Chapter test 2 Quadratic equations

● Time allowed: 45 minutes.

● Total possible marks: 50 Name: __________________________
● Answer all questions in the space provided.
● Approved scientific calculators may be used. Date: ___________________________
● Marks may be deducted for insufficient or illegible work.

Multiple-choice Mark
s

1 Which of the following equations is not 2x + 4 = 0 1

quadratic? ∴A
A 2x + 4 = 0
B 3x2 = 7

Cx=
D (x − 5)(x + 2) = 0

2 What needs to be added, to make this a 72 1

perfect square? ∴C
x2 + 14x
A7
B 14
C 72
D 142
3 The solution to (x – 3)2 = 25 is: (x – 3)2 = 25 1
A x = –2 or 8 x – 3 = ±5
B x = 2 or –8 x = –2 or 8
C x = –2 or –8 ∴A
D x = 2 or 8

4 The solutions to the equation 2x2 − x − 2 Completing the square or using the 1
= 0 to two decimal places are: quadratic formula both give:
A 1·28, 0·78 x = 1.28, –0·78
B –1·28, –0·78 ∴D
C –1·28, 0·78
D 1·28, –0·78

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
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5 Considering the solutions of the equation a = 5, b = –3, c = –1 1
5x2 = 3x + 1, which of the following is b2 − 4ac = 29
incorrect: ∴ There are two solutions as the
discriminant is greater than 0.
A
B b2 – 4ac = 29
C x = –0·84, 0·24
D There are two solutions.
x = 0·84, –0·24
A, B and D are correct.
∴ the incorrect statement
is C.
6 Choose the most suitable method to solve The equation can’t be solved by 1
the quadratic equation 3x2 − 9x − 5 = 0. taking square roots of both sides.
A quadratic formula Also, the equation can’t be factorised.
B completing the square Completing the square would be
time-consuming.
C factorising
∴A
D taking the square root of both sides
7 The quadratic formula was used to find the a = 1, b = 2, c = –9 1
solutions for the equation x2 + 2x – 9 = 0.
Which of the following options shows
incorrect working?

B
∴ C shows the incorrect workings.
C

8 Choose the most suitable method to solve (2x − 1)(3x + 2) = –1 1

the quadratic equation (2x − 1)(3x + 2) = 6x2 + x – 2 = –1
–1.
6x2 + x − 1 = 0

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
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 (2x + 1)(3x − 1) = 0
A either 2x − 1 = –1, or 3x + 2 = –1 Can be factorised
B completing the square ∴C
C factorising
D quadratic formula
9 High in the air on a ride at a fun park, David When the toy car hits the ground, 1
loses his toy car, which falls to the ground h = 0.
below. The height of the toy car above the 0 = 64 − 16t2
ground (h in metres) t seconds after falling
can be represented by the relationship 16t2 = 64
h = 64 − 16t2. t2 = 4
How many seconds does it take for the toy t = ± 2 seconds
car to hit the ground? but a negative answer doesn’t make
sense.
A 2 seconds ∴ t = 2 seconds
B –2 seconds ∴A
C ± 2 seconds
D There is no solution to the problem.

10 Which of the following equations is not (a + 3)4 – 22(a – 3)2 + 72 = 0 1

reducible to a quadratic? has no common expression for
A m4 – 7m2 – 44 = 0 substitution since
B 4x – 3(2x) – 40 = 0 (a + 3) ≠ (a – 3).
4 2
C (a + 3) – 22(a – 3) + 72 = 0 ∴C
6 3
D m – 17m + 60 = 0

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
Copyright © Pearson Australia 2014 (a division of Pearson Australia Pty Ltd) ISBN 978 1 4860 0055 5
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 Short answer
11 Solve the following equations: (a) 2x2 − 50 = 0 8
(a) 2x2 − 50 = 0 2(x − 5)(x + 5) = 0
x − 5 = 0 or x + 5 = 0
∴ x=±5

2
(b) x2 − 3x − 40 = 0
(b) x − 3x − 40 = 0
(x + 5)(x − 8) = 0
x + 5 = 0 or x − 8 = 0
∴ x = –5, 8

(c) 2x2 + 9x + 10 = 0
(c) 2x2 + 9x + 10 = 0
(2x + 5)(x + 2) = 0
2x + 5 = 0 or x + 2 = 0

∴x=– , –2

(d) (d)
x2 + 2x − 15 = 0
(x + 5)(x – 3) = 0
x + 5 = 0 or x − 3 = 0
∴ x = –5, 3
12 Solve by completing the square. Leave your (a) x2 + 7x = 7 4
answers in simplest surd form.
(a) x2 + 7x – 7 = 0 x2 + 7x + ( )2 = 7 + ( )2

(x + )2 =

x+ =

x=

(b) 5x2 – 7x + 1 = 0
(b) 5x2 – 7x + 1 = 0

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
Copyright © Pearson Australia 2014 (a division of Pearson Australia Pty Ltd) ISBN 978 1 4860 0055 5
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13 Determine how many solutions each of the (a) a = 1, b = –2, c = 3 4
following equations has without solving the 2
∆ = b − 4ac
equations.
=4−4⋅1⋅3
(a) y2 − 2y + 3 = 0
= 4 − 12
= –8
∴ The equation has no real
solution as the
discriminant is less than 0.

(b) 4m2 − 44m + 121 = 0 (b) a = 4, b = –44, c = 121

∆ = b2 − 4ac
= 1936 − 4 ⋅ 4 ⋅ 121
= 1936 − 1936
=0
∴ The equation has one
solution as the
discriminant is equal to 0.

14 Use the quadratic formula to solve the –7x2 − x + 6 = 0 2

following equation. a = –7, b = –1, c = 6
2
–7x − x + 6 = 0

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
Copyright © Pearson Australia 2014 (a division of Pearson Australia Pty Ltd) ISBN 978 1 4860 0055 5
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15 Solve the following quadratic equations (a) 5x2 − 3x = 2 4
using the most suitable method. (Leave 5x2 − 3x − 2 = 0
answers in exact form where necessary.)
(5x + 2)(x − 1) = 0
(a) 5x2 − 3x = 2
5x + 2 = 0 or x − 1 = 0

x= ,1
(b) 2x2 + 3x − 7 = 0
a = 2, b = 3, c = –7

(b) 5x2 − 9 = −2 + 3x2 – 3x

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
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16 The area of an envelope is 72 cm2. If the 3
length is 6 cm longer than the breadth, find
the dimensions of the envelope.

Area = length × breadth

72 = (x + 6)x
x2 + 6x − 72 = 0
(x + 12)(x − 6) = 0
either x + 12 = 0, or x − 6 = 0
x = –12, 6
but we can’t have a negative length,
∴ x=6
∴ the dimensions of the
envelope are 6 cm × 12 cm.

17 An area of lawn, as shown in the diagram 3

below, is to be mown. Find the value y
represents if the total area mown is 46 m2.

Area = A1 + A2
46 = (y + 2)y + (y + 7)2
y2 + 2y + 2y + 14 = 46
y2 + 4y − 32 = 0
(y + 8)(y − 4) = 0
y = –8, 4
but a negative length in this problem
is not possible,
∴ the value of y is 4 m.

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
Copyright © Pearson Australia 2014 (a division of Pearson Australia Pty Ltd) ISBN 978 1 4860 0055 5
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18 A water rocket is fired into the air. Its height 39 = 16t – t2 3
h metres after t seconds is given by the t 2 – 16t + 39 = 0
formula h = 16t – t2. How many seconds
elapsed between the two times when the (t – 3)(t – 13) = 0
height of the rocket was 39 metres? ∴ t = 3 or 13
∴ time elapsed is 10
seconds.

19 The equation 3x2 – 8x + p = 0 has one b 2 – 4ac = 0 2

solution. What is the value of p? 64 – (4)(3)p = 0
64 – 12p = 0

p=

p=5

20 The volume of the rectangular prism shown V = 6 (2x)(x + 3) 3

is 405 cm3. What is the length of the longest 405 = 12x2 + 36x
side?
135 = 4x2 + 12x
4x2 + 12x – 135 = 0
(2x – 9)(2x + 15) = 0
x = 4·5 , – 7·5 (not possible)
∴ The longest side is 9 cm.

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
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21 By using the substitution given, solve the (a) 4
following equations:

(a) x6 – 26x3 – 27 = 0, u = x3
(b) 9x – 82(3x) + 81 = 0, u = 3x

(b)

Australian Signpost Mathematics New South Wales 10 Stages 5.1–5.3 Chapter test 2
Copyright © Pearson Australia 2014 (a division of Pearson Australia Pty Ltd) ISBN 978 1 4860 0055 5
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