Chapter

Quadratic equations
Contents:

13

A Quadratic equations of the form x2 = k B The Null Factor law C Completing the square D Problem solving (Quadratic equations) E The quadratic formula (Extension) F More difficult equations (Extension)

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

Equations of the form ax + b = 0 are called linear equations and have only one solution. For example, 3x 2 = 0 is a linear equation (a = 3 and b = 2) and has the one solution, x = 2 3.

Quadratic equations can be written in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. Quadratic equations may have two, one or zero solutions. We can demonstrate this with some examples.
Equation x2 4 = 0 (x 2)2 = 0 x2 + 4 = 0 ax2 + bx + c = 0 form x2 + 0x 4 = 0 x2 4x + 4 = 0 x2 + 0x + 4 = 0 a 1 b 0 c 4 4 4 Solutions x = 2 or x = 2 x=2 none as x2 is always > 0 two one zero

1 4 1 0

Now consider the example, x2 + 3x 10 = 0 if x = 2, x2 + 3x 10 = 22 + 3 2 10 = 4 + 6 10 =0 and if x = 5, x2 + 3x 10 = (5)2 + 3 5 10 = 25 15 10 =0

Because x = 2 and x = 5 both satisfy the equation x2 + 3x 10 = 0 we say that they are solutions of it. But, how do we find these solutions without using trial and error?

OPENING PROBLEM
0

Acme Leather Jacket Co. makes and sells x leather jackets each day and their revenue function is given by R = 12:5x2 550x + 8125 dollars.

How many jackets must be made and sold each week in order to obtain income of $3000 each week? Clearly we need to solve the equation: 12:5x2 550x + 8125 = 3000 i.e., 12:5x2 550x + 5125 = 0 How can we solve this equation?

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319

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS OF THE FORM x2 = k

Consider the equation x2 7 = 0 i.e., x2 = 7 (adding 7 to both sides) p p p Notice that 7 7 = 7, so x = 7 is one solution p p p and ( 7) ( 7) = 7, so x = 7 is also a solution. p Thus, if x2 = 7, then x = 7:
~` 7 is read as plus or minus the square root of 7

SOLUTION OF x 2 = k (REVIEW)
8 p > < x= k then x=0 > : there are no real solutions if k > 0 if k = 0 if k < 0

If x = k
2

Example 1
Solve for x: a a 2x2 + 1 = 15 b 2 3x2 = 8

2x2 + 1 = 15 ) 2x2 = 14 ) x2 = 7 p ) x= 7 2 3x2 = 8 ) 3x2 = 6 ) x2 = 2

ftake 1 from both sidesg fdivide both sides by 2g

ftake 2 from both sidesg fdividing both sides by 3g

which has no solutions as x2 cannot be < 0:

EXERCISE 13A
1 Solve for x: a x2 = 16 d 12x2 = 72 g 2x2 + 1 = 19 b e h 2x2 = 18 3x2 = 12 1 3x2 = 10 c f i 3x2 = 27 4x2 = 0 2x2 + 7 = 13

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

Example 2
Solve for x: a (x 3)2 = 16 a (x 3)2 = 16 p ) x 3 = 16 ) x 3 = 4 ) x = 34 ) x = 7 or 1 b b (x + 2)2 = 11 (x + 2)2 = 11 p ) x + 2 = 11 p ) x = 2 11

Did you notice that for equations of the form 2 (x a) = k we did not expand the LHS?

2 Solve for x: a (x 2)2 = 9 d (x 4)2 = 2 g (2x + 5)2 = 0

b e h

(x + 4)2 = 25 (x + 3)2 = 7 (3x 2)2 = 4

c f i

(x + 3)2 = 1 (x + 2)2 = 0
1 3 (2x

1)2 = 8

B
Example 3

THE NULL FACTOR LAW

i.e., if ab = 0 then a = 0 or b = 0.

When the product of two (or more) numbers is zero, then at least one of them must be zero,

Solve for x using the Null Factor law: a 3x(x 5) = 0 b a )

(x 4)(3x + 7) = 0 (x 4)(3x + 7) = 0 x 4 = 0 or 3x + 7 = 0 ) x = 4 or 3x = 7 ) x = 4 or 7 3

3x(x 5) = 0 b 3x = 0 or x 5 = 0 ) ) x = 0 or 5

EXERCISE 13B
1 Solve for the unknown using the Null Factor law: a 3x = 0 b 5y = 0 c a8 =0 e 7y = 0 f ab = 0 g 2xy = 0 2 2 i x =0 j a =0 k pqrs = 0 2 Solve for x using the Null Factor law: a x(x + 3) = 0 b 2x(x 5) = 0 d 4x(2 x) = 0 e 3x(2x + 1) = 0 2 h 2(x 3)2 = 0 g x =0 c f i d h l b 2 = 0 abc = 0 a2 b = 0

(x 1)(x 3) = 0 5(x + 2)(2x 1) = 0 4(2x 1)2 = 0

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321

To use the Null Factor law when solving equations, we must have one side of the equation equal to zero.

STEPS FOR SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

Step Step Step Step Step 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: If necessary rearrange the equation with one side being zero. Fully factorise the other side (usually the LHS). Use the Null Factor law. Solve the resulting linear equations. Check at least one of your solutions.

Example 4
Solve for x: x2 = 3x x2 = 3x ) x2 3x = 0 ) x(x 3) = 0 ) x = 0 or x 3 = 0 ) x = 0 or x = 3 ) x = 0 or 3 fequating to zero i.e., RHS= 0g ffactorising the LHSg fNull Factor lawg
If a b = 0 then either a = 0 or b = 0.

ILLEGAL CANCELLING
Let us reconsider the equation x2 = 3x from Example 4. If we cancel x from both sides we have x2 3x = x x and we finish with x = 3:

Consequently, we have lost the solution x = 0. From this example we conclude that:
We must never cancel a variable that is a common factor from both sides of an equation unless we know that the factor cannot be zero.

3 Solve for x: a x2 7x = 0 d x2 = 4x g 4x2 3x = 0

b e h

x2 5x = 0 3x2 + 6x = 0 4x2 = 5x

c f i

x2 = 8x 2x2 + 5x = 0 3x2 = 9x

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

Example 5
Solve for x: x2 + 3x = 28 fone side must be 0g fas sum = +3 and product = 28 gives +7 and 4g fNull Factor lawg fsolving linear equationsg

x2 + 3x = 28 ) x + 3x 28 = 0 ) (x + 7)(x 4) = 0
2

x + 7 = 0 or x 4 = 0 ) x = 7 or 4 for x: x2 1 = 0 (x + 2)2 = 0 x2 + 5x + 6 = 0 x2 + 9x + 14 = 0 x2 + 4x = 12

4 Solve a d g j m

b e h k n

x2 9 = 0 x2 + 3x + 2 = 0 x2 5x + 6 = 0 x2 + 11x = 30 x2 = 11x 24

c f i l o

(x 5)2 = 0 x2 3x + 2 = 0 x2 + 7x + 6 = 0 x2 + 2x = 15 x2 = 14x 49

5 Solve for x: a x2 + 9x + 14 = 0 d g j x2 + x = 12 x2 = x + 6 10 3x = x2

b e h k

x2 + 11x + 30 = 0 x2 + 6 = 5x x2 = 7x + 60 x2 + 12 = 7x

c f i l

x2 + 2x = 15 x2 + 4 = 4x x2 = 3x + 70 9x + 36 = x2

Example 6
Solve for x: 5x2 = 3x + 2 fmaking the RHS = 0g fac = 10, b = 3 ) numbers are 5 and + 2g ffactorisingg fNull Factor lawg fsolving the linear equationsg

5x2 = 3x + 2 ) 5x2 3x 2 = 0 ) 5x2 5x + 2x 2 = 0 ) 5x(x 1) + 2(x 1) = 0 ) (x 1)(5x + 2) = 0 ) x 1 = 0 or 5x + 2 = 0 ) x = 1 or 2 5 6 Solve for x: a 2x2 + 2 = 5x d 2x2 + 5x = 3 g 3x2 + 13x + 4 = 0 j 2x2 + 3x = 5

b e h k

3x2 + 8x = 3 2x2 + 5 = 11x 5x2 = 13x + 6 3x2 + 2x = 8

c f i l

3x2 + 17x + 20 = 0 2x2 + 7x + 5 = 0 2x2 + 17x = 9 2x2 + 9x = 18

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323

Example 7
Solve for x:
2

10x2 13x 3 = 0 10x2 13x 3 = 0 fac = 30, b = 13 ) numbers are 15 and 2g ffactorising in pairsg fcommon factor factorisationg fusing the Null Factor lawg or 1 5 fsolving the linear equationsg

10x 15x + 2x 3 = 0 ) 5x(2x 3) + 1(2x 3) = 0 ) (2x 3)(5x + 1) = 0 ) 2x 3 = 0 or 5x + 1 = 0 ) ) 7 Solve for x: a 6x2 + 13x = 5 d 21x2 = 62x + 3 x=
3 2

b e

6x2 = x + 2 10x2 + x = 2

c f

6x2 + 5x + 1 = 0 10x2 = 7x + 3

8 Solve for x by first expanding brackets and then equating to zero: a x(x + 5) + 2(x + 6) = 0 b x(1 + x) + x = 3 c (x 1)(x + 9) = 8x d 3x(x + 2) 5(x 3) = 17 e 4x(x + 1) = 1 f 2x(x 6) = x 20

COMPLETING THE SQUARE

Try as much as we like, we will not be able to solve quadratic equations such as x2 + 4x 7 = 0 by using the factorisation methods already practised. This is because the solutions are not rationals. To solve this equation we need a different technique. Consider the solution to the equation (x + 2)2 = 11 p ) x + 2 = 11 p ) x = 2 11

However, then and and so the solutions to

if (x + 2)2 = 11 x2 + 4x + 4 = 11 x2 + 4x 7 = 0 x2 + 4x 7 = 0 are the solutions to (x + 2)2 = 11:

Consequently, an approach for solving such equations could be to reverse the above argument. Consider x2 + 4x 7 = 0 ) x2 + 4x = 7 ) x2 + 4x + 4 = 7 + 4 ) (x + 2)2 = 11 p ) x + 2 = 11 p ) x = 2 11 Hence the solutions to x2 + 4x 7 = 0 are x = 2

p 11.

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

From the above example it can be seen that a perfect square needs to be created on the left hand side. The process used is called completing the square. From our previous study of perfect squares we observe that: (x + 3)2 = x2 + 2 3 x + 32 (x 5)2 = x2 2 5 x + 52 (x + p)2 = x2 + 2 p x + p2 notice that notice that notice that 32 = 52 = p2 = 2 2 2

23 2 25 2 2p 2

i.e., the constant term is the square of half the coefficient of x.

Example 8
To create a perfect square on the LHS, what must be added to both sides of b x2 6x = 13? the equation a x2 + 8x = 5 What does the equation become in each case? a In x2 + 8x = 5, half the coefficient of x is 8 2 =4 2 so, we add 4 to both sides and the equation becomes x2 + 8x + 42 = 5 + 42 (x + 4)2 = 5 + 16 (x + 4)2 = 11 In x2 6x = 13, half the coefficient of x so, we add (3)2 = 32 to both sides and the equation becomes x2 6x + 32 (x 3)2 (x 3)2 is
6 2

= 3

Notice that we keep the equation balanced by adding the same to both sides of the equation.

= 13 + 32 = 13 + 9 = 22

EXERCISE 13C
1 For each of the following equations: i find what must be added to both sides of the equation to create a perfect square on the LHS ii a d g write each equation in the form (x + p)2 = k b e h x2 2x = 7 x2 + 10x = 1 x2 + 5x = 2 c f i x2 + 6x = 2 x2 8x = 5 x2 7x = 4 x2 + 2x = 5 x2 6x = 3 x2 + 12x = 13

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325

Example 9
Solve for x by completing the square, leaving answers in surd form: a x2 + 2x 2 = 0 b x2 4x + 6 = 0 a x2 + 2x 2 = 0 ) x2 + 2x =2 fmove constant term to RHSg 2 2 2 2 2 ) x + 2x + 1 = 2 + 1 fadd ( 2 2 ) = 1 to both sidesg ffactorise LHS, simplify RHSg ) (x + 1)2 = 3 p ) x+1 = 3 p ) x = 1 3 p p So, solutions are x = 1 + 3 or 1 3: x2 4x + 6 = 0 = 6 fremove the constant term to the RHSg ) x2 4x 2 2 2 2 2 ) x 4x + 2 = 6 + 2 fadd ( 4 to both sidesg 2) = 2 2 ffactorise the LHS, simplify the RHSg ) (x 2) = 2 which is impossible as no perfect square can be negative ) no real solutions exist.
Remember that if x 2 = k, where k > 0 then x = ~`k.

2 If possible, solve for x using completing the square, leaving b x2 2x 2 = 0 a x2 4x + 1 = 0 d x2 + 2x 1 = 0 e x2 + 2x + 4 = 0 g x2 + 6x + 3 = 0 h x2 6x + 11 = 0

answers in surd form: c x2 4x 3 = 0 f x2 + 4x + 1 = 0 i x2 + 8x + 14 = 0

3 Using the method of completing the square solve for x, leaving answers in surd form. a x2 + 3x + 2 = 0 b x2 = 4x + 8 c x2 5x + 6 = 0 2 2 d x +x1=0 e x + 3x 1 = 0 f x2 + 5x 2 = 0 4 a To solve 3x2 + 6x 1 = 0 by completing the square our first step must be to divide both sides by 3, and this results in x2 + 2x 1 3 = 0. Explain why this statement is true. b Use completing the square to solve ii 3x2 12x + 7 = 0 i 2x2 + 4x 1 = 0 iii 5x2 10x + 3 = 0

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

PROBLEM SOLVING (QUADRATIC EQUATIONS)

Contained in this section are problems which when converted to algebraic form result in a quadratic equation.
It is essential that you are successful at solving these equations using factorisation or completing the square.

PROBLEM SOLVING METHOD

Step 1: Step Step Step Step Step 2: 3: 4: 5: 6: Carefully read the question until you understand the problem. A rough sketch may be useful. Decide on the unknown quantity, calling it x, say. Find an equation which connects x and the information you are given. Solve the equation using one of the methods you have learnt. Check that any solutions satisfy the equation and are realistic to the problem. Write your answer to the question in sentence form.

Example 10
The sum of a number and its square is 42. Find the number. Let the number be x. Therefore its square is x2 . x + x2 = 42 ) x2 + x 42 = 0 ) (x + 7)(x 6) = 0 ) x = 7 or x = 6 Check: frearrangingg ffactorisingg

If x = 7, 7 + (7)2 = 7 + 49 = 42 X If x = 6, 6 + 62 = 6 + 36 = 42 X So, the number is 7 or 6.

EXERCISE 13D
1 The sum of a number and its square is 90. Find the number. 2 The product of a number and the number decreased by 3 is 108. Find the two possible answers for the number. 3 When 32 is subtracted from the square of a number the result is six times the original number. Find the number. 4 The sum of two numbers is 9 and the sum of their squares is 153. Find the numbers. 5 Two numbers differ by 5 and the sum of their squares is 17. Find the numbers.

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327

Example 11
A rectangle has length 5 cm greater than its width. If it has an area of 84 cm2 , find the dimensions of the rectangle. If x cm is the width, then (x + 5) cm is the length. Now area = 84 cm2 ) ) ) ) x(x + 5) = 84 x2 + 5x = 84 fon factorisationg x=7
(x+5) cm x cm

x2 + 5x 84 = 0 (x + 12)(x 7) = 0

) x = 12 or 7: But x > 0 as lengths are positive quantities, ) ) the rectangle is 7 cm by 12 cm.

6 A rectangle has length 5 cm greater than its width. Find its width given that its area is 150 cm2 . 7 A triangle has base 2 cm more than its altitude. If its area is 49:5 cm2 , find its altitude. 8 A rectangular enclosure is made from 50 m of fencing. The area enclosed is 144 m2 . Find the dimensions of the enclosure. 9 A rectangular pig pen is built against an existing brick fence. 24 m of fencing was used to enclose 70 m2 . Find the dimensions of the pen.

10 Use the theorem of Pythagoras to find x given: a b

x cm (x+8) cm

(x+2) cm (2x-2) cm x cm

(x+7) cm

11 A right angled triangle has sides 1 cm and 18 cm respectively less than its hypotenuse. Find the length of each side of the triangle. 12 A forestry worker plants 600 pine trees. The number of pine trees in each row is 10 more than twice the number of rows. If equal numbers of pine trees were planted in each row, how many rows did the forestry worker plant? 13
D Y C

ABCD is a rectangle in which AB = 21 cm. The square AXYD is removed and the remaining rectangle has area 80 cm2 . Find the length of BC.

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

14 A, B, C and D are posts on the banks of a 20 m wide canal. A and B are 1 m apart. If OA is the same length as CD, find how far C and D are apart.

D 20 m B A

15
E

3 cm

AB is 2 cm longer than BE. DC is 3 cm less than twice BE. a Explain why triangles ABE and ACD are similar. b If BE = x cm, show that x2 4x 6 = 0: p c Hence, show that BE = 2 + 10 cm.

Example 12
The sum of a number and four times its reciprocal is 8 1 2 : Find the number. Let the number be x. x + 4 Therefore, its reciprocal is 1 : x

1 = 81 2 x x 4 17 ) + = 1 x 2 4 2 17 x x 2x + = 1 2x x 2 2 x

fas the sum is 8 1 2g which has an LCD of 2x fto achieve a common denominatorg fequating the numeratorsg fequating to zerog fsplitting the middle termg ffactorising in pairsg fcommon factorg fNull Factor lawg
1 2

) 2x2 + 8 = 17x ) 2x2 17x + 8 = 0 2x2 x 16x + 8 = 0 x(2x 1) 8(2x 1) = 0 ) (2x 1)(x 8) = 0 2x 1 = 0 or x 8 = 0 x= So, the number is
1 2 1 2

or 8 Check: + 4 2 = 81 2 X 8+4
1 8

or 8.

= 81 2

1 16 The sum of a number and its reciprocal is 2 12 : Find the number.

17 The sum of a number and twice its reciprocal is 3 2 3 . Find the number.

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329

18 A rectangular sheet of tin plate is 20 cm by 16 cm and is to be made into an open box with a base having an area of 140 cm2 , by cutting out equal squares from the four corners and then bending the edges upwards. Find the size of the squares cut out. 19 A rectangular swimming pool is 12 m long by 6 m wide. It is surrounded by a pavement of uniform width, the area of the pavement being 7 8 of the area of the pool. a If the pavement is x m wide, show that the area of the pavement is 4x2 + 36x m2 . b Hence, show that 4x2 + 36x 63 = 0. 2 cm c How wide is the pavement? x cm
x cm

20 A circular magnet has an inner radius x cm, an outer radius 2 cm larger and its depth is the same as the inner radius (as shown). If the total volume of the magnet is 120 cm3 , find x.

HISTORICAL NOTE

BABYLONIAN ALGEBRA

The mathematics used by the Babylonians was recorded on clay tablets in cuneiform. One such tablet which has been preserved is called Plimpton 322 (around 1600 BC). The Ancient Babylonians were able to solve difficult equations using the rules we use today, such as transposing terms and multiplying both sides by like quantities to remove fractions. They were familiar with factorisation.

They could, for example, add 4xy to (x y)2 to obtain (x + y)2 . This was all achieved without the use of letters for unknown quantities. However, they often used words for the unknown. Consider the following example from about 4000 years ago. Problem: I have subtracted the side of my square from the area and the result is 870. What is the side of the square?
1 1 1 Solution: Take half of 1, which is 1 2 , and multiply 2 by 2 which is 4 ; 1 add this to 870 to get 870 1 4 . This is the square of 29 2 . 1 Now add 1 2 to 29 2 and the result is 30, the side of the square.

Using our modern symbols: the equation is x2 x = 870 and the solution is q 1 2 x = (1 2 ) + 870 + 2 = 30. This solution is one of the two solutions we would obtain using the Quadratic Formula. We meet this formula in the next section.

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

INVESTIGATION
What to do:

THE QUADRATIC FORMULA (Extension)

1 Use factorisation techniques or completing the square where necessary to solve: 2x2 = 7x + 4 c x2 = 4x + 3 x2 + 6x + 11 = 0 f 4x2 + 1 = 8x p b b2 4ac 2 : 2 A formula for solving ax + bx + c = 0 is x = 2a Check that this formula gives the correct answer for each question in 1. a d x2 + 3x = 10 4x2 12x + 9 = 0 3 What is the significance of b2 4ac in determining the solutions of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0? You should be able to answer this question from observations in 1 and 2. 4 Establish the quadratic formula by completing the square on ax2 + bx + c = 0: (Hint: Do not forget to divide each term by a to start with.) b e

THE QUADRATIC FORMULA (EXTENSION)

b p b2 4ac . 2a

Many quadratic equations cannot be solved by factorising, and completing the square is rather tedious. Consequently, the quadratic formula has been developed. This formula is: If ax + bx + c = 0, then x =
2

Consider the Opening problem involving the Acme Leather Jacket Co. The equation we need to solve is: 12:5x2 550x + 5125 = 0 where a = 12:5, b = 550, c = 5125 p 550 46 250 which simplifies to x + 30:60 or 13:40 . Using the formula we obtain x = 25 But as x needs to be a whole number, x = 13 or 31 would produce income of around $3000 each week. The following proof of the quadratic formula is worth careful examination. Proof: If ax2 + bx + c = 0, c b then x2 + x + = 0 a a c b = x2 + x a a 2 2 b c b b = + x2 + x + a 2a a 2a ) fdividing each term by a, as a 6= 0g

fcompleting the square on LHSg

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331

) )

2 b c 4a b2 x+ = + 2 2a a 4a 4a 2 b b2 4ac x+ = 2a 4a2 r b2 4ac b = ) x+ 2a 4a2 r b b2 4ac ) x= 2a 4a2 p b b2 4ac i.e., x = 2a

Example 13
Solve for x: a a x2 2x 2 = 0 b 2x2 + 3x 4 = 0

x2 2x 2 = 0 has a = 1, b = 2, c = 2 p (2) (2)2 4(1)(2) ) x= 2(1) p 2 4+8 ) x= 2 p 2 12 ) x= 2 p 22 3 ) x= 2 p ) x = 1 3 p p So, the solutions are 1 + 3 and 1 3: 2x2 + 3x 4 = 0 has a = 2, b = 3, c = 4 p 3 32 4(2)(4) ) x= 2(2) p 3 9 + 32 ) x= 4 p 3 41 ) x= 4 p p 3 41 3 + 41 and : So, the solutions are 4 4

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

EXERCISE 13E.1
1 Use the quadratic formula to solve for x: a d g x2 4x 3 = 0 x2 + 4x = 1 p x2 2 2x + 2 = 0 b e h x2 + 6x + 7 = 0 x2 4x + 2 = 0 (3x + 1)2 = 2x c f i x2 + 1 = 4x 2x2 2x 3 = 0 (x + 3)(2x + 1) = 9

2 Use the quadratic formula to solve for x: a (x+2)(x1) = 23x b (2x + 1)2 = 3 x c (x 2)2 = 1 + x

SOLVING USING TECHNOLOGY

A graphics calculator or graphing package can be used to solve quadratic equations. However, exact solutions in square root form will be lost in most cases. Approximate decimal solutions are usually generated. In this course we will find solutions using graphs of quadratics. We will examine their intersection with the x-axis, giving us zeros, and we will also examine where functions intersect, finding the x-coordinates of the points where they meet. We have chosen to use this approach, even though it may not be the quickest, so that an understanding of the link between the algebra and the graphics is fully appreciated. Consider the equation 2x2 3x 4 = 0. Our approach will be: draw the graph of y = 2x2 3x 4 2x2 3x 4 = 0 when y = 0 and this occurs at the x-intercepts of the graph.
2 y

-1

1 -2

-4

y = 2xX-3x-4

The solutions are: x + 0:8508 or 2:351 Click on the appropriate icon for helpful instructions if using a graphics calculator and/or graphing package.
GRAPHING PACKAGE

TI C

EXERCISE 13E.2
1 Use technology to solve: a x2 + 4x + 2 = 0 d 3x2 7x 11 = 0 b e x2 + 6x 2 = 0 4x2 11x 13 = 0 c f 2x2 3x 7 = 0 5x2 + 6x 17 = 0

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333

To solve a more complicated equation like (x 2)(x + 1) = 2 + 3x we could: make the RHS zero i.e., (x 2)(x + 1) 2 3x = 0: Plot y = (x 2)(x + 1) 2 3x and find the x-intercepts. Plot y = (x 2)(x + 1) and y = 2 + 3x on the same axes and find the x-coordinates where the two graphs meet. we get

Using a graphics calculator with Y1 = (x 2)(x + 1) and Y2 = 2 + 3x ,

GRAPHING PACKAGE

TI C

So, the solutions are x + 0:8284 or 4:8284 2 Use technology to solve: a (x+2)(x1) = 23x b (2x + 1)2 = 3 x c (x 2)2 = 1 + x

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS WITH NO REAL SOLUTIONS

Consider x2 + 2x + 5 = 0. Using the quadratic formula, the solutions are: p 4 4(1)(5) x= 2(1) p 2 16 i.e., x = 2 2

In the real number system no real solutions.

p 16 does not exist and so we would say that x2 + 2x + 5 has

y

If we graph y = x2 + 2x + 5 we get: Clearly, the graph does not cut the x-axis and this further justifies the fact that x2 + 2x + 5 = 0 has no real solutions.

15 10 5
(-1' 4) x

-6

-4

-2

3 Solve for x: a x2 25 = 0 d x2 + 7 = 0 g x2 4x + 5 = 0 j x2 + 6x + 25 = 0

b e h k

x2 + 25 = 0 4x2 9 = 0 x2 4x 5 = 0 2x2 6x + 5 = 0

c f i l

x2 7 = 0 4x2 + 9 = 0 x2 10x + 29 = 0 2x2 + x + 1 = 0

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

THE DISCRIMINANT,
In the quadratic formula, b2 4ac, which is under the square root sign, is called the discriminant. The symbol delta , is used to represent the discriminant, i.e., = b2 4ac. p b The quadratic formula becomes x = if replaces b2 4ac: 2a Notice that

if = 0, if > 0,

x=

if < 0,

p is a real number and so there are two distinct real roots, p p b b + and 2a 2a p does not exist so we have no real solutions.

b 2a

is the only solution (a repeated root)

Note: If a, b and c are rational and is a perfect square then the equation has two rational roots which can be found by factorisation.

4 What is the discriminant of: a x2 2x 7 = 0 d 2x2 6x 4 = 0

b e

2x2 3x + 6 = 0 3x2 + 7x 1 = 0

c f

x2 11 = 0 4x2 7x + 11 = 0

Example 14
Use the discriminant to determine the nature of the roots of: a 2x2 3x + 4 = 0 b 4x2 4x 1 = 0 a

= b2 4ac = (3)2 4(2)(4) = 23 which is < 0 ) there are no real roots

= b2 4ac = (4)2 4(4)(1) = 32 which is > 0 ) has 2 distinct real roots

5 By using the discriminant only, state the nature of the solutions of: p c 2x2 + 3x 1 = 0 b x2 + 4 2x + 8 = 0 a x2 + 7x 2 = 0 2 2 d 6x + 5x 4 = 0 f 9x2 + 6x + 1 = 0 e x +x+6=0 6 By using the discriminant only, determine which of the following quadratic equations have rational roots which can be found by factorisation. b 3x2 7x 6 = 0 a 2x2 + 7x 4 = 0 c 2x2 + 6x + 1 = 0 e 4x2 3x + 3 = 0 d 6x2 + 19x + 10 = 0 f 8x2 10x 3 = 0

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

335

MORE DIFFICULT EQUATIONS

(EXTENSION)

Sometimes we need to simplify an equation before we can attempt to solve it. In the following exercise we have rational equations.
We need to get rid of the algebraic fractions and then convert to a quadratic equation in each case.

EXERCISE 13F
1 Solve for x by first eliminating the algebraic fractions: a d g j x 2 = 3 x 3 x1 = 4 x 2x 1 = 3x + 1 x+2 x1 = 2x + 1 2x b e h k 4 x = x 2 x + 11 x1 = x 5 2x + 1 = 3x x x 1 =1 x c f i l x 2 = 5 x 1 x = x+2 x x+2 x = x1 2 2x 1 =3 x

REVIEW SET 13A

1 Solve for x: a d 2x2 = 4 x2 + 24 = 11x b e 3x2 + 18 = 0 10x2 11x 6 = 0 a x2 + 6x + 11 = 0 c f 5x(x 3) = 0 3x2 = 2x + 21

2 Solve by completing the square:

b x2 14x + 7 = 0

3 The width of a rectangle is 7 cm less than its length and its area is 260 cm 2. Find its dimensions. 4 Expand and simplify: a 5 2x (x + 3)2 b (x 2)3 c (3x 2)(x2 + 2x + 7)

5 The sum of a number and its reciprocal is 2 1 6 . Find the number. 6 When the square of a number is increased by one the result is four times the original number. Find the number. 7 Solve for x: a x2 5x + 2 = 0 b 2x2 + 5x + 7 = 0 8 Using the discriminant only, state the nature (how many, if they exist) of the solutions of: x2 + 3x 6 = 0

336

QUADRATIC EQUATIONS (Chapter 13)

REVIEW SET 13B

1 Solve for x: a d 2(x 3)2 = 0 x2 + 5x = 24 b e (x + 5)(x 4) = 0 2x2 18 = 0 a x2 2x = 100 c f (2 x)2 = 1 8x2 + 2x 3 = 0 b x2 + x 9 = 0

2 Solve by completing the square:

3 A rectangle has its length 3 cm greater than its width. If it has an area of 108 cm2 , find the dimensions of the rectangle. 4 When the square of a number is increased by 10, the result is seven times the original number. Find the number. 5 A right angled triangle has its hypotenuse one centimetre more than twice the length of the shortest side, while the other side is 7 cm longer than the shortest side. Find the length of each of the sides of the triangle. 6 Find b and c if x2 + bx + c = 0 has solutions x = 1 or x = 7. 7 Solve for x: a x2 2x + 7 = 0 b 4x2 x + 1 = 0

8 Using the discriminant only, state the nature (how many, if they exist) of the solutions of: p b 2x2 + 5x + 2 = 0 a x2 + 3x + 1 = 0