Quadratic Equations

in One Variable

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Quadratic equation
An equation which can be written as
ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a, b, and
c are real numbers and a 0 is called
a quadratic equation.
5 x 2 20
Ex. x 2 2 x 6 0
x 2 3x 0

6 x 2 41x 7 0

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Solving a quadratic
equation
To solve a quadratic equation, we may
employ one of the following
approaches:
Factoring
Square Root Property
2

b
4ac
Completing the Square
x
2a
Quadratic Formula:
Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Zero Factor Property

Zero Factor Property: If a and b are
real numbers, then ab = 0 if and only
if a = 0 or
b = 0.
Illus. x(x + 3) = 0 if and only if x = 0 or
x + 3 = 0.

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Solving by factoring
Solve the following quadratic
equations by factoring:
x 2 25 0
6x 2 5x 6 0
3x 2 7 x 6
x2 6x 0
(3x 1)( x 1) 7

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Square Root Property

Square Root Property: If x2 =x d,

then
Ex.
Solve
x 2 16

d.

( x 3) 2 10
x2 6x 8 0

(Complete the square.)

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Solving by completing the

square
Solve the following quadratic
equations by completing the square:
x 2 3x 2 0
4x2 8x 1 0
3x 2 4 x 4
ax 2 bx c 0

(To derive the quadratic formula.)

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Solving by using the quadratic

formula
Solve the following quadratic
equations by using the quadratic
formula:
2
x 2x 2 0

x2 4x 5 0
2 x 2 11x 21 0
2 x 2 8x 7 0

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Equations leading to quadratic

form
There are equations which are not
quadratic but can be put in quadratic
form by employing some properties of
real numbers.
Once transformed, these equations
can then be solved by using the
techniques
for solving1 quadratic
7
1
4
2

x 2 x 15 0
y
y 1
12
equations.
2 x 2 / 3 5 x1 / 3 3 0
3x 1 x 1
Ex.
Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Equations leading to quadratic

form
Solve the following equations:
x 4 2 x 2 15 0
(2 x 2 3x) 2 (2 x 2 3x) 2 0
2 x 2 / 3 5 x1/ 3 3 0

1
1
7

y y 1 12
3x 1 x 1

(This is a rational equation.)

(This is a radical equation.)

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Discriminant
In the quadratic formula , the term
under the radical sign, namely b2
4ac, is called the discriminant. It
allows us to classify the solutions and
as well as determine whether the
quadratic expression is factorable.

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Discriminant
Discriminant

Roots

b2 4ac = 0

Two equal rational roots

(written only once)

b2 4ac > 0, not a perfect

square

Two different irrational roots

b2 4ac > 0, a perfect square

Two different rational roots;

the quadratic expression is
factorable with integer
coefficients

b2 4ac < 0

Two different complex roots

(which
are conjugates of each
2
5x 7 x 8 0
other)

Illus. 4 x 2 12 x 9 0

Quadratic Equations in One Variable

Writing quadratic equations

Find a quadratic equation in x whose
roots are 5 and 7.
Find a quadratic equation whose
1
11. are
roots

Quadratic Equations in One Variable