Equations Power equations Equations in factored form Quadratic equations Solving polynomial equations using technology E Solving other equations using technology Contents: vamp72_ EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) OPENING PROBLEM Consider the equation 2r(x +4) = 8( +h) where k is a constant, Things to think about: & Suppose = 9. Can you solve the equation: I using algebra by graphing each side of the equation on the same set of axes? © Can you show that for any value of k, the equation can be written in the form sx? = 4h? € For what values of k does the equation have 1 two real solutions fi one real solution {ii_no real solutions? In this Chapter we consider several types of equations and methods for finding their solutions or roots. These methods are also used to find the zeros of an algebraic expression, which are the values of the variable for which the expression is equal to zero. For example: © The roots of ?++4—2=0 are c=1 and x=-2 © The zeros of ? +r—2 are 1 and —2. We pay particular attention to quadratic equations, considering several methods for their solution, These are useful because we see many examples of quadratic equations in problem solving, and because the analysis of these equations teaches us principles we can apply elsewhere. We also solve equations using technology, giving us a tool for solving much harder problems. CVG PoweR equations n#0. A power equation is an equation which can be written in the form x” For example, 3 =5 and 2r* = 20 are power equations. You should have seen in previous years that: r=tvk if k>0 Wa? =k then Yr=0 if k=0 there are no real solutions if < 0. Notice that if k <0. =k has two real solutions if & > 0, one real solution if k = 0, and no real solutions This is, in fact, true for all power equations with an even power. Ifa power equation has an odd power, there will always be one real solution. For n> 0, we write our solutions in terms of the nth root of i: e If 2" =k where n is even, then r=+Vk if k>0 r=0 ifk=0 there are no real solutions if k < 0. © If 2" =k where n is odd, then ¢= VE.EL oo Dey Solve for x: which has no real solutions as 2? cannot be negative. The same principle can be applied to equations written in the form (2° +a)" Solve for a: Frac crasieas Gh me ioral (+3)? = 36 (@e-2) =11 (e +4)"=k we do not need to expand the brackets. (a +3)? = 36 . +3 =4V96 +3=46 F -346 r=30r-9 EXERCISE 4A Solve for «: 30? = 48 5a? = 35 6x? =0 da? — 5 = 15 7-32? =19 Solve for a: a =27 a= 13 5rt = 30 a 305 =1 2e* — 55 = 107 Solve for «: (a@-3P =16 (+4)? =13 (w-7=0 4(3r +1) (- v2? =2 (2r+1?=7 Solve for 2: (@-1)8=17 (e-2)'=20 (x +5)'=-16 a4 4) = —24 (Br—1)8=1 (Qe —3)* = 15 4a—2)'=8 Find the zeros of: 303 — 24 (@e@-1*-117A EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) Grice eae Solve forz: a 6 Solve for x: An expression is factored if it is written as a product of factors. For example, (x? + 1)(a—1) is factored but (w+ 1)(e— 1) —3 is not. An equation is written in factored form if one side is fully factorised and the other side is zero. For example, ab =0, a(x -+1)=0, (w+2)(e—3) =O are all written in factored form. If an equation is written in factored form, we can apply the null factor law: If the product of two (or more) numbers is zero then at least one of them must be zero. So, if ab=0 then a=0 or b=0. | Example 4 | Date Solve for «r using the null factor law: a 32(e—5)=0 b (w-4)(8r+7)=0 a 3x(r—5)=0 b (-4)(8r +7) . Br =0 or r-5=0 J. @-4=0 of 3r+7=0 . @=00r5 a=4 or ac=-7 2 =4or— EXERCISE 4B 1. Solve using the null factor law: a 4r=0 b ab=0 « 20y=0 Babe 2 Solve for + using the null factor law b Qx(r+3)=0 © (e+1(e-3 d 327-2) =0 © (e+ 6)(2r-3)=0 f (Qe +1)(2x—1) a a(e-5)EQUATIONS (Chapter 4)__75 3. Solve for « using the null factor law: a 2(c+5)=0 b 45-2)? © -3(8r—1)?=0 d -6(x — 5)(32 +2)? =0 e a(r+1)(x-2)=0 f 3(@+2)(e +4)(2r~ 1) =0 4 Solve, if possible, using the null factor law: ‘A quadratic equation is an equation which can be written in the form ax? + br +e=0 where a, b, and c are constants, a # 0. We have seen that a linear equation such as 2+ 3= 11 will usually have one solution. In contrast, a quadratic equation may have two, one, or zero solutions. show the truth of this statement Here are some quadratic equations wi (e+ 2)(e-2) 2 ore two (2-2)? =0 edn +4=0 a=2 one 2 +02+4=0 | none as 2? is always > 0 zero To solve quadratic equations we have the following methods to choose from: ‘* rewrite the quadratic into factored form then use the null factor law ‘¢ rewrite the quadratic into completed square form then solve (. — h)? © use the quadratic formula use technology. SOLVING BY FACTORISATION Step 1: If necessary, rearrange the equation so one side is zero. Step 2: Fully factorise the other side. Step 3: Use the null factor law: If ab=0 then a=O0 or b= Step 4: Solve the resulting linear equations. on 4) Self Tutor Solve fora: a 3x? +5r=0 b a2? =5r+6 a 3x? +5 =0 b *. 2(3x +5) =0 : a —b2-6= . ©=0 or Br+5 2. (@-6)(e+1) _ g=0 of c= — z r=6 or -176 EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) Gone Solve for a: a 4a? + b 62? =11r+10 a b Ge? = Le +10 4x? —42+1=0 -. 62? —Ne-10=0 2. (20-1)? =0 (2x —5)(3e +2) =0 Caution: ‘* Do not be tempied to divide both sides by an expression involving =. If you do this then you may lose one of the solutions. For example, consider 2? = 52. Correct solution Incorrect solution a =5e w= 5a . @-5r=0 te a(—5)=0 (ee x=0ord r=5 ‘* Be carefull when taking square roots of both sides of an equation. If you do this then you may lose one of the solutions. For example, consider (2a — 7)? = (@ +1)?. Correct solution Incorrect solution (Qa — 7)? = (a +1)? (22-7)? = (e+ 1)? 2. (2-7) —(e+1)? *, M@-T=rt+1 *. (Qe-T+a+IQr-7-2-1) ras (30 — 6)(z — 8) = or 8 EXERCISE 4C.1 1 Solve for x: a 40? + Te do 22? — 11a 2 Solve for x: a s?—5r+6=0 doa? +7r+12=0 3 9+2? =6r i 30? +9x = 12 b Gx? +2 w?-2r+1=0 Prr=l dar = 70 — 20? x recEQUATIONS (Chapter 4)__77 3. Solve for a: a 92? - 120+ b&b 2?-13¢-7=0 © 30? = 16x + 12 307 +50 e W?+3=5e f 307 48r+4=0 9 30? =10r+8 ho 427 +42=3 i 4a? =11e+3 J} 120 = le +15 k 7a? + 6x =1 | 150? +20 = 56 Gre DESar Te Solve fora: 30-2 art 2=—7 2. 80? +2=—Te {multiplying both sides by x} . 3a? +7 +2=0 {making the RHS = 0} *. (@+2)(8r +1) =0 {factorising} _ w= —2or 4 Solve for «: a (x+1)? = 22? -—5r+1 b («+2)(1-2) © 5-427 =3(2r4+1)4+2 - _— i 9 (w@+3)Q-2)=4 h (@—4)(e@ + 2) = 16 i (@—5)(r +3) =20 i (4 ~5)(4r - 3) = 143 SOLVING BY “COMPLETING THE SQUARE” ‘As you would be aware by now, not all quadraties factorise easily. For example, 1? +4 +1 cannot be factorised by easily identifying factors. In particular, we cannot write 2?+4x+1 in the form (x —a)(x—b) where a and b are rational numbers An alternative method is to rewrite the equation in the form (ar — h)? =k. We refer to this process as “completing the square”. Start with the quadratic equation in the form ax? +br +e Step 1: If a #1, divide both sides by a. Step 2: Rearrange the equation so that only the constant is on the RHS. 2 Step 3: Add to both sides (eee) Step 4: Factorise the LHS. Step 5: Use the rule: If X?=k then X=+Vk.78__ EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) Solve exactly for «: 2? +4 +1=0 a? +4¢+1=0 2? 44¢=—-1 {writing the constant on the RHS} », a? +4r+2?=-1+42" {completing the square} 2. @@t2P =3 {factorising the LHS} z+2=4V3 . B=-24 V3 Brooks CSates Solve exactly fore: —3n? + 12" +5=0 32? + 122 +5 =0 {dividing both sides by —3} {writing the constant on the RHS} — 4x + (2)? = $+ (2)? {completing the square} “ (e@-2P=k {factorising the LHS} =4,/ a-2=4,/0 oe rc ward EXERCISE 4.2 1 Solve exactly by completing the square: IF the coefficient of 2° is not 1, we first divide throughout to make it 1. Joy a 2?—4r+1=0 b 2+6r+2=0 © 2? 1dr +46 = d Pade+3 +6r+7=0 f =20+6 9 2 46r=2 hoo? +1084 i? +6r=-11 2 Solve exactly by completing the square: a 20? +4r+1=0 b 227 10r+3=0 © 30? +12r+5=0 d 30? =6r+4 © Sa? -152+2 f 40? +40 =5 2. Solve for x a 3r—2 4 Suppose ax? +br-+e=0 where a, 6, and c are constants, a #0. Solve for x by completing the square. mtEQUATIONS (Chapter 4) __79, THE QUADRATIC FORMULA HISTORICAL NOTE Thousands of years ago, people knew how to calculate the area of a rectangular shape given its side lengths, When they wanted to find the side lengths necessary to give a certain area, however, they ended up with a quadratic equation which they needed to solve. The first known solution of a quadratic equation is written on the Berlin Papyrus from the Middle Kingdom (2160 - 1700 BC) in Egypt. By 400 BC, the Babylonians were using the method of “completing the square”. Pythagoras and Euclid both used geometric methods to explore the problem. Pythagoras noted that the square root was not always an integer, but he refused to accept that irrational solutions existed. Euclid also discovered that the square root was not always rational, but concluded that irrational numbers did exist A major jump forward was made in India around 700 AD, when Hindu mathematician Brahmagupta devised a general (but incomplete) solution for the quadratic equation ax? +b = which was equivalent faerB—» 2a Of c; this is one of the two solutions we know today. zero to our number to Taking into account the sign The final, complete solution as we know it today first came around 1100 AD, by another Hindu mathematician called Bhaskhara, He was the first to recognise that any positive number has two square roots, which could be negative or irrational. In fact, the quadratic formula is known in some countries today as “Bhaskhara’s Formula”. While the Indians had knowledge of the quadratic formula even at this early stage, it took somewhat longer for the quadratic formula to arrive in Europe. Around 820 AD, the Islamic mathematician Muhammad bin Musa Al-Khwarizmi, who was familiar with the work of Brahmagupta, recognised that for a quadratic equation to have real solutions, the value 6? —4ac could not be negative. Al-Khwarizmi’s work was brought to Europe by the Jewish ‘mathematician and astronomer Abraham bar Hiyya (also known as Savasorda) who lived in Barcelona around 1100 AD, By 1545, Girolamo Cardano had blended the algebra of Al-Khwarizmi with Euclidean geometry. His work allowed for the existence of roots which are not real, as well as negative and irrational roots. At the end of the 16th Century the mathematical notation and symbolism was introduced by Frangois Viete in France. In 1637, when René Descartes published La Géométrie, the quadratic formula adopted the form we see today.80_ EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) In many cases, factorising a quadratic or completing the square can be long or difficult. We can instead use the quadratic formul Garren ERS EXERCISE 4C.3 1. Use the quadratic formula to solve exaetly for a: a w-4r-3=0 b o+6r+7=0 © @+1=40 do g4de=1 e a? 4r42=0 f 20? 27-3=0 9 3c7-5c-1 h 2? +42+6=0 1-22? +72-2=0 2 Rearrange the following equations so they are written in the form ar? +br-+e= quadratic formula to solve exactly for 2. a (e@+2)\(@-1)=2-3e = (2e4+1P =3-2 ¢ (e-2P=1l+a 4 (8041)? = 22 e (@+3)(Qr+1)=9 f (2r+3)(Qr-3)=2 4 i a-t=3 |, then use the hor-sEQUATIONS (Chapter 4) 81 THE DISCRIMINANT OF A QUADRATIC We can determine how many real solutions a quadratic equation has, without actually solving the equation. In the quadratic formula, the quantity —4ae under the square root sign is called the discriminant. The symbol delta A is used to represent the discriminant, so A = 6? ~ dace, =b+ Va ‘The quadratic formula becomes = where A replaces b? — dac © If A>0, Visa positive real number, so there are two distinct real roots xbtVE ng gp = aba vE 2a 2a b ef A=0, ¢ ei A 0, but 40 is not @ square, there are 2 distinct irrational roots. EXERCISE 4C.4 1 Consider the quadratic equation — 7 +9 =0, a. Find the discriminant b Hence state the nature of the roots of the equation. © Check your answer to b by solving the equation 2 Consider the quadratic equation 4c? — 4 +1 a. Find the discriminant. b Hence state the nature of the roots of the equation. © Check your answer to b by solving the equation. 3a Without using the discriminant, explain why the equation 2? +5 =0 has no real roots. b Check that A <0 for this equation, 4 Using the discriminant only, state the nature of the solutions of: a at+Te-3 b ?-3r+2=0 © 30? +20 d 5x? +47-3=0 € +rt5=0 f 160? - 80 +1=Using the discriminant only, determine which of the following quadratic equations have rational roots which can be found by factorisation. 6x? — 52-6 2a? —Tr-5=0 3a? + 4a +1=0 6x? — 472 —8=0 4a? — 3r+2=0 8r? + 2r—3=0 ELLIO | 4) Self Tutor | Consider ¢?—2r+m=0. Find the discriminant A, and hence find the values of m for which the equation has: a repeated root two distinct real roots no real roots. a? —22+m=0 has a=1, b=~-2, and c=m WF —4ac (-2)? —4(1)(m) =4-4m For a repeated root For two distinct real roots ¢ For no real roots A=0 A>0 Axo 4—4m=0 4-4m>0 o. 4-4m<0 4=4m 2. —4m > -4 4m <4 _m=1 m1 For each of the following quadratic equations, find the discriminant A in simplest form, Hence find the values of m for which the equation has: a repeated root two distinct real roots no real roots + detm ma? +3r+2=0, m#<0 mx? —3r+1=0, m#0 The quadratic equation 4: + kur + (3 — k) = 0. has a repeated root. Find the possible values of k, and the repeated root in each case. THE SUM AND PRODUCT OF THE ROOTS If ar? +br+¢=0 has roots a and f, then a += Proof: Let @ and J be the roots of az? + bx +¢=0. ax? + br +6= ale —a)(x ~ 8) = a(2? — [a + Ble + a8) v Pt bet Sax la+sle+as 2 and af = Equating coefficients, a + 3 = a Gree 4) Self Tutor Find the sum and product of the roots of 25x? — 20x +1=0. Check your answer by solving the quadratic.If @ and @ are the roots then a +3 = and a8 =< Check: 252? — 20x +1=0 has roots 20+ /400—4(25)(1) _ 20+ 300 50 50, 24V8 These have sum = and product EXERCISE 4C.5 For each of the following quadratic equations: Find the sum and product of the roots. Check your answer by solving the quadratic. 2? +42 —21=0 a? — 5a +5 = 4a? — 127 +5 =0 32? - de -2=0 For the equation Ax? — (1+ k)r + (3k +2) =0, the sum of the roots is twice their product. Find & and the two roots. The quadratic equation ax? — 6 +a—2=0, a £0, has one root which is double the other. Let the roots be a and 2a. Hence find two equations involving a. Find a and the two roots of the quadratic equation. The quadratic equation kx? + (k—8)x +(1—h) =0, £0, has one root which is two more than the other. Find & and the two roots Groen CDESarre The roots of the equation dix? + 5x —1=0 are a and 8. Find a quadratic equation with roots 8a and 39. 0, then a+9=~$ and ad = If @ and @ are the roots of 4x? + 5x — For the quadratic equation with roots 3a and 38, the sum of the roots = 3a +39 and _ the product of the roots = (3a)(33) 908 So, we have K(4a? + 152-9) = 0, KER, k 0, have roots 3a and 39. The simplest solution is a =4, b= 15, ¢ the quadratic equation is 4x? + 15 —984__ EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) 5. Find a quadratic equation with roots: a 3and—5 b 243 and 2- v3. 6 The roots of the equation 3” Find a quadratie equation with roots: 2r—4=0 are cand 8, a -a and -3 b 2a and 28. 7 The roots of the equation —22? +52 +1=0 area and 3. a Find a quadratic equation with roots a +2 and 9+ 3 1b Find all quadratic equations with roots Sand 5 8 The roots of the equation «? ~4ir— 11=0 are a and Find all quadratic equations with roots a3 and a + 9% The roots of Find all quadratic equations with roots. a’ ? + 52—9=0 area and 8. and 9? 10 The roots of the equation 2? —6r+7=0 area and 3. Find a quadratic equation with roots a + 4 and 3+ 4 11 The roots of 21? — 32 —5 Find all quadrati are p and q. equations with roots p?+q and q? +p. We have already seen that: © a linear equation can be written in the form az * a quadratic equation can be written in the form az? +hr+e=0, a 40. ‘These are the first two members of a family called polynomial equations, The next two members of the family are: ‘* a eubie equation which can be written in the form ar* +x? +er+d=0, a 40 ‘* a quartic equation which can be written in the form az +bx* +x? +dr+e=0, a0. The highest power of « in a polynomial equation is called its degree. Ifa polynomial equation has degree n. then it may have up to n real solutions. You can use your graphies calculator to solve polynomial equations. You may need to first rearrange them into polynomial form. Some calculator models will show exact solutions as well as numerical carcunaTon. INSTRUCTIONS, approximations.EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) 85 IC Dit Use technology to solve: a 2? +42=7 b 23442? a 2a? + da =7 . 2 +42—-7=0 Using technology, e112 or ~3.12 & a? + 4a? . a 442? +2-6=0 Using technology, 2 =—3, —2,0r1 aa ae SX C= At [Scoub CCEA |sowaeaar EXERCISE 4D 1. Use technology to solve: a a? +9r+14=0 © 4a? +2-8=0 2 Solve for x: a a(x +5) +27 +6) © 30(¢+2)—5(e— 3) =18 3. Use technology to solve: a e-9r=0 ¢ a2? -14e4+24=0 e@ 23 +2? a — 1 4 Use technology to solve: a rt—at+2=0 =2e?+1=0 ba? +3 5. Use technology to solve: a ae? —1)=2¢ 6 Consider the equation —— — 7 You can give your answers as fractions or as decimals, zeae 3.80 + 2.10? = 52.6 o (w-1)(@+9) d 2x(r—6) dota +3, f ot 420 43=2(0r +14) b (c-2)(r+1 a Write the equation in polynomial form, b Hence use technology to solve the equation.86 EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) JATIONS OLOGY In Chapter 1 we solved simultaneous linear equations by graphing the equations on a set of axes, and finding the point of intersection, We can use this graphical method to solve more complicated equations. © To solve an equation graphically, we graph each side of the equation on the same set of axes. The solutions to the equation are the z--coordinates of the points where the graphs mect. * If one side of the equation is zero, we graph the other side of the equation. The solutions to the equation are the rearranging the equation using algebra and hence using the polynomial solver » graphing both sides of the equation on the same set of axes then finding the «x-coordinates ‘of any points of intersection? ‘¢ How reliable is technology? For example, can you use your calculator to solve: > (x? —2)?(702 — 99) = 02 > at PET a 7s 1. Solve for a 2r? 38 b& (x-2)"? =25 © 3(x- 2)? 2 Solve for x: a at=-9 ba=% © (e-1))=2 3° Solve for « using the null factor law: a x(e+2)=0 b -(c+3)(2r—7)=0 € (e+5)(n+1)(-6)=0 4 Solve for: a 30? Sr d 40-3= © 2 +6r+9=0 22? — 108 = 6x 5 Solve for x: a (@ +3)? =5r+29 b a(x—4)—(x—6)=0 (1-20) (4-2) = 39 6 Use the quadratic formula to solve: a x? -Tr+2=0 b -0? +2r-4=0 € ~327-2+3 7 Consider the quadratic equation 6x? — 2 —2=0. ‘a Find the discriminant and hence state the nature of the roots of the equation. Check your answer to a by solving the equation. 8 Using the discriminant only, state the nature of the solutions of 2r? — Sur +4 = 0. 9 Find the values of m for which 2x? — 3x +m =O has: a a repeated root © two distinct real roots —_-€ no real roots. 10 Find all quadratic equations with roots 4 and —3, 11. The roots of 22? —3r=4 are a and 3, Find the simplest quadratic equation which has roots and 4 12 One of the roots of kz? + (1— 3k)z-+ (6) =0 is the negative reciprocal of the other root Find k and the two roots.88__ EQUATIONS (Chapter 4) 13 Solve for x: a 2x3 — 327-92 +10=0 ¢ 23 4+60 = 232 + 22? 14 Use technology to solve: a 10x2"71=35 b e a - ¥z+5=0 aa ae) 1. Solve for a: a b& 423 ¢ («— V3)? =16 2 Solve for 2: a a b x =-18 ¢ @-1)?=4 3. Solve, if possible, using the null factor law: a 2=0 ’ ‘ 4 4 Solve for a: a 27-52 & 32? — lor € d 2 44=—4e e 2-12 ' 5 Write in the form az? +br-+¢=0, and hence solve for sr act b t-5 2 ¢ ar-1=2 6 Solve using the quadratic formula: ae? +5r+3=0 & 3c?+1lz-2=0 7 Solve exactly by completing the square: a x?-6r+4=0 b 2x? +8r=1 © de? —50=6 8 Using the discriminant only, state the nature of the solutions of: a 2?-8+16=0 b 2r?-2-5=0 € 3a? +5043 9 Answer the Opening Problem on page 72. 10 Use the quadratic formula to explain why the sum of the solutions to the equation ax? +b2+ce=0, a0, is always 4. 11. One of the roots of 2x? +k +12 =0 is three times the other. Find the possible values of k, and the two roots in each case. 12. 4x? —3x—3=0 has roots p and g. Find all quadratic equations with roots p and q® 13. Solve for 2: a ot—15r=22? & w*—4e?6@r+7=0 € 4x4—4e?— 112? 82 +6=0 14 Use technology to solve: 2 a 2=7 b P=9-IVr 5 -vers=0