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QUADRATICS
Table of Contents
Expanding and collecting like terms ....................................................... 3

Practice Questions ............................................................................ 4

Factorising ......................................................................................... 7

Practice Questions ............................................................................ 8

Quadratic equations ............................................................................12

Practice Questions ...........................................................................13

Graphing quadratics............................................................................15

Practice Questions ...........................................................................16

Completing the square and turning points ..............................................18

Practice Questions ...........................................................................19

Graphing quadratics in polynomial form .................................................21

Practice Questions ...........................................................................22

Solving quadratic inequalities ...............................................................24

Practice Questions ...........................................................................25

The general quadratic formula ..............................................................26

Practice Questions ...........................................................................27

The discriminant.................................................................................28

Practice Questions ...........................................................................29

Solving simultaneous linear and quadratic equations ...............................31

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Practice Questions ...........................................................................32

Families of quadratic polynomial functions .............................................33

Practice Questions ...........................................................................34

Quadratic Models ................................................................................38

Practice Questions ...........................................................................39

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Expanding and collecting like terms

A polynomial function has a rule of the type

y = an xn + an-1 xn-1 + . . . + a1x + a0

where n is a natural number or zero, and a0, a1 … , an are numbers called

coefficients.

The degree of a polynomial is given by the value of n, the highest power of x

with a non-zero coefficient.

A polynomial function of degree 2 is called a quadratic function. The general

rule is of the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 , where a, 0. The graph of a quadratic
function is called a parabola.

General binomial expansion: (𝒂 + 𝒃)(𝒄 + 𝒅) = 𝒂(𝒄 + 𝒅) + 𝒃(𝒄 + 𝒅)

= 𝑎𝑐 + 𝑎𝑑 + 𝑏𝑐 + 𝑏𝑑

Perfect square expansion: (𝑎 + 𝑏 )2 = 𝑎2 + 2𝑎𝑏 + 𝑏 2

Difference of two squares expansion: (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏) = 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2

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Practice Questions

Simplify 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟓) − 𝟑(𝒙 + 𝟓) by first expanding.

Expand 𝟐𝒙(𝟑𝒙 − 𝟐) + 𝟑𝒙(𝒙 − 𝟐).

Expand the following:

a. (𝑥 + 3) (2𝑥 − 3) b. (𝑥 − 3)(2𝑥 − 2√2)

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Expand (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏) (𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒).

Expand (𝟑𝒙 – 𝟐)𝟐

Expand:

a. (𝟐𝒙 − 𝟒)(𝟐𝒙 + 𝟒) b. (𝒙 − 𝟐√𝟕) (𝒙 + 𝟐√𝟕)

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Expand (𝟐𝒂 − 𝒃 + 𝒄) (𝟐𝒂 − 𝒃 − 𝒄).

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Factorising
Difference of two squares identity: 𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 = (𝑎 + 𝑏)(𝑎 − 𝑏).

Factorisation of monic quadratics: To factorise a quadratic of the form

𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, find two numbers whose sum is the coefficient of x and whose

product is the constant term. Factorisation of general quadratics:

To factorise a quadratic of the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐, find two numbers 𝑒 and 𝑓

whose product is 𝑎𝑐 and whose sum is b. Split the middle term 𝑏𝑥 as 𝑒𝑥 + 𝑓𝑥
and then factorise by grouping.
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Practice Questions

Factorise 𝟗𝒙𝟐 + 𝟖𝟏𝒙

Factorise 𝟐𝒂𝟐 − 𝟖𝒂𝒙𝟐 .

Factorise 𝟕𝒙𝟐 𝒚 − 𝟑𝟓𝒙𝒚𝟐 .

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Factorise 𝒙𝟑 + 𝟒𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐.

Factorise 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕𝟓.

Factorise 𝟗𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝟔.

Factorise (𝒙 − 𝒚)𝟐 − 𝟏𝟔𝒚𝟐 .

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Factorise 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟖.

Factorise 𝟔𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟑𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓.

Factorise 𝟖𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓.

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Factorise 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟐𝟎.

Factorise (𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 − 𝟐(𝒙 + 𝟏) − 𝟑.

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Quadratic equations
To solve a quadratic equation by factorisation:

Step 1 Write the equation in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

Step 2 Factorise the quadratic polynomial.

Step 3 Use the result that 𝑚𝑛 = 0 implies 𝑚 = 0 or 𝑛 = 0 (or both).

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Practice Questions

Solve 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟏𝟏𝒙 + 𝟐𝟒 = 𝟎.

Solve 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟓𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 = 𝟎.
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The perimeter of a rectangle is 20 cm and its area is 24 cm2.

Calculate the length and width of the rectangle.
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Graphing quadratics
The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 is called a parabola. The vertex (or turning point) is the
point (0, 0) and the axis of symmetry is the y-axis.

The graph of 𝑦 = − 𝑥 2 the reflection of the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 in the x-axis.

For 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 and 𝑎 > 1, the graph is ‘narrower’ than the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 .

For 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 and 0 < 𝑎 < 1, the graph is ‘broader’ than the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 .

All quadratic functions in polynomial form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 may be

transposed into the turning point form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘.

The graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 is a parabola congruent to the graph of

𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 .

• The vertex (or turning point) is the point (h, k).

• The axis of symmetry is x = h.
• If h and k are positive numbers, then the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 is
obtained from the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 by translating h units in the positive
direction of the x-axis and k units in the positive direction of the y-axis.
• Similar results hold for different combinations of h and k positive and
negative.
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Practice Questions

Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑.

Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = −(𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 .

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Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝟐(𝒙 − 𝟏)𝟐 + 𝟑.

Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = −(𝒙 + 𝟏)𝟐 + 𝟒.

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Completing the square and turning points

Quadratic equations can be solved by completing the square. The method of

completing the square allows us to deal with all quadratic equations, even
though there may be no solution for some quadratic equations.

To complete the square of 𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐:

𝑏
• Take half the coefficient of 𝑥 (that is, ) and add and subtract its
2
𝑏2
square
2

To complete the square of 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐:

• First take out a as a factor and then complete the square inside the
bracket.

The axis of symmetry of the graph of the quadratic function

𝑏
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is 𝑥 = −
2𝑎

To convert the quadratic function y = ax2 + bx + c into turning point form using
the axis of symmetry:
𝑏
1. The x-coordinate h of the vertex of the parabola is − 2𝑎

2. Find the y-coordinate k of the vertex by substituting in 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 +

𝑐.
3. Substitute these values for h and k in 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘.
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Practice Questions

Solve each of the following equations for x by first completing the

square:
a. 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 = 0 b. 2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 1 = 0

Find the coordinates of the vertex by completing the square and

hence sketch the graph of 𝒚 = −𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟖.
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Use the axis of symmetry to find the turning point of the graph and
hence express in turning point form:
a. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 b. 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 – 7
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Graphing quadratics in polynomial form

Steps for sketching the graph of a quadratic function given in polynomial

form:

Step 1: Find the y-axis intercept.

Step 2: Find the x-axis intercepts.

Step 3: Find the equation of the axis of symmetry.

Step 4: Find the coordinates of the turning point.

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Practice Questions

Find the x- and y-axis intercepts and the turning point, and hence
sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟒𝒙.

Find the x- and y-axis intercepts and the turning point, and hence
sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟗.
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Find the x- and y-axis intercepts and the turning point, and hence
sketch the graph of 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐.
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Solving quadratic inequalities

When solving quadratic inequalities of the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 ≤ 0

(or with ≥ , > 𝑜𝑟 <), it is best to sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.

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Practice Questions

Solve 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐 > 𝟎.
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The general quadratic formula

The solutions of the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎 , 0, are
given by the quadratic formula

−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

From the formula it can be seen that:

• If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0, there are two solutions.

• If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0, there is one solution.
• If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, there are no real solutions.
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Practice Questions

Solve each of the following equations for 𝒙 by using the quadratic

formula:
a. 𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0 b. 𝑥 2 − 2𝑘𝑥 − 3 = 0

Sketch the graph of 𝒚 = −𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟕. Use the quadratic formula to

calculate the x-axis intercepts.
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The discriminant
The discriminant ∆ of a quadratic polynomial 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 is

∆= 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐

For the equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0:

• If ∆ > 0, there are two solutions.

• If ∆ = 0, there is one solution.
• If ∆ < 0, there are no real solutions.

For the equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 where 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 rational numbers:

• If ∆ is a perfect square and ∆ ≠ 0, then the equation has two rational

solutions.
• If ∆ = 0, then the equation has one rational solution.
• If ∆ is not a perfect square and ∆ > 0, then the equation has two
irrational solutions.
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Practice Questions

Find the discriminant of each of the following quadratics and state

whether the graph of each crosses the x-axis, touches the x-axis or
does not intersect the x-axis.

a. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8

b. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 𝑏 − 8𝑥 + 16

c. 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 𝑐 − 3𝑥 + 4
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Find the values of m for which the equation 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒎𝒙 + 𝟑 = 𝟎 has:

a. one solution

b. no solution

c. two distinct solutions.

Show that the solutions of the equation 𝟑𝒙𝟐 + (𝒎 − 𝟑)𝒙 − 𝒎 are

rational for all rational values of 𝒎.
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Solving simultaneous linear and quadratic equations

To find the points of intersection of a straight line 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 2 and a
parabola 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐1:

Form the quadratic equation

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐1 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐 2

Rearrange the equation so that the right-hand side is zero:

𝑎𝑥 2 + (𝑏 − 𝑚)𝑥 + (𝑐1 − 𝑐2) = 0

Solve the equation for 𝑥 and substitute these x-values into the equation of
the line to find the corresponding 𝑦-values.

The discriminant applied to the second equation,

𝑎𝑥 2 + (𝑏 − 𝑚)𝑥 + (𝑐1 − 𝑐2) = 0

can be used to determine the number of intersection points:

• If ∆ > 0, there are two intersection points.

• If ∆ = 0, there is one intersection point.
• If ∆ < 0, there are no intersection points.
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Practice Questions

Find the points of intersection of the line with equation y = −2x + 4 and
the parabola with equation 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟖𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐.

Prove that the straight line with the equation 𝒚 = 𝟏 − 𝒙 meets the
parabola with the equation 𝒚 = 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟐 once only.
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Families of quadratic polynomial functions

To find a quadratic rule to fit given points, first choose the best form of
quadratic expression to work with. Then substitute in the coordinates of the
known points to determine the unknown parameters. Some possible forms
are given here:

II.
I.

Two points are needed to

One point is needed to
determine a and c.
determine a.

III. IV.

Two points are needed to Three points are needed to

determine a and b. determine a, b and c.
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Practice Questions

A family of parabolas have rules of the form 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒄. For the

parabola in this family that passes through the points (1, 7) and (2,
10), find the values of a and c.

A family of parabolas have rules of the form 𝒚 = 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝟐, where

a ≠ 0.
a. For a parabola in this family with its turning point on the x-
axis, find a in terms of b.
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b. If the turning point is at (4, 0), find the values of a and b.

A parabola has x-axis intercepts −𝟑 and 4 and it passes through the

point (1, 24). Find the rule for this parabola.
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The coordinates of the turning point of a parabola are (2, 6) and the
parabola passes through the point (3, 3). Find the rule for this
parabola.

A parabola passes through the points (1, 4), (0, 5) and (−𝟏, 10). Find
the rule for this parabola.
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Determine the quadratic rule for each of the following parabolas:

a. b.

d.
c.
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Quadratic Models
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Practice Questions
Jenny wishes to fence off a rectangular vegetable garden in her backyard. She has
20 m of fencing wire which she will use to fence three sides of the garden, with the
existing timber fence forming the fourth side. Calculate the maximum area she can
enclose.

A cricket ball is thrown by a fielder. It leaves

his hand at a height of 2 metres above the
ground and the wicketkeeper takes the ball
60 metres away again at a height of 2
metres. It is known that after the ball has
gone 25 metres it is 15 metres above the
ground. The path of the cricket ball is a
parabola with equation 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐.

a. Find the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 .

b. Find the height of the ball when it is 5 metres horizontally before it

hits the wicketkeeper’s gloves.