ROOTS

Quadratic Functions

f ( x) ax bx c
2

Quadratic Equation

ax bx c 0
2

Angry Birds is a popular game in which birds are flung at foes by the use of parabolas. The game can only be mastered when one can master the arc of the parabola.

a >0

a<0

Question #1: Factorize and solve the following quadratic function when f(x)=0:

f ( x) x 4 x 5
2
Solutions: x=5 x= -1

Graph of f ( x) x 4 x 5
2

Roots

ROOTS
Roots are the point or points of intersection with the x-axis.

Quadratic Formula

Discriminant

Discriminant
The discriminant is the name given to the expression that appears under the square root (radical) sign in the 2 quadratic formula b -4ac

The discriminant tells about or discriminates the "nature" of the roots of a quadratic equation.

TO DETERMINE NATURE OF ROOT

Evaluate b2-4ac

For the quadratic curve y = x2-4x-5

Which is in the form y = ax2+bx+c
Where a= 1, b = -4, c= -5 Therefore b2-4ac = (-4)2-4(1)(-5) = 16+20=36 NOTE: When b2-4ac>0 (positive) The roots are real and distinct!

Graph of

f ( x) x 4 x 5
2

Real & Distinct Roots

2 b -4ac>0

Question #2: Factorize and solve the following quadratic function when f(x)=0:

f ( x) 4 x 4 x 1
2

Solutions: x = and
NOTE: Both roots are equal.

Evaluate b2-4ac
Therefore b2-4ac = (-4)2-4(4)(1) = 16-16=0 NOTE: When b2-4ac=0 The roots are real and equal!

Real & Equal Roots

2 b -4ac=0

Question #3: Factorize and solve the following quadratic function when f(x)=0: 2

f ( x) 2 x x 1
Evaluate b2-4ac

Solutions: Undefined
NOTE: Roots are not real

Therefore b2-4ac = (-1)2-4(2)(1) = 1- 8=-7 NOTE: When b2-4ac<0 The roots are not real!

Graph of

f ( x) 2 x x 1
2

No Real Roots

2 b -4ac<0

Name the nature of roots for the following quadratic curves:

No Real Roots

b2-4ac<0
Real & Equal Roots

b2-4ac=0

Real & Distinct Roots

b2-4ac>0

Determine the nature of roots for the following quadratic curves:

No Real Roots b2-4ac<0

Real & Distinct Roots b2-4ac>0 Real & Equal Roots b2-4ac=0

Past Paper Question June 2005 #9

Determine the set of values of k for which the equation x2+2x+k=3kx-1 has no real roots. [5 marks]
Solution:

STEP 1: Get in the form ax2+bx+c=0 x2 + 2x - 3kx +k + 1=0 x2+ (2 -3k)x+(k+1)=0 where a= 1 b= (2-3k) STEP 2: Recall for no real roots c= (k+1) 2 b -4ac<0 STEP 3: Substitute values for a, b and c and solve: (2-3k)2 4 (1) (k+1) < 0 Answer: 4+ 9k2-12k-4k-4<0 k<0 9k2-16k<0 k<16/9 k(9k-16)<0

Assignment Exercise 4.2 Page 73 # 1, 2 &7

Got it!!!