2 Quadratic Equations 1

2. QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

IMPORTANT NOTES :
(i) The general form of a quadratic equation is ax
2
+ bx + c = 0; a, b, c are constants and a 0.
(ii) Characteristics of a quadratic equation:
(a) Involves only ONE variable,
(b) Has an equal sign = and can be expressed in the form ax
2
+ bx + c = 0,
(c) The highest power of the variable is 2.



2.1 Recognising Quadratic Equations

EXAMPLES
No Quafratic Equations (Q.E.) NON Q.E. WHY?
1. x
2
+ 2x -3 = 0 2x 3 = 0 No terms in x
2
( a = 0)

2.

x
2
=
x
2

2
= 0
x
Term
2

x
3. 4x = 3x
2
x
3
2 x
2
= 0 Term x
3

4. 3x (x 1) = 2 x
2
3x
-1
+ 2 = 0 Term x
-1

5. p 4x + 5x
2
= 0, p constant x
2
2xy + y
2
= 0 Two variables

Exercise : State whether the following are quadratic Equations. Give your reason for Non Q.E.

No Function Q.F. Non Q.F. WHY?
0. 3x - 2 = 10 x

No terms in x
2

1. x
2
= 10
2


2. 12 3x
2
= 0


3. x
2
+ x = 6


4.

2x
2
+ x - 3 = 0


5.

6
= x
x


6.

0 = x ( x 2)


7.

2x
2
+ kx -3 = 0, k constant


8.

(m-1) x
2
+ 5x = 2m , m constant


9.

3 (p+1) x
2
= 0 , p constant


10.

p(x) = x
2
+ 2hx + k+1, h, k constants


11.

f(x) = x
2
4


12.

(k-1)x
2
3kx + 10 = 0 , k constant

2 Quadratic Equations 2
2.2 The ROOTs of a quadratic Equation (Q.E.)

Note : ROOT refers to a specific value which satisfies the Q.E.
Example : Given Q.E. x
2
+ 2x 3 = 0
By substitution, it is found that :
x = 1 , 1
2
+ 2(1) 3 = 0
Hence 1 is a root of the quadratic equation x
2
+ 2x 3 = 0.
But if x = 2, 2
2
+ 2(2) 3 0,
We say that 2 is NOT a root of the given quadratic Equation.


EXAMPLE EXERCISE
C1. Determine if -2 is a root of the equation
3x
2
+ 2x -7 = 0.

x = -2, 3(-2)2 + 2(-2) 7 = 12 4 7
0
Hence - 2 is NOT a root of the given equation.
L1. Determine if 3 is a root of the equation
2x
2
x 15 = 0.
L2. L1. Determine if 3 is a root of the equation
x
2
2x + 3 = 0.
L3. Determine if is a root of the
equation 4x
2
+ 2x 2 = 0.
C2. If -2 is a root of the quadratic equation
x
2
kx 10 = 0, find k.

x = -2, (-2)2 k(-2) 10 = 0
-4 + 2k 10 = 0
2k = 14
k = 7
L4. If 3 is a root of the equation
x
2
2kx + 12 = 0 , find k.
L5. If -2 and p are roots of the quadratic equation
2x
2
+ 3x + k = 0, find the value of k and p.
L6. If -1 are roots of the quadratic
equation px
2
4x + 3p 8 = 0, find p.