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Quadratic Equations

Quadratic Equations

Quadratic equation is an equation with two as the highest power of the unknown. We
learnt about linear equation in lower form (or refer to Simultaneous Equations).
Quadratic equation is considered as a non-linear equation for the sake of the highest
power of the unknown is two.

The general form of quadratic equation can be written as shown below:

ax 2 + bx + c = 0
, a≠0
where x is unknown (some say variable) meanwhile a, b and c are constants (some books
mention as coefficients).

When mention about the roots of the equation, it refers to the unknown. For quadratic
equations, there will be two roots (it just like linear equation can only get one root.). The
roots can be same or different values.

Example:

Given x = 2 and x = 3 are two roots of the equation x 2 + px + q = 0 , find the value
of p and of q.

Solution:

x=2 ; x 2 + px + q = 0 Substitute the given roots by replacing it to

22 + p ( 2 ) + q = 0 the x.
4+2p +q = 0
q = −4 − 2 p LL (1)
x=3 ; x 2 + px + q = 0
Equation (1)
32 + p ( 3) + q = 0
and (2) are in 9 + 3p + q = 0
the subject of q
q = −9 − 3 p LL ( 2 )

Let (1) = ( 2 ) ; −4 − 2 p = −9 − 3 p
p = −5
From (1) , q = −4 − 2 p
q = −4 − 2(−5)
q=6
Therefore p = −5 and q = 6 .

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Solving Quadratic Equations

To solve a quadratic equation means to find the values of the unknown. There are three
ways to solve a quadratic equation. Whichever method will give the same answers.

1. factorisation
2. formula
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a
3. completing the square

Example:

Solve the equation 2 x 2 + 1 = 5 x + 4 .

Solution:

Change 2 x 2 + 1 = 5 x + 4 into general form 2 x 2 − 5 x − 3 = 0

Method 1: Factorisation
2 x2 − 5x − 3 = 0
( 2 x + 1)( x − 3) = 0

( 2 x + 1) = 0 @ ( x − 3) = 0
1
x=− x=3
2
Method 2: Formula

From 2 x 2 − 5 x − 3 = 0 , a = 2, b = −5, c = −3
Apply formula and −(−5) ± (−5) 2 − 4 ( 2 )( −3)
replace a, b and c x=
with the values 2 ( 2)
5 ± 25 + 24
x=
4

x=
5 ± 49 Separate the ( ± ) into (+) and (-)
4

5 + 49 5 − 49
x= and x=
4 4
1
=3 =−
2

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Method 3: Completing the Square

(This method is important in Chapter 3, Quadratic Functions, to find
maximum point/value or minimum point/value)

From general form of equation:

2x2 − 5x − 3 = 0
x2  5 3
Factorise the coefficient of 2  x2 − x −  = 0
 2 2

Reduce x 2 to x Remove the x. Then the coefficient multiplied by 1

2

  5  1  2   5  1  2 3 
2  x −     −   −    −  = 0
  2  2     2  2   2 

Both are the same. The latter is added ourselves and squares it.

 5   5  3
2 2

2  x −  −  −  −  = 0
 4   4  2 
 5  25 3 
2

2  x −  − −  = 0
 4  16 2 
 5  49 
2

2  x −  −  = 0
 4  16 
2
 5  49 
2 x −  + 2 −  = 0
 4  16 
2
 5   49 
2 x −  +  −  = 0
 4  8 
2
 5 49
2 x −  =
 4 8
2
 5 49
x−  =
 4  16
 5 49
x− = ±
 4 16
5 49
x= ±
4 16

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5 49 5 49
x= + @ x= −
4 16 4 16
1
x=3 =−
2

Formation of Quadratic Equations

To form an equation, roots play an important role. Let α and β be the roots of a
quadratic equation, hence,
x =α @ x=β
x −α = 0 @ x−β =0
( x − α )( x − β ) = 0
x 2 − (α + β ) x + α β = 0
From the equation, it is clear that when two roots are given, additional and multiplication
of these two roots can be applied to form an quadratic equation.

Therefore,
x 2 − (α + β ) x + α β = 0
can be concluded as

x 2 − ( sum of roots ) x + ( product of roots ) = 0

Next, to find the values of roots from a quadratic equation, the knowledge above is
needed. From general form of quadratic equation
ax 2 + bx + c = 0
 b c
a  x2 + x +  = 0
 a a
 b c
∴  x2 + x +  = 0
 a a
Hence,

b ; SoR = sum of root c ; PoR = product of roots

SoR = − PoR =
a a

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Example:

Form a quadratic equation that has x = −1 and x = 2 as the roots.

Product means the result
Solution: of the multiplication
SoR = −1 + 2 PoR = ( −1)( 2 )
=1 = −2
Therefore,
x 2 − (1 ) x + ( − 2 ) = 0
Be mindful to the negative.
NOT positive x2 − x − 2 = 0

Example:

Given an equation 3x 2 − 12 x + 2t = 0 has the same root. Find the values of t.

Solution:

Let the root be α , so

SoR = α + α PoR = α × α
= 2α =α2
From the given equation,
3 x 2 − 12 x + 2t = 0
 12 2t 
3  x2 − x +  = 0
 3 3
 2 2t 
 x − 4 x + 3  = 0
Therefore,
SoR = 4 = 2α 2t
PoR = = α 2 .... ( 2 )
3
α = 2 .... (1)
Substitute (1) into (2)
2t
= 22
3
2t = 4 ( 3)
t=6

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The Types of Roots of Quadratic Equations

The discriminant b 2 − 4ac is the fastest way to determine the type of the roots. If the
coefficient of x 2 is positive, smile-face-curve will obtained. If it is negative, then the sad-
face-curve will obtained. With the knowledge below, we can know the pattern of the
graph by looking at the value of discriminant.

Given ax 2 + bx + c = 0

a = positive a = negative

• b 2 − 4ac > 0 , then the equations • b 2 − 4ac > 0 , then the equations
has 2 real and distinct roots. has 2 real and distinct roots.

• b 2 − 4ac = 0 , then the equation • b 2 − 4ac = 0 , then the equation

has 2 real and equal roots. has 2 real and equal roots.

• b 2 − 4ac < 0 , then the equation • b 2 − 4ac < 0 , then the equation
has no real roots. has no real roots.

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If given only 2 real roots without mention is real or distinct roots, b 2 − 4ac ≥ 0 is applied.

Example:

Determine the nature of the roots of each of the quadratic equations.

a. 3x 2 + 4 x − 2 = 0
b. x2 + 4x + 4 = 0
c. 3x 2 + x + 1 = 0

Solution:

a. 3x 2 + 4 x − 2 = 0 where a = 3 , b = 4 , c = −2
b 2 − 4ac = 42 − 4 ( 3)( −2 )
= 40
>0
Therefore the equation has two real and distinct roots.

b. x 2 + 4 x + 4 = 0 where a = 1 , b = 4 , c = 4
b 2 − 4ac = 42 − 4 (1)( 4 )
=0
Therefore the equation has two real and equal roots.

c. 3x 2 + x + 1 = 0 where a = 3 , b = 1 , c = 1
b 2 − 4ac = 12 − 4 ( 3)(1)
= −23
<0
Therefore the equation has no real root.

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