Equations

In the course so far, we have been introduced to algebraic and rational expressions. We will
take a step further and apply knowledge of simplifying expressions to solve algebraic
equations. In addition, we will go about solving polynomial equations, primarily quadratic
equations.

Review of Linear Equations

In the following examples, we will solve the equations for 𝑥 or make 𝑥 the subject. These
are the general solutions.

1) 𝑥 + 𝑎 = 𝑏 2) 𝑥 − 𝑎 = 𝑏
𝑥 =𝑏−𝑎 𝑥 =𝑏+𝑎
𝑥
3) 𝑎𝑥 = 𝑏 4) =𝑏
𝑎
𝑏
𝑥= 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑏
𝑎
5) 𝑥 𝑎 = 𝑏 𝑎
6) √𝑥 = 𝑏
𝑎
𝑥 = √𝑏 𝑥 = 𝑏𝑎

The six examples above are the foundations for solving linear equations. Most equations
are solved by breaking down the equations to 1 of the 6 forms above.

7) 4𝑥 + 3 = 27 8) 2𝑥 2 = 50
4𝑥 = 27 − 3 50
𝑥2 =
4𝑥 = 24 2
𝑥 2 = 25
24
𝑥=
4 𝑥 = √25
𝑥=6 𝑥 = ±5
9) 2𝑥 + 7 = 3 − 10𝑥 10) 2(4𝑥 − 1) − 3(𝑥 − 2) = 14
2𝑥 + 10𝑥 = 3 − 7 8𝑥 − 2 − 3𝑥 + 6 = 14
12𝑥 = −4 5𝑥 + 4 = 14
4 5𝑥 = 14 − 4
𝑥=−
12 5𝑥 = 10
1
𝑥=− 10
3 𝑥=
5
𝑥=2
 Quadratic Equations
A quadratic equation is of the form

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

Algebraically, a quadratic equation can be solved by Factorisation, by completing the

Square or by use of the Quadratic Formula.

Factorisation
1. Solve 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑃𝑟𝑜𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡 = 𝑃 = 𝑎 × 𝑐
2
2𝑥 − 2𝑥 + 3𝑥 − 3 = 0
𝑃 = 2 × −3
(2𝑥 2 − 2𝑥) + (3𝑥 − 3) = 0
𝑆𝑢𝑚 = 𝑆 = 1
2𝑥(𝑥 − 1) + 3(𝑥 − 1) = 0 𝑈𝑠𝑒: − 2, +3
(𝑥 − 1)(2𝑥 + 3) = 0 Replace +𝑥 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ − 2𝑥 + 3𝑥

𝑥 − 1 = 0 2𝑥 + 3 = 0
𝑥 = 1 2𝑥 = −3
3
𝑥=−
2

2. Solve 7𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 9 = 0

7𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 − 9𝑥 − 9 = 0 𝑃 = −63

(7𝑥 2 + 7𝑥) − (9𝑥 + 9) = 0 𝑆 = −2

7𝑥(𝑥 + 1) − 9(𝑥 + 1) = 0 𝑈𝑠𝑒: − 9, +7

(𝑥 + 1)(7𝑥 − 9) = 0

𝑥 + 1 = 0 7𝑥 − 9 = 0
𝑥 = −1 7𝑥 = 9
9
𝑥=
7

In some cases when solving quadratic equations, factorization does not work. In such cases,
we use an alternate method.
Completing the Square
An alternative to using the Quadratic formula to solve quadratic equations, is by
completing the square. Remember a quadratic equation is of the form:

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0 Take the coefficient of𝑥 (𝑏)

and do the following:
Examples
1) Divide 𝑏 by 2
1) Solve the equation 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 6 = 0
4÷2=2
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 6 = 0
2) Square the result from
Step 1: (Move the constant over to the next side)
step 1)
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 = 6
22 = 4
Step 2: (Add 4 from the box to the right to both sides and simplify)
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 6 + 4 A perfect square is of
2
𝑥 + 4𝑥 + 4 = 10 the form:
Step 3: (Rewrite 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 as a perfect square) (𝑥 + 𝑎)2
(𝑥 + 2)2 = 10
Or
Step 4: (Solve the equation)
(𝑥 − 𝑎)2
𝑥 + 2 = ±√10
𝑥 = −2 ± √10
 2) Solve the equation 4𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 4 = 0

4𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 − 4 = 0
Step 1: (Divide the equation by 4 i.e. the coefficient of 𝑥 2 )
7
𝑥2 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0
4 1. Divide 𝑏 by 2
Step 2: (Move the constant over to the next side)
7 7 7
𝑥2 − 𝑥 = 1 − ÷2=−
4 8
4
49
Step 3: (Add 64 to both sides and simplify) 2. Square the result
7 49 49 above
𝑥2 − 𝑥 + =1+
4 64 64
2
7 49 113 7 49
𝑥 − 𝑥+ = (− )2 =
4 64 64 8 64
Step 4: (Rewrite as a perfect square)
7 113
(𝑥 − )2 =
8 64
Step 5: (Solve the equation)
7 113
𝑥− = ±√
8 64
7 √113
𝑥− =±
8 8
7 √113
𝑥= ±
8 8

N.B. When we divide 𝒃 by 2 it gives us the number that makes up the perfect square.

We always add the square value or number to both sides.

Quadratic Formula
The Quadratic formula can be used to solve any type of quadratic so finding a way to
memorize it will be very important. The formula is as follows:

𝐼𝑓 𝑥 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑥 =
2𝑎
Example

3. Solve 7𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 9 = 0

𝑎 = 7 𝑏 = −2 𝑐 = 4

−(−2) ± √(−2)2 − 4(7)(−9)

𝑥=
2(7)

2 ± √4 + 252
𝑥=
14

2 ± √256
𝑥=
14
2 ± 16
𝑥=
14
2 + 16 2 − 16
𝑥= 𝑥=
14 14
18 14
𝑥= 𝑥=−
14 14
9 𝑥 = −1
𝑥=
7

N.B. It is very important when substituting into the formula.

The Discriminant
In the Quadratic formula, the expression 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 under the radical/square root sign is
called the discriminant of 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0. The discriminant tells us what types of
solutions exist for the quadratic equation.

Consider the general quadratic equation

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0

➢ When 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 > 0, the equation has two real roots or two distinct solutions.
➢ When 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0, the equation has no real roots or solutions.
➢ When 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0, the equation has one repeated root or solution.

Examples

Find the discriminants of the following quadratic equations:

a) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0

𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = (−4)2 − 4(1)(3)

= 16 − 12

=4

∴ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = 0 has two solutions

b) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 = 0

𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = (−4)2 − 4(1)(4)

= 16 − 16

=0

∴ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 has one repeated solution

c) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5 = 0

𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = (−4)2 − 4(1)(5)

= 16 − 20

= −4

∴ 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 5 has no real solution