QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

An equation of the second degree in x is called a QUADRATIC EQUATION and is written in the
standard form

ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a and b are constants and a≠ 0

⮚ Complete quadratic equation (QE) - in ax2 + bx + c = 0, b≠0

⮚ Pure quadratic equation - in ax2 + bx + c = 0, b=0

SOLUTION OF QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

I. Solution of pure quadratic equations

* clear the equation of fractions if necessary, solve for x2 (x2 is usually on the left
side of the equation and the rest are properly placed on the right side) and then extract
the square roots.

Examples: Solve for x in the following:

1. 4x2 - 18 = 0
4x2 = 18
4
2 9
x = 2 → here we have solved for x , we are now ready to extract the square roots
2

√❑ = √❑
3
x = ± √ ❑ or ± √❑
2

2. 2x2 + 35 = -5x2
7x2 = -35
7
2
x =-5
x = ± √❑ = ± i √❑

3. a2x2 + b2 = abx2 + a2
a2x2 - abx2 = a2 – b2 → here, we have collected all terms with x2 on the left side
x2 (a2 – ab) = a2 – b2 → we find x2 by dividing the whole eqn by a2 – ab
a2 – ab
( a+b ) (a−b)
x2 = → here we factor the numerator to effect cancellation and
a(a−b)
simplify the answer.
X = ± √ ❑ or ±
√❑ or ±
√❑
❑ ❑
 ADDL NOTES:
1. A number of the form a + bi with a and b real constants and i= √ ❑ is a
complex number. a is the real part and bi is the imaginary part.
2. A pure imaginary number is where a = 0 and b≠ 0 ---> bi
3. Any real number a is thought of as a complex number in which the coefficient of
the imaginary part is zero. Thus 0 means 0 + 0i. (ex. The real number 6 can
be thought of as (6 + 0i)

II. Solution of quadratic equations by factoring

This technique is based on the fact that the product of two or more numbers is equal to zero
if and only if at least one of the factors is zero.

Steps:
1. Transpose terms to obtain zero as one member so that the equation will have the form
f(x)=0
2. Factor f(x) if possible, then place each factor equal to zero, then solve for x.

Examples. Solve for x in the following:

1. 5x2 = 8x → Note: Do not cancel out x.Transpose 8x so the eqn will have the form f(x) = 0
5x2 – 8x = 0
x(5x – 8) = 0 → factor out the left side
x = 0 ; 5x – 8 = 0 → equate the factors to zero
5x = 8 → solve for c
5
x = 8/5

2. 6 - 5x - 6x2 = 0 → - 6x2 - 5x + 6¿ 0 → multiply by -1

6x + 5x - 6 = 0
2

(3x – 2) (2x + 3) = 0
3x – 2 = 0; 2x + 3 = 0
3x = 2 2x = -3
x = 2/3 x = -3/2

Checking: substitute x to original eqn

III. Solution of quadratic equations by completing a square

Any quadratic equation in x can be solved by following the method of completing a square.

( )
2
1
x2 + bx becomes a perfect square by adding b or square of ½ of the
2
b2
coefficient of x or simply
4

STEPS:
 1. Transpose all terms involving x to the left side and all other terms to the right side,
collect similar terms whenever possible
2. Divide both sides by the coefficient of x2
3. Complete a square on the left side by adding the square of ½ of the absolute value of
the coefficient of x to both sides of the equation.
4. Rewrite the left side as a square of a binomial
5. Extract square roots.

Examples. Solve for x in the following:

1. x2 + 4x + 1 = 0
following the suggested steps, we have as our solution,
x2 + 4x = -1 Step 1
x2 + 4x = -1 Step 2 (same eqn because the coefficient of x2 is 1)
42 42
x2 + 4x + = -1 + Step 3, complete the square (what you add or do to the left
4 4
side, you must also add or do to the right side so that the

sense of the equation does not change)

(x + 2)2 =3 Step 4, rewrite the left side as a square of a binomial
x + 2 = ± √❑ Step 5, extract the square roots, right side will have + and - signs
x = -2 ± √ ❑
x1 = -2 + √ ❑ Write the values of x
x2 = -2 - √ ❑

2. For your practice, solve 6 - 5x - 6x2 = 0 by completing a square and see if you arrive
with the same values of x as in Example 2 in Method II above
IV. Solution of quadratic equations using the quadratic formula
The quadratic equation, ax2 + bx + c = 0 can be solved using the quadratic
formula:
−b ± √❑
x= ❑
Note. The quadratic equation was derived by applying completing a square.
Examples: Solve for x in the following:

1. x2 + 4x + 1 = 0
−b ± √ ❑
x=
❑
= −4 ❑ ± √❑

−4 ± √ ❑ −4 ± 2 √❑ →
x= = here, we can factor out 2 in the numertor
❑ ❑
x = 2 ¿ ¿ = - 2 ± √ ❑ → we got same solution as in example 1, Method III
above
x1 = -2 + √ ❑
x2 = -2 - √ ❑

2. For your practice, solve 6 - 5x - 6x2 = 0 using the quadratic formula. See if you
arrive with the same values of x as in Example 2 in Method II above