Solving Quadratic Functions

Pre-Calculus
U1.M2

Analyzing a Quadratic Equation
Useful formats of quadratic equations

f (x) = x
2
+ 6x + 2 Standard Form
m(x) = (x 2)(x + 1) Factored Form
g(x) = 2(x + 1)
2
3 Vertex Form (Tuesday)

What is my goal in solving a quadratic?
To find solutions roots zeros!

2
Prior Knowledge ax
2
+ bx + c
Previously, we have learned that the maximum number
of real zeros of a polynomial is equal to its degree.

The maximum number of turns a polynomial can have
will be one less than the degree.

A polynomial can have roots that are repeated, known
root multiplicity.
Factor Standard form a = 1
x
2
x 12


x
2
16


x
2
+ 16

The Fundamental Theorem of
Algebra
The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra states that every
polynomial has exactly as many complex roots as its
degree, counting root multiplicity.

Remember, the set of complex numbers includes all
numbers real and imaginary.

Any roots of a polynomial that arent real are imaginary.

More Practice!
x
2
+ 81


x
2
+ 169


x
2
+ 225

More on Complex Roots
If a polynomial has a degree of 5, then it will have a
total of nine complex solutions.
Possible examples:
5 real
3 real, 2 imaginary
1 real, 2 imaginary
More on complex roots
If the polynomial has real coefficients, then you always
must have an even number of imaginary roots.
Remember imaginary solutions always travel in
pairs.
If a complex number is a root of a polynomial, the
complex conjugate of that number will also be a root.
Even though they are zeros of the polynomial,
complex solutions will not be x-intercepts.
Last time!
x
2
+ 25


x
2
+ 169


x
2
+ 121

Factoring a>1
Step 1) Determine the product of AC

Step 2) Determine what factors of ac sum to b

Step 3) "ungroup" the middle term to become the sum of the
factors found in step 2

Step 4) group the pairs and remove common factors

Step 5) Rewrite as grouped
Example
3x
2
+8x+4
Product of (a)(c) = (3)(4) = 12
What factors of 12 sum to 8?

2 & 6

Replace 8x with 2x + 6x = 3x + 2x + 6x + 4
Group the 2 pairs : (3x + 2x) + (6x + 4)

Remove the common factors: x(3x+2)+2(3x+2)

Rewrite as grouped factors: (x+2)(3x+2)

Practice
a>1
3x
2
+ 7x + 4


5x
2
+ 18x + 9


5x
2
+ 13x + 6


(3x + 4) (x + 1)
(5x + 3)(x + 3)
(5x + 3)(x + 2)
What have we learned so far?
To find zeros of quadratics through ________

Quadratics (polynomials) can have ________ roots

Complex roots come in ______. (conjugates!)

How to factor quadratics when a>1
Quadratic Formula
When do we use this?
If you cant find zeros for a quadratic through factoring.

2x
2
4x -3 = 0
Quiz Open Response
11. 1) Explain and show the process of solving to find the
zeros of the function.
f(x)=3x2 +2x1
2) Explain and show the process of taking this function in
standard form and producing an equivalent function in
vertex form.
f(x) = 3x2 + 2x 1
3) Explain what equation 2 tells you about the graph that
equation 1 does not.

Remember Fundamental
Theorem of Algebra
The number of complex roots a
polynomial has is equal to its
degree.
Roots can be real, imaginary, or
roots of multiplicity.
What roots can we see?
Discriminant
This tells us how many roots we will have




PRACTICE
2m
2
+ 2m + 12 = 0

-k
2
+ 6k = -4

- 3x
2
+ 12x -7 = y

Complete the Square
Can we use completing the square to
find the roots as well as the vertex?

YES!
To find zeroes Isolate x
Practice
1. (x 2)
2
3 = 0


2. 2(x 1)
2
= 1
Remember!
If you have one complex root, you will
always have a pair! Complex roots
always travel with their conjugate!
x
2
+ 4x + 13 = 0 solve for roots!



Homework
Complete the Square Worksheet #1-10
Due Tuesday
?s on Homework

What did we learn?
Discriminant

How to find solutions through completing the square.

We can attain the vertex and roots through completing
the square.
Find the equation
of a polynomial with the following roots.

Roots: 3, 5
We can write the equation in factored form:
y = (x 3)(x 5)
y = x
2
5x 3x + 15
y = x
2
8x + 15
Roots: 2i.
Complex roots always travel in pairs, so -2i is also a
root.
We can write the equation in factored form:
y = (x 2i)(x + 2i)
y = x
2
+2xi 2xi 4i
2

y = x
2
+ 4

Practice





Find the equation
of a polynomial with the following roots. Make sure the
polynomial has integer coefficients.
Roots: \2, 1 + i.
Complex roots always travel in pairs, so 1 i is also a root.
Since the coefficients are integers, that means radical roots
also travel in pairs, so -\2 is also a root.
We can write the equation in factored form:
)) 1 ( ))( 1 ( )( 2 )( 2 ( i x i x x x y + + =
Continued
Lets talk about how to multiply this out.
) 2 )( 2 ( + = x x y
This is the difference of
squares factoring pattern.
It becomes:
) 2 (
2
= x y
Lets distribute those negatives.
We could multiply the trinomials
together.
)) 1 ( ))( 1 ( ( i x i x + ) 1 )( 1 ( i x i x +
Continued
Lets talk about how to multiply this out.
) 2 )( 2 ( + = x x y
This is the difference of
squares factoring pattern.
It becomes:
) 2 (
2
= x y
Lets distribute those negatives.
We could multiply the trinomials
together.
) 1 )( 1 ( i x i x +
Continued
Lets talk about how to multiply this out.





Now you multiply the binomial by the trinomial.
) 2 )( 2 ( + = x x y
This is the difference of
squares factoring pattern.
It becomes:
) 2 (
2
= x y
Lets distribute those negatives.
OR, we could group a bit
differently.
Do you recognize that pattern?
Difference of squares.
) 1 )( 1 ( i x i x +
( ( ) )
) 1 2 (
2 2
i x x +
) 1 1 2 (
2
+ + x x
) 2 2 (
2
+ x x
4 4 2 2 2
2 2 3 4
+ + = x x x x x y
4 4 2
3 4
+ = x x x y
What we learned
Find rational zeros of polynomial functions.

Find conjugate pairs of complex zeros.

Find zeros of polynomials by factoring.

Find zeros through the quadratic formula

Quadratic Function in Standard Form
39
x
y
Example: Graph the parabola f (x) = 2x
2
+ 4x 1 and find the axis
and vertex.
f (x) = 2x
2
+ 4x 1 original equation
f (x) = 2( x
2
+ 2x) 1 factor out 2
f (x) = 2( x
2
+ 2x + 1) 1 2 complete the square
f (x) = 2( x + 1)
2
3 standard form
a > 0 parabola opens upward like y = 2x
2
.
h = 1, k = 3 axis x = 1, vertex (1, 3).
x = 1
f (x) = 2x
2
+ 4x 1
The graphing form for the equation of a quadratic function is:
f (x) = a(x h)
2
+ k (a = 0)
The graph is a parabola opening upward if a > 0 and opening
downward if a < 0. The axis is x = h, and the vertex is (h, k).
(1, 3)
Vertex of a Parabola
40
Vertex of a Parabola
Example: Find the vertex of the graph of f (x) = x
2
10x + 22.
f (x) = x
2
10x + 22 original equation
a = 1, b = 10, c = 22
The vertex of the graph of f (x) = ax
2
+ bx + c (a = 0)
is ,
2 2
b b
f
a a
| |
| |

| |
\ .
\ .
At the vertex, 5
) 1 ( 2
) 10 (
2
=

=

=
a
b
x
So, the vertex is (5, -3).
3 22 ) 5 ( 10 5 ) 5 (
2
2
= + = =
|
.
|

\
|

f
a
b
f
Example: Basketball
41
Example: A basketball is thrown from the free throw line from a
height of six feet. What is the maximum height of the ball if the
path of the ball is:
2
1
2 6.
9
y x x = + +
The path is a parabola opening downward.
The maximum height occurs at the vertex.
2 ,
9
1
6 2
9
1
2
=

= + +

= b a x x y
. 9
2
=

=
a
b
x At the vertex,
( ) 15 9
2
= =
|
.
|

\
|

f
a
b
f
So, the vertex is (9, 15).
The maximum height of the ball is 15 feet.
Polynomials
What shape does it have?
What are some key attributes?
Given key attributes, what is the polynomial?

Exploring End Behavior using the degree (n)
and leading coefficient (a)
a > 0 a < 0
left right left right
n is even
n is odd
rise rise
fall rise
fall fall
rise fall
Rise or Fall???
Dividing Polynomials
Long Division
Synthetic Division
Linear divisors only
If when dividing one polynomial by another, if the remainder
is zero, then the divisor is a factor of the numerator.
Remainder Theorem
If the polynomial f(x) is divided by
(x k), the remainder r is
r = f(k)
In other words, the remainder from division is equal to the
function evaluated at the zero of the divisor
Look at this:
f(x) = x
2
+ 3x + 4
(x
2
+ 3x + 4) (x 1)


Here the remainder is 8.
f(1) = (1)
2
+ 3(1) + 4 = 8

8 4 1
4 1
4 3 1 1
Factor Theorem
A polynomial f(x) has a factor (x k) if and only if f(k) = 0.
In other words, if the remainder is zero then the divisor (k) is
a zero and (x k) is a factor,
Finding Key Attributes
We know left and right
We can find the y-intercept
How can we find the x- intercepts (or zeros)
Factoring
Division
2
, x
5
=
Use factoring to solve
5x
3
12x
2
+ 4x = 0.
x(5x
2
12x + 4) = 0
x(5x 2)(x 2) = 0
x = 0 , x = 2
Use a graph, synthetic division, and
factoring to find all roots of
x
3
+ 3x
2
4 = 0.
First, graph the polynomial
function to approximate the
roots.
Then use synthetic division to test your choices.
1
1
4
4
4
4
0
1 1 3 0 -4
Since the remainder is 0, x 1 is a factor
of x
3
+ 3x
2
- 4.
Example
Use a graph, synthetic division, and factoring to find
all roots of x
3
+ 3x
2
4 = 0.
x
3
+ 3x
2
4 = 0
(x 1)(x
2
+ 4x + 4) = 0
(x 1)(x + 2)(x + 2) = 0
x = 1 x = -2 x = -2
The roots of x
3
+ 3x
2
4 are 1 and -2, with
the root -2 occurring twice.
But what if you dont know a zero to get
you started?

Rational Root Theorem
p is a factor of the constant term of P
Let P be a polynomial function with integer
coefficients in standard form. If (in lowest terms)
is a root of P(x) = 0, then
p
q
q is a factor of the leading coefficient of P
Example 1
1, 2
Find all rational roots of
8x
3
+ 10x
2
11x + 2 = 0.
Step 1: Make an organized list of all possible quotients.
factors of 2:
factors of 8:
1, 2, 4, 8

1 1 1 1
, , ,
1 2 4 8

2 2 2 2
, , ,
1 2 4 8
We can eliminate any duplicate ratios
Example 1

Find all rational roots of 8x
3
+ 10x
2
11x + 2 = 0.

1 1 1 1
, , ,
1 2 4 8

2 2 2 2
, , ,
1 2 4 8
Example 1
Find all rational roots of 8x
3
+ 10x
2
11x + 2 = 0.
Step 2: Use substitution or synthetic division to test
all possible roots.
8
-16
-6
12
1
-2
0
-2 8 10 -11 2
roots: -2
Example 1
Find all rational roots of 8x
3
+ 10x
2
11x + 2 = 0.
Step 3: Use substitution or synthetic division to test
all possible roots. (Or convert back to polynomial form
and try to factor.)
8
-16
-6
12
1
-2
0
-2 8 10 -11 2
roots: -2
8x
2
6x + 1 = (4x 1)(2x 1)
, ,
Example 2
Find all of the zeros of Q(x) = x
3
+ 4x
2
6x - 12.
First, use the Rational Root Theorem
to determine some possibilities.
Then use synthetic division to test
your choices.
1
2
6
12
6
12
0
2 1 4 -6 -12
Since the remainder is 0, x 2 is a
factor of x
3
+ 4x
2
6x - 12.
Example 2
Find all of the zeros of Q(x) = x
3
+ 4x
2
6x - 12.
Since the remainder is 0, x 2 is a
factor of x
3
+ 4x
2
6x - 12.
x
3
+ 4x
2
6x 12 = 0
(x 2)(x
2
+ 6x + 6) = 0
x = 2 or

=
2
6 6 4(1)(6)
x
2(1)

=
6 12
x
2

=
6 2 3
x
2
x 3 3 =
Example 3
Find all of the zeros of P(x) = -4x
3
+ 2x
2
x + 3.
First, use the Rational Root Theorem
and a graph of the polynomial function
(if available) to determine some
possibilities.
Then use synthetic division to test
your choices.
-4
-4
-2
-2
-3
-3
0
1 -4 2 -1 3
Since the remainder is 0, x 1 is a
factor of -4x
3
+ 2x
2
x + 3.
-4x
3
+ 2x
2
x + 3 = 0
(x 1)(-4x
2
- 2x - 3) = 0
x = 1 or

=

2
( 2) ( 2) 4( 4)( 3)
x
2( 4)

=

2 44
x
8
Example
Find all of the zeros of P(x) = -4x
3
+ 2x
2
x + 3.
No real solution
8
11 2 2

=
i
x
i x
4
11
4
1
=
Descartes Rule of Signs
Remember, the Rational Roots Test only gives
potential (rational) roots; it does not tell you what
the actual roots will be.
There is another tool that can help us narrow down
our possibilities Descartes Rule of Signs.
Descartes Rule of Signs will tell you the maximum
number of positive and negative roots you can
expect.
For this, you need to be aware of the changes in
signs among the coefficients of the polynomial.
Descartes Rule of Signs
Example:


I want to note the changes in sign among the coefficients.
There are four sign changes, which means I will have a
maximum of four positive roots.
However, this number could decrease by multiples of two,
so I could also have two or zero positive roots.
5 9 3 ) (
2 3 4 5
+ + + = x x x x x x f
Descartes Rule of Signs

For the negative roots, I need to evaluate f(-x). When I do this,
all the signs of the coefficients with odd powers will change.


Now do the sign change thing again.
We will have one negative root. (Normally, wed count down
by twos again, but we cant have fewer than zero roots.)
5 9 3 ) (
2 3 4 5
+ + + = x x x x x x f
5 9 3 ) (
2 3 4 5
+ + + = x x x x x x f
Descartes Rule of Signs
This can be useful in finding roots. For example, if you were
using the Rational Roots Test in the previous problem, and
had already found a negative root, then you know that any
other root will be positive.

Conversely, if you had already found a positive root, then you
can expect one or three more.

Use Descartes Rule of Signs to find the possible number
positive and negative roots of the following polynomial:
1 3 5 6 4 ) (
2 3 4 5 7
+ + + = x x x x x x x g
Upper and Lower Bound Rules
One more test to help us narrow down the list of possible
roots involves the upper and lower bound rules.
These rules involve observing the results of our synthetic
division, and they can help us exclude certain possible rational
roots.
Upper Bound Rule:
Lets say were using synthetic division on polynomial f(x), using c as
our possible root.
If c > 0, and the bottom row of the synthetic division is all non-negative
(zero or positive numbers), then c is an upper bound of the roots.
Lower Bound Rule
If c < 0, and the bottom row of the synthetic division has alternating
signs, then c is a lower bound of the roots. (Zero can count as either
sign in this case.)
Example
Find real zeros of: f(x) = 6x
3
- 4x
2
+ 3x 2.
By the rational roots test, our possibilities are

Well test 1 with synthetic division:



It didnt work, but since 1 is positive and the bottom
row is all positive, 1 is an upper bound.
All roots will be less than 1, which eliminates 2 as a
possibility.


3
2
6
1
3
1
2
1
, 2 , , , , 1
3 5 2 6
5 2 6
2 3 4 6 1
Example
Find real zeros of: f(x) = 6x
3
- 4x
2
+ 3x 2.


Now well test -1:



Since our test was a negative number, and the bottom row
alternates signs, -1 is a lower bound.


3
2
6
1
3
1
2
1
, 2 , , , , 1
15 13 10 6
13 10 6
2 3 4 6 1



Finding the Zeros of a Polynomial
Get an overall picture
Know the shape and possible number of zeros
Estimate the zeros
Graphing calculator
Rational Root Theorem
Descartes Rule of Signs
Upper and Lower Bounds
Test and confirm
Division
Remainder Theorem and Factor Theorem
Find the factors and zeros
Factor, complete the square, quadratic formula
Homework 10
Section 2.5 Page 160 # 11 23 odd, 37-41 odd, 83-89 odd.
Demonstrate your work with division and verify with your
calculator.