Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

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1
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

Activity (2)  (1) , 9 x  1.5

90 x  15
Activity 1.1 (p. 28) 15
x 
90
1. 1
x –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3 
x2 16 9 4 1 0 1 4 9 6
x –4 –3 –2 –1 0 1 2 3   1
0.16
–6 –6 –6 –6 –6 –6 –6 –6 –6 6
y 6 0 –4 –6 –6 –4 0 6
2. 3. Let x  0.1
2,

i.e. x  0.121 212    (1)

100 x  12.121 212   (2)
(2)  (1) , 99 x  12
12
x 
99
4

33
4
0.1 2 
33

4. Let x  0.1
 23
,
i.e. x  0.123 123   (1)
3. –3, 2
1000 x  123.123 123   (2)
x2  x  6  0 (2)  (1) , 999 x  123
4.
( x  3)( x  2)  0 123
x
x3  0 or x  2  0 999
x   3 or x 2 41

333
5. The quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 can be solved
graphically by reading the x-intercepts of the graph of 0.1   41
 23
y = ax2 + bx + c. 333

p.6
Follow-up Exercise
Quadratic equation General form Value of
p. 3 ax2 + bx + c = 0 a b c
(a) 5x2 = 6 – x 5x2 + x – 6 = 0 5 1 –6
1. Let x  0.8
, (b) x2 – 4 = 5x x2 – 5x – 4 = 0 1 –5 –4
(c) 3x2 = 4 3x2 + 0x – 4 = 0 3 0 –4
i.e. x  0.888 888   (1) (d) 8x = x2 x2 – 8x + 0 = 0 1 –8 0
10 x  8.888 888   (2) (e) 2 – x(3 – x) = 0 x2 – 3x + 2 = 0 1 –3 2
(f) (1 + x)(1 – x) + 3x = 2 x2 – 3x + 1 = 0 1 –3 1
(2)  (1) , 9x  8
8
x p.8
9
8
0.8  1. (a) x2 – 10x + 16 = 0
9 (x – 2)(x – 8) = 0
x  2  0 or x  8  0
2. ,
Let x  0.16 x  2 or x8
i.e. x  0.166 666   (1)
(b) 2x2 + 13x + 15 = 0
10 x  1.666 666   (2) (2x + 3)(x + 5) = 0

2
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

2x  3  0 or x  5  0 1
 x  1 or x
3 4
x or x  5
2 1
 x 1  0 or x 
0
3x  5 x  2  0
2 4
(c)
(3 x  1)( x  2)  0 x  1  0 or 4 x  1  0
3x  1  0 or x  2  0  ( x  1)( 4 x  1)  0

x
1
or x2
4 x 2  3x  1  0
3  The required equation is 4 x 2  3 x  1  0.
2 1
12 x 2  x  6  0 (b)  x or x
2. (a) 3 2
( 4 x  3)(3 x  2)  0
2 1
4x  3  0 or 3 x  2  0  x  0 or x   0
3 2
3 2 3 x  2  0 or 2 x  1  0
x or x
4 3
 (3 x  2)(2 x  1)  0
6x 2  x  2  0
4 x 2  25
(b)  The required equation is 6x2 – x – 2 = 0.
4 x 2  25  0
( 2 x  5)(2 x  5)  0 2. (a) 2 x 2  15 x  8  0
2x  5  0 or 2 x  5  0 ( 2 x  1)( x  8)  0
5 5 2x 1  0 or x 8  0
x or x
2 2 1
x or x 8
2
x( x  2)  15
1
(c) x 2  2 x  15 (b) The roots of the required equation are 1 and
x 2  2 x  15  0 
2
( x  5)( x  3)  0 1
x5 0 or x  3  0 8
x  5 or x3
1
i.e. 2 and .
8
( x  1)( x  3)  2( x  3)
1
(d) x 2  2x  3  2x  6 x  2 or x
8
x 2  4x  3  0  1
( x  1)( x  3)  0 x20 or 0 x
8
x 1  0 or x  3  0
x  2  0 or 8 x  1  0
x 1 or x3
 ( x  2)(8 x  1)  0
Alternative Solution
( x  1)( x  3)  2( x  3)  8 x 2  15 x  2  0
 The required equation is 8x2 + 15x – 2 = 0.
( x  1)( x  3)  2( x  3)  0
( x  3)[( x  1)  2]  0 3. (a) 4 x 2  13 x  12  0
( x  3)( x  1)  0 ( 4 x  3)( x  4)  0
x3 0 or x 1  0 4x  3  0 or x40
x3 or x 1 3
x or x4
4
p.10 3
(b) The roots of the required equation are  and
1. (a) 4
2
4 , i.e. 3 and 2.

2 8

3
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

3
 x or x2 2
18
8 1. x 2  18 x     ( x  9) 2
3 2
 x 0 or x2  0
8 12
2
2. x 2  12 x     ( x  6) 2
 2
8x + 3 = 0 or x–2=0 2 2
(8 x  3)( x  2)  0 7  7
 3. x2  7x      x  
 2  2
8 x 2  13x  6  0 2
8
 The required equation is 8x2  13x  6  0. 4. x 2  8 x     ( x  4) 2
2
2 2
9 9
x 2  9 x      x  
p.13
5.
2  2
1. (a) ( x  1) 2  9 2 2
1 1 1
x  1  3 6. x2  x      x  
x  1  3 or 1  3
2 4  4
2 2
 2  4 1 1 1
or 7. x2  x      x  
( 2 x  3) 2  4
3 6  6
(b) 2 2
5 5 5
2 x  3  2 8. x2  x      x  
2x  3  2 or 3  2 2 4  4
5 1
x  or
2 2

2. (a) ( x  2) 2  5
p. 16
x2  5
x  2  5 or 2  5 x2  8x  9  0
x2  8x  9
2
 x  1   6
2 2
8 8
x2  8x     9   
(b)  4 1. (a) 2 2
1 ( x  4) 2  25
x  6
4 x  4  5
1 1
x  6 or   6 x  45
4 4
x  9 or  1

( x  3) 2  8 2 x 2  5x  3  0
3. (a)
x 3   8 5 3
x2  x   0
2 2
x  3 8 or 3 8 5 3
x2  x 
 5.83 (cor. to 2. d.p.) or 0.17 (cor. to 2 d.p.) 2 2
2 2
5 5 5 3 5
(b) ( x  2) 2  x2  x    
4 2 4 2  4
(b)
5  5 49
2
x2 x   
4  4 16
5 5 7
x2 x 
2 4 4
5 5 5 7
x  2  or  2  x 
2 2 4 4
  0.88 (cor. to 2 d.p.) or  3.12 (cor. to 2 d.p.) 1
 3 or 
2
p. 15

4
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

x2  7x  1  0 b b 2  4ac
x 
x2  7x  1 2a
7
2
7
2  ( 5)  ( 5) 2  4( 2)( 2)
x 2  7 x     1    
2( 2 )
2 2
2
 x  7   53 5 9

2. (a)  2 4 4
7 53 53
x  
2 2 4
1
x 
7 53  2 or
2 2 2
 7  53  7  53
 or
2 2 3. 3x 2  10 x  8
3x 2  10 x  8  0
Using the quadratic formula,
3x 2  6 x  2  0
b b 2  4ac
2 x
x2  2x   0 2a
3
2  10  10 2  4(3)(8)
x2  2x  
3 2(3)
2 2
 2   2   2   10  196
(b) x 2
 2 x  
2 3 2 6
5  10  14
( x  1)2  
3 6
5 2
x 1    or  4
3 3
5 5 4. Using the quadratic formula,
x 1 or 1 
3 3  b  b 2  4ac
x 
2a
 8  82  4(1)(3)
p.20 
2(1)
1. Using the quadratic formula,  8  52

b b  4ac
2
2
x
2a  8  2 13

4 42  4(1)(32) 2
   4  13 or  4  13
2(1)
 4  144
 5. 4x  x 2  3
2
 4  12 x 2  4x  3  0

2
 4 or  8 Using the quadratic formula,

2. Using the quadratic formula,

5
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

2. (a)
 b  b 2  4ac x 2 1 0 1 2 3 4
x  y 9 4 1 0 1 4 9
2a
 4  4 2  4(1)(3) (b)

2(1)
 4  28

2
42 7

2
  2  7 or  2  7

p. 25

1. Quadratic equations Value of 

x2 + 4x + 2 = 0  = 42  4(1)(2) = 8 > 0
2x2  3x  5 = 0  = (3)2  4(2)(5) = 49 > 0
2
x + 8x + 16 = 0  = 82  4(1)(16) = 0 (c) The x-intercept of y = x2  2x + 1 is 1.
2x2 + 5x = 0  = 52  4(2)(0) = 25 > 0 Therefore, the root of the equation x2  2x + 1 = 0
is 1.
4x2 + 25 = 0  = 02  4(4)(25) = 400 < 0
Nature of roots
2 distinct p. 33
1 double real root No real roots
real roots
 1. positive 2. positive

 3. negative 4. zero

 5. negative 6. positive

2.  The equation x2  9x + k = 0 has a double real root.

  0 p. 40

( 9) 2  4(1)( k )  0 1. (a) Area of the border

 81  4k  0
81  [( x  7  x )( x  11  x )  (7.11)] cm 2
k 
4  [( 2 x  7)( 2 x  11)  77] cm 2
 ( 4 x 2  36 x  77  77) cm 2
3.  The equation (2k  1)x + 3x  6 = 0 has no real
2

roots.
 ( 4 x 2  36 x ) cm 2
  0
4 x 2  36 x  114
3  4( 2k  1)( 6)  0
2
(b)
4 x 2  36 x  114  0
9  48k  24  0
 2 x 2  18 x  57  0
48k  15  0 Using the quadratic formula,
15
k 
48
5
k 
16
5
 The range of possible values of k is k < .
16

p. 30

1. The x-intercepts of y = 2x2 + 3x  5 are 2.5 and 1.

Therefore, the roots of the equation 2x2 + 3x  5 = 0 are
2.5 and 1.

6
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

x0 or x5  0
 b  b 2  4ac
x x0 or x  5
2a
 18  18 2  4(2)(57) 5( x  1)( x  3)  0
 4.
2( 2) ( x  1)( x  3)  0
 18  780 x  1  0 or x  3  0
 x  3
4 x  1 or
 18  2 195
 2 y2  5y  0
4 5.
y ( 2 y  5)  0
 9  195
 y  0 or 2 y  5  0
2
5
 9  195  9  195 y  0 or y 
 or (rejected) 2
2 2
 2.48 (cor. to 3 sig. fig.)
16  121x 2  0
6.
2. Let x be the number of days Mr Tung worked in the 121x 2  16  0
3600 and Mr (11 x  4)(11 x  4)  0
project, then Mr Tung’s daily wage is $
x 11 x  4  0 or 11 x  4  0
4 4
3600
Pang’s daily wage is $   100  .
x   or x 
11 11
 x 
 3600 
  100 ( x  3)  3600 7. x2  6x  5  0
 x 
( x  1)( x  5)  0
10 800
3600  100 x   300  3600 x 1  0 or x  5  0
 x x  1 x  5
or
 100 x 2  3300 x  10 800  3600 x
100 x 2  300 x  10800  0 8. x 2  7 x  30  0
x 2  3 x  108  0 ( x  3)( x  10)  0
( x  12)( x  9)  0
x 3  0 or x  10  0
x  3 x  10
x  12  0 or x  9  0 or
x  12 (rejected) or x  9
9. 2 x 2  15 x  8  0
 Mr Tung worked in the project for 9 days.
( 2 x  1)( x  8)  0
2x  1  0 or x  8  0
Exercise x
1
or x 8
2
Exercise 1A (p. 11) 10. 4 x 2  13 x  12  0
( 4 x  3)( x  4)  0
Level 1 4x  3  0 or x  4  0
3
1. ( x  3)( x  4)  0 x  or x  4
4
x  3  0 or x  4  0
x  3 x  4
or
11. 6w 2  13w  6  0
2. (3x  2)( x  2)  0 (3w  2)( 2 w  3)  0
3x  2  0 or x20 2w  2  0 or 2 w  3  0
2 2 3
x or x  2 w   or w  
3 2
3

3. 3x ( x  5)  0 12. 12 y 2  17 y  6  0
x ( x  5)  0 ( 4 y  3)( 3 y  2)  0

7
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

4 y  3  0 or 3 y  2  0 ( x  1)( x  4)  0

3 2
y  or y  x 2  5x  4  0
4 3
 The required equation is x2 +5x + 4 = 0.
21.  x2 + bx  24 = 0 can be solved using the factor
12m 2  25m  12  0 method.
13.  x2 + bx  24 = 0 can be written as
( 4m  3)( 3m  4)  0
( x  h )( x  k )  0 for some real numbers h
4m  3  0 or 3m  4  0 and k.
3 4 x 2  hx  kx  hk  0
m   or m  
4 3
x 2  ( h  k ) x  hk  0
By comparing coefficients, we have
2  15 x  8 x 2  0 hk b
14.
8 x 2  15 x  2  0 hk  24
(8 x  1)( x  2)  0 Let h = 4, k = 6, then b = 4 + 6 = 2
8 x  1  0 or x  2  0 Let h = 3, k = 8, then b = 3 + 8 = 5
Let h = 2, k = 12, then b = 2 + 12 = 10
1
x  or x   2  b = 2 or 5 or 10 (or any other reasonable answers)
8
22. Let h and k be the roots of the equation x2  18x + c = 0
5x 2  9 x  2 x  h or xk
15.  x  h  0 or x  k  0
5x 2  9 x  2  0
( x  h )( x  k )  0
(5 x  1)( x  2)  0 
5x  1  0 or x  2  0 x 2  (h  k ) x  hk  0
1 By comparing coefficients, we have
x   or x  2 h  k  18
5
hk  c
Let h = 6, k = 12, then c = 6 × 12 = 72
12  4 y  5 y 2
Let h = 7, k = 11, then c = 7 × 11 = 77
16. Let h = 8, k = 10, then c = 8 × 10 = 80
5 y  4 y  12  0
2

(5 y  6)( y  2)  0  c = 72 or 77 or 80 (or any other reasonable

5 y  6  0 or y  2  0 answers)
6
y  or y  2
5 Level 2

17.  x=0 or x=1 ( x  3)( 2 x  1)  3  0

 x=0 or x1=0 23.
2x2  7x  6  0

x ( x  1)  0
( 2 x  3)( x  2)  0
x2  x  0
2x  3  0 or x  2  0
 The required equation is x2  x = 0.
3
x   or x   2
18.  x=4 or x = 1 2
 x4=0 or x+1=0

( x  4)( x  1)  0 ( 3x  1)(1  2 x )  4  0
x 2  3x  4  0 24.  6x2  x  5  0
 The required equation is x2  3x  4 = 0.
6x 2  x  5  0
19.  x=2 or x=3 (6 x  5)( x  1)  0
 x2=0 or x3=0 6x  5  0 or x  1  0

( x  2)( x  3)  0 5
x   or x  1
x 2  5x  6  0 6
 The required equation is x2  5x + 6 = 0.

20.  x = 1 or x = 4
 x+1=0 or x+4=0

8
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

x 2  3x ( x  5)  25 (2 x  5) 2  ( x  3)( 2 x  5)
25.  2 x 2  15 x  25  0 31. (2 x  5) 2  ( x  3)(2 x  5)  0
2 x 2  15 x  25  0 (2 x  5)[(2 x  5)  ( x  3)]  0
( 2 x  5)( x  5)  0 (2 x  5)( x  2)  0
2 x  5  0 or x  5  0 2 x  5  0 or x  2  0
5 5
x  or x  5 x  or x  2
2 2

2 y (19  4 y )  35 ( x  1) 2  3( x  1)  4  0
8 y 2
 38 y  35  0 32.
26. [( x  1)  1][( x  1)  4]  0
8 y  38 y  35  0
2
x ( x  5)  0
(2 y  7)( 4 y  5)  0 x  0 or x 5  0
2 y  7  0 or 4 y  5  0 x  0 x  5
or
7 5
y  or y 
2 4 1
x  or x  2
2
33. 
15( y 2  1)  34 y 1
27.
x  0 or x  2  0
15 y  34 y  15  0
2 2
(3 y  5)(5 y  3)  0 2 x  1  0 or x  2  0
3 y  5  0 or 5 y  3  0 
( 2 x  1)( x  2)  0
5 3 2 x 2  3x  2  0
y or y  The required equation is 2x2 + 3x  2 = 0.
3 5

( x  4)( 6 x  3)  3( 3  2 x ) 1 3
x   or x 
3 2
6 x 2  21x  12  9  6 x 34. 
1 3
28.
6x 2
 15 x  21  0 x   0 or x   0
3 2
2 x 2  5x  7  0 3x  1  0 or 2 x  3  0
( 2 x  7)( x  1)  0 (3x  1)( 2 x  3)  0

2 x  7  0 or x  1  0
6x 2  7x  3  0
7  The required equation is 6x2  7x  3 = 0.
x  or x  1
2
1 1
x   or x  
5 x ( x  2)  ( x  2) 2
2 3
35. 
29. 5 x ( x  2)  ( x  2) 2  0 1 1
x 0 or x  0
( x  2)[5 x  ( x  2)]  0 2 3
( x  2)(4 x  2)  0 2x  1  0 or 3x  1  0
x  2  0 or 4 x  2  0 
( 2 x  1)(3 x  1)  0
1 6 x 2  5x  1  0
x  2 or x  
2  The required equation is 6x2 + 5x + 1 = 0.

1 1
3 y ( y  6)  y 2  36 x2 or x  1
3 2
3 y ( y  6)  ( y  6)( y  6)
30. 7 3
3 y ( y  6)  ( y  6)( y  6)  0 36.  x or x
3 2
( y  6)[3 y  ( y  6)]  0 7 3
( y  6)(2 y  6)  0 x   0 or x 0
3 2
y  6  0 or 2y  6  0
3 x  7  0 or 2 x  3  0
y  6 or y  3

(3x  7)( 2 x  3)  0
6 x 2  5 x  21  0

9
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

 The required equation is 6x2  5x  21 = 0. 2x  9  0 or 2x  5  0


( 2 x  9)( 2 x  5)  0
37. (a) 3x 2  8 x  4  0
4 x 2  8 x  45  0
(3x  2)( x  2)  0
 The required equation is 4x2  8x  45 = 0.
3x  2  0 or x  2  0
2
x  or x  2 Exercise 1B (p. 17)
3
Level 1
1 1
(b) The roots of the required equation are 2 and , ( x  5) 2  36
2
3
1. x  5  6
3 1 x  5  6 or  5  6
i.e. and .
2 2 1 or  11
3 1
 x or x
2 2 16
( x  4) 2 
3 1 9
x   0 or x   0
 2 2 4
x4
2 x  3  0 or 2 x  1  0 2. 3
( 2 x  3)( 2 x  1)  0 4 4
 x  4 or 4 
4 x 2  8x  3  0 3 3
 The required equation is 4x2  8x + 3 = 0. 16 8
 or
3 3
38. (a) 4 x 2  8x  3  0
( 2 x  1)( 2 x  3)  0 2
 x  1   25
2 x  1  0 or 2 x  3  0
 3
1 3
x  or x  1
2 2 x   5
3. 3
1
(b) The roots of the required equation are 2  and
1 1
x    5 or   5
2 3 3
3 14 16
2  , i.e. 1 and 3. 
3
or 
3
 
2
 x 1 or x3
 x  1  0 or x3  0  1
2
4. 25 x    4

( x  1)( x  3)  0  5
x2  4x  3  0  1 4
2

 The required equation is x  4x + 3 = 0.

2 x  
 5  25
2x2  9x  5  0 1 2
39. (a) x  
( 2 x  1)( x  5)  0 5 5
2x  1  0 or x  5  0 1 2 1 2
x   or 
1 5 5 5 5
x   or x  5
2 3 1
 or 
5 5
1
(b) The roots of the required equation are  5
2
1 9 5 ( x  3) 2  2
and  (5) , i.e. and  .
2 2 2 5. x3  2
9 5 x  3 2 or 3  2
 x or x
2 2
9 5
x   0 or x   0
2 2

10
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

4( x  5) 2  7 5
2
p   
7 11.  2 
( x  5) 2 
4 25

6. 4
7
x5
2 25 5
2

 x 2  5x    x  
7 7 4  2
x  5 or  5 
2 2
2
3
p   
2 12.  
4
2
9 2 x   5 
9
 3 16
2
 2 x  2   5 3x 9 3
2

 3 9  x2     x  
2 16  4
7. 2 5
2x   
3 3 13. x2  2ax + b is a perfect square.
2 5  2a 
2
2x 
3  b   
 2 
2 5 2 5
x or  a
6 6  a = 2, b = 4 or a = 1, b = 1 or a = 1, b = 1.
(or any other reasonable answers)
2
x  1
25  2   7
3  ( x  d )2 
4
2
x  7 14. 1
  2  xd 
 3  25 2
8. x 7 1
2   xd
3 5 2
x 7 1
 2 The roots of (x  d)2 = are integers.
3 5 4
3 7 3 7 1 1 1
x  6 or 6   d= 1 or 2 or 3 (or any other
5 5 2 2 2
reasonable answers)
2
6
p 
9. 2 Level 2
9
x 2  8 x  15  0
2
6
x 2  6 x  9   x   x 2  8 x  15
  2
2 2
8 8
 ( x  3) 2 x 2  8 x     15   
15. 2 2
( x  4) 2  1
2
8
p    x  4  1
10. 2
x  41
 16
 5 or 3
8 2
x  8 x  16   x  
2
  2
 ( x  4) 2

11
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

x 2  16 x  28  0 3x 2  6 x  28  0
x  16 x  28
2
28
2 2 x2  2x   0
16 16
x 2  16 x     28   
3
16.  2   2  28
x2  2x 
( x  8) 2  36 3
x  8  6 2 2
x 2
 2 x   2   28   2 
x  86 19. 2 3 2
 14 or 2 31
( x  1)2 
3
x 2  7 x  98  0 31
x 1  
x 2  7 x  98 3
7
2
7
2 31 31
x 2  7 x     98     1 or  1 
2 3 3
  2
2
17.  7 441
x   3x 2  6 x  7  0
 2  4
7 21 7
x  x2  2x   0
2 2 3
7 21 7
x  x2  2x 
2 2 3
 7 or - 14 2
 2   7   2 
2

20. x 2
 2 x 
2 3 2
2 x 2  10 x  5  0 10
( x  1)2 
5 3
x 2  5x   0
2 10
5 x 1  
x 2  5x  3
2 10 10
5
2
5 5
2 x 1 or 1 
x 2  5x        3 3
2 2 2
18. 2
 x  5   35
 2 4 21. 3x 2  7 x  3  0
5 35
x  7
2 2 x2  x 1  0
5 35 3
x  7
2 2 x2  x  1
5  35 5  35 3
 or 2 2
2 2 7 7 7
x2  x     1  
3 6
  6
2
 7 85
x   
 6 36
7 85
x 
6 6
7 85
x 
6 6
 7  85  7  85
 or
6 6

12
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

22. 5( x 2  1)  4 x
5x2  4x  5  0 x2 3
 5x   0
4 2 4
x2  x  1  0 3
5 x 2  2 5x   0
4 2
x  x 1
2
3
5 x 2  2 5x 
2 2 2
4 4 4
x2  x     1    2 2
5  10   10  2 5 3 2 5
25. x  2 5x       
2

 2  29
2  2  2  2 
x    13
 5  25 (x  5)2 
2
2 29
x   13
5 5 x 5
2
2 29
x  13 13
5 5  5 or 5 
2 2
2  29 2  29
 or
5 5
2 x 2  5 x  30  0
5
x2  x  15  0
2
5
x2  x  15
23. ( x  1)(2  3 x)  x 2 2
2 2
3x 2  x  2  x 2 5  5  
x 
2
x     15   5 
2x 2  x  2  0 2 4   4 
   
1 26. 2
x2  x 1  0  
2  x  5   245
 4  16
1 
x2  x 1 5 7 5
2 x 
2 2 4 4
1 1 1
x2  x    1    5 7 5
2  4 4 x 
2
4 4
 1  17
x     2 5 or 
3 5
 4  16 2
1 17
x 
4 4
1 17
x 
4 4
1  17 1  17
 or
4 4

x 2  2 3x  1  0
x 2  2 3x  1
2 2
2 3 2 3 Exercise 1C (p. 21)
x 2  2 3x     1  


 2 
24.  2    Level 1
( x  3)2  2
x 3  2 1. Using the quadratic formula,

x 3 2
  3  2 or  3  2

13
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

b b 2  4ac b b 2  4ac

x  x
2a 2a
 ( 4)  ( 4) 2  4(1)( 5)  ( 7)  ( 7) 2  4(1)(11)
 
2(1) 2(1)
4 36 7 5
 
2 2
46 7 5 7 5
  or
2 2 2
 5 or  1
6. Using the quadratic formula,
2. Using the quadratic formula,  b  b 2  4ac
x
b b  4ac
2
2a
x
2a  5  5 2  4(2)(6)

 (3)  (3)  4(2)(2)
2
2( 2)

2(2)  5  73

3 25 4

4  5  73  5  73
 or
35 4 4

4
1 7. Using the quadratic formula,
 2 or 
2 b b 2  4ac
x
2a
3. Using the quadratic formula,
 (2)  (2) 2  4(3)(13)
b b  4ac
2 
x 2(3)
2a
2  160
 (9)  (9) 2  4(35)(2) 
 6
2(35)
2  4 10

9 361 6

70 1  2 10 1  2 10
9  19  or
 3 3
70
2 1 8. Using the quadratic formula,
 or 
5 7  b  b 2  4ac
x
2a
4. Using the quadratic formula,
 3  3 2  4(3)(5)
b b 2  4ac 
x 2(3)
2a
 3  69
 (31)  (31) 2  4(14)(15) 
 6
2(14)
 3  69  3  69
31  121  or
 6 6
28
31  11

28
3 5
 or
2 7

5. Using the quadratic formula,

14
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

b b 2  4ac
x 
9. Using the quadratic formula, 2a
b b 2  4ac  ( 5)  ( 5) 2  4(7)( 2)
x 
2a 2( 7)
 (6)  (6) 2  4(2)(3) 5  81
 
2( 2) 14
6  12 59
 
4 14
2
62 3  1 or 
 7
4
 1 or  0.29 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
3 3 3 3
 or
2 2 13.
(3x  2)(3x  2)  3x  0
9 x 2  3x  4  0
10. Using the quadratic formula, Using the quadratic formula,
b b 2  4ac
x
2a  b  b 2  4ac
x 
 ( 7 )  ( 7) 2  4(6)( 1) 2a

2( 6)  3 32  4(9)( 4)

7  73 2( 9 )

12  3  153

7  73 7  73 18
 or
12 12  3  3 17

18
Level 2  1  17  1  17
 or
6 6
11. x ( x  10)  5  0
 0.52 (cor. to 2 d.p.) or  0.85 (cor. to 2 d.p
x 2  10 x  5  0
Using the quadratic formula,
x (3 x  4)  ( x  1)( x  2)
14.
 b  b 2  4ac 3x 2  4 x  x 2  x  2
x 
2a 2 x 2  5x  2  0
 ( 10)  ( 10) 2
 4(1)(5) Using the quadratic formula,

2(1)  b  b 2  4ac
x
10  80 2a

2  5  5 2  4(2)(2)

10  4 5 2(2)

2
5 9
 5 2 5 or 5  2 5 
4
 9.47 (cor. to 2 d.p.) or 0.53 (cor. to 2 d.p.)  5  3

4
  0 .5 or  2
12. 5x  2  7 x 2
7 x 2  5x  2  0  x  1 ( x  1)  
3x
Using the quadratic formula,  2 4
3 1 3x
15. x2  x   
2 2 4
9x 1
x2   0
4 2
4x  9x  2
2
0

15
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

Using the quadratic formula,

b b 2  4ac
 b  b 2  4ac x 
x 2a
2a
4 4 2  4(1)( 4)
 9  9  4(4)(2)
2 
2(1)

2(4) 4 0

 9  49 2

8  2
97

8 ( x  3) 2  (2 x  1)( x  2)
  0.25 or  2 19.
x 2  6 x  9  2 x 2  3x  2

( x  3)( 2 x  5)  x ( x  3)  2 x 2  3x  11  0
Using the quadratic formula,
16. 2
2 x 2  11 x  15  x  3x  2
x  14 x  13  0
2 b b 2  4ac
x
Using the quadratic formula, 2a
b b 2  4ac 3 32  4(1)(11)
x  
2a 2(1)
 ( 14)  ( 14) 2  4(1)(13)  3  53
 
2(1) 2
14  144  3  53  3  53
  or
2 2 2
14  12  2.14 (cor. to 2 d.p.) or  5.14 (cor. to 2 d.p

2
 13 or 1
( 2 x  1)( 3x  2)  (6 x  5) 2  4 x
20.
6 x 2  x  2  36 x 2  56 x  25
( 2 x  3)  6 x  7
2
30 x 2  57 x  27  0
17.
4 x  6x  9  7
2
Using the quadratic formula,
4 x2  6x  2  0 b b 2  4ac
Using the quadratic formula,
x 
2a
b b 2  4ac  57  57 2  4(30)( 27)
x  
2a 2(30)
 ( 6)  ( 6) 2  4( 4)( 2)  57  9
 
2( 4 ) 60
6 4  57  3
 
8 60
62   0.9 or  1

8
 1 or 0.5
Exercise 1D (p. 26)

0.2 x 2  0.8( x  2)  0.8 Level 1

18. 0.2 x  0.8 x  1.6  0.8
2
1. For x 2  4 x  1  0,
0.2 x 2  0.8 x  0.8  0
  ( 4) 2  4(1)( 1)
x  4x  4  0
2
 20
Using the quadratic formula,
 >0
 The equation x2  4x  1= 0 has two distinct real
roots.

2. For 2 x 2  3 x  1  0,

16
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

  32  4( 2)(1) 0
 1 ( 3)  4( 2)(k )  0
2


 >0 9  8k  0
 The equation 2x2 + 3x + 1 = 0 has two distinct real
9
roots. k
8
9
3. For 3x2 + 2x + 2 = 0  The range of possible values of k is k < .
  2  4(3)( 2)
2 8
  20 10.  The equation 5x2 + 3x + (k + 1) = 0 has two distinct
 <0 real roots.
 The equation 3x2 + 2x + 2 = 0 has no real roots. 0
3  4(5)(k  1)  0
2

4. For x2 + 4x + 4 = 0,
  4 2  4(1)( 4 )  9  20k  20  0
 0  11  20k  0
=0 11
 k
 The equation x2 + 4x + 4 = 0 has a double real root. 20
11
5. For 2x2  4x + 3 = 0,  The range of possible values of k is k <  .
20
  ( 4) 2  4( 2)( 3)
  8 11.  The quadratic equation 3x2 + 4x + k = 0 has real
 <0 roots.
 The equation 2x2  4x + 3 = 0 has no real roots.  0
i.e. 42  4(3)( k )  0
16  12k  0
12k  16
6. For 3x2 + x  10 = 0, 4
  12  4(3)(10) k
3
 121
 >0 4
 The equation 3x2 + x  10 = 0 has two distinct real  The range of the values of k is k 
3
roots.
.
7.  The equation (k  1)x  2x + 1 = 0 has a double
2
12.  The quadratic equation (k + 1) x2  2kx + (k  2) = 0
real root.
has real roots.
  0
 0
( 2) 2  4( k  1)(1)  0

i.e. (2k )  4( k  1)(k  2)  0
2
4  4k  4  0
4 k 2  4k 2  4 k  8  0
8  4k  0
k  2 4k  8  0
4 k  8
8.  The equation x2 + 4kx + 16k + 20 = 0 has a double k  2
real root.  The range of the values of k is k  2.
  0
13.  The equation 3x2 + 5x  k = 0 has no real roots.
( 4k ) 2  4(1)(16k  20)  0
  0

16k 2  64k  80  0
5  4(3)(  k )  0
2

k 2  4k  5  0 
25  12k  0
( k  5)( k  1)  0
25
k  5  0 or k 1 0 k  
12
k  5 k  1
or 25
 The range of possible values of k is k <  .
9.  The equation 2x  3x + k = 0 has two distinct real
2 12
roots.
14.  The equation (k + 2)x2  4x  5 = 0 has no real
roots.

17
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

  0
19. (a)  The equation x2  2kx + 2k + 15 = 0 has equal
( 4)  4( k  2)( 5)  0
2
real roots.
 16  20k  40  0 0
56  20k  0 ( 2k ) 2  4(1)( 2k  15)  0
14 
k   4k 2  8k  60  0
5 k 2  2k  15  0
14 ( k  3)(k  5)  0
 The range of possible values of k is k <  .
5 k 3  0 or k  5  0
k  3 k  5
15.  The equation ax2 + 3x + c = 0 has two distinct real or
roots.
  0 (b) For k = 3,
3  4ac  0
2 x 2  2( 3) x  2( 3)  15  0
 x 2  6x  9  0
9  4ac  0
9 ( x  3) 2  0
ac  x  3  0
4
1 x  3
 a= , c = 3 or a = 1, c = 2.
2 For k = 5,
(or any other reasonable answers) x 2  2(5) x  2(5)  15  0
x 2 `  10 x  25  0
16. ax 2  2 x  c
( x  5) 2  0
ax  2 x  c  0
2
x  5  0
 The equation ax2 + 2x  c = 0 has no real roots.
x  5
  0
 2  4a (  c )  0
2
20. (a)  The equation 4x2 + 5kx + k = 0 has equal real
4  4ac  0 roots.
ac  1   0
 ac = 2 or 3. (or any other reasonable answers)  (5k )  4( 4)( k )  0
2

Level 2
25k 2  16k  0
( k  2) x 2  2 x  1 k ( 25k  16)  0
17.
k  0 or 25k  16  0
( k  2) x 2  2 x  1  0
16
 The equation (k + 2) x2  2x + 1 = 0 has no real k  0 or k 
roots. 25
  0 (b) For k = 0,
( 2)  4( k  2)(1)  0
2 4 x 2  5( 0) x  ( 0)  0

4x2  0
4  4k  8  0
x  0
k  1
 The range of possible values of k is k > 1. 16 ,
For k =
25
18. 3( x 2  1)  x  12k
16 16
3 x 2  3  x  12k 4 x 2  5  x   0
 
25 25
3 x 2  x  (3  12k )  0 16 16
4x2  x  0
 The equation 3x2  x + (3  12k) = 0 has no real 5 25
roots.
25 x 2  20 x  4  0
 0
(1)  4(3)(3  12k )  0
2 (5 x  2) 2  0
1  36  144k  0 5x  2  0
35 2
k x  
5
144
35
 The range of possible values of k is k < .
144 21. For the equation x 2  2( m  1) x  ( 2m 2  3)  0 ,

18
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

  [ 2( m  1)]2  4(1)( 2m 2  3) (b) The x-intercepts of y = x2  14x + 48 are 6 and 8.

Therefore, the roots of the equation x2  14x + 48 =
 4m 2  8m  4  8m 2  12 0 are 6 and 8.
 4m 2  8m  8 2. (a) two
(b) The x-intercepts of y = x2  3x  10 are 2 and 5.
 4( m  2m  2) 2
Therefore, the roots of the equation x2  3x 10 = 0
 4[( m  1) 2  1] are 2 and 5.
For any real values of m,
3. (a) x
(m  1) 2  0 4 3 2 1 0 1 2
y 5 0 3 4 3 0 5
( m  1) 2  1  0

 4 (m  1) 2  1  0  (b)

0
 The equation x2  2(m + 1)x + (2m2 + 3) = 0 has no
real roots for any real values of m.

22. (a) 12 x 2  4 x  k  1
12 x 2  4 x  ( k  1)  0
 The equation 12x2 + 4x + (k  1) = 0 has real
roots.
  0
4  4(12)( k  1)  0
2

 16  48k  48  0
64  48k  0
4
k 
3
4
 The range of possible values of k is k  .
3
(c) The x-intercepts of y = x2 + 2x 3 are 3 and 1.
12 x  4 x  1  0
2 Therefore, the roots of the equation x2 + 2x  3 = 0
(b) (i)
are 3.0 and 1.0.
12 x 2  4 x  0  1 4. (a) x 2 1 0 1 2 3 4
k  0 y 16 6 0 2 0 6 16

4
 (b)
3
 The equation 12x2 + 4x  1 = 0 has real
roots.
36 x 2  12 x  1  0
(ii) 12 x 2  4 x 
1
 0
3
4
12 x 2  4 x   1
3
4
k 
 3
4
 (c) The x-intercepts of y = 2x2  4x are 0 and 2.0.
3 Therefore, the roots of the equation 2x2 4x = 0 are
 The equation 36x2 + 12x + 1 = 0 has real 0 and 2.0.
roots.
5. (a) x 3 2 1 0 1 2 3
Exercise 1E (p. 34) y 14 5 0 1 2 9 20

Level 1

1. (a) two

19
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

1
 k = 1 or or 1 (or any other reasonable
2
answers)

Level 2

9. (a)
x 3 2 1 0 1 2 3 4
y 8 2 2 4 4 2 2 8

(b) The x-intercepts of y = 2x2 + x 1 are 1.0 and 0.5.

Therefore, the roots of the equation 2x2 + x  1 = 0
are 1.0 and 0.5.

6. (a) x 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
y 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

(b) x2  x  4
x2  x  4  0
The x-intercepts of y = x2  x  4 read from the
graph are 1.6 and 2.6.
Therefore, the roots of the equation x2 = x + 4 are
1.6 and 2.6.

(b) The x-intercept of y = x2  6x + 9 is 3.0. 10. (a)

x 3 2 1 0 1 2 3
Therefore, the root of the equation x2  6x + 9 = 0 is y 5 2 1 2 5 10 17
3.0.

7.  The graph y = x2 + bx + c does not intersect the

x-axis.
 The equation x2 + bx + c = 0 has no real roots.
  0

b  4( 1)( c )  0
2

b 2  4c  0
 The possible values of b and c are: b = 1, c = 2 or
b = 0, c = 1. (or any other reasonable answers) (b) The graph y = x2  2x  2 does not intersect the
x-axis.
8.  The graph y = kx2 + 3x + k cuts the x-axis at two
distinct points. Therefore, the equation x2 2x 2 = 0 has no real
roots.
 The equation kx2 + 3x + k = 0 has 2 distinct real
root. 11. (a) x 1 0 1 2
0
y 9 1 1 9
32  4(k )(k )  0
9  4k 2  0

9
k2 
4
3 3
 k
2 2

20
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

Exercise 1F (p. 40)

Level 1

1. Let x be the positive number.

x  x 2  56

x 2  x  56  0
( x  8)( x  7)  0
x 8  0 or x 7  0
x  8 (rejected) or x  7
 The positive number is 7.

(b) 4 x (1  x )  1 2. Let x be the smaller odd number, then x + 2 is the larger

4x  4x  1  0
2 odd number.
The x-intercept of y = 4x2  4x + 1 is 0.5. x 2  ( x  2) 2  202
Therefore, the root of the equation 4x(1  x) = 1 is x 2  x 2  4 x  4  202
0.5. 
2 x 2  4 x  198  0
12. The graph y = x2  2x  k does not intersect the x-axis. x 2  2 x  99  0
Therefore, the equation x2  2x  k = 0 has no real roots.
  0 ( x  11)( x  9)  0

 ( 2) 2  4(1)(  k )  0
x  11  0 or x  9  0
4  4k  0
x  11 (rejected) or x  9
k  1  The two consecutive positive odd numbers are 9
 The range of possible values of k is k < 1. and 11.
13. (a) The graph of y = (k + 1)x2 + 4x 5 touches the 3. Let x be the smallest number.
x-axis. 
Therefore, the equation (k + 1)x2 + 4x  5 = 0 has a
double real roots.
0 [ x  ( x  1)  ( x  2) 2 ]  [ x 2  ( x  1) 2  ( x  2) 2 ]  94

42  4( k  1)(5)  0 (3 x  3) 2  [ x 2  x 2  2 x  1  x 2  4 x  4]  94
16  20( k  1)  0 9 x 2  18 x  9  (3 x 2  6 x  5)  94

20k  36  0 6 x 2  12 x  4  94
9 6 x 2  12 x  90  0
k 
5 x 2  2 x  15  0
( x  5)( x  3)  0
(b) (i) x 0 1 2 3 4 5 x50 or x  3  0
y 5 1.8 0.2 0.2 1.8 5 x  5 (rejected) or x  3
 The three positive consecutive numbers are 3, 4 and
5.
4. Let x cm be the length of the hypotenuse, then (x  2) cm
is the base and [(x  2)  14] = (x  16) cm is the height.
( x  2) 2  ( x  16) 2  x 2 (Pyth. theorem)
 x  4 x  4  x  32 x  256  x
2 2 2

x 2  36 x  260  0
( x  26)( x  10)  0
x  26  0 or x  10  0
x  26 or x  10 (rejected )
 The length of the hypotenuse is 26 cm.
(ii) The x-intercept of y = (k + 1)x2 + 4x  5 is 2.5. 5. Let x m be the width, then (x + 2) m is the length.
Therefore, the root of the equation
(k + 1)x2 + 4x  5 = 0 is 2.5.

21
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

x 2  ( x  2) 2  102 (Pyth. theorem) 2x  1  0 or x 4  0

x  x  4 x  4  100
2 2 x  0.5 or x  4
  After 0.5 seconds and 4 seconds, the ball is 5 m
2 x  4 x  96  0
2
above the ground.
x 2  2 x  48  0
( x  8)( x  6)  0 Level 2
x8  0 or x  6  0
9. Let x km/h be the original speed of Peter.
x  8 (rejected) or x  6
20 20
 The length is 8 m and the width is 6 m.  1
x 1 x
150 cm is the width. 20 x  20( x  1)
6. Let x cm be the length, then 1
x  x( x  1)
150  20 x  20 x  20  x 2  x
2 x    50
 x  x 2  x  20  0
150 ( x  5)( x  4)  0
x  25
 x
x  5  0 or x  4  0
x 2  150  25x x  4 (rejected)
x  5 or
x 2  25 x  150  0  The original speed of Peter is 5 km/h.
( x  15)(( x  10)  0 10. Let $x be the original price of an apple.
x  15  0 or x  10  0 75 75
 5
x  15 or x  10 x  0 .5 x
 The length and width are 15 cm and 10 cm 75 x  75( x  0.5)
respectively. 5
x( x  0.5)

Alternative Solution 75 x  75 x  37.5  5 x 2  2.5 x
Let x cm be the length, then
5 x 2  2.5 x  37.5  0
 50  2 x   ( 25  x ) cm
 2  2 x 2  x  15  0
is the width. ( 2 x  5)( x  3)  0
x ( 25  x )  150 2x  5  0 or x3 0
 25 x  x 2  150 5
x (rejected) or x3
x 2  25x  150  0 2
( x  15)( x  10)  0  The original price of an apple is $3.
x  15  0 or x  10  0 11. Let x be the number of articles that the man bought, then
x  15 or x  10 300 .
 The length and width are 15 cm and 10 cm original cost of one article is $
respectively.
x
x 300 
15   300  25 
7. Let x cm be the width of the border. 4  x 
 Area of the border = 1032 cm2
( 42  2 x )( 32  2 x )  42  32  1032 15x 7500
 300 
 4 x
4 x  148 x  1344  1344  1032  0
2

 15 x  1200 x  30 000
2
4 x 2  148 x  1032  0
x 2  80 x  2000  0
x 2  37 x  258  0
( x  43)( x  6)  0 ( x  100)( x  20)  0
x  43  0 or x  6  0 x  100  0 or x  20  0
x  43 (rejected) or x  100 or x  20 (rejected)
x  6
 The width of the border is 6 cm.  The man bought 100 articles.

1  9x  2x2  5 12. (a) Base area

 ( 26  2 x )(16  2 x ) cm 2
8.   ( 4 x 2  84 x  416) cm 2
2x2  9x  4  0
( 2 x  1)( x  4)  0

22
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

4 x 2  84 x  416  200 [( x  2)  (3x  1)]( 2 x  1)

 cm 2
(b) 4 x 2  84 x  216  0 2
x 2  21x  54  0 ( 4 x  1)(2 x  1)  2
  cm
( x  18)( x  3)  0  2 
x  18  0 or x  3  0
 8x  2x  1  2
2

x  18 (rejected) or x  3    cm
 2 
 Volume of the box
1
  4 x 2  x   cm 2
 base area  height of the box
 200 x cm 3  2
 200( 3) cm 3
 600 cm 3
(b) (i) By (a),
13. (a) (i) Distance travelled in the first x hours 1
4x2  x   76
 x ( x  1) km 2
 ( x 2  x ) km 8 x 2  2 x  1  152
(ii) Distance travelled in the last (x  1) hours 8 x 2  2 x  153  0
 ( x  1)( x  1) km
(ii) 8 x 2  2 x  153  0
 (x 2
 2 x  1) km ( 4 x  17 )( 2 x  9)  0
( x  x)  ( x 2  2 x  1)  16
2
4 x  17  0
(b)  2 x  x  1  16
2
17
x   (rejected)
2 x 2  x  15  0 4
(2 x  5)( x  3)  0 or 2 x  9  0
2x  5  0 or x 3  0 9
or x 
5 2
x   (rejected) or x  3
2

14.  Area of ABCD  area of△ABP  area of△ADQ 

area of △CPQ
= shaded area


7 ( 7  x ) 7( 7  2 x ) 2 x  x
72     17
2 2 2 EC  BC  BE
49  7 x 49  14 x 2 x 2  BC  AD
49     17
2 2 2   9    9 
98  49  7 x  49  14 x  2 x 2  34  3   1    2  cm
  2    2 
2 x 2  21x  34  0  (12.5  6.5) cm
( 2 x  17)( x  2)  0  6 cm
2 x  17  0 or x  2  0
x  8.5 (rejected) or x  2
DC  EC 2  DE 2 (Pyth. theorem)
15. (a) Area of trapezium ABCD  6  8 cm
2 2

 10 cm

 Perimeter of trapezium ABCD

 (8  6.5  10  12.5) cm
 37 cm

Revision Exercise 1 (p. 44)

Level 1

23
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

b b 2  4ac
6 x 2  11 x  10  0 x
1. 2
(3x  2)( 2 x  5)  0
3x  2  0
 (3)  ( 3) 2  4(7)( 5)
or 2 x  5  0 
2 5 2( 7 )
x  or x  
3 2 3 149

14
12 x 2  3  35 x 3  149 3  149
2.  or
12 x 2  35 x  3  0 14 14
(12 x  1)( x  3)  0  1.09 (cor. to 2 d.p.) or  0.66 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
12 x  1  0 or x  3  0
1 7. For 2x2  5x + 1 = 0
x   or x  3   ( 5) 2  4( 2)(1)
12
 17

3.  x  4 or x  6  0
x  4  0 or x  6  0  The equation 2x2  5x + 1 = 0 has two distinct real
roots.
 ( x  4)( x  6)  0
x 2  2 x  24  0 8. For x2  8x + 16 = 0
 The required equation is x  2x  24 = 0.
2   ( 8) 2  4(1)(16)
 0
3 1   0
x or x  
2 3  The equation x2  8x + 16 = 0 has a double real
4.  3 1 root.
x   0 or x   0
2 3 9. For 2x2 + 3x + 4 = 0
2 x  3  0 or 3x  1  0   (3) 2  4( 2)( 4)

( 2 x  3)(3 x  1)  0   23
6 x 2  11 x  3  0    0
 The required equation is 6x2  11x + 3 = 0.  The equation 2x2 + 3x + 4 = 0 has no real roots.
5. Using the quadratic formula, 1
10. For  3x 2  x 1  0
4
2
b b 2  4ac 1
     4( 3)(1)
x
2 4
193
 ( 3)  ( 3) 2  4(4)( 4) 
 16
2( 4)
   0
3 73
 1
8  The equation  3x 2  x  1  0 has two
4
3 73 3 73 distinct real roots.
 or
8 8
 1.44 (cor. to 2 d.p.) or  0.69 (cor. to 2 d.p.)
11.  The equation x2  4x + 2k = 0 has a double real
root.
6. Using the quadratic formula,   0

 ( 4) 2  4(1)( 2k )  0
16  8k  0
k  2

12.  The equation kx2 + 3x  6 = 0 has a double real

root.

24
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

  0
18. Let x be one of the number, then 27  x is the other
(3)  4( k )( 6)  0
2
number.
 9  24k  0 x ( 27  x )  180
3 27 x  x 2  180
k   
8
x 2  27 x  180  0
13.  The equation x2 + 6x + k = 0 has no real roots. ( x  15)( x  12)  0
0 x  15  0 or x  12  0
 6  4(1)(k )  0
2 x  15 or x  12
 The two numbers are 12 and 15.
36  4k  0
k 9 Alternative Solution
 The range of possible values of k is k > 9. 180 is the other
Let x be one of the number, then
14.  The equation 3kx2  4x + 3 = 0 has no real roots.
x
number.
0
180
(4) 2  4(3k )(3)  0 x  27
x

16  36k  0  x 2  180  27 x
4 x 2  27 x  180  0
k 
9 ( x  15)( x  12)  0
4 x  15  0 or x  12  0
 The range of possible values of k is k > .
9
x  15 or x  12
15. (a)  The two numbers are 12 and 15.
x 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y 8 3 0 1 0 3 8 19. Let x cm be the length of the rectangle, then
38  2 x
 (19  x ) cm is the width of the
2
rectangle.
x (19  x )  88
 19 x  x 2  88
x 2  19 x  88  0
( x  11)( x  8)  0
(b) x  11  0 or x  8  0
x  11 or x  8

 The length and width of the rectangle are 11 cm and

8 cm respectively.

Alternative Solution

Let x cm be the length of the rectangle, then

88 cm is
x
the width of the rectangle.
88 
2 x    38
 x 
88
x  19
 x
16. (a) two
(b) The x-intercepts of y = 4x2  4x  3 are 0.5 and x 2  88  19 x
1.5.
x 2  19 x  88  0
Therefore, the roots of the equation 4x2  4x  3 = 0
are 0.5 and 1.5. ( x  11)( x  8)  0
x  11  0 or x  8  0
17. (a) one
(b) The x-intercepts of y = x2  6x + 9 is 3. x  11 or x  8
Therefore, the roots of the equation x2  6x = 9 is  The length and width of the rectangle are 11 cm and 8 cm
3. respectively.

25
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

24.  The graph y = x2 + 2x + k does not intersect the

8x  4 x 2
 3 x-axis.
20.   The equation x2 + 2x + k = 0 has no real roots.
4 x  8x  3  0
2
  0
( 2 x  1)( 2 x  3)  0
 2  4( 1)( k )  0
2

2 x  1  0 or 2 x  3  0
4  4k  0
x  0.5 or x  1. 5
 After 0.5 seconds and 1.5 seconds, the ball is 3 m
k  1
above the ground.  k = 4 or 3 or 2 (or any other reasonable
answers)
21.  The equation x2  ax  40 = 0 has two distinct real
roots.
  0 Level 2

 (  a ) 2  4(1)( 40)  0 x ( x  6)  4  0
a  160  0
2
x2  6x  4  0
a 2  160 x 2  6 x  4
 The square of any numbers is always positive. 2 2
6 6
 The equation x2  ax  40 = 0 has two distinct real x 2  6 x     4   
roots for any real values of a. 25. 2 2
 a = 1 or 2 or 3 (or any other reasonable answers) ( x  3)  5
2

2
x 3   5
 2 x  1   m x  3 5
22.  3
 3 5 or 3 5
4 1
4 x 2  x    m   0
3 9 
Using the quadratic formula, 16( x 2  4)  64 x  9
16 x 2  64  64 x  9
 b  b 2  4ac
x  16 x 2  4 x  55
2a
2 55
4 4 1 x2  4 x  
         4( 4)  m  16
 
3  3 9  2 2
4 55  4 
2( 4 ) x  4x     
2
 
26. 2 16  2 
4
 16 m ( x  2) 2 
9
 3 16
8
3
To have two rational roots of different signs, we need x2  
4 4
16 m  3
3 x  2
4
16
16 m  11 5
9  or
4 4
1
m 
9
 m = 1 or 9 or 16 (or any other reasonable answers)

23.  The graph of y = ax2 + 4x + c intersects the x-axis at

one point.
 The equation ax2 + 4x + c = 0 has a double real
root.
  0
 ( 4)  4ac  0
2

16  4ac  0
ac  4
 a = 2, c = 2 or a = 1, c = 4 or a = 2, c = 2.
(or any other reasonable answers)

26
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

2( x  1)( x  1)  5 x  4
b b 2  4 ac
x
2( x  1)  5 x  4
2
2a
2x2  2  5x  4  ( 2)  ( 2) 2  4(9)( 9)

2 x  5x  6
2
2( 9)
5 2 328
x2  x  3 
2 18
2 2
5 5 5 2  82
x2  x     3    
27. 2 4 4 18
2
 5  73 1 82 1 82
x    or
 4  16 9 9
5 73
x   ( 2 x  1)(3 x  1)  4( x  1)(2 x  1)
4 4
5 73 31. 6 x2  x  1  8x2  4 x  4
x 
4 4 2 x2  5x  3  0
5  73 5  73 ( 2 x  1)( x  3)  0
 or 2x  1  0 or x3 0
4 4
1
x or x3
(2 x  3)( x  4)  3x  2 2
2 x 2  5 x  12  3x  2
Alternative Solution
2 x 2  8 x  10 (2 x  1)(3x  1)  4( x  1)(2 x  1)
x2  4x  5 (2 x  1)(3x  1)  4( x  1)(2 x  1)  0
2 2
28.  4 4 (2 x  1)[(3x  1)  4( x  1)]  0
x2  4x     5   
 2 2 (2 x  1)( x  3)  0
( x  2)  9
2
(2 x  1)( x  3)  0
x  2  3
2x  1  0 or x3  0
x  23
1
x  5 or 1 x or x3
2

x(6 x  5)  4
( x  1) 2  4( x  1)  4  0
6x2  5x  4
x2  2x  1  4x  4  4  0
6 x2  5x  4  0
29. 32. x2  2x  1  0
(3x  4)(2 x  1)  0
3x  4  0 or 2x  1  0 ( x  1) 2  0
4 1 x 1  0
x or x  x  1
3 2
Alternative Solution
2x ( x  1) 2  4( x  1)  4  0
3( x  1) 
2

3  ( x  1)  2 2  0
30. 9( x 2  1)  2 x ( x  1) 2  0
9x2  9  2x x 1  0
9x2  2 x  9  0 x  1
Using the quadratic formula, 2 x 2  11 x  12  0
33. (a)
(2 x  3)( x  4)  0

2x  3  0 or x4  0
3
x or x4
2

27
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

x 2  2(9  5) x  16  0
x 2  8 x  16  0
3
(b) The roots of the required equation are 2   and ( x  4) 2  0
2
2(4), i.e. 3 and 8. x4  0
x4
 x  3 or x8
 x 3  0 or x 8  0 For k  1 ,
 ( x  3)( x  8)  0 x 2  2(1  5) x  16  0
x 2  11x  24  0 x 2  8 x  16  0
 The required equation is ( x  4) 2  0
x 2  11x  24  0 . x40
x  4
34. (a) 3x 2  8x  3  0
(3 x  1)( x  3)  0
36. (a)  The equation x 2  3 x  ( k  2)  0 has
3x  1  0 or x3  0 real roots.
0
1
x or x  3
3 ( 3)  4(1)[(k  2)]  0
2

 9  4( k  2)  0
1 4k  17  0
(b) The roots of the required equation are 1 and 17
k
3 4
1 1  The range of possible values of k is
. i.e. 3 and  . 17
3 3 k  .
4
1
 x3 or x 17
3 (b)  k 
1 4
 x3  0 or 0x 17
3  Minimum value of k is  .
x  3  0 or 3 x  1  0 4
 ( x  3)(3 x  1)  0
 17 
3x 2  8 x  3  0 x 2  3x     2  0
 4 
 The required equation is
9
3x 2  8x  3  0 . x 2  3x   0
4
2
35. (a) The equation x 2  2( k  5) x  16  0 has
 (c)  3
x   0
a double real root.  2
0 3
[2(k  5)]2  4(1)(16)  0
x 0
2
4(k  5)2  64  0 3
x
 (k  5) 2  16  0 2
(k  5) 2  16
k  5  4 37. (a) 4x2  4x  k  2
k  54 4 x 2  4 x  (k  2)  0
9 or 1  The equation 4 x 2  4 x  ( k  2)  0
has no real roots.
(b) For k  9 ,

28
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

0
(4)  4( 4)(k  2)  0
2


16  16( k  2)  0
 16k  48  0
k 3
 The range of possible values of k is k > 3.

(b) (i) 4x2  4x  1  0

(c) The x-intercepts of y  x 2  4 x  2 read from
4x  4x  1  2
2
the graph are 0.4 and 4.4.
 1<3 Therefore, the roots of the equation
 The equation has real roots. x 2  2( 2 x  1) are 0.4 and 4.4.

8 x 2  8 x  15  0 40. (a)
x 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
15
(ii) 4x  4x 
2
0 y 9 4 1 0 1 4 9
2
19
4x2  4x  2
2
19
 3
2
 The equation has no real roots.

38. (a)
x 3 2 1 0 1 2 3
y 16 5 2 5 4 1 10

(b) (b) (i) 1 double real root

(ii) The x-intercept of y  x 2  8 x  16 is 4.

Therefore, the root of the equation
x(8  x)  16 is 4.

41.  The graph of y  kx 2  5 x  k touches the

x-axis..
 The equation kx 2  5 x  k  0 has a double real
root.

0
 5  4(k )(k )  0
2

(c) The x-intercepts of y  2 x 2  x  5 read from 25  4k 2  0

the graph are 1.4 and 1.9. (5  2k )(5  2k )  0
Therefore, the roots of the equation
5  2k  0 or 5  2k  0
2 x 2  x  5  0 are 1.4 and 1.9.
5 5
k  or k 
39. (a) 2 2
x 2 1 0 1 2 3 4 5
y 10 3 2 5 6 5 2 3 42.  The graph of y  2 x 2  3 x  k  1 has two
distinct x-intercepts.
(b)
 The equation  2 x 2  3 x  k  1  0 has two
distinct real roots.

29
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

0 V
4
( 3 )  4(  2 )(  k  1 )  0
2 V V

 9  8(k  1 )  0 x x6
1  8k  0 1 1 
V  4V   
1  x x6
k 
8 x 6 x
1  4 
 The range of possible values of k is k 
1
.  x ( x  6) 
8 x 2  6 x  8 x  24
x 2  2 x  24  0
( x  6)( x  4)  0

x60 or x40
x6 or x  4 (rejected)
 It would take the larger pipe 6 hours to fill up the
swimming pool.

45. (a)

AC 2  BC 2  AB 2 (Pyth. theorem)
( x  3) 2  (7 x  2) 2  (6 x  5) 2
43. Let x km/h be the original speed of the car.
x 2  6 x  9  49 x 2  28 x  4  36 x 2  60 x  25
240 240 4
  14 x 2  82 x  12  0
x x  15 5
240( x  15  x) 4  7 x 2  41x  6  0

x( x  15) 5
(b) 7 x 2  41x  6  0
5
(240)(15)  x( x  15) (7 x  1)( x  6)  0
 4
4500  x 2  15x 7x  1  0 or x6  0
x  15x  4500  0
2
1
x (rejected) or x6
( x  60)( x  75)  0 7
 Area of ABC
x  60  0 or x  75  0
x  60 or x  75 (rejected) AC  BC
 The original speed of the car is 60 km/h. 
2
44. Let V m3 be the volume of the swimming pool, and (6  3)  (7  6  2)
 cm 2
x h be the time the larger pipe take to fill up the 2
swimming pool, then ( x  6) h is the time the smaller 9  40
pipe take to fill up the swimming pool and  cm 2
2
V V  3  180 cm 2
   m is the volume of water filled in the
 x x 6
swimming pool in 1 hour using two pipes.
 Perimeter of ABC

 AB  BC  AC
 [(6  6  5)  (7  6  2)  (6  3)] cm
 ( 41  40  9) cm
 90 cm

46. (a) Area of shaded region

30
Certificate Mathematics in Action Full Solutions 4A

  43  For x  0
 (5 x  2)(3 x  1)     8 cm 2
  2   y  02  2(0)  3
3
 (15 x  x  2  48) cm
2 2

 The graph y  x 2  2 x  3 has positive

 (15 x 2  x  50) cm 2 y-intercept.

(b) (i)  15 x 2  x  50  186 5. Answer: B

 The graph y  x 2  4 x  c touches the x-axis.
 15 x  x  236  0
2

 The equation x 2  4 x  c  0 has a double real

15 x 2  x  236  0 root.
(ii)
Δ  0
(15 x  59)( x  4)  0
 ( 4) 2  4(1)(c )  0
15 x  59  0 or x  4  0 16  4c  0
59 c  4
x (rejected) or x4
15
JK  BC  BJ  KC 6. Answer: A
  [(3  4  1)  4  4] cm  The equation x 2  ( k  8) x  8k  0 has a
 5 cm double root.
Δ0
GH  AB  AG  HB
( k  8)  4(1)(8k )  0
2
  [(5  4  2)  3  3] cm
 12 cm k  16k  64  32k  0
2


k 2  16k  64  0
( k  8) 2  0
Multiple Choice Questions (p. 48) k 8  0
1. Answer: C k 8
2x2  x  6  0
7. Answer: A
( 2 x  3)( x  2)  0
 The equation x 2  8 x  p  0 has no real roots.
2x  3  0 or x  2  0
Δ0
3
x or x2  ( 8) 2  4(1)( p )  0
2
64  4 p  0
p  16
2. Answer: B  The range of possible values of p is p > 16.
16 x 2  8 x  1
8. Answer: D
 ( 4 x  1) 2
( x  2)( x  4)  ( x  2)
3. Answer: D ( x  2)( x  4)  ( x  2)  0
 The x-intercepts of the graph are –5 and 2. ( x  2)[( x  4)  1]  0
 The roots of the graph are –5 and 2.
x  5 or x 2
( x  2)( x  5)  0

x  2  0 or x  5  0
x5  0 or x2  0
x  2 or x 5

( x  5)( x  2)  0
x 2  3 x  10  0 9. Answer: B
 The required equation is y  x 2  3 x  10 .   is a root of 2 x 2  3 x  5  0 .
2   3  5  0
4. Answer: D
 4  2  6   5  2( 2  2  3  5)  5
For x 2  2 x  3  0 ,
 2( 0)  5 .
Δ  2 2  4(1)(3) 5
 8
 Δ0 10. Answer: A
 The equation x 2  2 x  3  0 has no real roots.  The graph y  x 2  8 x  c has two x-
 The graph y  x 2  2 x  3 has no x-intercepts. intercepts.

31
 1 Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

 The equation x 2  8 x  c  0 has two distinct Ken’s method:

real roots. 5 2 2x 1
x  
Δ0 2 3 4
 ( 8) 2  4(1)(c )  0 30 x  8 x  3
2

64  4c  0 30 x 2  8 x  3  0
c  16
Using the quadratic formula,
 The range of possible values of c is c < 16.  ( 8)  ( 8) 2  4(30)(3)
x
2(30)
8 424
HKMO (p. 49) 
60
f ( x )  kg ( x )  0 8  2 106

41x  4 x  4  k ( 2 x  x )  0
2 2 60

( 41  2k ) x 2  ( 4  k ) x  4  0 4 106

30
 The equation f ( x )  kg ( x )  0 has a single root.
Δ 0 4 106 4  106
 or
30 30
[ ( 4  k )]2  4( 41  2k )( 4)  0

k 2  8k  16  656  32k  0
k 2  24k  640  0
( k  16)( k  40)  0
k  16  0 or k  40  0
k  16 or k  40
 d  40

Let’s Discuss

p. 20

Angel’s method:
5 2 2x 1
x  
2 3 4
5 2 2x 1
x   0
2 3 4
Using the quadratic formula,
2
 2  2  5  1 
         4   
 3  3  2  4 
x
5
2 
2
2 53

 3 18
5
2 106
 
15 30
4  106 4  106
 or
30 30

32