© ove quadratic equations by factoring Section P.7 Equations 93 ‘The absolute value of a number is never negative. Thus, if w is an algebraic expression and c is a negative number, then |u| = c has no solution. For example, the equation |3x — 6] = —2 has no solution because |3x — 6| cannot be negative. The solution set is Z, the empty set. ‘The absolute value of 0 is 0. Thus, if w is an algebraic expression and |x| = 0, the solution is found by solving u = 0. For example, the solution of |x ~ 2] = 0is ‘obtained by solving x — 2 = 0.'The solution is 2 and the solution set is {2}. ‘Quadratic Equations and Factoring Linear equations are first-degree polynomial equations of the form ax + b = 0. Quadratic equations are second-degree polynomial equations and contain an additional term involving the square of the variable. Definition of a Quadratic Equation ‘A quadratic equation in x is an equation that can be written in the general form ax? + bx += 0, where a,b, and c are real numbers, with a 0. A quadratic equation in xis also called a second-degree polynomial equation in x. Here are examples of quadratic equations in general form: ‘Some quadratic equations, including the two shown above, can be solved by factoring and using the zero-product principle, The Zero-Product Principle Ifthe product of two algebraic expressions is zero, then at least one of the factors is equal to zero. IFAB = 0, then A = Dor B = 0. ‘The zero-product principle can be applied only when a quadratic equation is in «general form, with zero on one side of the equation. Solving a Quadratic Equation by Factoring 1. If necessary, rewrite the equation in the general form ax? + bx + ¢ moving all terms to one side, thereby obtaining zero on the other side. 2. Factor completely. 3. Apply the zero-product principle, setting each factor containing a variable equal to zero. 4, Solve the equations in step 3. 5. Check the solutions in the original equation. EXAMPLE 7 Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring Solve by factoring ade 2e=0 b. 2x? + Te94 Chapter P Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra SOLUTION a 4v-2v=0 ‘The even equation in general form, with zero on one side 2x(Qv - 1) =0 Factor 2e=0 or Use the zero-product principle and wet cach factor equal to ze, x=0 2e= 1 Sole the resuting equations, L ee ‘Check the proposed solutions, 0 and 5 in the original equation. Cheek 0: Check }: dt 2 = 0 42-2 =0 40-2020 4(2)? - 2(2) 40 0-020 4(3) ~2(2) 40 0=0, tne 1-140 0=0, te The solution set is {0,5} b w+ tes 4 “This othe gen equation. Wit 4=4-4 Subtract 4 from both sides and write the {quadratic equation In general for. at + Ie 4=0 ‘Simply Qe-De+4 =0 Factor 2-1=0 or x+4=0 _Userhezero-product principle and set ‘each factor equal to zero. X= —4 Solve the resulting equations. Check the proposed solutions, }and—4, inthe original equation, Check : Check —4 += 4 w+ I= 4 2()2 +7() 24 2-4 + 7-4) 4 bedaa 32+ (-28) 24 4=4, true 4=4, true The solution set is {— GD Check Point 7 Solve by factoring a 3x7 - Ox = 0 b+ x = 1 @ sovve quadratic equations by the Quadratic Equations and the Square Root Property square root propery Quadratic equations of the form u? = d, where w is an algebraic expression and d is a positive real number, can be solved by the square root property. First, isolate the squared expression u? on one side of the equation and the number d on the other side. Then take the square root of both sides. Remember, there are two numbers whose square is d. One number is Vd and one is— Vd.Section P.7 Equations 95 ‘We can use factoring to verify that u? = d has these two solutions. This is the gven equation. Move al terms to one side and obtain [Link] the other side. (u+ Va)(u- Va) =0 Facto. ut Vd=0 or w- Vd=0 _ Seteach factor equal to zero. -Vd u= Va Solve the resulting equations. Because the solutions differ only in sign, we can write them in abbreviated notation as u = = Vd. We read this as “u equals positive or negative square root of d” or “u equals plus of minus square root of d.” Now that we have verified these solutions, we can solve u? square roots. This process is called the square root property. d directly by taking The Square Root Property If wis an algebraic expression and d is a positive real number, then u* = d has exactly two solutions: Tfw? = d,thenu = Vdoru =-V4a. Equivalently, Ifw? = d,thenu = +Va. EXAMPLE 8 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Square Root Property Solve by the square root property: a 3x? = 15 =0 b. (= 2) = SOLUTION To apply the square root property, we need a squared expression by itself on one side of the equation, 0 (x27 Ta send ep ‘ety i a b= 15=0 ‘This is the original equation. 3v = 15 ‘Add 15 to both sides. was Divide both sides by 3. x= VS orx = -V5 ‘Apply the square root property. Equivalently, = +V6. By checking both proposed solutions in_ the original equation, we can confirm that the solution set is {-V5, V5} or {4 V5}. b. («- 2) =6 This is the original equation. 2Vv6 ‘Apply the square root property. 22 V6 ‘Add 2 to both sides. By checking both valugs in the original equation, we can confirm that the solution setis (2 + V6.2 — V6} or {2 = V6} cee G Check Point 8 Solve by the square root property: a3 -21=0 be +5 =U96 Chapter P Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra © sone usa equations by commiting the sere Quadratic Equations and Completing the Square How do we solve an equation in the form ax? + bx + ¢ = 0 if the trinomial ax? + bx + ¢ cannot be factored? We cannot use the zero-product principle in such a case, However, we can convert the equation into an equivalent equation that can be solved using the square root property. This is accomplished by completing ‘the square. ‘Completing the Square 2 112+ bri toi hen by ing (2) ste gue fa he ct tpt pe nisl Titi 2+ (S=(e+2) ‘We can solve any quadratic equation by completing the square. If the coefficient, of the x-term is one, we add the square of half the coefficient of x to both sides of the equation. When you add a constant term to one side of the equation to complete the square, be certain to add the same constant to the other side of the equation. ‘These ideas are illustrated in Example 9. EXAMPLE 9 Solving a Quadratic Equation by Completing the Square Solve by completing the square: x? — 6x + 4 = 0. SOLUTION We begin by subtracting 4 from both sides. This is done to isolate the binomial 6x so that we can complete the square. 22 -6r+4=0 —— Thisis the orginal equation. x 6r Subtract 4 from both sides Next,we work with? — 6x = —4and complete the square. Find half the coefficient of the x-term and square it, The coefficient of the x-term is—6, Half of ~6 is—3 and 3)? = 9. Thus, we add 9 to both sides of the equation ‘Add 9 to both sides of xt — 6x = —4 ‘to complete the square Factor and simplify. ‘Apply the square root property. ‘Add 3 to bath sides in each equation The solusions are 3 V3 and the solution set is {3+ V5.3 - V3}, or {3 + V5} eee G Check Point 9 Solve by completing the square:© ive quadratic equations using ‘the quadratic formula, ing the Quadratic Formula Section P.7 Equations 97 Quadratic Equations and the Quadratic Formula ‘We can use the method of completing the square to derive a formula that can be used to solve all quadratic equations. The derivation given here also shows a particular quadratic equation, 3x° — 2x ~ 4 = 0, to specifically illustrate each of the steps Notice that ifthe coefficient of the x?-term in a quadratic equation is not one, you ‘must divide cach side of the equation by this coefficient before completing the square, “This is the given equation, Divide both sides by a so that the coelficient of xis 1 Isolate the binomial by adding Son both sides of the equation, Complete the square, Add the square of haa the coefficient of x to both sides. Factor on the left side and obtain a common denominator on the right side, ‘Add fractions on the right side, Apply the square soot property. ‘Take the square root of the quotient, simplifying the denominator. b Solve for x by subtracting — from both sides. % ‘Combine fractions on the right side ‘The formula shown at the bottom of the left column is called the quadratic formula. A similar proof shows that the same formula can be used to solve quadratic ‘equations if a, the coefficient of the x"-term, is negative. The Quadratic Formula ‘The solutions of a quadratic equation in general form ax? + bx + ¢ a# O,are 0, with-GREAT QUESTION! _ ‘Should I check irrational by substitution inthe given ‘quadratic equation? ‘No. Checking irrational solutions cean be time-consuming. The solutions given by the quadratic Formula are always correct, unless you have made a careless error. ‘Checking for computational errors or errors in simplification is. sufficient. lutions Chapter P Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts of Algebra ‘To use the quadratic formula, write the quadratic equation in general form if necessary: Then determine the numerical values fora (the coefficient of the x*-term), » (the coefficient of the 1-term), and c (the constant term). Substitute the values of a,b, and ¢ into the quadratic formula and evaluate the expression. The + sign indicates that there are two solutions of the equation. EXAMPLE 10 Solving a Quadratic Equation Using the Quadratic Formula Solve using the quadratic formula: 2x? ~ 6x + 1 SOLUTION The given equation isin general form, Begin by identifying the values for a, b, and c. Substituting these values into the quadratic formula and simplifying gives the cequation’s solutions. xb & Ve = tae p-ttvs teres mo (6) + VEBFI AD) Substitute the values for a band: ACO EVERIO SSS £6) = 6,6)" = -6)-6) 2)(1) = 8 6, and Complete the subtraction under the radical. VB = V8-7 = VAI = V7 Factor out 2 from the numerator. Dhvide the numerator 1nd denominator by 2 G Check Point 10 Solve using the quadratic formula: 2 + 2x - 1-0.106 Chapter P Prerequisites: Fundamental Concepts Critical Thinking Exercises Make Sense? In Exercises 159-162, determine whether each statement makes sense or does not make sense, and explain your reasoning. 4159, ‘The model P = ~0,18" + 2.1 describes the number of pay phones, P, in millions, n years after 2000, so I have to solve 1a to determine the number of pay phones i 160, Although I can solve 3x + 5 by 20,the least common denominator 161. Because I want to solve 25x" ~ 169 = 0 faily quickly, use the quadratic formula, ‘When checking a radical equation’s proposed solution, Ica substitute into the original equation or any equation that part ofthe solution process. 162. [In Exercises 163-166, determine whether each statement is true or false. Ifthe statement is false, make the necessary change(s) 10 produce a irue statement. 163, The equation (2x ~ 3} 2Sisequivalent to 2x 3 = 5. 164, Every quadratic equation has two distinct numbers in its solution set. 168. The equations equivalent By 1511 and 3y-7 by first subtracting $ from both sides, find it easier to begin by multiplying both sides of Algebra, 166. The equation quadratic formula, e+ ,@ # 0, cannot be solved by the 4 167, Find b such that + 13 = x will have a solution sot . ivenby (-6}. 168, Write » quadratic equation in general form whose solution a setis 3,5) 169, Solve for C: 170, Solve for: s = —161? + ws Preview Exercises Exercises 171-173 will help you prepare Jor the material covered Xin the next section. AM, Jane's salary exceeds Jim’s by $150 per week. Ix represents Jim's weekly salary, write an algebraic expression that ‘models Jane's weekly salary 172. A telephone texting plan has a monthly fee of $20 with a charge of $005 per text. Write an algebraic expression that models the plan's monthly cost for x text messages. Ifthe width ofa rectangle is represented by x and the length is represented by x + 200, write a simplified algebraic expression that models the rectangle's perimeter. 173. Modeling with Equations ‘How Long It Takes to Earn $1000 @ Use equations to solve problems, ee een Brag Pit Television host Maen 2min 24 se. Pecictet (A x [ (Chie executive SE | us. US average 2h SS min Be | Source: Time In this section, you'll sce examples and exercises focused on how much money Americans earn, These situations illustrate a step-by-step strategy for solving problems. As you b variety of problems. yecome familiar with this strategy, you will learn to solve a wide