Chapter 2 – quadratics, completing the square, discriminant

1. Factorise the following quadratic expressions.

(a) 3 y 2  27 (b) x 2  2x  15 (c) 10 x 2  18x  4
(3)

2. Solve the following quadratic expressions by the method specified

(a) 4x 2  19x  12  0 (factorising)

(b)  3x 2  18x  10  0 (complete the square)

(c) 2x 2  x  4  0 (quadratic formula)

(6)
3. Use the discriminant to determine the number of real solutions of
the following equations.

(a) 3  4 x  x  0 (b) x 2  4  0
2
(c) x 2  2bx  b 2  0
(3)

4 a Write 3x2 12x  7 in the form a( x  b)2  c (3 marks)

b Hence, or otherwise, write down the coordinates of the turning point
of the graph
of y  3x2  12 x  7 (1 mark)
EXAM QUESTIONS

Question 5
Solve using algebra the equation

x – 6x½ + 4 = 0
Fully simplify your answers, writing them in the form a + b√c where a, b
and c are integers to be found.
(5)

Question 6

(a) Find, using algebra, all real solutions of

2x3 + 3x2 – 35x = 0

(3)
(b) Hence find all real solutions of

2( y – 5 )6 + 3( y – 5 )4 – 35( y – 5 )2 = 0 (4)

Question 7

The equation

Where c is a constant, has no real roots.

Find the range of possible values of c.
(7)