CHAPTER 2: QUADRATIC EQUATION

2.1

Introduction

A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree.

A quadratic equation has only one variable.
The highest power of the variable is 2.

Quadratic Equation
2x + 3x + 4 = 0
2
2
t = 5

Non Quadratic Equation

2x + 1 = 0
5
2
t + t =3

y(6y 3) = 5

2x3 + 1 = x

Example 1
Is the following equation a quadratic equation?
1. 2x2 3 = 2x
5
t+ =3
2.
t
2.2

General Form of Quadratic Equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0

where a, b, c are constant and a 0.

Example 2
Rewrite the following into the general form of a quadratic equation. Find the values of a, b,
and c.
1. (3x 5)2 = 0
2. (x 8) (x + 8) = 10
2.3

Roots of Quadratic Equation

Roots of a quadratic equation are the values of variables that satisfy the equation.
Example 3
Determine whether 1, 2, and 3 are the roots of the quadratic equation x2 5x + 6 = 0.

Page 1 of 6

2.4

Solving Quadratic Equation

Factorisation

Solving
Quadratic
Equation

Quadratic
Formula

2.4.1

Completing the
Square

Factorisation

If a quadratic equation can be factorized into a product of two factors

(x p) (x q) = 0
Thus,
x p = 0 or
x=p

xq=0
x=q

where p and q are the roots of the equation.

Example 4
Find the roots of the quadratic equations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

x(2x 8) = 0
x2 16x = 0
3x2 75x = 0
5x2 100x = 25x
x2 4x 5 = 0
1 5x +2x2 = 4

Page 2 of 6

2.4.2

Completing the Square

2.4.2.1 The Perfect Square

The expression x2 + 2x + 1 can be written in the form (x+1)2, it is called a perfect

square.
If the algebraic expression on the left hand side of the quadratic equation is a perfect,
the roots can be easily obtained by finding the square roots.

Example 5
Solve each of the following quadratic equation.
1. (x + 1)2 = 25
2. x2 8x + 16 = 49
2.4.2.2 Solving Quadratic Equation by Completing the Square
p 2
p 2
x 2+ px=x 2 + px+( ) =( x + )
2
2
Steps to solve the equation by using completing the square method:
Step 1: Rewrite the equation in the form ax2 + bx = -c.
Step 2: If the coefficient a 1, reduce it to 1.
p 2
(
) to both sides of the equation.
Step 3: Add
2
Step 4: Write the expression on the left hand side as a perfect square.
Step 5: Solve the equation.
Example 6
Solve the following quadratic equation by completing the square.
1. x2 6x 3 = 0
2. 2x2 5x 7 = 0
10 x
x 2+1=
3.
3

Page 3 of 6

2.4.3

Quadratic Formula
b x 24 ac
2a

Example 7
Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions of the following equations.
1. x2 + 5x 24 = 0
2. x(x +4) = 10
2.5

Forming Quadratic Equation from Given Roots

Let and be the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, this means

x=
or
x=0
or
(x ) (x ) = 0

x=
x=0

So, x2 ( + )x + = 0
Thus, x2 (sum of roots)x + (product of roots) = 0
Example 8
Find the quadratic equation from the respective roots below:
1. 3, -1
1
2. -2, 4
3.

2
3 ,

1
4

4. 3m, -2m

Page 4 of 6

2.6

Finding Sum of Roots and Product of Roots

From the general form of quadratic equation,
ax2 + bx +c = 0
b
c
x2 + a x + a = 0
Forming quadratic equation from sum and product of roots,
x2 ( + )x + = 0
Thus,
+ =

b
a
=

c
a

Example 9
Find the sums and products of the roots of the following equations.
1. x2 + 7x 3 = 0
2. x(x 1) = 5(1 x)
2.7

Forming New Quadratic Equation from a given Quadratic Equation

Example 10
If the roots of x2 3x 7 = 0 are and , find the equation whose roots are 2 and 2.

Page 5 of 6

2.8

Discriminant of a Quadratic Equation

The expression b2 4ac in general formula is called the discriminant of the equation, which
determines the type of roots that the equation has.
b2 4ac > 0
b2 4ac = 0
b2 4ac < 0
b2 4ac 0

two real and distinct roots

two real and equal roots
no real roots
the roots are real

Example 11
Determine the nature of the roots of the following equations.
1. 5x2 7x + 3 = 0
2. x2 4x + 4 = 0
3. -2x2 + 5x 9 = 0

Page 6 of 6