Quadratic Equations

CHAPTER 2: QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

1.1 Recognize Quadratic Equations and express it in general form

General form

ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , where a , b and c are constants , a ≠ 0

Properties
1. Equation must be in one unknown only
2. The highest power of the unknown is 2

Examples
1. 2x 2 + 3x – 1 = 0 is a quadratic equation
2. 4x 2 – 9 = 0 is a quadratic equation
3. 8x 3 – 4x2 = 0 is not a quadratic equation

Activity 1

1. Determine whether each of the following equation is a quadratic equation or not .

Equations Answer
(a) x 2 – x = 0 Yes

(b) 2x 2 – y = 0

(c) 3x + 2 = 0

(d) 2m 2 – 7m – 3 = 0

(e) k 2 – 4k = 0

(f) y 2 – 2 = 0

2. Rewrite each of the following quadratic equation in the general form. State the value
of a , b and c .

Quadratic equations Value of a , b and c

(a) 1 + 2x = x(x + 3) a =1
1 + 2x = x2 + 3x b =1
x2 + x – 1 = 0 c = -1

(b) m 2 = 21 – 4m

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(c) (y + 6)(y – 2) = - 7

7x + 3
(d) x 2 =
2

(e) (x + 1) 2 = 16

1.2 Roots of Quadratic Equations

Notes
1. The root of a quadratic equation is the value(number) of the unknown(variable)
that satisfy the equation .
2. A quadratic equation has at most two roots only

Exercises

1. Determine which of the values of the variable x given are roots of the respective
quadratic equation.
1
(a) x 2 – x – 2 = 0 ; x = - 1 , 1 , 2 (b) 2x 2 + 7x + 3 = 0 ; x = - 3, - , 1 , 3
2
2. Determine by inspection which of the values of x are roots of the following quadratic
equations .

(a) (x + 3)(x – 2) = 0 ; x = 3 , 2 , - 3 (b) x(x + 4) = 0 ; x = 4 , 0 , - 4

3. If x = 2 is the root of the quadratic equation x 2 – 3kx -10 = 0 , find the value of k .

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 Quadratic Equations

2 . SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION

2.1 Solving Quadratic Equations

A. By Factorization

If a quadratic equation can be factorized into a product of two factors such that
(x – p)(x – q) = 0 ,
Hence x – p = 0 or x – q = 0
x = p or x=q
∴ p and q are the roots of the equation .

Notes
1. If p ≠ q → the equation have two different roots
2. If p = q → the equation have two equal roots (one root only)
3. The equation must be written in general form ax 2 + bx + c = 0 before
factorization.

Activity 2
Solve the following quadratic equations by factorization .
1. x 2 – 7x – 8 = 0 2. x 2 – 4x + 4 = 0
(x–8)(x+1)=0
x – 8 = 0 or x + 1 = 0
x = 8 or x = -1

3. x 2 – 8x = 0 4. 4x 2 – 9 = 0

5. 6x 2 + 13x – 5 = 0 6. (3x + 1)(x - 1) = 7

40 + 3 x 8. (x + 1)(x – 5) = 16
7. =x
5 + 2x x2 – 4x – 5 = 16
x2 – 4x – 21 = 0
(x–7)(x–3)=0
x = 7 or x = 3

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 Quadratic Equations

t t 10. (2p + 1)(p + 1) = 0

9. =
16 9t

Exercise 1
Solve the following quadratic equation by factorisation.
1. x 2 – 5x – 6 = 0 [6,-1] 9. x 2 – 9x + 20 = 0 [5,4]
2
2. m + 5m – 24 = 0 [-8,3]
1
10. 4x 2 – 13x + 3 = 0 [ ,3 ]
4
1
3. y 2 + 10y + 24 = 0 [-6,-4] 11. 2x 2 – 3 = 5x [ − ,3 ]
2
5
4. 2x 2 + 3x – 5 = 0 [1, − ] 12. 6x 2 – 11x = 7 [
2
1 7
− , ]
2 3
7 1
5. 16x 2 – 6x – 7 = 0 [ ,− ] 13. (2x – 3) 2 = 49 [
8 2
5,-2]
4
6. 2a 2 + 4a = 0 [0.-2] 14. (3m + 1)(m – 1) = 7 [ 2,− ]
3
10 10
7. 100 – 9n 2 = 0 [ ,− ] 15. 10x 2 + 4 = 13x [
3 3
1 4
, ]
2 5
1
8. (2x + 1)(x + 3 ) = 0 [ − ,3 ] 16. x(x + 4) = 21 [
2
-7,3]

B. By Completing the Square

Notes
1. The expression x 2 – 2x + 1 can be written in the form (x – 1) 2
This is called “perfect square”.

Example

Solve each of the following quadratic equation

(a) (x + 1) 2 = 9 (b) x 2 = 49
x+1=± 3

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x + 1 = 3 , x + 1 = -3
x=2 , x=-4

(c) (x + 2) 2 = 36

2. From the example , note that, if the algebraic expression on the LHS of the quadratic
equation are perfect squares , the roots can be easily obtained by finding the square
roots.

3. To make any quadratic expression x2 + hx into a perfect square , we add the term
h 2
( ) to the expression .
2
2 2
h   h
And this will make x + hx = x
2 2
+ hx +   =  x + 
2   2

4. To solve the equation by using completing the square method for quadratic equation
ax 2 + hx + k = 0 , follow this steps ;
Step 1 : Rewrite the equation in the form ax 2 + hx = - k
Step 2 : If the coefficient of x2 is ≠ 1 , reduce the coefficient to 1 (by dividing) .
h
Step 3 : Add ( )2 to both sides of the equation.
2
Step 4 : Write the expression on the LHS as perfect square.
Step 5 : Solve the equation

Examples
1. x2 + 6x – 9 = 0 2. 2x2 – 5x – 8 = 0
x2 + 6x = 9
2 2
6 6
x2 + 6x +   = 9 +  
2 2
( x + 3 )2 = 18
x+3 = 18
x+3 = ± 4.243
x = 4.243 – 3 , x = -4.243 – 3
x = 1.243 , x = -7.243

Exercise 2
Solve the following equations by completing the square. (Give your answers correct to
four significant figures)

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 Quadratic Equations

1. x 2 – 8x + 14 = 0 [5.41 , 2.59]
2. 2x 2 – 7x – 1 = 0 [3.64 , -0.14]
3. x 2 + 5x + 1 = 0 [-0.209,-4.79]
4. – x 2 – 3x + 5 = 0 [-4.19,1.19]
5. x 2 = 5(x + 4) [7.62 , -2.62]
6. -4x 2 – 12x + 3 = 0 [-3.23,0.232]
7. 2x 2 – 3x – 4 = 0 [2.35,-0.85]

C. By Using the quadratic formula

The quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c can be solved by using the quadratic formula

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
x = , where a ≠ 0
2a

Example
2x 2 – 7x – 3 = 0

a = 2 , b = -7 , c = -3

−( −7) ± ( −7) 2 − 4( 2)( −3)

x =
2( 2)
7 ± 73 7 ±8.5440
x= =
4 4

x = 3.886 , -0.386

Exercise 3

Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions of the following equations. Give your
answers correct to three decimal places .
1. x 2 – 3x – 5 = 0 [4.193 , -1.193]
2
2. 9x = 24x – 16 [1.333 ]
3. 2x 2 + 5x – 1 = 0 [0.186 , -2.686]
2
4. 3x + 14x – 9 = 0 [2.899 , -6.899]
5. 7 + 5x – x 2 = 0 [0.768 , -0.434]
6. m 2 = 20 – 4m [0.573 , -5.239]
k +1
7. = k2 [-1.140 , 6.140]
3
8. x(x + 4) = 3 [0.646 , -4.646]

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 Quadratic Equations

2.2 Forming a quadratic equation from given roots

A. If the roots of a quadratic equation are known, such as x=p and x=q
then, the quadratic equation is (x – p)(x – q) = 0
x 2 – px – qx + pq = 0
x 2 – (p + q)x + pq = 0

Notice that p + q = sum of roots ( SOR )

and pq = product of roots ( POR )

Hence, the quadratic equation with two given roots can be obtained as follows :-

x 2 – (SOR)x + (POR) = 0

Examples
Form the quadratic equations from the given roots.
1. x = 1 , x = 2

Method 1 Method 2
(x – 1)(x – 2) = 0 SOR = 1 + 2 = 3
x2 - 2x – x + 2 = 0 POR = 1 x 2 = 2
x2 - 3x + 2 = 0 x2 – 3x +2 = 0

2. x = - 2 , x = 3

Exercise 4

Form the quadratic equations with the given roots.

1. x = 3 , x = 2 [x2 - 5x + 6 = 0]

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1
2. x = - 6 , [3x2 +17x - 6 = 0 ]
3
3. x = - 4 , x = - 6 [x2 + 10x + 24 = 0]
4
4. x = -3 , x = [5x2 + 11x - 12=0 ]
5
5. x = -7 , 3 [x2 + 4x - 21 = 0]

6. x = 5 only [x2 - 10x + 25 = 0]

1
7. x = 0 , x = [3x2 - x = 0]
3
1 1
8. x= , x= [6x2 - 5x + 1 = 0]
2 3

B. To find the S.O.R and P.O.R from the quadratic equation in general form

ax 2 + bx + c = 0
b c
÷a , x2+ x+ =0
a a

Compare with x 2 – (SOR)x + (POR) = 0

−b
Then , SOR =
a
c
POR =
a

If α and β are the roots of the

quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0,
−b
then α + β =
a
c
αβ =
a

Activity 3
1. The roots for each of the following quadratic equations are α and β . Find the value
of α + β and αβ for the following equation

Quadratic Equations α+β αβ

a. x 2 – 12x + 4 = 0 12 4

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 Quadratic Equations

b. x 2 = 4x + 8

c. 3 – 2x 2 = 10x

d. 3x 2 + 8x = 10

e. 2x 2 + 3x + 4 = 0

C. Solving problems involving SOR and POR

Activity 4

1. Given that α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 2x 2 + 3x + 4 = 0 . Form a
quadratic equation with roots 2α and 2β .

2x 2 + 3x + 4 = 0 New roots
3  3
x2 + x +2 =0 SOR = 2α + 2 β = 2 ( α + β ) = 2 −  =
2  2
-3
3
α+β = − POR = 2α ( 2 β ) = 4α β = 4(2) = 8
2
αβ = 2 x 2 – (SOR)x + (POR) = 0
x 2 – (-3)x + 8 = 0
x 2 + 3x + 8 = 0

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 Quadratic Equations

2. If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 2x 2 – 5x – 1 = 0 , form a

quadratic equation with roots 3α and 3β .

3. Given that α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 2x 2 – 3x + 4 = 0 . Form a
1 1
quadratic equation with roots and β .
α

4. Given that m and n are roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 – 3x – 5 = 0 , form a quadratic
2m 2n
equation which has the roots and .
n m

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Exercise 5

1. If α and β are roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 + 3x + 1 = 0, form a quadratic

equation for the following roots
a. 2α and 2β [x2 + 3x + 2 = 0]

b. 2α + 3 and 2β + 3 [x2 - 3x + 2 = 0 ]
α β
c. and [8x2 + 6x + 1 = 0 ]
2 2
d. 2α - 1 and 2β - 1 [x2 - 6x - 5 = 0]

2. If α and β are the roots of equation 2x 2

– 5x – 6 = 0 , form a quadratic
α β
equation with roots and . [ 4 x 2 − 5x − 3 = 0 ]
2 2

3. Given that α and β are the roots of the equation 3x 2 = 4 – 9x , form a quadratic
equation with roots α 2 and β 2 . [ 9 x 2 − 105 x + 16 = 0 ]

4. Given m and n are the roots of the equation x 2 + 10x – 2 = 0 , form a quadratic
equation with roots;
(a) 2m + 1 and 2n + 1 [ x 2 + 18 x − 27 = 0 ]
3 3
(b) and [ 2 x 2 − 30 x − 9 = 0 ]
m n

5. Given that α and 3α are the roots of the equation x 2 + 2bx + 3a = 0 , prove that
4a = b 2 .

6. Given one of the root of the quadratic equation x 2 – 5kx + k = 0 is four times the
1
other root, find the value of k . [k = ]
4

7. One of the roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 + 6x = 2k – 1 is twice the value of
the other root whereby k is a constant. Find the roots and the value of k.
3
[-1, -2 ; k = − ]
2

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 Quadratic Equations

3. DISCRIMINANT OF A QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

3.1 Determining the types of roots of quadratic equations

For the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 , the value of b2 – 4ac will determine the
types of roots.

b2 – 4ac is called the “discriminant”

Condition Type of roots

b2 – 4ac > 0 Two different roots
b2 – 4ac = 0 Two equal roots
b2 – 4ac < 0 No roots

Example
Determine the type of roots for each of the following quadratic equations .

(a) 2x2 – 7x + 9 = 0 (b) 2x2 – 3x – 9 = 0

a = 2 , b = -7 , c = 9
b2 – 4ac = (-7)2 – 4(2)(9)
= 49 – 72
= -23
<0
∴ no roots

Exercise 6

Calculate the discriminant for each of the following quadratic equation and then state the
type of roots for each equation .

1. x2 – 8x + 14 = 0 5. x(3x – 5) = 2x- 5

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2. 2x2 – 7x – 1 = 0 6. 5(5 – 4x) = 4x2

3. 4 + x2 = 4x 7. x2 = 2 – 4x

4. (x – 2)2 = 3 8. 2x2 + 3x = 0

3.2 Solving problems involving the use of the discriminant

Activity 5

1. The quadratic equation 2kx2 + 4x – 3 = 0 has two equal roots , find the value of k .

2. The quadratic equation x2 + 2kx + (k + 1)2 = 0 has real roots , find the range of values
of k.

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 Quadratic Equations

3. Show that the equation x2 + m + 1 = 8x has two different roots if m < 15 .

4. The straight line y = tx – 2 is a tangent to the graph of a curve y = 2x2 + 4x , find

the value of t (t > 0) .

5. Given that the quadratic equation p(x2 + 9) = - 5qx has two equal roots , find the ratio
of p : q . Hence, solve those quadratic equation .

6. Show that the quadratic equation x2 + kx = 9 – 3k has real roots for all the value of k .

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Exercise 7

1. Find the possible values of m if the quadratic equation (4 – 2m)x2 – 2m = 1 – 3mx has
two equal roots .
k
2. The equation x2 – 2x + = 0 has two different roots , find the range of values of k .
3
3. Given that the equation (p + 1)x2 – 2x + 5 = 0 has no roots , find the range of values
of p .

4. Find the range value of k if the quadratic equation x2 + 1 = k – 4x has real roots .

5. The quadratic equation 2x(x – 3) = k – 2x has two distinct roots. Find the range of
values of k.

6. The quadratic equation (m – 2)x 2 + 2x + 3 = 0 has two distinct roots. Find the range
of values of m.

7. A quadratic equation 4x(x + 1) = 4x – 5mx – 1 has two equal roots. Find the possible
values of m.

8. The straight line y = 2x – 1 does not intersect the curve y = 2x 2 + 3x + p.

Find the range of values of p.

9. The straight line y = 6x + m does not intersect the curve y = 5 + 4x – x 2 . Find the
range of values of m.
10. The straight line y = 2x + c intersect the curve y = x2 – x + 1 at two different points,
find the range of values of c.

11. Find the range values of m if the straight line y = mx + 1 does not meet the curve
y2 = 4x .

12. Show that the quadratic equation kx2 + 2(x + 1) = k has real roots for all the values
of k.

Answers for Exercise 7

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 Quadratic Equations

4 4
1. m = − ,4 2. k<3 3. p > −
7 5
7
4. k ≥ −3 5. k > -2 6. m <
3

4 4 3
7. m = − or m = 8. p > –
5 5 8

5
9. m > 6 10. . c > − 11. m > 1
4

Enrichment Exercise – Quadratic Equations

1. The quadratic equation kx2 + 4x + 3= 0 has two different roots, find the range of
values of k .

2. Find the possible values of k if the quadratic equation x2 + (2 + k)x + 2(2 + k) = 0 has
two equal roots.

1
3. Show that the quadratic equation x2 + (2k – 1)x + k2 = 0 has real roots if k ≤ .
4

4. Find the possible values of k if the straight line y = 2x + k is a tangent to the curve
y = x2 + x + 1 .

5. Given that α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 – 8x + 1 = 0 . Form
the quadratic equation with roots α + 2β and 2α + β .

6. Solve each of the following quadratic equation :-

a. 6x2 + 5x – 4 = 0
b. y(y + 1) = 10
c. 2x(x + 5) = 7x + 2
d. 16x2 + 8x + 1 = 0

−3 4
7. The roots of the equation 2ax2 + x + 3b = 0 are and . Find the value of a and b.
2 3

8. If α and β are the roots of quadratic equation 2x2 – 3x – 6 = 0 , form the quadratic
α β
equation with roots and .
3 3
1
9. Given and – 5 are the roots of the quadratic equation . Write the quadratic equation
2
in the form of ax2 + bx + c = 0 .

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10. Given that m + 2 and n – 1 are the roots of the equation x2 + 5x = - 4 . Find the
possible values of m and n .

11. Given that 2 and m are the roots of the equation (2x – 1)(x + 3) = k(x – 1) such that
k is a constant . Find the value of m and k .

12. Given one of the root of the equation 2x2 + 6x = 2k – 1 is twice the other root,
such that k is a constant . Find the value of the roots and the value of k .

13. One of the root of the quadratic equation h + 2x – x2 = 0 is - 1 . Find the value of h.

1
14. Form the quadratic equation which has the roots -3 and . Give your answer in the
2
form ax2 + bx + c = 0 , where a , b and c are constants. (SPM 2004)

15. Solve the quadratic equation x(2x - 5) = 2x – 1 . Give your answer correct to three
decimal places .(SPM 2005)

16. The straight line y = 5x – 1 does not intersect the curve y = 2x2 + x + p . Find the
range of the values of p .(SPM 2005)

17. A quadratic equation x2 + px + 9 = 2x has two equal roots. Find the possible
values
of p.(SPM 2006)

Answers on Enrichment Exercises

4
1. k < 2. k = 6 , - 2
3
3
4. k = 5. 2 x 2 − 24 x + 65 = 0
4
4 1 1 1
6. (a) x = − , (b) y = 2.702 , - 3.702 (c) x = ,−2 (d) x = −
3 2 2 4

7. a = 3 , b = -4 8. 6 x 2 − 3 x − 2 = 0
9. 2 x 2 + 9 x − 5 = 0 10. n = 0 , - 3 ; m = - 6 , - 3
3
11. m = 3 , k = 15 12. roots = - 1 , -2 and k = −
2
13. h = 3 14. 2x2 + 5x – 3 = 0

15. x = 3.35 , 0.15 16. p > 1

17. p = -8 , 4

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