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CIE IGCSE Maths: Extended Your notes

Quadratic Equations
Contents
Solving Quadratics by Factorising
Quadratic Formula
Completing the Square
Quadratic Equation Methods

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Solving Quadratics by Factorising

Your notes
Solving Quadratics by Factorising
How do I solve a quadratic equation using factorisation?
Rearrange it into the form ax2 + bx + c = 0
zero must be on one side
it is easier to use the side where a is positive
Factorise the quadratic and solve each bracket equal to zero
If (x + 4)(x - 1) = 0, then either x + 4 = 0 or x - 1 = 0
Because if A × B = 0, then either A = 0 or B = 0
To solve (x − 3) (x + 7) = 0
…solve “first bracket = 0”:
x–3=0
add 3 to both sides: x = 3
…and solve “second bracket = 0”
x+7=0
subtract 7 from both sides: x = -7
The two solutions are x = 3 or x = -7
The solutions have the opposite signs to the numbers in the brackets
To solve (2x − 3) (3x + 5) = 0
…solve “first bracket = 0”
2x – 3 = 0
add 3 to both sides: 2x = 3
3
divide both sides by 2: x =
2
…solve “second bracket = 0”
3x + 5 = 0
subtract 5 from both sides: 3x = -5
5
divide both sides by 3: x = −
3
3 5
The two solutions are x = or x = −
2 3
To solve x (x − 4) = 0
it may help to think of x as (x – 0) or (x)
…solve “first bracket = 0”
(x) = 0, so x = 0
…solve “second bracket = 0”
x–4=0
add 4 to both sides: x = 4

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The two solutions are x = 0 or x = 4

It is a common mistake to divide both sides by x at the beginning - you will lose a solution (the
x = 0 solution) Your notes

Examiner Tip
Use a calculator to check your final solutions!
Calculators also help you to factorise (if you're struggling with that step)

A calculator gives solutions to as x = and x =

"Reverse" the method above to factorise!

Warning: a calculator gives solutions to 12x2 + 2x – 4 = 0 as x = and x =

But 12x2 + 2x – 4 ≠ as these brackets expand to 6x2 + ... not 12x2 + ...
Multiply by 2 to correct this
12x2 + 2x – 4 =

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Worked example
Your notes
(a) Solve (x − 2) (x + 5) = 0

Set the first bracket equal to zero

x–2=0
Add 2 to both sides
x=2
Set the second bracket equal to zero
x+5=0
Subtract 5 from both sides
x = -5
Write both solutions together using “or”
x = 2 or x = -5

(b) Solve (8x + 7) (2x − 3) = 0

Set the first bracket equal to zero

8x + 7 = 0
Subtract 7 from both sides
8x = -7
Divide both sides by 8

x=

Set the second bracket equal to zero

2x - 3 = 0
Add 3 to both sides
2x = 3

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Divide both sides by 2

Your notes
x=

Write both solutions together using “or”

x= or x =
(c) Solve x (5x − 1) = 0

Do not divide both sides by x (this will lose a solution at the end)
Set the first “bracket” equal to zero
(x) = 0
Solve this equation to find x
x=0
Set the second bracket equal to zero
5x - 1 = 0
Add 1 to both sides
5x = 1
Divide both sides by 5

x=

Write both solutions together using “or”

x = 0 or x =

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Quadratic Formula
Your notes
Quadratic Formula
How do I use the quadratic formula to solve a quadratic equation?
A quadratic equation has the form:
ax2 + bx + c = 0 (as long as a ≠ 0)
you need "= 0" on one side
The quadratic formula is a formula that gives both solutions:
−b ± b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a
Read off the values of a, b and c from the equation
Substitute these into the formula
write this line of working in the exam
Put brackets around any negative numbers being substituted in
To solve 2x2 - 7x - 3 = 0 using the quadratic formula:
a = 2, b = -7 and c = -3
− (−7) ± (−7) 2 − 4 × 2 × (−3)
x=
2×2
Type this into a calculator or simplify by hand
once with + for ± and once with - for ±
The solutions are x = 3.886 and x = -0.386 (to 3 dp)
Rounding is often asked for in the question
The calculator also gives these solutions in exact form (surd form), if required
7+ 73 7− 73
x= and x =
4 4
On the non-calculator paper you will be asked to give your answers as simplified surds so make
sure that the number under the square root has no square factors
If it does then simplify the surd!
What is the discriminant?
The part of the formula under the square root (b2 – 4ac) is called the discriminant
The sign of this value tells you if there are 0, 1 or 2 solutions
If b2 – 4ac > 0 (positive)
then there are 2 different solutions
If b2 – 4ac = 0
then there is only 1 solution
sometimes called "two repeated solutions"
If b2 – 4ac < 0 (negative)

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then there are no solutions

If your calculator gives you solutions with i terms in, these are "complex" and not what we are
looking for Your notes
Interestingly, if b2 – 4ac is a perfect square number ( 1, 4, 9, 16, …) then the quadratic expression
could have been factorised!

Can I use my calculator to solve quadratic equations?

Yes to check your final answers, but a method must still be shown as above

Examiner Tip
Make sure the quadratic equation has "= 0" on the right-hand side, otherwise it needs rearranging
first
Always look for how the question wants you to leave your final answers
for example, correct to 2 decimal places

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Worked example
Your notes
Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions of the equation 3x2 - 2x - 4 = 0.
Give each solution as an exact value in its simplest form.
Write down the values of a, b and c

a = 3, b = -2, c = -4

Substitute these values into the quadratic formula,

Put brackets around any negative numbers

Simplify the expressions

Simplify the surd

Simplify the fraction

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Completing the Square

Your notes
Completing the Square
How can I rewrite the first two terms of a quadratic expression as the difference of two
squares?
Look at the quadratic expression x2 + bx + c
The first two terms can be written as the difference of two squares using the following rule
x 2 + bx is the same as (x + p ) 2 − p 2 where p is half of b
Check this is true by expanding the right-hand side
Is x 2 + 2x the same as (x + 1) 2 − 12 ?
Yes: (x + 1)(x + 1) - 12 = x2 + 2x + 1 - 1 = x2 + 2x
This works for negative values of b too
x 2 − 20x can be written as (x − 10) 2 − (−10) 2 which is (x − 10) 2 − 100
A negative b does not change the sign at the end

How do I complete the square?

Completing the square is a way to rewrite a quadratic expression in a form containing a squared-
bracket
To complete the square on x2 + 10x + 9
Use the rule above to replace the first two terms, x2 + 10x, with (x + 5)2 - 52
then add 9: (x + 5)2 - 52 + 9
simplify the numbers: (x + 5)2 - 25 + 9
answer: (x + 5)2 - 16
How do I complete the square when there is a coefficient in front of the x2 term?
You first need to take a out as a factor of the x2 and x terms only
⎡⎢ b ⎤⎥⎥
ax 2 + bx + c = a ⎢⎢ x 2 + x⎥+c
⎢⎢
⎣ a ⎥⎥⎦
Use square-shaped brackets here to avoid confusion with curly brackets later
b
Then complete the square on the bit inside the square-brackets: x 2 + x
a
This gives a ⎢⎣ (x + p ) 2 − p 2 ⎥⎦ + c
⎡ ⎤
b
where p is half of
a
Finally multiply this expression by the a outside the square-brackets and add the c
a (x + p ) 2 − ap 2 + c

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This looks far more complicated than it is in practice!

Usually you are asked to give your final answer in the form a (x + p ) 2 + q
Your notes
For quadratics like −x 2 + bx + c , do the above with a = -1

How do I find the turning point by completing the square?

Completing the square helps us find the turning point on a quadratic graph
If y = (x + p ) 2 + q then the turning point is at (−p ,q )
Notice the negative sign in the x-coordinate
This links to transformations of graphs (translating y = x 2 by p to the left and q up)
If y = a (x + p ) 2 + q then the turning point is still at (−p ,q )
It's at a minimum point if a > 0
It's at a maximum point if a < 0
It can also help you create the equation of a quadratic when given the turning point

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Your notes

It can also be used to prove and/or show results using the fact that any "squared term", i.e. the bracket
(x ± p)2, will always be greater than or equal to 0
You cannot square a number and get a negative value

Examiner Tip
To know if you have completed the square correctly, expand your answer to check.

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Worked example
Your notes
(a) By completing the square, find the coordinates of the turning point on the graph of
y = x 2 + 6x − 11 .
Find half of +6 (call this p)

Write x2 + 6x in the form (x + p)2 - p2

is the same as

Put this result into the equation of the curve

Simplify the numbers

Use that the turning point of is at

p = 3 and q = -20
turning point at (-3, -20)
(b) Write −3x 2 + 12x + 24 in the form a (x + p ) 2 + q

Factorise -3 out of the first two terms only

Use square-shaped brackets

Complete the square on the x2 - 4x inside the brackets (write in the form (x + p)2 - p2 where p is
half of -4)

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Simplify the numbers inside the brackets

(-2)2 is 4
Your notes

Multiply -3 by all the terms inside the square-shaped brackets

Simplify the numbers

This is now in the form a(x + p)2 + q where a = -3, p = -2 and q = 36

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Solving by Completing the Square

How do I solve a quadratic equation by completing the square? Your notes
To solve x2 + bx + c = 0
replace the first two terms, x2 + bx, with (x + p)2 - p2 where p is half of b
this is called completing the square
x2 + bx + c = 0 becomes
(x + p)2 - p2 + c = 0 where p is half of b
rearrange this equation to make x the subject (using ±√)
For example, solve x2 + 10x + 9 = 0 by completing the square
x2 + 10x becomes (x + 5)2 - 52
so x2 + 10x + 9 = 0 becomes (x + 5)2 - 52 + 9 = 0
make x the subject (using ±√)
(x + 5)2 - 25 + 9 = 0
(x + 5)2 = 16
x + 5 = ±√16
x = ±4 - 5
x = -1 or x = -9
If the equation is ax2 + bx + c = 0 with a number in front of x2, then divide both sides by a first, before
completing the square
How does completing the square link to the quadratic formula?
The quadratic formula actually comes from completing the square to solve ax2 + bx + c = 0
a, b and c are left as letters, to be as general as possible
You can see hints of this when you solve quadratics
For example, solving x2 + 10x + 9 = 0
by completing the square, (x + 5)2 = 16 so x = ± 4 - 5 (from above)
−10 ± 64 8
by the quadratic formula, x = = −5 ± = ± 4 - 5 (the same structure)
2 2

Examiner Tip
When making x the subject to find the solutions at the end, don't expand the squared brackets
back out again!
Remember to use ±√ to get two solutions

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Worked example
Your notes
Solve 2x 2 − 8x − 24 = 0 by completing the square

Divide both sides by 2 to make the quadratic start with x2

Halve the middle number, -4, to get -2

Replace the first two terms, x2 - 4x, with (x - 2)2 - (-2)2

Simplify the numbers

Add 16 to both sides

Square root both sides

Include the ± sign to get two solutions

Add 2 to both sides

Work out each solution separately

x = 6 or x = -2

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Your notes

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Quadratic Equation Methods

Your notes
Quadratic Equation Methods
If you have to solve a quadratic equation but are not told which method to use, here is a guide as to what to
do

When should I solve by factorisation?

When the question asks to solve by factorisation
For example, part (a) Factorise 6x2 + 7x – 3, part (b) Solve 6x2 + 7x – 3 = 0
When solving two-term quadratic equations
For example, solve x2 – 4x = 0
…by taking out a common factor of x to get x(x – 4) = 0
...giving x = 0 and x = 4
For example, solve x2 – 9 = 0
…using the difference of two squares to factorise it as (x + 3)(x – 3) = 0
...giving x = -3 and x = 3
(Or by rearranging to x2 = 9 and using ±√ to get x = = ±3)

When should I use the quadratic formula?

When the question says to leave solutions correct to a given accuracy (2 decimal places, 3 significant
figures etc)
When the quadratic formula may be faster than factorising
It's quicker to solve 36x2 + 33x – 20 = 0 using the quadratic formula then by factorisation
If in doubt, use the quadratic formula - it always works

When should I solve by completing the square?

When part (a) of a question says to complete the square and part (b) says to use part (a) to solve the
equation
When making x the subject of harder formulae containing x2 and x terms
For example, make x the subject of the formula x2 + 6x = y
Complete the square: (x + 3)2 – 9 = y
Add 9 to both sides: (x + 3)2 = y + 9
Take square roots and use ±: x + 3 = ± y +9
Subtract 3: x = − 3 ± y +9

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Examiner Tip
Your notes
Calculators can solve quadratic equations so use them to check your solutions
If the solutions on your calculator are whole numbers or fractions (with no square roots), this
means the quadratic equation does factorise

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Worked example
Your notes
(a) Solve x 2 − 7x + 2 = 0 , giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places

“Correct to 2 decimal places” suggests using the quadratic formula

Substitute a = 1, b = -7 and c = 2 into the formula, putting brackets around any negative numbers

Use a calculator to find each solution

x = 6.70156… or 0.2984...

Round your final answers to 2 decimal places

x = 6.70 or x = 0.30
(b) Solve 16x 2 − 82x + 45 = 0

Method 1
If you cannot spot the factorisation, use the quadratic formula
Substitute a = 16, b = -82 and c = 45 into the formula, putting brackets around any negative
numbers

Use a calculator to find each solution

x= or x =

Method 2
If you do spot the factorisation, (2x – 9)(8x – 5), then use that method instead

Set the first bracket equal to zero

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Your notes
Add 9 to both sides then divide by 2

Set the second bracket equal to zero

Add 5 to both sides then divide by 8

x= or x =

(c) By writing x 2 + 6x + 5 in the form (x + p ) 2 + q , solve x 2 + 6x + 5 = 0

This question wants you to complete the square first

Find p (by halving the middle number)

Write x2 + 6x as (x + p)2 - p2

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Replace x2 + 6x with (x + 3)2 – 9 in the equation

Your notes

Make x the subject of the equation (start by adding 4 to both sides)

Take square roots of both sides (include a ± sign to get both solutions)

Subtract 3 from both sides

Find each solution separately using + first, then - second

x = - 5, x = - 1
Even though the quadratic factorises to (x + 5)(x + 1), this is not the method asked for in the
question

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