Introduction to Quadratic Equations

Real world problems can often be studied with the help of

mathematical equations. Often, these equations are of various higher
orders. One such equation is the quadratic equation, an equation of
order two. What are these equations and where can we use them?
Also, is there a way to solve them? Let us find out!

Quadratic Equation

The word “quadratic” comes from “​quadratum​”, the Latin word for
square. Hence, we define a quadratic equation as an equation where
the variable is of the second degree. Therefore, a quadratic equation is
also called an “Equation of degree 2”.

Do I Need To Study These Equations?

Consider this example. Suppose you own a plot of land and want to
build a house there. Let the area of the plot be 300 m​2​. You want your
house to have a breadth equal to twice its length. Let ‘x’ be the length
then breadth = 2x. Also, we must have Length×Breadth = Area of the
House.
How will you optimise the area of land you have? We can write area
of the house as (x) × (2x) = 2x​2. ​If 2x​2​ = 300, we will have optimised
the area available to us. This is a quadratic equation. Solving for x
gives us the value of x = 12.247 m. So to make an optimal use of the
land, we must have to make the length of our house = 12.247 m and
the breadth = 24.495 m.

Video on Quadratic Equation

The Standard Form

We know that a quadratic ​polynomial​ can be written as ax​2​ + bx + c.

If the quadratic polynomial = 0, it forms a quadratic equation.
Therefore, the standard form of a quadratic equation can be written as:
ax​2​ + bx + c = 0 ; where x is an unknown variable, and a, b, c are
constants with ‘a’ ≠ 0 (if a = 0, then it becomes a ​linear​ equation). The
constants ‘a’, ‘b’ and ‘c’ are called the coefficients. Let us look at
some examples of a quadratic equation:

● 2x​2​+5x+3=0; In this, a=2, b=3 and c=5

● x​2​-3x=0; Here, a=1 since it is 1 times x​2​, b=-3 and c=0,
not shown as it is zero.
But sometimes, the quadratic equation does not come in the standard
form. These are the hidden quadratic equations which we may have to
reduce to the standard form. Here are some examples:

Equatio Standard
Coefficients Explanation
n Form

Compare it to the general form of the

x​2 ​– 3x x​2 ​– 3x – 1 = a = 1, b =
quadratic equation and subtract 1 from
=1 0 -3, c = -1
both sides.

We need to expand (open the brackets)

2(z​2 ​– 2z​2 ​– 4z – 5 a = 2, b = by multiplying 2 with z​2​ and -2z and
2z)=5 =0 -4, c = -5 also we need to bring 5 to the left side
to equate the equation with 0.

We need to expand, multiply y with both

a = 1, b =
y(y-2)=0 y​2 ​– 2y = 0 y and -2 and the output you get is in the
-2, c = 0
desired standard form.

Quadratic equations follow naturally in many Physical problems like

while describing the motion of a body near the surface of earth. As
you go along, you shall encounter quadratic equations in many topics
of Physics. In ​geometry​ also, many conic sections like the parabola,
ellipse, the circle etc. are represented with the help of a quadratic
equation.

Solved Examples For You

Q 1: Sum of a number and its reciprocal is 5

. Then the required equation is:

A. y​2​ +
B. 1
C. y
 D. =
E. 26
F. 5
G.
H. 5y​2​ – 26y + 5 = 0
I. y​2​ +
J. 1
K. y
L. +
M. 26
N. 5
O. = 0
P. 5y​2​ + 26y + 5 = 0

Solution: B) Let ‘y’ be the number. Then we can write y +

=5

Therefore,
y

+1

26

y​2​ + 1 =

26y

Hence, 5y​2​ + 5 – 26y = 0 is the required equation.

Solving Quadratic Equations

We saw that quadratic equations can represent many real-life

situations. Now that we know what quadratic equations are, let us
learn about the different methods to solve them. Here we will try to
develop the Quadratic Equation Formula and other methods of solving
the quadratic equations. Let us start!

Methods of Solving Quadratic Equations

There are three main methods for solving quadratic equations:

● Factorization
● Completing the square method
● Quadratic Equation Formula

In addition to the three methods discussed here, we also have a

graphical method. As you may have guessed, it involves plotting the
given equation for various values of x. The intersection of the curves
thus obtained with the real axis will give us the solutions. Let’s see the
others in detail.

Factorization
The first and simplest method of solving quadratic equations is the
factorization method. Certain quadratic equations can be factorised. These
factors, if done correctly will give two linear equations in x. Hence, from these
equations, we get the value of x. Let’s see an example and we will get to know
more about it.

Examples of Factorization

Example 1:​ Solve the equation: x​2​ + 3x – 4 = 0

Solution: This method is also known as splitting the middle term

method. Here, a = 1, b = 3, c = -4. Let us multiply a and c = 1 * (-4) =
-4. Next, the middle term is split into two terms. We do it such that the
product of the new coefficients equals the product of a and c.

We have to get 3 here. Consider (+4) and (-1) as the factors, whose
multiplication is -4 and sum is 3. Hence, we write x​2​ + 3x – 4 = 0 as
x​2​ + 4x – x – 4 = 0. Thus, we can factorise the terms as: (x+4)(x-1) =
0. For any two quantities a and b, if a×b = 0, we must have either a =
0, b = 0 or a = b = 0.

Thus we have either (x+4) = 0 or (x-1) = 0 or both are = 0. This gives

x+4 = 0 or x-1 = 0. Solving these equations for x gives: x=-4 or x=1.
This method is convenient but is not applicable to every equation. In
those cases, we can use the other methods as discussed below.

Completing the Square Method

Each quadratic equation has a square term. If we could get two square
terms on two sides of the quality sign, we will again get a linear
equation. Let us see an example first.

Example 2:​ Let us consider the equation, 2x​2​=12x+54, the following

table illustrates how to solve a quadratic equation, step by step by
completing the square.

Solution: Let us write the equation 2x​2​=12x+54. In the standard form,

we can write it as: 2x​2​ – 12x – 54 = 0. Next let us get all the terms
with x​2​ or x in them to one side of the equation: 2x​2​ – 12 = 54

In the next step, we have to make sure that the coefficient of x​2​ is 1.
So dividing throughout by the coefficient of x​2​, we have: 2x​2​/2 –
12x/2 = 54/2 or x​2​ – 6x = 27. Next, we make the left hand side a
complete square by adding (6/2)​2​ = 9 i.e. (b/2)​2​ where ‘b’ is the new
coefficient of ‘x’, to both sides as: x​2​ – 6x + 9 = 27 + 9 or x​2​ – 2×3×x
+ 32 = 36. Now we can write it as a binomial square:

● (x-3)​2​ = 36; Take square root of both sides

● x – 3 = ±6; Which gives us these equations:
 ● x = (3+6) or x = (3-6) or x = 9 or x = -3

This is known as the method of completing the squares.

Quadratic Equation Formula

There are equations that can’t be reduced using the above two
methods. For such equations, a more powerful method is required. A
method that will work for every quadratic equation. This is the general
quadratic equation formula. We define it as follows: If ax​2​ + bx + c =
0 is a quadratic equation, then the value of x is given by the following
formula:

Just plug in the values of a, b and c, and do the calculations. The

quantity in the square root is called the discriminant or D. The below
image illustrates the best use of a quadratic equation.

Example 3: Solve: x​2​ + 2x + 1 = 0

Solution: Given that a=1, b=2, c=1, and

Discriminant = b​2​ − 4ac = 22 − 4×1×1 = 0

Using the quadratic formula, x = (−2 ± √0)/2 = −2/2

Therefore, x = − 1

More Solved Examples For You

Example 4:​ Find the value of x: 27x​2 ​− 12 = 0

A) 2/3 B) ± 2/3 C) Ambiguous D) None of these

Solution: B) Here, a = 27, b = 0 and c = -12. Hence, from the

quadratic formula, we have:

x = − 0 ± √0​2​ – 4(27)(-12)/2 (27)

Thus x = ± √(4/9) = ± 2/3

Applications of Quadratic Equations

Picture a swing moving back and forth. When you look at it from the
side, it draws an outline, a shape, perhaps? Is it some kind of arc or
part of a circle? Yes, we call it a parabola. Do you know that a
parabola is a graph drawn by quadratic equations? But first let’s
understand what exactly do we mean by the applications of quadratic
equations.

Applications Of The Quadratic Equations

Many physical and mathematical problems are in the form of

quadratic equations. In mathematics, the solution of the quadratic
equation is of particular importance. As already discussed, a quadratic
equation has no real solutions if D < 0. This case, as you will see in
later classes is of prime importance. It helps develop a different field
of mathematics known as the Complex Analysis.
In other fields, we see quadratic equations in many forms. Here we
will try to describe a few uses by considering a few examples. Let us
start.

Application to Problems of Area

Example 1:​ There is a hall whose length is five times the width. The
area of the floor is 45m​2​. Find the length and width of the hall.

Solution: Let us suppose that ‘w’ is the width of the hall. Then we see
that w (5w) will give the area of the hall. Therefore, we can write:

5w​2 ​= 45
w​2 ​= 9

w​2 ​– 9 = 0

(w+3)(w-3) = 0

w = -3 or w = 3. Therefore, the width is 3 m and length is 5(3) = 15 m.

Example 2: ​The three sides of a right-angled triangle are x, x+1 and 5.

Find x and the area, if the longest side is 5.

Solution: The longest side will be the Hypotenuse. Therefore, we can

write:

x​2​ + (x+1)​2​ = 5​2​ (Pythagoras’ Theorem)

x​2​ + x​2​ + 2x + 1 = 25

2x​2​ + 2x – 24 = 0

Hence, x​2​ + x – 12 = 0

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

x = -4 or x = 3

We can only take x = 3 here because the length can’t be negative.

(Why?)

Hence, x = 3 and therefore, Area = 1/2 x 3 x 4 = 6

Application to Problems of Motion

Example 3: ​A ball is thrown upwards from a rooftop, 80 m above the

ground. It will reach a maximum vertical height and then fall back to
the ground. The height of the ball from the ground at time t is h, and is
given by h = -16t​2​ + 64t + 80. Find:

1. The height reached by the ball after 1 second?

2. The maximum height reached by the ball?

3. The time it will take before hitting the ground?

Solution: 1) The given equation is h = -16t​2​ + 64t + 80. Let us find ‘h’
after 1 sec. For that we substitute t = 1. Therefore, we have:

h = -16(1)​2​ + 64(1) + 80 = 128 m

2) To find the maximum height, let us rearrange the equation:

h = -16[t​2​ – 4t – 5]

Hence, h = -16[(t – 2)​2​ – 9]

h = -16(t – 2)​2​ + 144

Now for h to be maximum, the negative term should be minimum.

Hence, for t = 2, the negative term vanishes and we get a maximum
value for h.

In other words, when the height is maximum, t = 2; therefore,

maximum height = 144m.

3) When the ball hits the ground, h = 0;

-16t​2​ + 64t + 80 = 0
Divide the equation by -16

t​2​ – 4t – 5 = 0

(t – 5)(t + 1) = 0

t = 5 or t = -1

The time cannot be negative; so, the time = 5 seconds.

More Solved Examples for You

Example 4: A motorboat whose speed is 18 km/h in still water takes 1

hour more to go 24 km upstream than to return downstream to the
same spot. The speed of the stream is:

A) 6 km/h B) 5 km/h C) 3.5 km/h D) 4.5 km/h

Solution: A) Let the speed of the stream be represented by x.

Therefore, the speed of the motorboat upstream is (18 – x) km/h and
the speed of the motorboat downstream is (18 + x) km/h.

Time taken by the boat to go upstream =

Distance

Velocity

24

18–x

Similarly, the time taken by the boat to go downstream =

24

18+x

From the condition given here, we have:

24

18–x

24

18+x

=1
 24(18 + x) – 24(18 – x) = (18 – x) (18 + x)

Simplification of the above equation gives: x​2​ + 48x -324 = 0. Hence,

using the quadratic formula, we have x = 6 and x = -54. Speed can’t
be negative, so we have x = 6 km/h.

Nature of Roots
Can every ​quadratic equation​ be solved? Does a quadratic equation always
have more than one solutions? Are there any equations that don’t have any
real solution? The value of the variable for which the equation gets satisfied is
called the solution or the root of the equation. The Nature of Roots of a
quadratic equation is very interesting. Let us find out how!

Roots of a Quadratic Equation

The number of roots of a ​polynomial equation​ is equal to its degree. Hence, a
quadratic equation has 2 roots. Let α and β be the roots of the general form of
the quadratic equation :ax​2​ + bx + c = 0. We can write:

α = (-b-√b​2​-4ac)/2a and β = (-b+√b​2​-4ac)/2a

Here a, b, and c are real and rational. Hence, the nature of the roots α
and β of equation ax​2​ + bx + c = 0 depends on the quantity or
expression (b​2​ – 4ac) under the square root sign. We say this because
the root of a negative number can’t be any real number. Say x​2​ = -1 is
a quadratic equation. There is no ​real number​ whose square is
negative. Therefore for this equation, there are no real number
solutions.

Hence, the expression (b​2​ – 4ac) is called the discriminant of the

quadratic equation ax​2​ + bx + c = 0. Its value determines the nature of
roots as we shall see. Depending on the values of the discriminant, we
shall see some cases about the nature of roots of different quadratic
equations.

Nature Of Roots

Let us recall the general solution, α = (-b-√b​2​-4ac)/2a and β =

(-b+√b​2​-4ac)/2a
 ● Case I: b​2​ – 4ac > 0

When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and the discriminant is

positive, then the roots α and β of the quadratic equation ax​2​ +bx+ c =
0 are real and unequal.

● Case II: b​2​– 4ac = 0

When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and the discriminant is zero,

then the roots α and β of the quadratic equation ax​2​+ bx + c = 0 are
real and equal.

● Case III: b​2​– 4ac < 0

When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and the discriminant is

negative, then the roots α and β of the quadratic equation ax​2​ + bx + c
= 0 are unequal and not real. In this case, we say that the roots are
imaginary.
 ● Case IV: b​2​ – 4ac > 0 and perfect square

When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and the discriminant is

positive and perfect square, then the roots α and β of the quadratic
equation ax​2​ + bx + c = 0 are real, rational and unequal.

● Case V: b​2 ​– 4ac > 0 and not perfect square

When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and the discriminant is

positive but not a perfect square then the roots of the quadratic
equation ax​2​ + bx + c = 0 are real, irrational and unequal.

Here the roots α and β form a pair of irrational conjugates.

● Case VI: b​2 ​– 4ac > 0 is perfect square and a or b is irrational

When a, b, and c are real numbers, a ≠ 0 and the discriminant is a

perfect square but any one of a or b is irrational then the roots of the
quadratic equation ax​2​ + bx + c = 0 are irrational.
Let us just summarize all the above cases in this table below:

b​2​ – 4ac > 0 Real and unequal

b​2​ – 4ac = 0 Real and equal

b​2 ​– 4ac < 0 Unequal and Imaginary

b​2​ – 4ac > 0 (is a perfect square) Real, rational and unequal

b​2​ – 4ac > 0 (is not a perfect square) Real, irrational and unequal

b​2​ – 4ac > 0 (is aperfect square and a or b

Irrational
is irrational)

Let us put this to practice

Example 1: ​Discuss the nature of the roots of the quadratic equation

2x​2 ​– 8x + 3 = 0.

Solution: Here the coefficients are all rational. The discriminant D of

the given equation is
D = b​2 ​– 4ac = (-8)​2​ – 4 x 2 x 3

= 64 – 24

= 40 > 0

Clearly, the discriminant of the given quadratic equation is ​positive

but not a ​perfect​ ​square​. Therefore, the roots of the given quadratic
equation are ​real,​ ​irrational​ and ​unequal​.

Example 2: Without solving, examine the nature of roots of the

equation 4x​2 ​– 4x + 1 = 0?

Solution: The discriminant D of the given equation is

D = b​2 ​– 4ac

= (-4)​2 ​– (4 x 4 x 1)

= 16-16=0
Clearly, the discriminant of the given quadratic equation is ​zero.
Therefore, the roots are ​real​ and ​equal​. Hence, here we have
understood the nature of roots very clearly.

What are three different methods to solve Quadratic Equations?

More Solved Examples For You

Example 3: Determine the value(s) of p for which the quadratic

equation 2x​2 ​+ px + 8 = 0 has equal roots:

A) p = ±64 B) p = ±8 C) p = ±4 D) p = ±16

Soution: B) The Discriminant of the given equation = 0 [Because the

roots are equal]

Therefore, p​2​ – 4(2)(8) = 0 or p​2​ = 64

Thus, p = ±8