QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS, EQUATIONS, AND INEQUALITIES

SIMULTANEOUS LINEAR EQUATIONS (联立线性方程)

A pair of simultaneous equations is of the form:

𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑝
𝑐𝑥 + 𝑑𝑦 = 𝑞

where 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐, and 𝑑 are constants and 𝑥 and 𝑦 are variables to be determined.

Methods of solving simultaneous linear equations:

• Elimination (Covered in GCE O Level Mathematics)
• Substitution (Covered in GCE O Level Mathematics)
• Graphical method (Covered in GCE O Level Mathematics)
• Matrix method (Removed from GCE O Level Additional Mathematics #4047)

SIMULTANEOUS NON-LINEAR EQUATIONS (联立非线性方程)

A non-linear equation is not of the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑝.

Methods of solving simultaneous non-linear equations:

• Substitution
• Graphical method

Example 1:

Solve the following simultaneous equations:

5𝑥 2 − 𝑦 2 = 41 ----- (1)
5𝑥 − 𝑦 = 13 ----- (2)

From (2): 𝑦 = 5𝑥 − 13 ----- (3)

Sub (3) into (1):

5𝑥 2 − (5𝑥 − 13)2 = 41
5𝑥 2 − (25𝑥 2 − 130𝑥 + 169) = 41
5𝑥 2 − 25𝑥 2 + 130𝑥 − 169 = 41
−20𝑥 2 + 130𝑥 − 120 = 0
2𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 + 21 = 0
(2𝑥 − 7)(𝑥 − 3) = 0
7
𝑥 = or 𝑥 = 3
2

7 9
when 𝑥 = ,𝑦 =
2 2
when 𝑥 = 3 , 𝑦 = 2
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS, EQUATIONS, AND INEQUALITIES
COMPLETING THE SQUARE FORM (配方法)

To express 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 into the completed square form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘, we perform the
following steps:

• Factorise out the coefficient of 𝑥 2 :

𝑏 𝑐
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + )
𝑎 𝑎

• Add and subtract the square of half the coefficient of 𝑥:

𝑏 𝑏 2 𝑏 2 𝑐
𝑦 = 𝑎 [(𝑥 2 + 𝑥 + ( ) − ( ) + ]
𝑎 2𝑎 2𝑎 𝑎

• Express the variable terms as a perfect square:

𝑏 2 𝑏 2 𝑐
𝑦 = 𝑎 [(𝑥 + ) −( ) + ]
2𝑎 2𝑎 𝑎
𝑏 2 𝑏2
𝑦 = 𝑎 (𝑥 + ) − +𝑐
2𝑎 4𝑎
𝑏 𝑏2
𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘, where ℎ = − and 𝑘 = 𝑐 −
2𝑎 4𝑎

MAXIMUM AND MINIMUM VALUES OF QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS (二次函数的最大值和最小值)

The quadratic function 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 can be expressed as 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘.

When 𝒂 > 𝟎 When 𝒂 < 𝟎

Minimum value 𝑘, when 𝑥 = −ℎ Maximum value 𝑘, when 𝑥 = −ℎ

Minimum point: (−ℎ, 𝑘) Maximum point: (−ℎ, 𝑘)
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS, EQUATIONS, AND INEQUALITIES
Example 2:

Express 𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 7 in the form 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑎(𝑥 + ℎ) + 𝑘, where 𝑎, ℎ, and 𝑘 are constants. Hence,
state the maximum or minimum value of 𝑓(𝑥) and the corresponding value of 𝑥.

𝑓(𝑥) = 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 7
= 2[𝑥 2 + 2𝑥] + 7
= 2[(𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 + 1) − 1] + 7
= 2(𝑥 + 1)2 − 2 + 7
= 2(𝑥 + 1)2 + 5

Since coefficient of 𝑥 2 is positive, 𝑓(𝑥) has a minimum value.

Minimum value of 𝑓(𝑥) is 5 when 𝑥 = −1.

SKETCHING OF QUADRATIC GRAPHS (绘制二次图)

• Steps to sketch a quadratic graph:

o Determine the shape of the graph from 𝑎
o Express the function in the form 𝑦 = 𝑎(𝑥 − ℎ)2 + 𝑘 to obtain coordinates of maximum and
minimum point
o Substitute 𝑥 = 0 to find 𝑦-intercept
o Substitute 𝑦 = 0 to find 𝑥-intercepts (if roots are real)

Example 3:

A quadratic function is given by 𝑓(𝑥) = −𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 9. Express 𝑓(𝑥) in the form 𝑞 − (𝑥 + 𝑝)2 . Hence, state
the coordinates of the turning point and sketch the graph of 𝑦 = 𝑓(𝑥) for −2 ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 5.

QUADRATIC INEQUALITIES
• If (𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑥 − 𝑏) > 0, then 𝑥 < 𝑎 or 𝑥 > 𝑏.
QUADRATIC FUNCTIONS, EQUATIONS, AND INEQUALITIES
• If (𝑥 − 𝑎)(𝑥 − 𝑏) < 0, then 𝑎 < 𝑥 < 𝑏.

ROOTS OF A QUADRATIC EQUATION (二次方程的根)

• The roots of a quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 are given by:

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

• 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 is called the discriminant of the equation.

CONDITIONS FOR THE INTERSECTION OF A LINE AND A QUADRATIC CURVE

Nature
Intersection of quadratic curve with
𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄 of Intersection of quadratic with 𝒙-axis
straight line
roots

2 real
and
>0
distinct
roots

2 real
and
=0
equal
roots

No real
<0
roots