College Algebra Tutorial 17: Quadratic Equations

(Back to the College Algebra Homepage)
(Back to the GRE Math Help Page)
(Back to the THEA Math Help Page)
College Algebra
Tutorial 17:
Quadratic Equations
Learning Objectives
After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:
1. Solve quadratic equations by factoring.

2. Solve quadratic equations by the square root method.
3. Solve quadratic equations by completing the square.
4. Solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula.
5. Find the discriminant of a quadratic equation and use it to tell how many
and what type of solutions the equation has.
Introduction
In this tutorial, we will be looking at solving a specific type of equation called

the quadratic equation. The methods of solving these types of equations that we
will take a look at are solving by factoring, by using the square root method, by
completing the square, and by using the quadratic equation. Sometimes one
method won't work or another is just faster, depending on the quadratic equation
given. So it is good to know different ways to solve quadratic equations so you
will be prepared for any type of situation. After completing this tutorial, you
will be a master at solving quadratic equations. Solving equations in general is a
very essential part of Algebra. So I guess we better get to it.
Tutorial
Quadratic Equation
Standard form:
,
Where a does not equal 0.
Note that in Tutorial 14: Linear Equations in One Variable, we learned that a
linear equation can be written in the form ax + b = 0 and that the exponent on
the variable was 1.
Note that the difference is the highest exponent on the variable on the quadratic
equation is 2.
We are going to talk about four ways to solve quadratics.
Solving Quadratic Equations

by Factoring
You can solve a quadratic equation by factoring if, after writing it

in standard form, the quadratic expression factors.
Step 1: Simplify each side if needed.
This would involve things like removing ( ), removing fractions,

adding like terms, etc.
To remove ( ): Just use the distributive property.
To remove fractions: Since fractions are another way to write

division, and the inverse of divide is to multiply, you remove
fractions by multiplying both sides by the LCD of all of your
fractions.
Step 2: Write in standard form, , if needed.
If it is not in standard form, move any term(s) to the appropriate

side by using the addition/subtraction property of equality.
Also, make sure that the squared term is written first left to
right, the x term is second and the constant is third and it is set
equal to 0.
Step 3: Factor.
If you need a review on factoring go to Tutorial 7: Factoring

Polynomials.
Step 4: Use the Zero-Product Principle.
If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0.
0 is our magic number because the only way a product can

become 0 is if at least one of its factors is 0.
You can not guarantee what the factors would have to be if the
product was set equal to any other number. For example if ab =
1, then a = 5 and b = 1/5 or a = 3 and b = 1/3, etc. But with the
product set equal to 0, we can guarantee finding the solution by
setting each factor equal to 0. That is why it is important to get
it in standard form to begin with.
Step 5: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 4.
If a quadratic equation factors, it will factor into either one

linear factor squared or two distinct linear factors. So, the
equations found in step 4 will be linear equations. If you need a
review on solving linear equations feel free to go to Tutorial
14: Linear Equations in One Variable.
Example 1: Solve by factoring.
This quadratic equation is already simplified.
This quadratic equation is already in standard form.
Step 3: Factor.
*Quad. eq. in standard form

*Factor the trinomial
Step 4: Use the Zero-Product Principle
AND
*Use Zero-Product Principle

*Solve the first linear equation
*Solve the second linear equation

There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x = -5 and x =
2.
*Mult. both sides by LCD of 6 to clear

fractions
*Inverse of add. 16 is sub. 16

Step 3: Factor.

*Factor the diff. of two squares
AND

There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x = -4/5 and x =

4/5.
*Use Dist. Prop. to clear the ( )

Step 3: Factor.

*Factor the trinomial
AND


There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x = -2/3 and x =
1/2.

by the Square Root Method
You can solve a quadratic equation by the square root method if

you can write it in the form .
Step 1: Write the quadratic equation in the form if needed.
A and B represent algebraic expressions. When you have the

quadratic equation written in this form, it allows you to use the
square root method described in step 2.
If it is not in this form, , move any term(s) to the

appropriate side by using the addition/subtraction or
multiplication/division property of equality.
Step 2: Apply the square root method.
If A and B are algebraic expressions such that ,

then ,
also written .
In other words, if you have an expression squared set equal to

another expression, the inverse operation to solve it is to take
the square root of both sides. Since both a positive and its
opposite squared result in the same answer, then you will have
two answers, plus or minus the square root of B.

After applying the square root method to a quadratic equation
you will end up with either one or two linear equations to solve.
Most times you will have two linear equations, but if B is equal
to 0, then you will only have one since plus or minus 0 is only
one number. If you need a review on solving linear equations
feel free to go to Tutorial 14: Linear Equations in One
Variable.
Example 4: Solve by using the square root method.
Step 1: Write the quadratic equation in the form if needed
AND
*Written in the form

*Apply the sq. root method
*There are 2 solutions
*Sq. root of 16 = 4
*Neg. sq. root of 16 = - 4

There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x = 4 and x =
-4.
AND
Note how this quadratic equation is not in the form to begin

with. The 5 is NOT part of the expression being squared on the left
side of the equation. We can easily write it in the form by
dividing both sides by 5.
*Not in the form

*Inv. of mult. by 5 is div. by 5


*Sq. root of 4 = 2
*Neg. sq. root of 4 = -2

-2.
AND
*Written in the
form


*Sq. root of 20 = 2 sq. root of 5
*Solve for x
*Neg. sq. root of 20 = -2 sq. root of 5

*Solve for x
There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x =
and x = .

by Completing the Square
You can solve ANY quadratic equation by completing the square.

This comes in handy when a quadratic equation does not factor or
is difficult to factor.
Step 1:Make sure that the coefficient on the term is equal to 1.

If the coefficient of the term is already 1, then proceed to step 2.
If the coefficient of the term is not equal to 1, then divide both sides
by that coefficient.
Step 2:Isolate the and x terms.

In other words, rewrite it so that the and x terms are on one side and
the constant is on the other side.
Step 3: Complete the square.

At this point we will be creating a perfect square trinomial (PST).
Recall that a PST is a trinomial of the form and it factors
in the form . When it is in that form it will allow us to
continue onto the next step and take the square root of both sides and
find a solution.
We need to find a number that we can add to the and x terms so

that we have a PST.
We can get that magic number by doing the following:
If we have
we can complete it’s square by adding the

constant
In other words, we complete the square by taking ½ of b (the

coefficient of the x term) and then squaring it. Make sure you
remember to add it to BOTH sides to keep the equation balanced.
Step 4: Factor the perfect square trinomial (created in step 3) as a

binomial squared.
If you need a review on factoring a perfect square trinomial, feel free to
go to Tutorial 7: Factoring Polynomials.
Step 5: Solve the equation in step 4 by using the square root

method.
Example 7: Solve by completing the square.
The coefficient of the term is already 1.
Step 2: Isolate the and x terms.
The and x terms are already isolated.
*b is the coefficient of the x term
*Complete the square by taking 1/2 of b and squaring it

*Add constant found above to BOTH sides
of the eq.
*This creates a PST on the left side of eq.

binomial squared.
*Factor the PST

method.


1.
Example 8: Solve by completing the square.
Note how the coefficient on the term is not 1 to begin with. We can
easily fix that by dividing both sides by that coefficient, which in this
case is 3 .
*Divide both sides by 3
*Coefficient of term is now 1
Step 2: Isolate the and x terms.
Note how the and x terms are not isolated to begin with. We can
easily fix that by moving the constant to the other side of the equation.
* and x terms are now isolated

*b is the coefficient of the x term
*Complete the square by taking 1/2 of b and

squaring it
*Add constant found above to BOTH sides

of the eq.
*This creates a PST on the left side of eq.

binomial squared.
*Factor the PST

method.
*Square root of a negative 1 is i
There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x =
and x = .

by the Quadratic Formula
When , then
You can solve ANY quadratic equation by using the quadratic
formula. This comes in handy when a quadratic equation does not
factor or is difficult to factor.


fractions.

equal to 0.
Step 3: Identify a, b, and c.
When the quadratic equation is in standard

form, , then a is the coefficient in front of
the term, b is the coefficient in front of the x term, and c is
the constant term.
Step 4: Plug the values found in step 3 into the quadratic formula.
When , then
Step 5: Simplify if possible.
Example 9: Solve by using the quadratic formula.
a, the number in front of x squared, is 2.
b, the number in front of x, is -5.
c, the constant, is 1.
Make sure that you keep the sign that is in front of each of these
numbers.
Next we will plug it into the quadratic formula. Note that we are only
plugging in numbers, we don't also plug in the variable.
Step 4: Plug the values found in step 3 into the quadratic formula
AND
*Quadratic formula
*Plug in values found above for a, b,

and c
*Simplify

b, the number in front of x, is 0.

Note that b is 0 because the x term is missing.
numbers.
AND
*Quadratic formula

and c
*Simplify

*Inverse of add. 6x is sub. 6x
numbers.
AND

*Quadratic formula

and c
*Simplify
Discriminant
When a quadratic equation is in standard form, , the

expression, , that is found under the square root part of the
quadratic formula is called the discriminant.
The discriminant can tell you how many solutions there are going to be and if
the solutions are real numbers or complex imaginary numbers.
Discriminant Kinds of solution for
Two distinct real solutions
Note that the value of the discriminant is found under the square
root and there is a + or - in front of it. So, if that value is
positive, then there would be two distinct real number answers
One real solution
root and there is a + or - in front of it. So, if that value is zero, +
or - zero is the same number, so there would be only one real
number solution.
Two distinct complex imaginary solution
root and there is a + or - in front of it. So, if that value is
negative, then there would be two distinct complex imaginary
number answers.
Finding the
Discriminant


fractions.

equal to 0.
When the quadratic equation is in standard

form, , then a is the coefficient in front of
the term, b is the coefficient in front of the x term, and c is
the constant term.
Step 4: Plug the values found in step 3 into the

discriminant, .
Example 12: Find the discriminant. Based on the discriminate,

indicate how many and what type of solutions there would be.
numbers.

discriminant, .
AND
*Discriminant formula
*Plug in values found above for a, b, and c
*Discriminant
Since the discriminate is a negative number, that means there are

two distinct complex imaginary solutions.

*Inverse of sub. 16 is add. 16

numbers.

discriminant, .
AND
*Discriminant
Since the discriminant is zero, that means there is only one real
number solution.


*Inverse of sub. 7x is add. 7x
a, the number in front of x squared, is -5.
Note that since the constant is missing it is understood to be 0.
numbers.

discriminant, .
AND
*Discriminant
Since the discriminant is a positive number, that means there are

two distinct real number solutions.
Practice Problems
These are practice problems to help bring you to the next level. It will allow
you to check and see if you have an understanding of these types of problems.
Math works just like anything else, if you want to get good at it, then you
need to practice it. Even the best athletes and musicians had help along the
way and lots of practice, practice, practice, to get good at their sport or
instrument. In fact there is no such thing as too much practice.
To get the most out of these, you should work the problem out on your own
and then check your answer by clicking on the link for the
answer/discussion for that problem. At the link you will find the answer as
well as any steps that went into finding that answer.
Practice Problems 1a - 1b:
Solve by factoring.
1a. 1b.
(answer/discussion to 1a) (answer/discussion to 1b)
Solve by using the square root method.
2a. 2b.

Solve by completing the square.
3a. 3b.
Practice Problems 4a - 4c:
Solve by using the quadratic equation.
4a. 4b.
4c.
(answer/discussion to 4c)
Practice Problems 5a - 5c:
Find the discriminant.

Based on the discriminate, indicate how
many and what type of solutions there would
be.
5a. 5b.
5c.
(answer/discussion to 5c)
Need Extra Help on These Topics?
The following are webpages that can assist you in the topics that were
covered on this page:
http://www.wtamu.edu/academic/anns/mps/math/mathlab/int_algebra
/
int_alg_tut30_eqfact.htm
This webpage helps you with solving polynomial equations by factoring.
http://www.sosmath.com/algebra/quadraticeq/sobyfactor/
sobyfactor.html
This webpage helps with solving quadratic equations by factoring.
http://www.mathpower.com/tut99.htm
Go to Get Help Outside the Classroom found in Tutorial 1: How to Succeed

in a Math Class for some more suggestions.
(Back to the College Algebra Homepage)
(Back to the GRE Math Help Page)
All contents copyright (C) 2002, WTAMU and Kim Peppard. All rights reserved.
Last revised on June 22, 2003 by Kim Peppard.

College Algebra Tutorial 17: Quadratic Equations

Caricato da

Informazioni sul documento

Descrizione originale:

Titolo originale

Copyright

Formati disponibili

Condividi questo documento

Condividi o incorpora il documento

Opzioni di condivisione

Hai trovato utile questo documento?

Questo contenuto è inappropriato?

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

College Algebra Tutorial 17: Quadratic Equations

Caricato da

Copyright:

Formati disponibili

(Back to the College Algebra Homepage)

(Back to the GRE Math Help Page)

(Back to the THEA Math Help Page)

After completing this tutorial, you should be able to:

1. Solve quadratic equations by factoring.

In this tutorial, we will be looking at solving a specific type of equation called

We are going to talk about four ways to solve quadratics.

Solving Quadratic Equations

You can solve a quadratic equation by factoring if, after writing it

Step 1: Simplify each side if needed.

This would involve things like removing ( ), removing fractions,

To remove ( ): Just use the distributive property.

To remove fractions: Since fractions are another way to write

Step 2: Write in standard form, , if needed.

If it is not in standard form, move any term(s) to the appropriate

If you need a review on factoring go to Tutorial 7: Factoring

Step 4: Use the Zero-Product Principle.

0 is our magic number because the only way a product can

Step 5: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 4.

If a quadratic equation factors, it will factor into either one

Step 1: Simplify each side if needed.

This quadratic equation is already simplified.

Step 2: Write in standard form, , if needed.

This quadratic equation is already in standard form.

*Quad. eq. in standard form

Step 4: Use the Zero-Product Principle

Step 5: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 4.

*Use Zero-Product Principle

*Solve the second linear equation

Example 2: Solve by factoring.

Step 1: Simplify each side if needed.

*Mult. both sides by LCD of 6 to clear

Step 2: Write in standard form, , if needed.

*Inverse of add. 16 is sub. 16

*Quad. eq. in standard form

Step 4: Use the Zero-Product Principle

Step 5: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 4.

*Solve the second linear equation

There are two solutions to this quadratic equation: x = -4/5 and x =

Example 3: Solve by factoring.

Step 1: Simplify each side if needed.

*Use Dist. Prop. to clear the ( )

Step 2: Write in standard form, , if needed.

*Quad. eq. in standard form

Step 4: Use the Zero-Product Principle

Step 5: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 4.

*Use Zero-Product Principle

*Solve the second linear equation

Solving Quadratic Equations

You can solve a quadratic equation by the square root method if

Step 1: Write the quadratic equation in the form if needed.

A and B represent algebraic expressions. When you have the

If it is not in this form, , move any term(s) to the

Step 2: Apply the square root method.

If A and B are algebraic expressions such that ,

In other words, if you have an expression squared set equal to

Step 3: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 2.

Example 4: Solve by using the square root method.

Step 1: Write the quadratic equation in the form if needed

Step 2: Apply the square root method.

*Written in the form

Step 3: Solve for the linear equation(s) set up in step 2.