Algebra 2 4.

8 Solving Quadratic Functions Using the Quadratic Formula

Some quadratic functions cannot be factored or solved by square roots—they may also be difficult to solve by
completing the square. The Quadratic Formula may be used to find the solutions (roots, zeros, etc.) of ANY
quadratic function.
*To use the formula, the function must be written in standard form: ax 2  bx  c  0 , where a is positive.

 b  b 2  4ac
Quadratic Formula: x To solve using the quadratic formula:
2a
1) Write the function in standard form
2) Identify the values for a, b, and c
Example: 3) Plug into the formula and simplify!
Solve x 2  6 x  4 .

The discriminant, b 2  4ac , will give the number and type of solutions for each function.

If b 2  4ac  0 , there will be two real solutions.

If b 2  4ac  0 , there will be one real solution.
If b 2  4ac  0 , there will be no real solutions, but two imaginary solutions.

Example:
Find the discriminant and give the number and type of solutions: 4 x 2  3 x  12  3  3x
Practice Problems:

Solve.
1) 2m 2  16m  50 2) 7 p  5  12 p 2  3 p

Use the discriminant to determine the number and type of solutions.

3) 8n 2  3  8n 4) 8 z 2  10  z 2  7 z  3

The graph of a quadratic function y  ax 2  bx  c is shown. Tell whether the discriminant of ax 2  bx  c  0

is positive, negative, or zero.

5) 6) 7)