Sir Collins

Solution of Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

If 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, then

−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

The formula above is the quadratic formula. This can be used to solve any given
quadratic equation. However, the quadratic equation must first be arranged in
the general form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

1. Solve the following quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.

a. 𝟑𝒙𝟐 − 𝟕𝒙 + 𝟐 = 𝟎
First, identify 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐
𝑎 = 3, 𝑏 = −7 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑐 = 2
Next, substitute these values into the formula
−(−7) ± √(−7)2 − 4(3)(2)
𝑥=
2(3)
Next, evaluate
7 ± √49 − 24
𝑥=
6
7 ± √25
𝑥=
6
7±5
𝑥=
6
Now separate the + and –
7 + 5 12
𝑥= = =2
6 6
Or
7−5 2 1
𝑥= = =
6 6 3
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Hence, 𝑥 = and 𝑥 = 2, are the values that satisfies 3𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 2 =
3

0
b. 3𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 − 25 = 0
𝑎 = 3, 𝑏=8 𝑐 = −25
−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−8 ± √82 − 4(3)(−25)
𝑥=
2(3)
−8 ± √64 + 300
𝑥=
6
−8 ± √364
𝑥=
6
−8 ± 19.1
𝑥=
6
Separate the signs
−8 + 19.1 11.1
𝑥= = = 1.85
6 6
−8 − 19.1 27.1
𝑥= =− = −4.52
6 6
Hence, the solutions are 𝑥 = 1.85 and 𝑥 = −4.52 (2 𝑑. 𝑝)
c. Solve the quadratic equation 𝑦 2 + 𝑦 − 6 = 0

Solution

𝑦2 + 𝑦 − 6 = 0

𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = 1 𝑐 = −6

−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑦=
2𝑎
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−1 ± √12 − 4(1)(−6)
𝑦=
2(1)

−1 ± √1 + 24
𝑦=
2

−1 ± √25
𝑦=
2

−1 ± 5
𝑦=
2

Separate them

−1 + 5 4
𝑦= = =2
2 2

−1 − 5 6
𝑦= = − = −3
2 2

Hence, the solutions are 𝒚 = −𝟑 and 𝒚 = 𝟐.

Proving the answers

𝑦2 + 𝑦 − 6 = 0

When 𝑦 = −3

(−3)2 + (−3) − 6 = 0

9−3−6=0

0=0

When 𝑦 = 2

22 + 2 − 6 = 0
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4+2−6=0

0=0

Hence, the answers are correct.

Note that in order to use the quadratic formula, the equation must

first be written as 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎.

Exercise

Solve the following quadratic equations using the quadratic formula

1. 3(𝑥 + 2)2 = 7(𝑥 + 2)

(𝑥 + 2)2 = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2)
3(𝑥 + 2)2 = 7(𝑥 + 2)
Remove the square
3(𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2) = 7(𝑥 + 2)
Remove the brackets by multiplication
3[𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 2𝑥 + 4] = 7𝑥 + 14
3[𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4] = 7𝑥 + 14
3𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 12 = 7𝑥 + 14
Now write the equation in the form 𝒂𝒙𝟐 + 𝒃𝒙 + 𝒄 = 𝟎
(Group everything on the left-hand side)
3𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 − 7𝑥 + 12 − 14 = 0
3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 2 = 0

−5 ± √52 − 4(3)(−2)
𝑥=
2(3)
−5 ± √25 + 24
𝑥=
6
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−5 ± √49
𝑥=
6
−5 ± 7
𝑥=
6
Separate
−5 + 7 2 1
𝑥= = =
6 6 3
Or
−5 − 7 12
𝑥= =− = −2
6 6
1
Hence, 𝑥 = and 𝑥 = −2
3

Solve using the quadratic formula

2𝑝 5
2. + =3
5 𝑝

3. (3𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 5) = 4𝑥 + 3
(3𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 + 5) = 4𝑥 + 3
3𝑥 (𝑥 ) + 3𝑥 (5) − 1(𝑥 ) − 1(5) = 4𝑥 + 3
3𝑥 2 + 15𝑥 − 𝑥 − 5 = 4𝑥 + 3
3𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 − 5 = 4𝑥 + 3
3𝑥 2 + 14𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 5 − 3 = 0
3𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 8 = 0

−10 ± √102 − 4(3)(−8)

𝑥=
2(3)
−10 ± √100 + 96
𝑥=
6
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−10 ± √196
𝑥=
6
−10 ± 14
𝑥=
6
Separate
−10 + 14 4 2
𝑥= = =
6 6 3
−10 − 14 24
𝑥= =− = −4
6 6
2
Hence, 𝑥 = −4 and 𝑥 =
3

4. (2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 7) = 4(𝑥 − 7)

(2𝑥 + 3)(𝑥 − 7) = 4(𝑥 − 7)
2𝑥 (𝑥 ) − 2𝑥 (7) + 3(𝑥 ) − 3(7) = 4𝑥 − 28
2𝑥 2 − 14𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 21 = 4𝑥 − 28
2𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 − 21 = 4𝑥 − 28
2𝑥 2 − 11𝑥 − 4𝑥 − 21 + 28 = 0
2𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 7 = 0
Solve using the quadratic formula
−(−15) ± √(−15)2 − 4(2)(7)
𝑥=
2(2)
15 ± √225 − 56
𝑥=
4
15 ± √169
𝑥=
4
15 ± 13
𝑥=
4
Separate
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15 + 13 28
𝑥= = =7
4 4
15 − 13 2 1
𝑥= = =
4 4 2
𝟏
Hence, 𝒙 = and 𝒙 = 𝟕
𝟐

5. 2𝑦 2 − 5𝑦 + 2 = 0
6. 3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 = 16
7. 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 = 9
8. 2𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8 = 3𝑥 − 6
9. (2𝑥 + 3)2 = 25
10. 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 1 = 0