Science and

MathematicA
LS
Module on algebra: quadratic
1
equations
 QUADRATIC EQUATIOnS

Getting started

I. Identify if the following equations are quadratic equations

or not. If it is a quadratic equation, write YES if it is not, then
write NOT.

1. -2x2+2x-7=0
2. 7x-5=16
3. 2x2+5x=0

II. Solve the following equations using any of the four

techniques namely factoring, completing the square,
extracting the roots and using the quadratic formula.

1. x2-x-6=0
2. 15y2-26y+8=0

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of this lesson, the students should be able to:

1. Define what quadratic equation is;

2. Enumerate the four techniques in solving a quadratic
equation.
3. Solve quadratic problems using the four techniques
taught in the lesson.

LETS DISCOVER

A quadratic equation comes from Latin word quad-

ratus that means square. It follows the general form

y=Ax2+Bx+C

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where A is not equal to zero. It gives a parabolic graph when
plotted in the Cartesian coordinate plane. The constant of
the first term is raised to the second degree, or squared,
hence the name quadratic. As a second degree equation,
it has a maximum of two solutions or values of X for every Y.

Examples of quadratic equations:

1. Y=x2+6x+8 A=1, B=6 and C=8

2. Y=x2+8x A=1, B=8 and C=0
3. Y=x2-9 A=1, B=0 and C=-9
4. Y=4x -3x+3 A=4, B=-3 and C=3
2

5. Y=4(x-1)2-16 = 4(x2-2x+1)-16 =4x2-8x+4-16 = 4x2-8x-12

A=4, B=-8 and C=-12

Solving Quadratic Equations

As stated earlier, quadratic equations have at most

of two solutions. These solutions are values of x that will satisfy
the equation or make the equation true.
There are lots of techniques in solving quadratic
equations, but for this chapter we will just focus on the basic
techniques including extracting the roots, factoring,
completing the square and using the quadratic formula.

Extracting the Roots

This technique is only applicable if B=0 and C is less

than zero (negative) given that one of the sides of the
equation is zero.

Sample problem: Find the solution/s of 4x2-14=2

Step 1: The constant and the variable that is raised to the

second degree must be separated by the equal sign. If not,
transpose either the variable or the constant to the other side
of the equation.

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 4x2=2+14 Transpose -14 to the other side
4x2=16 Simplify

Step 2: Then, numerical coefficient of the variable must be

removed by multiplying or dividing a certain factor on both
sides.

4x2=16 In this case, the variable has a

numerical co-efficient of 4 and
in order to cancel it, we have
to divide both sides by 4.
4 2 16
=
4 4

x2=4 Simplify

Step 3: Extract both sides (get the square roots)

2 = 4 Extract both sides

Note: When extracting, both the negative and the positive

answers must be considered.

x=2

x=-2 and x=2 Finally, the solutions are de-

termined.

Step 4: Lastly, check if the solution/s satisfy the equation

4x2-14=2
4(2)2-14=2 Check if x=2 satisfies the
equation.
4(4)-14=2 Simplify
16-14=2
2=2 Therefore 2 is a solution of the
equation.

4(-2)2-14=2 Check if x=-2 satisfies the

equation
4(4)-14=2 Simplify
16-14=2

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 2=2 Therefore -2 is a solution of the
equation.

Thus, x=-2 and x=2 are soultions.

Factoring

This technique is only applicable if A, B and C are not

equal to zero. Also, one side of the equation must be equal
to zero.

Sample problem: Find the values of x that will satisfy

x2+8x+18=3.

Step 1: Make sure that one side of the equation is equal to

zero. If not, transpose.

x2+8x+18-3=0 Transpose 3 to make the

equation equal to zero.
x+8x+15=0 Simplify

Step 2: Find two numbers such that their product is equal to

constant their sum is equal to the coefficient of variable
raised to the first degree.

x2+8x+15=0 In this case, the constant is 15

and the coefficient of the
variable raised to the first
degree is 8.
(x+a)(x+b)=0
(x+3)(x+5)=0 After some trials, 3 and 5
satisfies the condition since their
product is 15 and their sum is 8.
Substitute the two numbers to a
and b.

Step 3: Equate each of the factor to zero since if one of the

factors is equal to zero then the equation will be satisfied
because any number multiplied to zero is zero.

x+3=0 Equate x+3 to zero

x+5=0 Equate x+5 to zero

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Step 4: Transpose the constant to the other side of the
equation such that the equal sign divides the variable and
the constant.

x=-3 Transpose 3
x=-5 Transpose 5

Check if the answer/s satisfies the equation.

x2+8x+18=3
(-3)2+8(-3)+18=3 Substitute -3 to the equation
9-24+18=3 Simplify
-15+18=3
3=3 Therefore, -3 is a solution of the
equation.

(-5)2+8(-5)+18=3 Substitute -5 to the equation

25-40+18=3 Simplify
-15+18=3
3=3 Therefore, -5 is a solution of the
equation

Completing the Squares

This technique employs the definition of absolute

value wherein 2 = |u| is equal to u x u 0 and u x u < 0.

The completing term in solving this equation is ( )2.
2

Sample problem: Find the solution/s that will satisfy the

equation x2+4x-2=0.

Step 1: Make sure that one side of the equation is equal to

zero, if not, transpose.

Step 2: Transpose the constant to the other side of the

equation.

x2+4x-2=0
x2+4x=2 In this case, the constant is -2.
We transposed it to the other
side of the equation, then
becoming 2.

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Step 3: Substitute the coefficient of the variable raised in the

first degree to the completing term ( )2 then add to both
2
sides of the equation.

4 4
X2+4x+( )2 =2+( )2 Substitute 4 to b in ( ) 2.
2 2 2
X2+4x+4=2+4 Simplify.
X2+4x+4=6

Step 4: Factor out the left hand-side of the equation.

X2+4x+4=6 Factor out X2+4x+4.

(X+2)2=6

Step 5: Transpose the square to the other side of the

equation, leading us to the absolute value of the square root
of the constant that can be found on the right hand-side of
the equation.

(x+2)2=6 Transpose 2 to the right hand-

side of the equation leading to
the absolute value of the
square root of the constant 6.
(x+2)=6

Step 6: Transpose the remaining constant in the left hand-side

of the equation to the right hand side.

(x+2)=6 Transpose 2 to the right hand-

side of the equation.
x=-26

Solution Set= { -2+6 , -26 }

Check if the solutions satisfy the given equation.

x2+4x=2
(-2+6)2 + 4 (-2+6) =2 Substitute -2+6 to x.
10-46 + (-8 +46) = 2 Simplify.
10-46 -8 +46=2 Simplify.
10-8 =2

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 2=2 Therefore, -2+6 is a
solution to the equation.

x2+4x=2
(-26)2 + 4(-26)=2 Substitute -26 to x.
10+46 + (-8 -46) = 2 Simplify.
10+46 -8 -46=2 Simplify.
10-8=2
2=2 Therefore, -26 is a
solution to the equation.

Quadratic Formula

This method uses the formula:

2 4
=
2

The form of the solution/s depends on the value of the

determinant. To compute for determinant d, use the
equation d=b2-4ac.

Sample problem: Find the solution/s to the equation 4x2-

12x+9=0.

Step 1: Get the components a, b and c in ax2+bx+c=d.

4x2-12x+9=0 In the case of the given

formula, a is equal to 4,
b is -12 and c is 9.
a=4 b=-12 c=9

Step 2: Plug in the values of a, b and c in the quadratic

formula respectively.

2 4
= Plug in a=4, b=-12 and
2
c=9 in the formula.

(12)(12)2 4(4)(9)
=
2(4)

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Step 3: Simplify.
(12)(12)2 4(4)(9)
=
2(4)
12144144
=
8
120
=
8
3
=
2

Solution set: {3/2}

Step 4: Check the solution set using the nature of solutions.

Nature of Solutions
b2-4ac (discriminant)
>0 2 real solutions
=0 1 real solution
<0 no real solutions

Check if the solution satisfy the equation 4x2-12x=-9.

4x2-12x+9=0 Transfer the constant 9 to the

the right hand-side of the
equation.
4x2-12x=-9
3 3 3
4( )2 12( )=-9 Substitute the solution to x in
2 2 2
the equation then simplify.
9-18=-9
3
-9=-9 Therefore, is a solution to the
2
equation.

Notes: To get the sum of the roots, use the formula . For


finding the sum and products of solutions, use .

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 LETS TRY THIS!

I. Identify whether the following are quadratic equations or

not.

1. t2+5t+6=0
2. 2x+3=6
3. 2x+3=3x-10
4. t2-1=0
5. x4-5x2+4=0

II. Solve using extracting the roots.

9x-34=2

III. Solve using factoring

t(5t+2)=2t(1-t)+7)

IV. Solve using completing the squares.

2x2+12x+2=0

V. Solve using the quadratic formula

2x2-4x-5=0

VI. What is the sum of the roots of the equation 4x2+8+16=0?

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