Quadratic Expressions and

Equations
2.1 Quadratic Expressions.
a.Identifying quadratic expressions.
A quadratic expression is an
algebraic expression of the form ax
base 2 + bx + c, where a,b,c are
constants.The highest power of the
unknown x is 2.For example:
3x base 2 + 5x -1 is a quadratic
expression.
Notes.
-The highest power of the unknow
X must be above 2.
-The unknows must be same,
example: 5y base 2 -2y+7.

b.Forming quadratic expresssions

by multiplying any two linear
expressions.
When two any two linear
expressions with the same
unknown are multiplied, a
quadratic expressions is formed.
Example:
(x+2)(2x-3)
= X x 2X X x 3 + 2 x 2X 2 x 3
=2X base 2 3X + 4X 6

=2X base 2 + X -6

(n-3)base 2 = (n-3)(n-3)
= n base2 3n- 3n + 9
= n base2 6n + 9
7p base2 (p+1) base 2
=7p base 2 (p+1)(p+1)
=7p base2 (pbase2 + p + p + p
+ 1)
=7p base2 (pbase2 + 2p + 1)
= 7p base2 pbase2 2p -1

=6pbase2 2p -1

c.Forming quadratic expressions

based on specific situations.
To form quadratic expressions
based on specific situations, follow
the steps below:
1.Choose an alphabet, for example,
x, to represent an unknown in the
given situation
If the symbol is not given.
2.Express the other unknown in
terms of x.

3.Form a quadratic expression

based on the situation given.

Example: The breadth of a

rectangular sheet of paper is 2cm
less than its length.Express the
area of the paper as a quadratic
expression.
Solution:
Let the length of the paper be x
cm. Therefore, its breadth is (x2)cm.
Area of the paper= x(x-2)
= (xbase2 2x) cm

2.2 Factorisation of quadratic

expresions.
a.Factorising quadratic expressions
of the forms ax base 2 + bx and ax
base2 + c
1.Factorisation of a quadratic
expression is the process of writing
the quadratic expressions as a
product of two linear exprisons

-Example,
Xbase 2- 1 = (x+1)(x-1)

Xbase 2 + 3x + 2 = (X+1)(X+2)

2.Quadratic expressions of the form

axbase2+bx or axbase 2+ c can be
factorized if the terms in the
expressions have common factors
except 1.
For example:
a. 2X base 2 + 4
=2(xbase2 + 2)

b. 2x base 2+7 cannot be

factorized because there is no
common factor for 2x base 2 and 7
execpt 1.

b.Factorising quadratic expressions

of the form pxbase2 q, where p
and q are perfect squares.
1. A square number sometimes
also called a perfect square. For
example 1,4,9,16..

2. Quadratic expressions of the

form px base 2 q where p and q
are perfect squares can be
factorized by using the identity a
base 2 b base2= (a+b)(a-b), that
is, the difference between two
squares.
Example:
. 9X base 2 16= (3X)base2
(4)base 2
=(3X + 4)(3X-4)
c.Factorising quadratic expressions
of the form aX base2 + bx +c,
where a,b and c does not equal to
0.

.Quadratic expression of the form

aX base 2 + bx + c can be
factorized by the cross method or
the inspection method.
d.Factorising quadratic expressions
containing coefficients with
common factors.
.To factorise quadratic expressions
containing coefficients with
common factors, first extract the
common factors and then factorise
the reduced quadratic expressions.
By doing so, the factorization will
be done completely.
2.3Quadratic Equations

a.Identifying quadratic equations 1

unknown.
-A quadratic equation in one
unknown is an equation that
contains only one unknown and the
highest power of the unknown is 2.
For example, 2X base 2 + 5X +2=0
(Highest power of the unknown X is
2)
b.Writing quadratic equations in
general form as aX base 2 + bx +
c=0
Example: y(y+2)=3
Ybase 2 + 2y = 3
Y base + 2Y 3 = 3-3

Y base 2 + 2y 3 = 0
c.Forming quadratic equations
based on specific situations.
To form quadratic equations based
on specific situations, follow the
steps below:
1.Choose an alphabet, for example,
x to represent an unknown in the
given situation if the symbol is not
given.
2.Express the other unknown in
terms of X
3.Form a quadratic equation based
on the situation given.
Example: Ravi is 5 years younger
than Rosli.The product of their ages
is 234 years, Form a quadratic

equation in general form based on

the above information.
2.4Roots of Quadratic Equations
a.Determining whether a given
value is a root of a quadratic
equation.
1. A root of a quadratic
equation is the value of the
unknown which satisfies the
quadratic equation.
2. To determine whether a given
value is a root of a quadratic
equation, substitute the given
value for the unknown in the
quadratic equation. If both sides of
the equation have the same value,

then the given value is a root of the

quadratic equation. Conversely, if
both sides of the equation have
different values, then the given
value is not a root of the quadratic
equation.
b.Determining the solution of
quadratic equations by the trial
and error method
1.The solution of a quadratic
equation is also known as the roots
of that equation.
2. One method to determine the
solution of quadratic equation is to
guees a solution and then
substitute it into the equation. This

method is known as trial and

error method.
3. To find the roots for quadratic
equations of the form Xpower2 +
bx + c=0 by trial and error method,
choose the values which adre
factors of c.

c.Determining the solutions of

quadratic equations by
factorization.
1. We can also determine the
solutions of the quadratic
equations by factorization.

2. To solve a quadratic equation by

the factorization method, follow the
steps below:
a.Express the quadratic equation in
the general form axpower2 + bx +
c=0
b. Factorise the quadratic
expression axpower2 + bx + c as
the product of two linear
expressions, that is (mx + P)(nx +
q)
c. Solve the linear equations.
Mx+P=0 or nx+q=0
X= - p over m

x= - q over n

d.Solving problem involving

quadratic equations.

To slove problems involving

quadratic equations, follow the
steps below:
1. Form a quadractic equation
based in the situation given.
2. Solve the quadratic equation
3.If there are two roots, choose the
one which is meaningful or rational.

Common Mistakes

1.Failure to factorise a quadratic

equation completely.
Example: factorise 2y