Numerical Analysis

Lecture 3

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Solution of a quadratic equation
An equation is a quadratic equation if it can be written in the form:
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
where a, b, c are known numbers, a ≠ 0

Examples

▪ 4𝑤 2 − 10 = 0 is a quadratic equation (it is in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

where 𝑏 = 0 and instead of x as our unknown variable we have 𝑤).
▪ 3(2𝑥 2 + 1) = −5𝑥 is a quadratic equation (we can first expand the left-
hand side into 6𝑥 2 + 3 = −5𝑥, then rearrange it into 6𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3 = 0).
▪ 7𝑥 − 4 is not a quadratic equation (because 𝑎 = 0).
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Solve by Factoring
To solve quadratic equations using factoring, follow these steps:

1. Rewrite/rearrange the quadratic equation so that one side is equal to 0

(This is very important for this method to work!).

2. Factor the other side of the equation (i.e. the non-zero side).

3. Set each of the factors equal to 0 and solve these linear equations
separately for roots.

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Solve by Factoring
Example: Solve 2𝑥 2 − 6 = 𝑥 by factoring.

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Solve by Factoring

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Solve using the Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula:

−𝑏 ± 𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

We have to consider two expressions:

−𝑏+ 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −𝑏− 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐

𝑥= and 𝑥=
2𝑎 2𝑎

For this formula to work properly, you first need to make sure
that your quadratic equation is in the form: 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 .
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Solve using the Quadratic Formula
Example:
One number is the square of another number. If their sum is 176, what are
the two numbers? Round answers to two decimal places.

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Solve using the Quadratic Formula
To determine its solutions, we need to make one side equal to 0, then
factor it:

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Solve using the Quadratic Formula

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Number of roots
To determine the number of roots a quadratic equation has, we can
use a part of the quadratic formula called the discriminant:

𝐷 = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐

There are three possible cases:

- If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, then 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has no real roots.

- If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0 , then 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has one root.
- If 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0 , then 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 has two (distinct) roots.

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Number of roots

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Problems

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