In mathematics, a quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the

second degree. The general form is

where a ≠ 0. (For a = 0, the equation becomes a linear equation.)

The letters a, b, and c are called coefficients: the quadratic coefficient a is
the coefficient of x2, the linear coefficient b is the coefficient of x, and c is
the constant coefficient, also called the free term or constant term.

• To solve an equation means to find the root(s) of the equation.

• A quadratic equation can be solved by the following methods.

1. Factorisation
2. Completing the square
3. Formula Method

where a, b and c is the value of the coefficients of the general

form

Formation of Quadratic Equations from Roots

Finding the Sum of Roots (SoR) and Product of Roots (PoR) of a quadratic
Equation
Example 1

Find the sum and the product of roots for each of the following
quadratic equations.

(a) x2 − 12x+ 8 = 0

Answer
This question is already in general form. The coefficients a
= 1, b = -12 and c = 8.

The sum of roots (SoR) = -b/a = -(-12)/1 = 12

The product of roots (PoR) = c/a = 8/1 = 8

(b) 4x2 + 3x − 13 = 0

Answer
This question is already in general form. The coefficients a
= 1, b = 3 and c = -13.

The sum of roots (SoR) = -b/a = -(3)/1 = 3

The product of roots (PoR) = c/a = -13/1 = -13

Forming a Quadratic Equation form Its SoR and PoR

Example 2
Write the quadratic equations that have the following roots.
(a) 5 and 7
(b) –3 and 5

(c) and
Answer
(a)

The sum of roots (SoR) = 5 + 7 = 12

The product of roots (PoR) = 5 x 7 = 35

We can form the quadratic equation from the formula

Substitute the value of SoR and PoR into the equation,

we get the equation

(b)

The sum of roots (SoR) = -3 + 5 = 2

The product of roots (PoR) = -3 x 5 = -15

Form the quadratic equation from the formula

<

The quadratic equation is:

(c)

The sum of roots (SoR) = -1/2 + 1/3 = -1/6

The product of roots (PoR) = -1/2 x 1/3 = -1/6

Form the quadratic equation from the formula

<

The quadratic equation is:

[Multiply the equation by 6]

Forming a Quadratic Equation from the roots of Another Quadratic Equation
Case 1
Example 3

Given that the roots of the equation 2x2 + 3x + 2 = 0 are α and β. Form the
quadratic equation that has roots α − 3 and β − 3.

Answer

For the 1st equation

(2x2 + 3x + 2 = 0), the coefficient, a = 2, b = 3 and c = 2.

Sum of Roots (SoR), α + β =-b/a = -3/2

Product of Roots (PoR), α x β =c/a = 2/2 = 1

For the 2nd equation

Sum of Roots,
SoR = (α - 3) + (β – 3) = α + β - 6

From the 1st equation, we already found that α + β = -3/2. Substitute this into
the equation,

SoR = α + β - 6 = (-3/2) - 3 = -9/2

Product of Roots
PoR =(α - 3) x (β - 3)
=αβ- 3α - 3β + 9
= αβ - 3(α + β) + 9
= (1) – 3(-3/2) + 9 = 29/2

A quadratic equation can be formed by the formula:

x2 – (SoR)x + PoR = 0

Substitute the value of SoR and PoR into the formula, we get

x2 – (-9/2)x + 29/2 = 0
x2 + 9x/2 + 29/2 = 0

This is the answer. We can also eliminate the fraction by multiplying the equation
by 2, the equation will become

2x2 + 9x + 29 = 0

Case 2
Example 4

Given that the roots of the equation x2 − 3x + 3 = 0 are α and β. Form the
quadratic equation that has roots 2α and 2β.

Answer

For the 1st equation

x2 − 3x + 3 = 0, the coefficient, a = 1, b = -3 and c = 3.

Sum of Roots (SoR), α + β = -b/a = -(-3)/1 = 3

Product of Roots (PoR), αβ = c/a = 3/1 = 3

For the 2nd equation

Sum of Roots,
SoR = 2α + 2β = 2(α + β)

α + β = 3. Substitute this into the equation,

SoR = 2(α + β) = 2(3) = 6

Product of Roots
PoR = 2α x 2β
= 4αβ
= 4(3)
= 12

The quadratic equation is

x2 – (SoR)x + PoR = 0

Substitute the value of SoR and PoR into the formula, we get
x2 – 6x + 12 = 0

Case 3: The symbols of the roots of the equation are not given
Example 5

Write down and simplify the equation whose roots are the square of the roots of
3x2 − 5x + 3 = 0, without solving the given equation.

Answer

For the First Equation

Let's assume that the roots of the first equation are α and β.

The sum of the roots (SoR),

and the product of roots (PoR),

For the Second Equation

The roots of the second equation are the square of the first equation, therefore
there are α2 and β2

The sum of the roots (SoR),

The product of roots (PoR),

A quadratic equation can be form by the following formula,

Substitute the value of SoR and PoR into the formula

[edit]Finding the Value of Unknown in a Quadratic Equation from the SoR and PoR
Example 6

Given that α and β are the roots of the equation x2 − 2x + k = 0 , where 3α and
3β are the roots of the equation x2 + mx + 9 =0. Find the possible value of k and
m.

Answer:
For the 1st equation:

For the second Equation:

Example 7

If one root of x2 − 5px + 64 = 0 is the square of the other, find

the value of p.

Answer:

Therefore

Example 8

If m + 2 and n - 1 are the roots of the equation x2 + 5x = − 4. Find the possible

values of m and n.

Conditions for the type of Roots of Quadratic Equations

Example 1

Given that the quadratic equation x2 − 6x + 7 = h(2x − 3) has two equal roots.
Find the values of h.

Answer

To solve this problem, we need to arrange this quadratic equation into its
general form.
 -----(General Form)

The value of the coefficient a,b and c are:

Given that this quadratic equation has 2 equal roots, hence

Substitute the values of a, b and c into the this equation:

Factorise the equation

Example 2

Find the range of values of k if the equation x2 + 5x − (k + 3) = 0 has real

roots.

Answer:
a = 1; b = 5; c = -(k+3)
The equation has real roots. Therefore
Example 3

Find the range of values of p if the equation (p + 1)x2 + 2px + (p + 3) =

0 has no real root.
Example 4

Find the range of values of k such that the equation 2x2 − 8x + 2k =

0 has real roots.
Example 5

Show that the equation px2 + 8x − p + 6 = 0 has real roots for all
the value of p.
Example 6

Find the range of values of p if the straight line y = 3x+p intersects the
curvey = x2 + 2 at two different points.
Example 7

Find the values of m if the y = mx is the tangent to the

curve x2 + y2 − 3x + 5y= 0
Example 7

Find the range of values of p if the straight line y =3x+1 does not intersects with
the curve y = 2x2 + 3x − (p − 3).
Example 8

Given the equation of a curve is y = − x2 + 3x − (p + 3). Find the value of p for the
following cases.

a. y is always negative
b. When y = 0, the equation has only one real root.

Example 9

If f(x) = 4x2 − kx + 9, find the range of k so that f(x) is

always positive.