) = 195
x2 + 2x – 195 = 0
(x + 15) (x – 13) = 0
(x + 15) = 0 or (x – 13) = 0
x = – 15 x = 13
Since the number is positve, so x=– 15 is not accepted.
Thereforewe choose x = 13 as the solution.
The first number = x = 13, while the second number is = x + 2 = 13 + 2 = 15.
 The two consecutive positive odd numbers are 13 and 15.
2. Example 2: Calvin rides his power boat up and down a drainage ditch. The water in the drainage ditch
flows at 6 miles per hour. Calvin takes 5 hours longer to travel 360 miles against the current than he
does to travel 360 miles with same direction of the current. What is the speed of Calvin's boat in still
water?
Answer :
Let x = the speed of Calvin's boat in miles per hour in still water, and let
t = the time in hours it takes him to travel 360 miles with the current.
time . speed = distance
Against current t+5 . (x – 6) = 360
Same direction t . (x + 6) = 360
current

The equation (t +5) (x – 6) = 360 and t (x + 6) = 360

From the second term: t (x + 6) = 360
360
t=
x+6
360
Substitute the t = to the first equation and solve it
x+6

(t +5) (x – 6) = 360
360
( + 5) (x – 6) = 360
x+6
360
(x + 6) ( + 5) (x – 6) = 360(x + 6)
x+6

[360 + 5(x + 6)](x – 6) = 360(x + 6)

[360 + 5x + 30](x – 6) = 360(x + 6)

(5x + 390)(x – 6) = 360(x + 6)

5𝑥 2 + 360x − 2340 = 360x + 2160

5𝑥 2 = 4500

𝑥 2 = 900

𝑥 = 30 or x = −30

Since the speed is not negative, the correct answer is x = 30 miles per hour.

PRACTICE

1. The product of two consecutive positive integers is 156. Find the numbers!
2. The product of two consecutive odd numbers is 255. Find the numbers!
3. The perimeter and area of a rectangle are 22 cm and 30 cm2 respectively. Find the length and breadth
of the rectangle.
4. A boat travels 12 km upstream and back in 1 hour 45 minutes. If the speed of the current is 3 km/h
throughout, find the speed of the boat in still water!
5. Smith and Johnson together can do a piece of work in 4 days. If they had to work separately, the time
taken by Johnson to do the work would be more than that of Smith by 6 days. In how many days can
Smith alone do the work?
6. An object is moving in a straight line. It initially travels at a speed of 6 meters per second, and it speeds
up at a constant acceleration of 4 meters per second each second. The distance d, in meters, that this
object travels is given by the equation d= 2t2 + 6t, where t is in seconds. According to this equation,
how long will it take the object to travel 108 meters?
Sources:

https://slideplayer.com/slide/6113729/

https://www.toppr.com/guides/maths/quadratic-equations/applications-of-quadratic-equations/