Solving Quadratic Equations in One Unknown

1. By taking square roots

Q1. Solve the following equations.
(a) 𝑥 2 = 9 (b) (3𝑥 − 5)2 = 49

2. By factor method
Q2. Solve the following equations.
(a) 𝑥 2 − 8𝑥 = 0 (b) 3𝑥 2 = 5𝑥

(c) 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 9 = 0 (d) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 15 = 0

(e) 6𝑥 2 − 19𝑥 = 7 (f) 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 8 = 0

(g) 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 − 7 = 0 (h) 𝑥 2 − 1 = 0
3. By quadratic formula
For any quadratic equation 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 ,

−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂
*Note: This formula is particularly useful when the questions demand an exact value (i.e. in
surd form) of answer.
Q3. Solve the following equations.
(a) 2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 7 = 0 (b) 6𝑥 2 + 17𝑥 − 10 = 0

(c) 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 9 = 0 (d) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 = 0

Exercises
1. Solve the following equations.
(a) 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6 = 0 (b) 2𝑥 2 = 5𝑥

(c) 4𝑥 2 − 25 = 0 (d) 5𝑥 2 − 8 = 4𝑥
(e) 𝑥(𝑥 − 3) + 2 = 0 (f) (3𝑥 − 1)2 = 4𝑥

2. Solve the quadratic equation (4𝑥 − 3)2 − (𝑥 + 2)(4𝑥 − 3) = 0

3. Solve the following equations.

2 1
(a) (𝑥 + 3)2 = 7 (b) (𝑥 + 3)2 = 9

4. Solve the equation 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 1 = 0. (Leave your answers in surd form.)

5. Solve the equation (𝑥 − 1)2 = 5 and leave your answers in surd form.

6. Solve the following equations.

(a) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0 (b) 9𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 + 16 = 0
(c) 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2 = 0 (d) 5𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 6 = 0

(e) 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 5 = 0 (f) (𝑥 + 2)2 = (2𝑥 + 1)2

(g) 𝑥 2 + 17 = (2𝑥 + 1)2 (h) (3𝑥 − 1)2 = 3𝑥 − 1

(i) 2(2𝑥 + 3)2 + 6𝑥 + 7 = 0 (j) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 5 = (3𝑥 + 5)2

(k) 3𝑥(2𝑥 + 5) = 2(𝑥 − 1) (l) 3𝑥(2𝑥 + 5) = 2(𝑥 − 1)

(m) (3𝑥 − 2)(2𝑥 − 1) = 5 (n) (5𝑥 + 2)2 + (3𝑥 − 1)2 = 40

Quadratic Functions
1. Discriminant ∆ & Nature of Roots
Review: Quadratic Formula
For any quadratic equation 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 ,

−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂
Discriminant ∆
Discriminant ∆ of a quadratic equation 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 is defined as:
∆= 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
Discriminant ∆ ∆>0 ∆=0 ∆<0
Nature of roots 2 distinct real roots 2 repeated real roots No real roots
OR 1 real root OR 2 imaginary roots
*Note: If a quadratic equation has real root(s), ∆ ≥ 0.
Q1. Find the discriminant for the following quadratic equations and determine the nature of
the roots.
(a) 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 = 0 (b) 4𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 + 25 = 0

(c) 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 = 0

Q2. If the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3𝑘 − 2 = 0 has real roots, find the range of possible
value of k.
Q3. Find the discriminant for the equation 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 1 = 0 and determine its nature of
roots.

Q4. Find the range of possible values of k if the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + 𝑘 = 0 has no real roots.

Q5. Find the discriminant for the equation 9𝑥 2 + 42𝑥 + 49 = 0and determine its nature of
roots.

Q6. Find the range of possible values of k if the equation 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 𝑘 + 2 = 0 has two
distinct real roots.

Q7. Find the values of k if the equation 3𝑥 2 + (𝑘 + 1)𝑥 + 12 = 0 has a repeated real root.
2. Sum of roots & Product of roots
For any quadratic equation 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎 with roots α, β,
𝒃
sum of roots = 𝛂 + 𝛃 = −
𝒂
𝒄
product of roots = 𝛂𝛃 =
𝒂
Form a new equation
Q8. Let α, β be the roots of the equation 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 = 0. Find the quadratic equation whose
roots are 3α + 7 and 3β + 7.
From 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 = 0,
𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = α + β = 6
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = αβ = 8
For a new equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 where a, b and c are constants,
𝑏
𝑆𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = − = (3α + 7) + (3β + 7)
𝑎
= 3(α + β) + 14
= 3(6) + 14
= 32
When a = 1, b = sum of roots of the new equation = 32.
𝑐
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = = (3α + 7)(3β + 7)
𝑎
= 9αβ + 21(α + β) + 49
= 9(8) + 21(5) + 49
= 247
When a = 1, c = product of roots of the new equation = 247.
⸫ New equation: 𝑥 2 − 32𝑥 + 247 = 0

Q9. Form a quadratic equation in x whose roots are 5 and -3.

Q10. Form a quadratic equation in x whose roots are -3 and 4.

Q11. If p and q are the roots of 𝑥 2 − 12𝑥 + 27 = 0.
(a) Find the values of 𝑝 + 𝑞 and 𝑝𝑞.

(b) Form a quadratic equation in y with the roots 𝑝 − 3 and 𝑞 − 3.

Q12. If α and β are the roots of 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 1 = 0.

(a) Find the values of α + β and αβ.

(b) Form a quadratic equation in y with the roots 3α and 3β.

Q13. If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 3 = 0, form a quadratic
equation in x whose roots are α + 3β and β + 3α.
Q14. If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 1 = 0, find the value of
α2 + 3β.
α is a root of 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 1 = 0,
α 2 − 3α − 1 = 0 -------- (1)
−𝑏
𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 = α + β = = 3,
𝑎

α = 3 − β --------- (2)
Substitute (2) into (1),
α 2 − 3(3 − β) − 1 = 0
α2 + 3β = 10

Q15. If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 6 = 0, find the value of
α2 + 5β.

Q16. If one root of the equation 2𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 𝑘 = 0 is less than the other root by 3, find the
value of k.
Let α and α − 3 be the roots of the equation.
Sum of roots:
10
α + (α − 3) =
2
α=4
Product of roots:
−𝑘
α(α − 3) =
2
Substitute α = 4,
𝑘 = −8
 23
Q17. If one root of the equation 6𝑥 2 − 𝑘𝑥 − 7 = 0 is greater than the other one by , find
6
the value of k.

Q18. If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 − 9𝑥 + 14 = 0, form a quadratic
equation in x whose roots are 2α + 5β and 2β + 5α.

Q19. If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4 = 0, form a quadratic
equation in x whose roots are α − 2β and β − 2α.
Graphs of Quadratic Functions
1. Features of graphs of quadratic functions
Consider a quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐,

Shape
A typical quadratic graph is parabolic in shape.
Opening
The opening of a quadratic graph depends on the coefficient (a) of 𝑥 2 :
- When 𝒂 > 𝟎, the graph opens upwards.
- When 𝒂 < 𝟎, the graph opens downwards.
y-intercept
y-intercept is the point where the quadratic curve cuts the y-axis. This value can be obtained
by substituting 𝑥 = 0 into the function:
𝑦 = 𝑎(0)2 + 𝑏(0) + 𝑐
From the equation above, y-intercept can be directly observed from the constant term of a
quadratic equation:
𝒚 − 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 = 𝒄
x-intercept(s)
x-intercept(s) is/are the point(s) where the quadratic curve cuts the x-axis. The number of x-
intercepts may vary from 0 to 2 depending on the value of discriminant ∆ of the quadratic
function when 𝑥 = 0:
- When ∆ > 0, the curve cuts the x-axis at two distinct points (i.e. 2 x-intercepts).
- When ∆ = 0, the curve cuts the x-axis at the vertex (i.e. 1 x-intercept).
- When ∆ < 0, the curve does not cut the x-axis (i.e. no x-intercept).
x-intercept(con’t)
If x-intercept(s) exist(s) in a quadratic function, the value(s) of the point(s) can be obtained by
solving the quadratic equation when 𝑦 = 0:
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥 − 𝑖𝑛𝑡. =
2𝑎
Vertex
A vertex (h, k) of a quadratic function is the turning point of the curve. This point can be
obtained by completing the squares:
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
2
𝑏 𝑏 2 𝑏 2
= 𝑎 [𝑥 + 𝑥 + ( ) − ( ) ] + 𝑐
𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎
2 2
𝑏 𝑏
= 𝑎 [(𝑥 + ) − ( ) ] + 𝑐
2𝑎 2𝑎
2 2
𝑏 𝑏
= 𝑎 (𝑥 + ) − +𝑐
2𝑎 4𝑎
𝑏
From the expression above, y is at optimum (i.e. maximum/minimum) when 𝑥 = − 2𝑎.
Therefore, a vertex (h, k) of a quadratic function can be expressed as:
𝒃 𝒃𝟐
𝒉=− ;𝒌 = 𝒄−
𝟐𝒂 𝟒𝒂
A vertex form of a quadratic function is given by:
𝒚 = 𝒂(𝒙 − 𝒉)𝟐 + 𝒌
Axis of symmetry
The axis of symmetry is determined by the x-coordinate (h) of the vertex:
𝒃
𝒙=𝒉=−
𝟐𝒂
Optimum value
The optimum value of a quadratic curve is the greatest/least value of the function. This value
is determined by the y-coordinate (k) of the vertex:
𝒃𝟐
𝒐𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒖𝒎 𝒗𝒂𝒍𝒖𝒆 = 𝒌 = 𝒄 −
𝟒𝒂
For a quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘,
- If 𝒂 > 𝟎, the optimum value is a minima (i.e. the minimum value) when 𝑥 = ℎ.
- If 𝒂 > 𝟎, the optimum value is a maxima (i.e. the maximum value) when 𝑥 = ℎ.
Q1. Solve the following equations graphically.
(a) 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 6 = 0 (b) 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 11 = 0

Q2. Rewrite the following quadratic equations in vertex form by completing the squares.
(a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 (b) 𝑦 = 9𝑥 2 + 24𝑥 + 16

(c) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2 (d) 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 6

(e) 𝑦 = 5𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 3 (f) 𝑦 = 4𝑥 2 − 20𝑥 + 25

(g) 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 7 (h) 𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 10
Q3. State the direction of opening, y-intercept and the number of x-intercepts of the following
quadratic functions.
(a) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 (b) 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 − 12

(c) 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 7 (d) 𝑦 = −35𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2

(e) 𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 15𝑥 2 (f) 𝑦 = 8𝑥 2 − 2𝑥

Q4. Find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 7. Hence, write down
the optimum value and axis of symmetry of the function, and state whether the optimum
value is a maxima or a minima.

Q5. Find the coordinates of the vertex of the graph 𝑦 = 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 1. Hence, write down the
optimum value and axis of symmetry of the function, and state whether the optimum value is
a maxima or a minima.