Worksheet: SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS Math 90 We have learned several different methods for solving quadratic equations.

Below are examples of three different methods that may come in handy.

Example #1: Solve by FACTORING.

x 2 + 6 = 7 x x2 + 7x + 6 = 0

Add 7x to both sides to get all terms to one side of equation = 0. Factor. Since 1 6 = 6 and 1 + 6 = 7, we can factor the left hand side. Set each factor = 0. Solve for x.

( x + 1)( x + 6 ) = 0
x +1 = 0 or x + 6 = 0
x = 1 or x = 6

Example #2: Solve using the SQUARE ROOT PRINCIPAL.

( x + 3) 2
( x + 3) 2

=5
= 5

Use the square root principal. Simplify. Solve for x by subtracting 3.

x +3 = 5
x = 3 5

Example #3: Solve using the QUADRATIC FORMULA.

2 Given ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , the quadratic formula can give you the solution(s) for x. x = b b 4ac

2a

x 2 2 x = 10 x 2 2 x 10 = 0
x=
x=

Add 7 to both sides to get all terms to one side of equation = 0. Determine a, b and c. a = 1, b = 2, c = 10. Use quadratic formula.
4 4 ( 40 ) 4 4 + 40 4 44 = = 2 2 2

( 2)

( 2) 2 4(1)( 10) = 2(1)

Simplify your answer.

4 44 4 2 2 11 4 2 11 4 2 11 = = = = 2 11 So the solutions are x = 2 11 . 2 2 2 2 2

THE MORAL OF THE STORY: Try the factoring method or solving by the square root principal first. If all else fails use the Quadratic Formula. SOLVE for x.

1. x 2 3x = 4 2. x 2 = 10 x 25 3. x 2 5 = 3 4. ( x + 4) 2 = 8 5. x 2 6 x + 8 = 0

6. 3x 2 7 x + 2 = 0 7. x 2 3x + 1 = 6 8. 4 x 2 + 7 x + 2 = 0 9. 8 x 2 = 200 10. 4 x 2 6 x 1 = 0