Form 4 Mathematics Chapter 2 2011 Chapter 2 : Quadratic Expressions and Equations 2.

1 Quadratic Expression
What is a quadratic expression? A quadratic expression have a general form of ax2 + bx + c where a, b and c are constant, a 0 and x is a variable. For example, 2x2 +7x +5 and 3x2 + 6 How to recognize a quadratic expression? A quadratic expression has only one variable and the highest power is up to 2 only.For example , 2x3 + 4x2 -5 and 6x2 +xy2 4 are not quadratic expressions while 34- 8y + 15y2 is a quadratic expression. Forming a quadratic expression

Example 1
Expand ( x + 4)(x + 7) to form a quadratic expression. Tips : Multiply one by one
Answer :

= x2 + 7x + 4x + 28 ( 4 arrows means 4 terms ) = x2 + 11x + 28 ( Quadratic expression)

Example 2
Expand (2x + 1 )2 to form a quadratic expression.
Tips : We have two methods in solving this. You can use either one. But the 2
nd

method would be much faster and easier! For the 2nd method, the general method is like this (ax + b)2 = (ax)2 + 2(ax)(b) + (b)2

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Form 4 Mathematics Chapter 2 2011

Answer : First Method (Expand one by one)

= 4x2 + 2x + 2x + 1 = 4x2 + 4x + 1 ( Quadratic Expression)

Second Method : ( Formula) (ax + b)2 = (ax)2 + 2(ax)(b) + (b)2 (2x + 1)2 = (2x)2 + 2(2x)(1) + (1)2 = 4x2 + 4x + 1 (Quadratic Expression) So, knowing these two methods, I think you should notice that 2nd method is much more faster and easier! Well, lets see one more example on how to use the 2nd method!

Example 3
Expand (5x +7)2 to form a quadratic expression Tips : Basically, you can use either method. 1st or 2nd method. But, in this example, I will show only for 2nd method. Answer : (5x +7)2 = (5x)2 + 2(5x)(7) + (7)2 = 25x2 + 70x + 49 (Quadratic Expression)

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