CHAPTER 11 SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

EXERCISE 42 Page 92

1. Solve the by factorisation: x2 + 4x - 32 = 0

Since x 2  4x  32  0 then (x – 4)(x + 8) = 0

from which, x–4=0 i.e. x=4

and x+8=0 i.e. x = -8

Hence, if x 2  4x  32  0 then x = 4 and x = - 8

2. Solve the by factorisation: x2 - 16 = 0

Since x 2  16  0 then (x + 4)(x - 4) = 0

from which, x+4=0 i.e. x = -4

and x-4=0 i.e. x = 4

Hence, if x 2  16  0 then x = 4 and x = - 4

3. Solve the by factorisation: (x + 2)2 = 16

Since  x  2   16 then x 2  4x  4  16
2

and x 2  4x  4  16  0

i.e. x 2  4x  12  0

Thus, (x + 6)(x - 2) = 0

from which, x+6=0 i.e. x=-6

and x-2=0 i.e. x = 2

 x  2  16 then x = 2 and x = - 6
2
Hence, if

4. Solve the by factorisation: 2x2 - x - 3 = 0

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Since 2x 2  x  3  0 then (2x – 3)(x + 1) = 0

3 1
from which, 2x – 3 = 0 i.e. 2x = 3 and x= or 1 or 1.5
2 2

and x+1=0 i.e. x = -1

Hence, if 2x 2  x  3  0 then x = 1.5 and x = - 1

5. Solve the by factorisation: 6x2 - 5x + 1 = 0

Since 6x 2  5x  1  0 then (3x – 1)(2x - 1) = 0

1
from which, 3x – 1 = 0 i.e. 3x = 1 and x=
3
1
and 2x - 1 = 0 i.e. 2x = 1 and x=
2

1 1
Hence, if 6x 2  5x  1  0 then x = and x =
2 3

6. Solve the by factorisation: 10x2 + 3x - 4 = 0

Since 10x2 + 3x - 4 = 0 then (5x + 4)(2x - 1) = 0

4
from which, 5x + 4 = 0 i.e. 5x = - 4 and x= 
5

1
and 2x - 1 = 0 i.e. 2x = 1 and x=
2

7. Solve the by factorisation: x2 - 4x + 4 = 0

Since x 2  4x  4  0 then (x – 2)(x - 2) = 0

from which, x–2=0 i.e. x = 2 (twice)

8. Solve the by factorisation: 21x2 - 25x = 4

Since 21x 2  25x  4 then 21x 2  25x  4  0

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 143

and (7x + 1)(3x - 4) = 0

1
from which, 7x + 1 = 0 i.e. 7x = -1 and x= 
7

4 1
and 3x - 4 = 0 i.e. 3x = 4 and x  1
3 3

9. Solve the by factorisation: 6x2 - 5x - 4 = 0

Since 6x2 - 5x - 4 = 0 then (3x - 4)(2x + 1) = 0

4 1
from which, 3x - 4 = 0 i.e. 3x = 4 and x= or 1
3 3

1
and 2x + 1 = 0 i.e. 2x = - 1 and x= 
2

10. Solve the by factorisation: 8x2 + 2x - 15 = 0

Since 8x 2  2x  15  0 then (4x - 5)(2x + 3) = 0

5
from which, 4x - 5 = 0 i.e. 4x = 5 and x=
4

3
and 2x + 3 = 0 i.e. 2x = -3 and x= 
2

11. Determine the quadratic equations in x whose roots are 3 and 1

If the roots are 3 and 1 then: (x – 3)( x – 1) = 0

i.e. x 2  3x  x  3  0

i.e. x 2  4x  3  0

12. Determine the quadratic equations in x whose roots are 2 and - 5

If the roots are 2 and - 5 then: (x – 2)( x + 5) = 0

i.e. x 2  5x  2x  10  0
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 144
i.e. x 2  3x  10  0

13. Determine the quadratic equations in x whose roots are - 1 and – 4

If the roots are - 1 and - 4 then: (x + 1)( x + 4) = 0

i.e. x 2  x  4x  4  0

i.e. x 2  5x  4  0

14. Determine the quadratic equations in x whose roots are 2.5 and – 0.5

 5  1
If the roots are 2.5 and – 0.5 then:  x   x   = 0
 2  2

1 5 5
i.e. x2  x  x   0
2 2 4

5
and x 2  2x  0
4

or 4x 2  8x  5  0

15. Determine the quadratic equations in x whose roots are 6 and - 6

If the roots are 6 and - 6 then: (x - 6)( x + 6) = 0

i.e. x 2  6x  6x  36  0

i.e. x 2  36  0

16. Determine the quadratic equations in x whose roots are 2.4 and - 0.7

If the roots are 2.4 and - 0.7 then: (x – 2.4)( x + 0.7) = 0

i.e. x 2  0.7x  2.4x  1.68  0

i.e. x 2  1.7x  1.68  0

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 145

EXERCISE 43 Page 94

1. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, by completing the square: x2 + 4x + 1 = 0

x 2  4x  1  0

i.e. x 2  4x  1

x 2  4x   2   1   2 
2 2
and adding to both sides (half the coefficient of x) 2

 x  2
2
Hence, =3

from which, (x + 2) = 3  1.7321

Thus, x = -2 + 1.7321 = - 0.268

and x = -2 – 1.7321 = - 3.732

Hence, if x 2  4x  1  0 then x = - 0.268 or - 3.732, correct to 3 decimal places

2. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, by completing the square: 2x2 + 5x - 4 = 0

2x 2  5x  4  0
5
or x2  x  2  0
2
5
i.e. x2  x  2
2
2 2
5 5 5
and x  x    2 
2
adding to both sides (half the coefficient of x) 2
2 4 4
2
 5 25 32 25 57
Hence, x   = 2   
 4 16 16 16 16

5  57 
from which, x =    1.88746
4  16 
Thus, x = 1.88746 - 1.25 = 0.637

and x = -1.88746 – 1.25 = -3.137

Hence, if 2x 2  5x  4  0 then x = 0.637 or - 3.137, correct to 3 decimal places

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 146

3. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, by completing the square: 3x2 - x - 5 = 0

3x2 - x - 5 = 0
1 5
or x2  x   0
3 3
1 5
i.e. x2  x 
3 3

2 2
1  1 5  1
and x2  x          adding to both sides (half the coefficient of x) 2
3  6 3  6

5 1 60  1 61
2
 1
Hence, x   =   
 6 3 36 36 36

 1 61
from which, x   = = ± 1.301708
 6 36

1
Thus, x= + 1.301708 = 1.468
6

1
and x= – 1.301708 = - 1.135
6

Hence, if 3x2 - x - 5 = 0 then x = 1.468 or - 1.135, correct to 3 decimal places

4. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, by completing the square: 5x2 - 8x + 2 = 0

5x 2  8x  2  0
8 2
or x2  x   0
5 5
8 2
i.e. x2  x  
5 5
2 2
8 4 4 2
and x2  x        adding to both sides (half the coefficient of x) 2
5 5 5 5

16 2 16  10 6
2
 4
Hence, x   =   
 5 25 5 25 25

4  6 
from which, x =    0.4899
5  25 

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 147

Thus, x = 0.4899 + 0.8 = 1.290

and x = -0.4899 + 0.8 = 0.310

Hence, if 5x 2  8x  2  0 then x = 1.290 or 0.310, correct to 3 decimal places

5. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, by completing the square: 4x2 - 11x + 3 = 0

4x 2  11x  3  0
11 3
or x2  x 0
4 4
11 3
i.e. x2  x
4 4
2 2
11  11   11  3
and x  x      
2
adding to both sides (half the coefficient of x) 2
4 8 8 4
2
 11  121 3 121 48 73
Hence, x   =    
 8 64 4 64 64 64

11  73 
from which, x =    1.0680
8  64 
11
Thus, x = 1.0680 + = 2.443
8

11
and x = -1.0680 + = 0.307
8

Hence, if 4x 2  11x  3  0 then x = 2.443 or 0.307, correct to 3 decimal places

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 148

EXERCISE 44 Page 96

1. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, using the quadratic formula: 2x2 + 5x - 4 = 0

5   5  4  2  4   5  57
2
 
If 2x 2  5x  4  0 then x = 
2  2 4

5  57 5  57
= or
4 4
= 0.637 or - 3.137, correct to 3 decimal
places.

2. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, using the quadratic formula: 5.76x2 + 2.86x - 1.35 = 0

2.86   2.86   4  5.76  1.35  2.86  39.2836

2
 
2
If 5.76x + 2.86x - 1.35 = 0 then x = 
2  5.76  11.52

2.86  39.2836 2.86  39.2836

= or
11.52 11.52

= 0.296 or - 0.792, correct to 3 decimal places.

3. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, using the quadratic formula: 2x2 - 7x + 4 = 0

  7   7   4  2  4   7  17
2
 
If 2x 2  7x  4  0 then x = 
2  2 4

7  17 7  17
= or
4 4
= 2.781 or 0.719, correct to 3
decimal places.

3
4. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, using the quadratic formula: 4x + 5 =
x

3
4x  5  i.e. 4x 2  5x  3 and 4x 2  5x  3  0
x
© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 149
 5   5  4  4  3 5  73
2
 
Hence, x= 
2  4 8

5  73 5  73
= or
8 8
= 0.443 or - 1.693, correct to 3decimal places.

5
5. Solve, correct to 3 decimal places, using the quadratic formula: (2x + 1) =
x 3

5
 2x  1  i.e.  2x  1 x  3  5 and 2x 2  6x  x  3  5
x 3

  5   5  4  2  8   5  89
2

2x  5x  8  0 from which, x =  
i.e. 2

2  2 4

5  89 5  89
= or
4 4

= 3.608 or - 1.108, correct to 3decimal places.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 150

EXERCISE 45 Page 97

1
1. The angle a rotating shaft turns through in t seconds is given by:  = t + t2. Determine the
2
time taken to complete 4 radians if  is 3.0 rad/s and  is 0.60 rad/s2

1
  t  t 2 and if  = 4,  = 3 and  = 0.60
2

1
then 4  3t   0.60  t 2 i.e. 4  3t  0.03t 2
2

or 0.03t 2  3t  4  0

3   3  4  0.30  4   3  13.8
2
 
Using the quadratic formula: t= 
2  0.30  0.60

3  13.8 3  13.8
= or
0.60 0.60

= 1.191 s (or -11.191 which is neglected)

Hence, the time taken to complete 4 radians is 1.191 s

2. The power P developed in an electrical circuit is given by P = 10I - 8I2, where I is the current in

amperes. Determine the current necessary to produce a power of 2.5 watts in the circuit.

P = 10I - 8I 2 and when P = 2.5 W, 2.5 = 10I - 8I 2

i.e. 8I 2  10I  2.5  0 and using the quadratic formula

  10   10   4 8 2.5 10  20

2
 
i.e. I= 
2 8 16

10  20 10  20
= or
16 16

= 0.905 A or 0.345 A

Hence, the current necessary to produce a power of 2.5 watts is 0.905 A or 0.345 A

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 151

3. The sag l metres in a cable stretched between two supports, distance x m apart is given by:

12
l= + x. Determine the distance between supports when the sag is 20 m.
x

12 12
l x and when sag l = 20 m, 20  x
x x

i.e. 20x = 12 + x 2 or x 2 - 20x + 12 = 0

  20   20   4 112  20  352

2
 
Using the quadratic formula: t= 
2 1 2

20  352 20  352
= or
2 2

= 19.38 m or 0.619 m

Hence, the distance between supports when the sag is 20 m is 19.38 m or 0.619 m

4. The acid dissociation constant Ka of ethanoic acid is 1.8  10-5 mol dm-3 for a particular solution.
x2
Using the Ostwald dilution law: Ka = determine x, the degree of ionization, given that
v(1  x)
v = 10 dm3

x2
Ka  and when K a  1.8 105 mol dm 3 and v  10dm3
v 1  x 

x2
then 1.8  105  i.e. 10 1  x  1.8 105   x 2
10 1  x 

i.e. 1.8 104  1.8 104 x  x 2 or x 2  1.8 104 x  1.8 104  0

Using the quadratic formula:

1.8 104  1.8 104   4 1  1.8 104 

2
4 6
  1.8 10  720.0324 10
x= 
2 1 2

1.8 104  720.0324 106 1.8 104  720.0324 106

= or
2 2

= 0.0133 (or - 0.0135 which is neglected)

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 152

Hence, the degree of ionisation, x, is 0.0133

5. A rectangular building is 15 m long by 11 m wide. A concrete path of constant width is laid all the

way around the building. If the area of the path is 60.0 m2, calculate its width correct to the nearest

millimetre.

The concrete path is shown shaded in the sketch below.

Shaded area = 2(15x) + 2(11x) + 4 x 2 = 30x + 22x + 4 x 2 = 52x + 4 x 2

Since the area of the path is 60.0 m 2 then 60.0 = 52x + 4 x 2

i.e. 4 x 2 + 52x – 60.0 = 0

52   52   4  4  60.0   52  3664

2
 
Using the quadratic formula: x= 
2  4 8

52  3664 52  3664

= or
8 8

= 1.066 m (or -14.066 m, which has no meaning)

Hence, the width of the path is 1.066 m, correct to the nearest millimetre.

6. The total surface area of a closed cylindrical container is 20.0 m3. Calculate the radius of the

cylinder if its height is 2.80 m.

From Chapter 29, the total surface area of a closed cylinder is 2r 2  2rh where r is its radius and

h its height.

If the surface area is 20.0 m 2 and h = 2.80 m,

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 153

then 20.0 = 2r 2  2r(2.80)

20
i.e. 2r 2  5.60r  20.0  0 or r 2  2.80r   0 by dividing by 2
2

10
i.e. r 2  2.80r  0


  10  
2.80   2.80   4 1    
2

     2.80  20.5724
Using the quadratic formula: r= 
2 1 2

2.80  20.5724 2.80  20.5724

= or
2 2

= 0.8678m (or -3.668 m, which has no meaning)

Hence, the radius of the cylinder is 86.78 cm

3x(20  x)
7. The bending moment M at a point in a beam is given by: M = where x metres is the
2
distance from the point of support. Determine the value of x when the bending moment is 50 Nm.

3x  20  x  3x  20  x 
M= and when M = 50 Nm, then 50 =
2 2

i.e. 100 = 3x(20 – x) i.e. 100 = 60x - 3 x 2

or 3 x 2 - 60x + 100 = 0

  60   60   4  3100  60  2400

2
 
Using the quadratic formula: x= 
2  3 6

60  2400 60  2400
= or
6 6

= 18.165 m or 1.835 m

Hence, when M is 50 Nm, the values of x are 18.165 m or 1.835 m

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 154

8. A tennis court measures 24 m by 11 m. In the layout of a number of courts an area of ground must

be allowed for at the ends and at the sides of each court. If a border of constant width is allowed

around each court and the total area of the court and its border is 950 m2, find the width of the

borders.

The tennis court with its shaded border is shown sketched below.

Shaded area = 2(11x) + 2(24x) + 4 x 2 = 4 x 2 + 70x

Now, shaded area = 950 – (11  24) = 686 m 2

i.e. 4 x 2 + 70x = 686 or 4 x 2 + 70x – 686 = 0

70   70   4  4  686  70  15876

2
 
Using the quadratic formula: x= 
2  4 8

70  15876 70  15876

= or
8 8

=7m (or 24.5 m, which has no meaning)

Hence, the width of the border is 7 m

9. Two resistors, when connected in series, have a total resistance of 40 ohms. When connected in

parallel their total resistance is 8.4 ohms. If one of the resistors has a resistance Rx, ohms:

(a) show that Rx2 - 40Rx + 336 = 0 and

(b) calculate the resistance of each.

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 155

(a) Let resistor values be R 1 and R x

In series: R 1 + R x = 40 (1)
R 1R x
In parallel:  8.4 (2)
R1  R x

From (1), R 1 = 40 - R x

Substituting in (2) gives:

 40  R x  R x  8.4
 40  R x   R x

40R x  R x 2
i.e.  8.4
40

from which, 40R x  R x 2  (40)(8.4)  336

i.e. R x 2  40R x  336  0

(b) Solving R x 2  40R x  336  0 using the quadratic formula gives:

  40   40   4 1 336  40  256

2
 
Rx  
2 1 2

40  256 40  256
= or
2 2

= 28  or 12 

From equation (1), when R x = 28 , R 1 = 12 

and when R x = 12 , R 1 = 28 

Hence, the two values of resistance are 12 ohms and 28 ohms

10. When a ball is thrown vertically upwards its height h varies with time t according to the

equation h = 25t - 4 t 2 . Determine the times, correct to 3 significant figures, when the height is

12 m.

If h = 25t - 4 t 2 when height h = 12 m, then 12 = 25t - 4 t 2

i.e. 4 t 2 - 25t + 12 = 0

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 156

   25   25  4  4 12  25  433
2
 
Hence, t 
2  4 8

25  433 25  433
= or
8 8

= 5.73 or 0.52

i.e. the times when the height of the ball is 12 m are 5.73 s and 0.52 s

1
11. In an RLC electrical circuit, reactance X is given by: X  L 
C
X = 220 Ω, inductance L = 800 mH and capacitance C = 25 μF. The angular velocity ω is

measured in radians per second. Calculate the value of ω.

1
If X  L  and X = 220, L = 800 10 3 and C = 25 10 6
C

1
Then 220 = 800 103  
25 106 

i.e. 220(25 10 6  ) = (25 10 6  )(800 10 3  ) - 1

i.e. 5.5 103   2 105 2 - 1

i.e. 2 105 2  5.5 103  - 1 = 0

  5.5 103   5.5  103   4  2  105   1 

2
3 4
  5.5 10  1.1025 10
Hence,  
2  2 105  4 105

5.5 103  1.1025 104 5.5 103  1.1025 104

= or
4 105 4 105

= 400 or - 125 (which has no meaning)

Hence, the angular velocity ω is 400 rad/s

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 157

EXERCISE 46 Page 98

1. Solve the simultaneous equations: y = x2 + x + 1

y=4-x

Equating the y values gives: x2  x 1 = 4 – x

i.e. x 2  2x  3  0

Factorising gives: (x + 3)( x – 1) = 0

from which, x + 3 = 0 i.e. x = -3

and x – 1 = 0 i.e. x = 1

When x = - 3, y = 7 and when x = 1, y = 3 (from either of the two equations).

Thus, the solutions to the simultaneous equations are x = - 3, y = 7 and x = 1, y = 3

2. Solve the simultaneous equations: y = 15x2 + 21x - 11

y = 2x - 1

Equating the y values gives: 15x 2  21x  11 = 2x - 1

i.e. 15x 2  19x  10  0

Factorising gives: (5x - 2)( 3x + 5) = 0

2
from which, 5x - 2 = 0 i.e. x =
5

5
and 3x + 5 = 0 i.e. x = 
3

2 2 1 5  5 13
When x = , y = 2    1 =  and when x =  , y = 2     1  
5 5 5 3  3 3

2 1 2 1
Thus, the solutions to the simultaneous equations are x = , y =  and x = 1 , y = 4
5 5 3 3

3. Solve the simultaneous equations: 2x2 + y = 4 + 5x

x+y=4

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 158

From the first equation, y  4  5x  2x 2

and from the second equation, y = 4 – x

Equating the y values gives: 4  5x  2x 2  4  x

i.e. 6x  2x 2  0

i.e. 2x(3 – x) = 0

from which, x = 0 or x = 3

When x = 0, y = 4 and when x = 3, y = 1 (from either of the two equations)

Thus, the solutions to the simultaneous equations are x = 0, y = 4 and x = 3, y = 1

© John Bird Published by Taylor & Francis 159