QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATION BY FACTORIZATION.

1. QUADRATIC EQUATIONS IN ONE VARIABLE ARE EQUATIONS OF DEGREE TWO, SO THE HIGHEST
POWER OF VARIABLE IS 2.
2. ALL QUADRATIC EQUATIONS IN ONE VARIABLE CAN BE WRITTEN IN THE FORM
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 where 𝑎 ≠ 0, b and c are integers and 𝑥 is variable.
THIS IS KNOW LIKE A STANDARD FORM OF THE EQUATION.
3. THE SOLUTIONS TO A QUADRATIC EQUATION ARE KNOWN AS ROOTS OF THE EQUATION, OR
THE ZEROS OF FUNCTION 𝒇(𝒙) = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

The solution of quadratic equation by factorization is based on an important principle :

If 𝐴 × 𝐵 = 0, THEN 𝐴 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝐵 = 0.

NOTE: IN MATHEMATICS “ON” MEANS “AND/OR” , SO BOTH A AND B COULD EQUAL 0.

THE GOLDEN RULE

NEVER DIVIDE BOTH SIDES OF AN EQUATION BY A VARIABLE, UNLESS YOU ARE SURE IT CANNOT
EQUAL 0. AS PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE SOLUTIONS CAN BE LOST IN THIS WAY.

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Solve for 𝑥 by factorisation :
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 63 = 0 Determine the roots of the equation
(𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2) + 3(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) = 3(𝑥 − 2)
Solution: Solution:
Factorise means write the equation in the form Simplify the equation and write it in the form
𝑋×𝑌 =0 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
(7 × 9 = 63 𝑎𝑛𝑑 − 7 + 9 = 2) (𝑥 + 1)(𝑥 − 2) + 3(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 1) = 3(𝑥 − 2)
Using that 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 − 2 + 3(𝑥 2 − 1) = 3𝑥 − 6
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑆𝑥 + 𝑃 = 0 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 𝑥 − 2 + 3𝑥 2 − 3 − 3𝑥 + 6 = 0
Where 𝑆 = 𝑥1 + 𝑥2 4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 0
𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 (2𝑥 − 1)(2𝑥 − 1) = 0
𝑃 = 𝑥1 × 𝑥2 and using
𝑥1 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥2 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝐴 × 𝐵 = 0, THEN 𝐴 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝐵 = 0
1 1
∴ 2𝑥 = 1 ∴ 𝑥 = or 𝑥 =
2 2
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(× −𝑥2 ) The quadratic equation has two solutions that
∴ (𝑥 − (−7))(𝑥 − 9) = 0 1
are the same. It is sufficient to write 𝑥 = 2
∴ 𝑥 + 7 𝑥 − 9) = 0 and using
( )(
𝐴 × 𝐵 = 0, THEN 𝐴 = 0 𝑜𝑟 𝐵 = 0
∴ 𝑥 = −7 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 = 9

1
 Exercise

Solve the following equations:

1. (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 2) = 0

2. (𝑎 − 6)(𝑎 − 1) = 0

3. 𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) = 0

4. 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) = 0

5. (𝑎 + 3)(𝑎 − 2) = 0

6. 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 = 0

7. 𝑥 2 = 49

8. 3𝑥 2 − 12 = 0

9. 𝑥 2 = 9𝑥

10. 10 + 3𝑦 − 𝑦 2 = 0

11. 7𝑥 − 𝑥 2 − 6 = 0

12. 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 6 = 0

13. 𝑥 (𝑥 + 1) = 6

14. 𝑥 (𝑥 + 4) = 21

15. 𝑥 (𝑥 − 1) = 4(3𝑥 − 10)

16. 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 = 12

17. 𝑥 (𝑥 − 16) = 3(24 − 5𝑥 )

18. 2(𝑚 − 1)(𝑚 + 1) = 7(𝑚 + 2) − 1

2
SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS INVOLVING FRACTIONS

REMEMBER THAT DIVISION BY ZERO IS IUNDEFINED. ENSURE THAT NO DENOMINATORS ARE ZERO.

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Find the value(x) of x that will make this equation Solve the equation:
true: 𝑥 1 2
= −
1 𝑥−2 𝑥−2 𝑥−3 2−𝑥
𝑥+ = State any restrictions:
𝑥−3 𝑥−3
State any restrictions: SOLUTION:
SOLUTION: 2 2
=−
1 𝑥−2 2−𝑥 𝑥−2
𝑥 + 𝑥−3 = 𝑥−3 ( 𝑥 ≠ 3) ; (𝐿𝐶𝐷 = 𝑥 − 3)
𝑥 1 2
𝑥(𝑥−3)+1 𝑥−2
∴ = +
∴ = (multiply both sides by (𝑥 − 3)) 𝑥−2 𝑥−3 𝑥−2
𝑥−3 𝑥−3
(Denominators that are zero are not allowed .
∴ 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 = 𝑥 − 2
Hence 𝑥 − 2 = 0 ∴ 𝑥 ≠ 2
∴ 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 − 𝑥 + 2 = 0
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 − 3 = 0 ∴ 𝑥 ≠ 3
∴ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
(𝐿𝐶𝐷 = (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)
(𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 3) = 0
𝑥 (𝑥 − 3) 1(𝑥 − 2)
∴ 𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1 but =
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)
𝑥 = 3 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 2(𝑥 − 3)
+
(𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜. ) (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)
∴ 𝑥=1 𝑥 (𝑥 − 3) − (𝑥 − 2) − 2(𝑥 − 3)
=0
Only one solution (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3)
∴ 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 𝑥 + 2 − 2𝑥 + 6 = 0
∴ 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 8 = 0
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 4) = 0
∴ 𝑥 = 2 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 4 but
𝑥 = 2 𝑖𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑑𝑚𝑖𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑎𝑠 𝑎 𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛
(𝑏𝑒𝑐𝑎𝑢𝑠𝑒 𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑜𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝑤𝑜𝑢𝑙𝑑 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜. )
∴ 𝑥=4
Only one solution

3
EXERCISE
SOLVE THE FOLLOWING EQUATIONS. CONSIDER ALL RESTRICTIONS ON THE VARIABLE .
4
𝑥=
𝑥

8
𝑥−2=
𝑥
4
𝑦+ =4
𝑦+1

2
𝑚+5+ =0
𝑚−2
𝑡 1
=
2𝑡 2 − 9𝑡 − 25 𝑡 + 1

𝑡2 2𝑡
+1=
𝑡−2 𝑡−2

𝑎2 + 2𝑎 𝑎2 + 2𝑎 − 1
=
3 2

𝑏−2 5 10
− 2 +1 =
𝑏 − 1 𝑏 − 4𝑏 + 3 3−𝑏
𝑥+6 1 2
2
+ =
𝑥 −4 𝑥+2 𝑥−2
3 𝑥−8
+ =0
𝑥−2 3
𝑥 6
=
𝑥−2 𝑥−1
𝑥+2 3 1
− =
𝑥+1 𝑥−2 𝑥+1

4 3𝑥 + 6 4
= +
𝑥 − 2 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3

1 𝑥−2
1+ =
𝑥−3 𝑥−3

5(𝑥 − 1) 4 4
2
− 2
=
𝑥 +𝑥−6 4−𝑥 𝑥+3
3𝑥 + 4 𝑥 + 2 1
+ =
𝑥 + 7 2𝑥 + 5 2

4
SOLVING EQUATIONS USING SUBSTITUTION

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Solve for x: Solve for y:
45 40
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 18 − 𝑦 2 − 3𝑦 + = 14
𝑥2 − 2𝑥 𝑦(𝑦 − 3)
State any restrictions: State any restrictions:
SOLUTION: SOLUTION:
Note that the expression 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 occurs twice in 40
𝑦(𝑦 − 3) + − 14 = 0
the equation. 𝑦(𝑦 − 3)

If you were to multiply by LCD , you would get an

equation with the expression (𝑥 2 − 2𝑥)2 which Restrictions: 𝑦(𝑦 − 3) ≠ 0 ∴ 𝑠𝑜 𝑦 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑

results in an equation of degree 4. 𝑦 − 3 ≠ 0 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑦 ≠ 3. (Denominators that are

You cannot solve equation of degree 4 at this stage , zero are not allowed.

so we replace the repeated algebraic expression Let 𝑦(𝑦 − 3) = 𝑘

40
with the letter k (using the so-called k-method). 𝑘+ − 14 = 0
𝑘
45
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 18 − 𝑘 2 + 40 − 14𝑘 = 0 ∴ 𝑘 2 − 14𝑘 + 40 = 0
𝑥2 − 2𝑥
∴ (𝑘 − 4)(𝑘 − 10) = 0 ∴ 𝑘 = 4 𝑜𝑟 𝑘 = 10
Restrictions: 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 ≠ 0 ∴ 𝑥 (𝑥 − 2) ≠ 0 𝑠𝑜 𝑥 ≠
But we have so solve the equation for y , not k.
𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑥 ≠ 2). Let 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 𝑘
45 45 Therefore , substitute 𝑦(𝑦 − 3) = 𝑘
Then : 𝑘 = 18 − 𝑘
∴ 𝑘 − 18 = − 𝑘
𝑦(𝑦 − 3) = 4 ∴ 𝑦 2 − 3𝑦 − 4 = 0
2 2
∴ 𝑘 − 18𝑘 = −45 𝑘 − 18𝑘 + 45 = 0
∴ (𝑦 + 1)(𝑦 − 4) = 0 ∴ 𝑦
(𝑘 − 15)(𝑘 − 3) = 0 ∴ 𝑘 = 15 𝑜𝑟 𝑘 = 3
= −1 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 = 4
But we have so solve the equation for x , not k.
Or
2 2
Therefore , substitute 𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 𝑘 ∴ 𝑥 − 2𝑥 =
𝑦(𝑦 − 3) = 10 ∴ 𝑦 2 − 3𝑦 − 10 = 0
15 (𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 − 3) = 0 ∴ 𝑥 = 5 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −3
∴ (𝑦 + 2)(𝑦 − 5) = 0
2 2
or 𝑥 − 2𝑥 = 3 𝑥 − 2𝑥 − 3 = 0 ∴ 𝑦 = −2 𝑜𝑟 𝑦 = 5
∴ (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 1) = 0 ∴ 𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = −1

5
EXERCISE

Solve the following equations. Consider any restrictions required.

6
SOLVING EQUATIONS WITH RADICALS BY SQUARING BOTH SIDES

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Solve for x: Solve for x:

√𝑥 + 6 − 𝑥 = 0 2√𝑥 − 3 + 3 = 𝑥
SOLUTION: SOLUTION:

√𝑥 + 6 − 𝑥 = 0 2√𝑥 − 3 = 𝑥 − 3
Manipulate the equation in such a way that the root
2
sign remains by itself on one side. (2√𝑥 − 3) = (𝑥 − 3)2
𝑥 = √𝑥 + 6 square both sides 4(𝑥 − 3) = 𝑥 2 + 9 − 6𝑥
𝑥 2 = 𝑥 + 6 ∴ 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 6 = 0 ∴ (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 − 3) 4𝑥 − 12 = 𝑥 2 + 9 − 6𝑥
𝑥 = −2 or 𝑥 = 3 4𝑥 − 12 − 𝑥 2 − 9 + 6𝑥 = 0
−𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 21 = 0
𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑦 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ − 1 𝑏𝑜𝑡ℎ 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒𝑠
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 21 = 0
(𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 7) = 0
∴ 𝑥 = 3 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 7

7
Exercise

Solve for x:

Solve for x using the k-method

8
SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY TAKING THE SQUARE ROOTHS OF BOTH SIDES

If 𝒙𝟐 = 𝒂, 𝒂 ≥ 𝟎, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒙 = ±√𝒂

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
𝟐 𝟐 Solve for 𝒙 if 𝟑𝒙𝟐 = 𝟓𝟏.
Solve for 𝒙 if (𝒙 − 𝟑) − 𝟒 = 𝟎
State whether the solutions are rational or
SOLUTION:
𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 𝟐 irrational numbers.
(𝒙 − ) − 𝟒 = 𝟎 ∴ (𝒙 − ) = 𝟒
𝟑 𝟑
SOLUTION:
𝟐
∴ 𝒙− = ±𝟐 𝟓𝟏 𝟓𝟏
𝟑 𝟑𝒙𝟐 = 𝟓𝟏 ∴ 𝒙𝟐 = 𝒙 = ±√ = ±√𝟏𝟕
𝟑 𝟑
𝟐 𝟐+𝟔 𝟖
∴ 𝒙= +𝟐= =
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
±√𝟏𝟕 is irrational number
Or
Note: An irrational number is a number that
𝟐 𝟐 − 𝟔 −𝟒
𝒙= −𝟐 = = cannot be expressed as a fraction for any
𝟑 𝟑 𝟑
integers and .Irrational numbers have

decimal expansions that neither terminate nor

become periodic.

9
EXERCISE

10
 SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY COMPLETING SQUARE

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Solve 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 = 𝟏 by completing square. Solve 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 − 𝟕 = 𝟎 by completing square.
SOLUTION: SOLUTION:
To complete the square , add the square of half 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 = 𝟕
the coefficient of x to both sides of equation. The coefficient of x is 6 , so half the coefficient
The coefficient of x is 2 , so half the coefficient of x 𝟏
of x is 𝟐 × 𝟔 = 𝟑 .
𝟏
is × 𝟐 = 𝟏 The square of half the coefficient of 𝒙
𝟐
𝟐
The square of half the coefficient of 𝒙 𝟏
is (𝟐 × 𝟔) = 𝟑𝟐 = 𝟗
𝟏 𝟐
is (𝟐 × 𝟐) = 𝟏. Therefore, add 1 to both sides of 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟔𝒙 + 𝟗 = 𝟕 + 𝟗
the equation. (𝒙 + 𝟑)𝟐 = 𝟏𝟔
𝟐 𝟐
𝟏 𝟏 ∴ 𝒙 + 𝟑 = ±√𝟏𝟔 ∴ 𝒙 + 𝟑 = ±𝟒
𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 + ( × 𝟐) = 𝟏 + ( × 𝟐)
𝟐 𝟐 ∴ 𝒙 = −𝟑 ± 𝟒
𝟐
𝒙 + 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟐 One root is 𝒙 = −𝟑 + 𝟒 = 𝟏 and the other one
(𝒙 + 𝟏 )𝟐 = 𝟐 ∴ 𝒙 + 𝟏 = ±√𝟐 ∴ 𝒙 = −𝟏 ± √𝟐 is 𝒙 = −𝟑 − 𝟒 = −𝟕
One root is 𝒙 = −𝟏 + √𝟐 and the other one is Nature of roots :two distinct(unequal)irrational
𝒙 = −𝟏 − √𝟐 roots.
Nature of roots :two distinct(unequal)irrational
roots.

11
EXERCISE

12
 SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY USING QUADRATIC FORMULA

General form of quadratic equation is:

𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎

The roots of the quadratic equation

𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎

are :

−𝒃±√𝒃𝟐 −𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙= QUADRATIC FORMULA
𝟐𝒂

THE NATURE OF ROOTS OF AN EQUATION DEPENDS ON THE VALUE OF THE EXPRESSION 𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄

CALLED THE DISCRIMINANT AND OFTEN DENOTED BY  (DELTA).

 If Δ<0, then roots are imaginary (non-real).

 If Δ≥0, the expression under the square root is non-negative and therefore roots

are real. For real roots, we have the following further possibilities:

 If Δ=0, the roots are equal and we can say that there is only one root.

 If Δ>0, the roots are unequal and there are two further possibilities.

 Δ is the square of a rational number: the roots are rational.

 Δ is not the square of a rational number: the roots are irrational and can be

expressed in decimal or surd form.

13
 Nature of
roots
Discriminant a>0 a<0

Roots are non-

real
Δ<0

Roots are real

and equal
Δ=0

Roots are real Δ>0

and unequal:

rational roots Δ= squared

rational
Δ=not squared
irrational roots
rational

14
EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Use quadratic formula to solve the equation Use quadratic formula to solve the equation
𝟐𝒙𝟐 = 𝟑𝒙 + 𝟒. 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 = −𝟏.

SOLUTION: SOLUTION:

First write the equation in the form First write the equation in the form

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0(standard form). 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0(standard form).

2𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 4 = 0 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1 = 0

𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = −3 and 𝑐 = −4 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 2 and 𝑐 = 1

Substitute in the quadratic formula: Substitute in the quadratic formula:

−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐

𝑥= 𝑥=
2𝑎 2𝑎

−(−3) ± √(−3)2 − 4(2)(−4) −2 ± √22 − 4(1)(1)

= =
2(2) 2(1)

3± √9 + 32) 3± √41 −2 ± √4 − 4 −2 ± 0
= = = =
4 4 2 2

So So
𝑥 = −1
3 + √41 3 − √41
𝑥= 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 =
4 4

15
Exercise :

16
 MISCELLANEOUS QUESTIONS

EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Find a quadratic equation with the following roots: If 5 is one of the roots of the equation
a. -5 and 1 𝒙𝟐 + 𝒎𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎, determine the value of m
𝟑
b. - 𝟒 and 6 and the other root.

SOLUTION:
c. Since the roots are -5 and 1 SOLUTION:

We can write : Since 5 is a root of the equation , we may

𝑥 = −5 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 1 substitute 5 for x in the equation:

General formula for quadratic equation is: 52 + 5𝑚 − 15 = 0

𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) = 0 25 + 5𝑚 − 15 = 0

Substitute: 5𝑚 = −10
𝑚 = −2
1(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 1) = 0
Substitute -2 for m in the original equation :
2
∴ 𝑥 − 𝑥 + 5𝑥 − 5 = 0
𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟏𝟓 = 𝟎 (𝒙 − 𝟓)(𝒙 − 𝟑) = 𝟎
∴ 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5 = 0 𝒙 = 𝟓 𝒐𝒓 𝒙 = −𝟑
Thus , the other root is -3
𝟑
d. Since the roots are – 𝟒 and 6

We can write :
3
𝑥=− 𝑜𝑟 𝑥 = 6
4
General formula for quadratic equation is:
𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑥1 )(𝑥 − 𝑥2 ) = 0
Substitute:

3
1 (𝑥 + ) (𝑥 − 6) = 0 ∴ (4𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 6) = 0
4
∴ 4𝑥 2 − 24𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 18 = 0

∴ 4𝑥 2 − 21𝑥 − 18 = 0

17
EXAMPLE 3 EXAMPLE 4
𝟑 Show that the roots of the equation
Show that the equation 𝟒 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟗𝒙 + 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟎 has

one real rational root =6 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐𝒙 − 𝟕 = 𝟎 are irrational.

SOLUTION:
3 SOLUTION:
Consider  = 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 81 − 4 × 4 × 27 = 81 −
METHOD1
81 = 0
𝑎 = 1; 𝑏 = −2; 𝑐 = −7
Thus, the roots are rational and equal
Substitute 𝑥 = −6 in equation −2 ± √22 − 4 ∙ 1 ∙ (−7)
𝑥=
∴
𝟑 𝟐
𝟔 + 𝟗 × 𝟔 + 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟐𝟕 − 𝟓𝟒 + 𝟐𝟕 = 𝟎 2∙1
𝟒
−2 ± √4 + 28
Therefore -6 is a root of the equation. = =
2
−2 ± √32 −2 ± 4√2
= = = −1 ± 2√2
2 2

Thus, the roots are irrational.

18
EXERCISES

1. For each of the following, find a quadratic equation which has the given roots:

a. 2; 5

b. 1; -3

𝟏
c. 𝟐
;3

𝟐
d. − 𝟑; -2

𝟒 𝟒
e. −𝟏 ;
𝟑 𝟑

𝟐 𝟏
f. −𝟏 𝟑 ; 𝟐 𝟑

2. If 2 is one solution of the equation 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝒎𝒙 + 𝟐 = 𝟎, determine the value of m and the

other solution.

3. If −𝟐 is one root of the equation 𝒙𝟐 − 𝟏𝟎𝒙 + 𝒌 = 𝟎, determine the value of k and the other

solution.

𝟑
4. If− 𝟐 is one root of the equation 𝒌𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 − 𝟑 = 𝟎, determine the value of k and the other solution.

𝟏
5. Find the values of a and b if 𝟐 and 4 are the roots of the following equation:

𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝒂𝒙 + 𝒃 = 𝟎

6. Show that the equation :

𝒙𝟐 + 𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟎 has no real roots

𝟑𝒙𝟐 + 𝟐𝒙 = 𝟏 has two distinct (unequal) rational roots

𝟒𝒙𝟐 = 𝟏𝟐𝒙 − 𝟗 has one rational root (equal roots)

𝒙𝟐 = 𝟐𝒙 + 𝟗 has two distinct (unequal) rational roots

7. Discuss the nature of the roots of the equation 𝟕𝒙𝟐 − 𝟐√𝟕𝒙 + 𝟏 = 𝟎

19