Quadratic Equation

Simplified Notes
Consider the quadratic equation 2x
2
+ 3x - 2 = 0. ----( *** )
We can solve x by :-
( I ) Factorization
1 st Trial & Error

i.e 2x
2
- 2 + 0 = 0 ( *** )

2nd Trial & Error

i.e 2x
2
- 2 + 3x = 0. = ( *** )
( *2x - 1* ) ( **x + 2** ) = 0
x = 1/2 or x = -2
( II ) Completing the Square
2x
2
+ 3x - 2 = 0
x
2
+ 3/2 x - 1 = 0
x
2
+ 3/2 x = 1 ==============( * )
Consider the coefficient of x;
i.e coefficient of x = 3/2 =========( ii )
Divide both sides of equation ( ii ) by 2 :-
i.e
{coefficient of x} / 2= ( 3/2 ) / 2
= ( 3/4 ) ========( iii)
square, both side of equation ( iii ) :-
i.e [{coefficient of x} / 2 ]
2
= ( 3/4 )
2

ADD ( 3/4 )
2
to both sides of ( * )
( 3/4 )
2
+ x
2
+ 3/2 x = 1 + ( 3/4 )
2

OR
x
2
+ 3/2 x + ( 3/4 )
2
= 1 + ( 3/4 )
2

(x + 3/4 )
2
= 1 + ( 9/16)
= 25/16 note: ( a + b )
2
= a
2
+ b
2
+2ab
(x + 3/4 )= + 5/4
x = 5/4 - 3/4 or x = -5/4 -3/4
x = 2/4 = 1/2 or x = -8/4 = -2
( I I I ) By using the Formula
x = [ -b + ( b
2
-4ac ) ]/ 2a
= [ -3 + ( 3
2
-4( 2 )( -2 ) ]/ 2(2)
= [ -3 + ( 9

+ 16 ]/ 4
= [ -3 + ( 25 ]/ 4
= [ -3 + 5 ]/ 4
= ( -3 + 5 ) / 4 or = ( -3-5 ) /4
= 2/4 = 1/2 or = -8 / 4 = -2
Hence, -2 and 1/2 are roots ( two different real roots) of
an equation 2x
2
-3x - 2 = 0.
Note:
if b
2
-4ac > 0 ; the equation has two different real roots
if b
2
-4ac = 0 ; the equation has two equal real roots
if b
2
-4ac < 0 ; the equation does not have real roots
>> 2x
2
-3x - 2 = 0 has two different real roots :-
>>> b
2
-4ac = -3
2
-4( 2 )( -2)
= 9 + 16
= 25 > 0
In general, if p & q are roots of a quadratic equation:-
then,
( x - p )( x - q ) = 0
x
2
- px-qx + pq = 0
x
2
- ( p + q )x + pq = 0
or x
2
- ( sum of roots )x + ( product of roots ) = 0

Question 1
( i ) A quadratic equation x
2
+ px + 9 = 2x has two equal roots
Find the possible values of p
Solution Method
the equation has two equal real roots :b
2
-4ac = 0
Solution
x
2
+ px + 9 = 2x
x
2
+ px- 2x + 9 = 0
x
2
+ (p - 2)x + 9 = 0
The above equation has two equal real roots :
b
2
-4ac = 0
( p-2)
2
-4(1)(9) = 0
( p-2)
2
- 36 = 0
( p-2)
2
- = 36
p - 2 = +6
p-2 = 6 or p-2 = -6
p = 8 or p = -4
( ii ) Find the range value of k so that the
quadratic equation x
2
+ kx - 3 = -2k has no real roots
Solution Method
the equation has no real roots :b
2
-4ac = < 0
Solution
x
2
+ kx -3 = -2k
x
2
+ kx + 2k - 3 = 0
x
2
+ kx +( 2k - 3 ) = 0
The above equation has no real roots :
b
2
-4ac < 0
( k )
2
-4(1)(2k-3) < 0
k
2
-8k + 12 < 0
( k -2 )( k-6) < 0
k < 2 ; k < 6
2< k < 6
( iii )Determine the set of values of m so that the
equation x
2
+ ( m + 4 )x + ( m
2
+ m + 3 ) = 0
has real roots
Solution
For real roots, b
2
-4ac = 0
( m+ 4 )
2
-4(1)(m
2
+ m + 3 ) = 0
m
2
+ 8m + 16-4m
2
-4m -12 = 0
-3m
2
+ 4m + 4 = 0
3m
2
- 4m - 4 = 0
m = [ -b + ( b
2
-4ac ) ]/ 2a
= [ 4 + ( 16 + 48 ) ]/ 6
= [ 4 + ( 64 ) ]/ 6
= [ 4 + 8 ]/ 6
m = (4 -8 )/6 or m = (4+8)/6
m = -2/3 or m = 2
i.e -2/3 < m < 2
( iv ) The quadratic equation hx
2
+ kx +9 = 0 , where h and k are
constants, has two equal roots.
Express h in terms of k
Solution
For equal roots, b
2
-4ac = 0
k
2
-4(h)(9) = 0
k
2
= 36h
h = k
2
/ 36
( v ) Given that 3/2 and - 15 are the roots for the given quadratic
equation.Write down that quadratic equation in the
form of hx
2
+ kx +9 = 0
Solution
( x -3/2 ) ( x -(-15) ) = 0
( x-3/2)(x + 15 ) = 0
x
2
+ 15x - ( 3/2)x - 45/2 = 0
x
2
+ (30/ 2 )x - ( 3/2)x - 45/2 = 0
2x
2
+ 17x - 45 = 0

Assessment
( i ) The quadratic equation, px
2
+ qx + 3 = 0,
where p and q are constants, has two equal roots.
Express p in terms of q
Ans : p = q( 12)
1/2

( ii ) The quadratic equation x
2
+ x = 2px -p
2
,
where p is a constant, has two different roots.
Find the range values of p
Ans : p < 1/4

( iii ) The quadratic equation x
2
+ px + 9 = 2x ,
has two equal roots.
Find the possible values of p
Ans : p = 8 or p = -4

( iv ) The roots of quadratic equation 2x
2
+ px = -q ,
are -5 and 4
( a ) Find the values of p and q
( b ) the range of values of k such that
2x
2
+ px = k -q does not have any real roots
Ans : ( a ) p = 2, q = -40
( b ) k < 81/2


















Note :If m and n are the roots for a quadratic equation
ax
2
+ bx + c = 0 ====( 1 )
a # 0
OR ax
2
- ( - bx ) + c = 0
Divide both side of ( * ) by a:-
x
2
- ( -b/a)x + c/a = 0 ----------( 2 )
Then,
sum of root = ( m + n )
= -b/a
Product of the roots = mn
= c/a

Conclusion
If m and n are the roots of a quadratic equation
ax
2
+ bx + c = 0 ====( 1 )
Change ( 1 ) into ( 2 ) :
x
2
- ( -b/a)x + c/a = 0 ----------( 2 )
So that, sum of root =( m + n )
= -b/a
Product of the roots = mn
= c/a

Question 2
( i ) If a and a/2 are roots of a quadratic equation
x
2
+ px + q = 0
Show that 2p
2
= 9q
Solution Method ( and also Solution )
Let m & n are the roots of the equation
x
2
+ px + q = 0
x
2
- ( - p )x + q = 0 ===( 1 )
Sum of the roots = ( m )+ ( n )
= -p ====( 2 )
Product of the roots = mn
= q ==( 3 )
But, ( a ) & ( a/2 ) are also roots of ( 1 )
Hence, sum of root = ( a )+ ( a/2 )
= 3a/2 === ( 4 )
Product of root = ( a )( a/2)
= a
2
/2 ==== ( 5 )
From ( 2 ) & ( 4 ) :
-p = 3a/2
a = -2p/3 ===== ( 6 )
From ( 3 ) & ( 5 ) :
q = a
2
/2 ======( 7 )
( 6 ) in ( 7 ) : q = ( -2p/3 )
2
/ 2
= 2p
2
/ 9
9q = 2p
2

( ii ) GIven that p and q are two roots of the
equation 2x2 = - ( 3x + 4 ) :-
a) Find 1/p2 + 1/q2
b) Show that 4p4 = -(16 + 7p2 )
Solution Method ( a ) ( and also Solution )
p and q are the roots of the equation
2x2 = - ( 3x + 4 )
2x2 + 3x + 4 = 0
2x2 - ( - 3 )x + 4 = 0
x2 - ( - 3/2 )x + 2 = 0 === ( 1 )
Sum of roots = p + q
= -3/2 ===== ( 2 )
Product of roots = pq
= 2 ====== ( 3 )
Then,
1/p2 + 1/q2 = (q2 + p2)
/ (p
2
q
2
)
= *( p + q )
2
- 2pq / (pq )
2 ===( 4 )

Note : *
(p + q)2
=
(p2 + p2)
+ 2pq
Subsitute ( 2 ) & ( 3 ) in ( 4 ) :-
1/p
2
+ 1/q
2
= [( p + q )
2
- 2pq ]/ (pq )
2

= [( -3/2 )
2
- 2( 2 )]/ (2 )
2

= - 7/16

Solution ( b )
From ( a ) 1/p
2
+ 1/q
2
=
- 7/16

1/p
2

=
- 7/16 - 1/q
2

=
- 7/16 - 1/( 2/p )
2

=
- 7/16 - (p
2
/ 4)
= (
- 7 -4p
2
)/ 16
16 = -7p
2
-4p
4

4p
4
= -7p
2
-16
= - ( 7p
2
+ 16 )
Assessment
( i) Given that p/3 and q/3 are two roots of the
equation 6x
2
= 3x + 2 :-
a) Find 1/p + 1/q
b) Show that 2q
2
= 6 + 2q
Ans:
( i) Given that p and q are two roots of the
equation 2x
2
= 3x -4 :-
a) Form an equation whose roots are
p- q and q-p
b) Show that 4p
3
= p- 12
Ans : ( a) 4x
2
- 23 = 0


Question 3
Given that the quadratic function 2x
2
- px + p + 1 = 0
has roots of m and n
If 4+ ( m
2
+n
2
) = 9
Find the positive value of p.
Solution Method ( and also Solution )
m and n are the roots of
2x
2
- px + p + 1 = 0 --( * )
x
2
- ( p/2 )x + 1/2 ( p + 1 ) = 0
Sum of the roots = m + n
= p/2 ==== ( 1 )
Product of the roots = mn
= 1/2( p + 1 ) ====( 2 )
Given that :-
4+ ( m
2
+n
2
) = 9 ;note : ( m +n )
2
= m
2
+ n
2
+ 2mn
4+ ( m +n )
2
- 2mn = 9
( m +n )
2
- 2mn - 5 =0 ==== ( 3 )
Substitute ( 1 ) & ( 2 ) in ( 3 ) :-
( p/2 )
2
- 2 [ ( 1/2(p + 1 )]-5 =0
p
2
/ 4 - p - 1 -5 =0
p
2
/ 4 - p - 6 =0
p
2
- 4p - 24 =0
p = [ -b + ( b
2
-4ac ) ]/ 2a
= [ - (- 4 ) + ( -4
2
-4( 1 ) ( - 24) ]/ 2( 1 )
= [ 4 + ( 16 + 96 ]/ 2
= [ 4 + ( 112)]/ 2
=[ 4 + ( 10.58 )]/ 2
Since p > 0
Thus p = [ 4 + 10.58 ]/ 2
= 7.03




















Question 4
Given that p and q are the roots of the quadratic equation
2x
2
-8x + 3 = 0
Form a quadratic equation with roots p + 1/p and q + 1/q
Solution Method ( and also Solution )
p and q are the roots of
2x
2
- 8x + 3 = 0 --( * )
x
2
- ( 4 )x + 3/2 = 0
Sum of the roots = p + q
= 4 ===== ( 1 )
Product of the roots = pq
= 3/2 ==== ( 2 )
Let m = ( p + 1/p ) and n = ( q + 1/q ) be the roots of the
equadratic equation
x
2
- ( sum of roots )x + ( product of roots ) = 0 ====( * )
where
Sum of the roots = m + n
= ( p + 1/p ) + ( q + 1/q ) === ( 3 )
Product of the roots = mn
= ( p + 1/p ) ( q + 1/q ) ====== ( 4 )
From ( 3 ) :-
Sum of the roots = ( p + 1/p ) + ( q + 1/q )
= 1/p( p
2
+ 1 ) + 1/q( q
2
+ 1 )
= 1/pq [ q( p
2
+ 1 ) + p( q
2
+ 1 ) ]
= 1/pq [ ( qp
2
+ q ) + ( pq
2
+ p ) ]
= 1/pq [ ( qp
2
+ pq
2 )
+ ( p + q ) ]
= 1/pq [ pq( p

+ q
)
+ ( p + q ) ]
= 1/pq [ pq( p

+ q
)
+ ( p + q ) ]
= 1/pq[ (p + q )(pq + 1 )]
=2/3[ (4 )( 3/2 + 1 )]
= 2/3[ (4 )( 3/2 + 1 )]
=20/3 ===== ( 5 )
From ( 4 ):-
Product of the roots =( p + 1/p ) ( q + 1/q )
=1/p ( p
2
+ 1 )( q
2
+ 1 )1/q
=1/pq ( p
2
+ 1 )( q
2
+ 1 )
=1/pq [ 2( pq )
2
+ 1 ]
= 2/3 [ 2( 3/2 )
2
+ 1 ]
= 2/3 [ 2( 3/2 )
2
+ 1 ]
= 26/9 ===== ( 6 )
Substitute ( 5 ) & ( 6 ) in ( * ) becomes :-
x
2
- 20/3x + 26/9 = 0
9x
2
- 60x + 26 = 0
Asessment

( i ) Given that p and q are the roots of the quadratic

equation 3x
2
+2x - 1 = 0
Form a quadratic equation with
roots 2p + 3 and 2q + 3
Ans: 3x
2
-14x + 11 = 0
( ii ) Given that p and q are the roots of the quadratic
equation 2x
2
-3x - 6 = 0
Form a quadratic equation with
roots p/3 and q/3
Ans : 6x
2
-3x - 2 = 0






















Question 5
( i ) Given that one of the roots of the equation
x
2
+ px + 12 = 0 is three times the other root,
find the possible value of p
Solution Method ( i ) and also Solution ( i )
Let r and s be the roots of
x
2
+ px + 12 = 0
x
2
- ( -p)x + 12 = 0 ===== ( * )
Sum of the roots = r + s
= -p ===== ( 1 )
Product of the roots = rs
= 12 ==== ( 2 )
( Given that one of the root = 3times the other
i.e either s = 3r or r =3s )
Let s = 3r
Then ( r ) & s ( = 3r ) are also roots of equation ( * )
Sum of roots = r + s
= r + 3r
= 4r ==========( 3 )
Product of the roots = r ( s )
= r( 3r)
= 3r
2
======( 4 )
From ( 1 ) & ( 3 ) :-
4r = -p
p = -4r ===== ( 5 )
From ( 2 ) & ( 4 ) :-
3r
2
= 12
r
2
= 4
r = + 2 ==== ( 6 )
Substitute ( 5 ) in ( 6 ) :-
When r = 2, p = -4( 2 ) = -8
r = -2, p = -4( -2) = 8
( i i ) Given that 4/p and 4/q are the roots
of the quadratic equation
kx ( x - 2 ) = - ( 2m + 7x )
If p + q = -3/2 and pq = 4.
Find the values of k and m
Solution Method ( ii )and also Solution ( ii )
Let p & q are roots of the quadratic equation
kx ( x - 2 ) = - ( 2m + 7x )
kx
2
- 2kx = - 2m- 7x
kx
2
- 2kx + 7x + 2m = 0
kx
2
- (2k - 7 )x + 2m = 0
x
2
- [ (2k - 7 )/k ] x + 2m/k = 0 ====== (* )
where
Sum of the roots, = p + q
= (2k - 7 )/k ====== ( 1 )
Product of the roots = pg
= 2m/k ==========( 2 )
Since ( 4/p ) & ( 4/q ) are also roots of ( * )
Thus,
Sum of the roots =( 4/p )+ ( 4/ q )
= 1/ pq [ 4q + 4p ]
= 4/pq [ ( p + q ) ]
= 4/4 [ -3/2 ]
= -3/2 ======= ( 3 )
Product of the roots = ( 4/p ) ( 4/q )
= 16/pq
= 16/4
= 4 ========= ( 4 )
From ( 1 ) and ( 3 );
(2k - 7 )/k = -3/2
2(2k -7) = -3k
7k -14 = 0
k = 14/7 = 2
From ( 2 ) and ( 4 );
2m/k = 4
2m/ 2 = 4
m = 4
Assessment

( i ) Given that p/3 and q/3 are the roots of the quadratic equation
kx ( x - 1 ) = x + m
If p + q = 4 and pq = 3.Find the values of k and m
Ans : k = 3, m = -1
( i i) Given that 3 and p are the roots of the quadratic
equation (x + 1 ) ( 2x + 4 ) = q(x - 1 ) ,
q is a constant .Find the values of p and q
Ans : p = 4,q = 20




















Question 6
Find the value of p so that the quadratic equation
( 3 - p )x
2
-2( p + 1)x + p+1 = 0 , has two equal roots.
Hence, find the roots based on p that you have obtained
Solution
( 3 - p )x
2
-2( p + 1)x + p+1 = 0
For equal roots, b
2
-4ac = 0
[-2( p + 1 )]
2
-4( 3-p )(p + 1 )= 0
4( p + 1 )
2
-4( 3p + 3 - p
2
-p)= 0
( p + 1 )
2
-( 3p + 3 - p
2
-p)= 0
p
2
+ 2p + 1 - (-p
2
+2p + 3 ) = 0
p
2
+ 2p + 1 + p
2
-2p - 3 ) = 0
2p
2
- 2 = 0
p
2
- 1 = 0
p
2
= 1
p = +1
When p = 1, The quadratic equation is :-
( 3 - p )x
2
-2( p + 1)x + p+1 = 0
( 3 - 1 )x
2
-2( 1 + 1)x + 1+1 = 0
2x
2
-4x + 2 = 0
( x - 1 )
2
= 0
x = 1
When p = -1, The quadratic equation is :-
( 3 - p )x
2
-2( p + 1)x + p+1 = 0
( 3 + 1 )x
2
-2( -1 + 1)x - 1+1 = 0
4x
2
= 0
x
2
= 0
x = 0
























Question 7
The quadratic function f(x) = 2x
2
+ 5x - 3 can be expressed in the
form f(x) =(x + m )
2
-n, where m and n are constants
Find the value of m and n
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Solution Methods
f(x) =(x + m )
2
-n, =====> Completing the square
Completing the Square
2x
2
+ 5x - 3 = 0
x
2
+ 5/2 x - 3/2 = 0
x
2
+ 5/2 x = 3/2 ================ ( * )
Consider the coefficient of x;
i.e coefficient of x = 5/2 ============== ( 1 )
Divide ,equation ( 1 ), both sides by 2 :-
{coefficient of x} / 2 = ( 5/2 ) / 2
= ( 5/4 ) ========== ( 2 )
Square ,equation ( 2 ) both sides :-
Thus [{coefficient of x} / 2 ]
2
= ( 5/4 )2 ====( 3 )
ADD ( 5/4 )
2
to both sides of ( * )
x
2
+ 5/2 x + ( 5/4 )
2
= 3/2 + ( 5/4 )
2
= 69/16
( x + 5/4 )
2
= 69/16 ; note : ( a + b )
2
= a
2
+ b
2
+ 2ab
( x + 5/4 )
2
- 69/16 = 0
Solution
f(x) = 2x
2
+ 5x - 3
= x
2
+ 5/2 x -3/2
= x
2
+ 5/2 x -3/2 + { ( 5/4 )
2
- ( 5/4 )
2
}
= [x
2
+ 5/2 x + ( 5/4 )
2
] -3/2 - ( 5/4 )
2

= ( x + 5/4 )
2
-3/2 - ( 5/4 )
2

= ( x + 5/4 )
2
-69/16
comparing with
f(x) =(x + m )
2
-n
m = 5/4 & n = -69/16




















Question 8
The diagram shows the graph of a quadratic function y = f( x ).The straight line
y = -9 is a tangent to the curve y = f ( x )

( a ) Write the equation of the axis of symmetry y of the curve
( b ) Express f ( x ) in the form of f(x) =(x + b )
2
+ c ,
where b and c are constants
Solution
Axis of symmetry , x = ( -1 + 5 )/2 = 2
i.e x = 2
f( x ) = ( x + b )
2
+ c
= ( x - 2 )
2
-9