MATH

Quadratic Equations
Grade 10 | Topic 1

TYPES OF EQUATIONS

QUADRATIC An equation that contains the square of the

EQUATION unknown (variable) quantity, but no higher power,
is called a quadratic equation of the second degree.
3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 2 = 0
A second-degree equation in one variable 𝑥, 𝑎𝑥 2 +
𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎 ≠ 0 and 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are real
numbers, is called the general or standard form of
a quadratic equation.
RECIPROCAL An equation is said to be a reciprocal equation if it 𝑎𝑥 4 − 𝑏𝑥 3 + 𝑐𝑥 2 − 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑎 = 0
EQUATION 1
remains unchanged when 𝑥 is replaced by . 1
𝑥 Replacing 𝑥 by
𝑥
,
4 3 2
1 1 1 1
𝑎 −𝑏 +𝑐 −𝑏 +𝑎 =0
𝑥 𝑥 𝑥 𝑥
EXPONENTIAL In exponential equations, variables occur in
EQUATION exponents. 51+𝑥 + 51−𝑥 = 26

RADICAL An equation involving an expression under the

EQUATION
𝑥−1= 𝑥−2+1
radical sign is called a radical equation.

QUADRATIC FORMULA −𝑏± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐

The quadratic formula for 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑎 ≠ 0 is: 𝑥=
2𝑎

METHODS TO SOLVE A QUADRATIC EQUATION

FACTORISATION In this method, write the quadratic equation in the standard 𝑥 2 −6𝑥 + 5 = 0
form as 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0. 𝑥 2 −5𝑥 − 𝑥 + 5 = 0
If two numbers 𝑟 and 𝑠 can be found for the equation such that 𝑥 𝑥−5 −1 𝑥−5 =0
𝑟 + 𝑠 = 𝑏 and 𝑟𝑠 = 𝑎𝑐, then 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 can be factorised into 𝑥−5 𝑥−1 =0
two linear factors. 𝑥 = 5 or 𝑥 = 1
COMPLETING THE • In this method, complete the square to find 𝑥. To do so, add 𝑥 2 −6𝑥 + 5 = 0
SQUARE equal numbers to both sides of the equation to ensure that 𝑥 2 −6𝑥+5+4−4=0
they are perfect squares.
𝑥 2 −6𝑥 + 9 = 4
• To make both sides perfect squares, move the last number
(𝑥 − 3)2 = (2)2
term on the left side to the right side of the equation.
• Complete the square on both sides of the equation. (𝑥 − 3)2 = (2)2
• Take the square root on both sides and simplify. 𝑥 = 3 + 2 or 𝑥 = 3 − 2
𝑥 = 5 or 𝑥 = 1
QUADRATIC In this method, apply the quadratic formula to solve the 𝑥 2 −6𝑥 + 5 = 0
FORMULA quadratic equation. 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −6, 𝑐=5
−𝑏 ± 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 − −6 ± (−6)2 −4(1)(5)
𝑥= 𝑥=
2𝑎 2(1)
10 2
𝑥= or 𝑥 =
2 2
𝑥 = 5 or 𝑥 = 1

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