Quadratic Equations

Chapter 4
QUADRATIC EQUATIONS
Identities
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.

(x+a)(x+b) = x + (a+b)x + ab
(x-a) (x-b) = x - (a+b)x + ab
(x- a) = (x+a)(x-a)
(x+a) = x + 2ax + a
(x-a) = x - 2ax + a

Quadratic Equation (Standard form)

A quadratic Equation in the variable x is of the form ax+bx+c =0,where a,b,c are real
numbers and a0
If the quadratic polynomial is equated to 0 (zero), then quadratic equation is formed.
Roots of a quadratic Equation
A real number is said to be a root of the quadratic equation ax+bx+c =0 if a+b+c =0 (The
zeroes of the quadratic polynomial ax+bx+cand the roots of the quadratic equation ax+bx+c=0 are the
same).
Observation:

A quadratic equation has at most two roots

Questions(MCQ)
1. If x=3 is one root of the quadratic equation x -2kx -6=0, then the value of k is :
A)

B)

C)

D)

2. If x+2kx +4 =0 has a root x=2 , then the value of k is :

A) -1

B)

3. For what value of k will

A) 14

B)

-2

C) 2

D)

be a root of 3x-13x -k =0 ?
C)

D) -14

4. If r=3 is a root of the quadratic equation kr -kr -3=0, the value of k is;
A)

B) 2

C) -2

D)

Prepared by : JOSE ABRAHAM MSc ,BEd,M.Phil,PGDCA

9496821003

Quadratic Equations

Methods of solving a quadratic equation ax+bx+c =0

1

Factorization
The given polynomial is factorized into a product of two linear factors
(1) If the coefficient of x is 1
Find two numbers such that their product equal to the constant term and sum is equal to
the coefficient of x. (The negatives of the these two numbers will be the roots)
By using identity I factorize the quadratic equation into linear factors . Equate each of the
liner factors into zero and find values of x gives the roots of the equation
E.g. x+5x +6 =0

(x+3)(x+2)=0 using identity I

x+3=0 or x+2=0
x=-3 or x=-2
The roots of x+5x +6 =0 are -3,-2
(2) If the coefficient of x is other than 1
Use the method of splitting the middle term
2

Completing the square

(i) Transfer the constant term to the RHS
(ii) Divide both sides by the coefficient of x
(iii)Add both sides the square of half the coefficient of x . Now the given QE is a
perfect square and solve

Quadratic formula

For the quadratic equation ax+bx+c =0,

Then

=b -4ac is called discriminant

Let and be the roots

are the two roots

If b -4ac >0 the Q.E has two distant real roots

If b -4ac =0 the Q.E has two repeated roots . i.e. the roots are identical
If b -4ac <0 the Q.E has no real roots

Prepared by : JOSE ABRAHAM MSc ,BEd,M.Phil,PGDCA

9496821003

Quadratic Equations
Questions (MCQ)
1. The roots of the quadratic equation x +7x+ 12=0 are
A) -4,-3

B) 4,-3

2. Roots of the quadratic equation

A) ,

B) 2,3

C) 4,3

C)

D) -4,3
=

are:

D) ,

3. For the quadratic equation x -2x+ 1=0 , the value of

A) -1

B)

C) 2

is:

D) -2

Two marks Question

1. Find the roots of the quadratic equation 3x -14x+ 8=0

Three marks Questions

2. Solve the quadratic equation: x -3x-10=0
3. Solve x; 9x -3(a+b)x+ab=0
4. Find the roots of the quadratic equation a b x+ bx -ax -1=0
5. The sum of a number and its reciprocal is 10/3. Find the number
6. The squares of two consecutive odd numbers is 130. Find the numbers

Prepared by : JOSE ABRAHAM MSc ,BEd,M.Phil,PGDCA

9496821003