FC311E

Intermediate Mathematics
Quadratic Equations
 LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Quadratic Equations

After studying this theme you should be able to:

• Use factorisation to solve a quadratic equation

• Use completing the square to find the coordinates of a vertex
• Use completing the square to solve a quadratic equation
• Use the quadratic formula to solve a quadratic equation
• Sketch quadratic equations
• The Discriminant of a Quadratic Function
• Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
• Linear Inequalities
 Factorising Quadratics
 In this session we will learn how to find factorise a quadratic to find
its “roots”.
Previously we have been looking at linear equations. These are equations which
can be written in the form 𝑦 = 𝑚𝑥 + 𝑐. The graph of these will be a straight line.

However, not all equations are linear. In particular, quadratic equations contain a
term 𝑥 2 in them.
e.g. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 + 2

These will give curved lines when we plot them on a graph (more on this later…)
Finding the roots of a quadratic

It is often useful to find the “roots” of a quadratic equation.

These are the values of 𝑥 which make the quadratic equation = 0.

E.g. 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 = 0 when 𝑥 = 1 or when 𝑥 = 2

(Try substituting these values into the equation to check!)

Rather than guessing these values of 𝑥, is there a better method for finding the
roots?

Yes! To do this we should factorise the quadratic…

Finding the roots of a quadratic

Recall that to factorise a quadratic we need two sets of brackets.

For our example, 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 2 can be rewritten as (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2).

(Check that when you multiply out these
brackets you do indeed get back the quadratic)
So 𝑦 = (𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 2).

But if either bracket = 0 then the whole thing = 0 (because multiplying anything
by zero gives zero)

So if 𝑥 = 1 then 𝑥 − 1 = 1 − 1 = 0 and the whole quadratic is zero.

Or if 𝑥 = 2 then 𝑥 − 2 = 2 − 2 = 0 and the whole quadratic is again zero.
Our roots are therefore 𝑥 = 1 and 𝑥 = 2!
Find the roots for the following:

a) (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 5)

b) (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2)

c) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3

d) 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4
Find the roots for the following:

a) (𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 5) Roots are 𝑥 = 2 and 𝑥 = 5

b) (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 + 2) Roots are 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑥 = −2

c) 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 3 = (𝑥 − 3)(𝑥 − 1) Roots are 𝑥 = 3 and 𝑥 = 1

d) 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 4 = (𝑥 + 2)(𝑥 + 2) Only one repeated root 𝑥 = −2

 Completing the Square
 In this session we will learn how to “complete the square” for a
quadratic and how to use this to find the coordinates of its vertex
and to find its roots.
 Completing the Square
Completing the square is the process of changing quadratics from
the form
𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐

to the form 𝑎(𝑥 − 𝑝)2 +𝑞.

(This second form is often called the ‘vertex form.’)

It is useful for
i) Finding the vertex (maximum or minimum) of a quadratic
ii) Finding the roots when we can’t use factorisation
 Completing the Square
The process of completing the square is simple given any
quadratics where a = 1.
• Half the value of b. This will be inside
𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 4 the square.
= (𝑥 + 5)2 −4 − 52
• You also need to subtract the square
of this value.

• Simplify and you’re done!

= (𝑥 + 5)2 −29
Complete the square on the following:

a) 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 3

b) 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 5

c) 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2

d) 𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 + 7

e) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥
Complete the square on the following:

a) 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 3 = 𝑥+2 2 − 3 − 22 = 𝑥+2 2 −7

b) 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 5 = 𝑥+3 2
+ 5 − 32 = 𝑥+3 2
−4

c) 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 2 = 𝑥−1 2 + 2 − 12 = 𝑥−1 2 +1

3 2 3 2 3 2 19
d) 𝑥2 − 3𝑥 + 7 = 𝑥− +7− = 𝑥− +
2 2 2 4

e) 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 = 𝑥+1 2 + 0 − 12 = 𝑥+1 2 −1
 Completing the Square
The process of completing the square is a little different when given any
quadratics where a ≠ 1.

2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 4 • Factorise a from ax2 and bx.

= 2 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4
2 • Complete the square with just the
5 25 x2 and x terms. Using fractions will
=2 𝑥+ − −4
2 4 help make the working easier.
2
5 25
=2 𝑥+ − −4 • Expand and simplify. You can
2 2 change 4 to 8/2 to simplify the
2
5 33 problem.
=2 𝑥+ −
2 2
 General Form
Completing the square with the general quadratic expression
gives you

𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
2
𝑏
=𝑎 𝑥 + 𝑥 +𝑐
𝑎
2 2 2
𝑏 𝑏 𝑏 𝑏2
=𝑎 𝑥+ − 2 +𝑐 =𝑎 𝑥+ − +𝑐
2𝑎 4𝑎 2𝑎 4𝑎
Complete the square on the following:

a) 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5

b) 3𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 2
Complete the square on the following:

a) 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5 = 2 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 5 = 2 𝑥 + 1 2 − 12 − 5
=2 𝑥+1 2−2−5
=2 𝑥+1 2−7

5 2 5 2
b) 3𝑥 2 − 15𝑥 + 2 =3 𝑥2 − 5𝑥 + 2 =3 𝑥 − − +2
2 2
5 2 5 2
=3 𝑥− −3 +2
2 2
5 2 67
=3 𝑥 − −
2 4
 Why complete the square?
The vertex form can be read directly to give us important points
of a graph. It gives us 3 important parts of the quadratic:

1) The vertex: this is the minimum or maximum

point
2) The line of symetry
3) Roots: these are the x-intercepts or where it
crosses the x-axis.
 Finding the Vertex
2 x  8x  5
2

2x  2 13
2

x+2 tells us the vertex is at -13 tells us the vertex is

x = -2. at y = -13

ax  p   q The vertex is at ( p, q )

2
Line of symmetry is at x = p
 Finding Roots
Completing the square also gives us another method for finding
the roots of a quadratic.

This can be useful when we find it too difficult to factorise the

expression.
 Finding Roots
2x  8x  5  0 2x  2 13  0
2 2

We’re going to solve the completed square

2 x  2   13
2
x  2  13
2

x  22  132 x  2  13
, 2 13
2 2
x2 13
2
When you find a root, there will be a Set your vertex form equal to
positive and negative answer.
zero, and then make x the
x 13
2 2 subject
A quadratic is given by 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5.

a) Complete the square on the quadratic

b) Hence state the coordinates of its minimum

c) Using the completed square form, find its roots

A quadratic is given by 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5.

a) Complete the square on the quadratic

𝑦 = 𝑥+2 2−9

b) Hence state the coordinates of its minimum

𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −9

c) Using the completed square form, find its roots

𝑥+2 2−9=0 so 𝑥+2 2 =9 𝑥 + 2 = ±3
𝑥 = −5 or 𝑥=1
 Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is really just putting what we’ve been doing when completing
the square into the form of an equation.

For a quadratic 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 the roots are given by:

−𝑏 ± 𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

e.g. For 2𝑥 2 + 5 − 3 we have 𝑎 = 2, 𝑏 = 5 and 𝑐 = −3

−5 ± 52 −4×2×(−3)
Therefore the roots are at 𝑥 =
2×2
1
So 𝑥 = −3 or 𝑥 =
2
 Sketching Quadratics
 In this session we will learn how to find sketch a quadratic to find its
“roots”.
 Sketching Quadratics
You will be expected to be able to sketch a given quadratic.
You are expected to have the following on your sketches:

• Correct shape for graph

• Labelled roots / x-intercepts
• Labelled vertex
• Labelled y-intercept
 Example
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5

Where are the roots? Where is the vertex? Where is the y-intercept? Factorise
and complete the square for these.
 Example
𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 1)
𝑥+2 2−9

 5, 0 1, 0
5

 2,  9
Draw points on first. Draw the graph last.
Question from earlier:

A quadratic is given by 𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5.

a) Complete the square on the quadratic

𝑦 = 𝑥+2 2−9

b) Hence state the coordinates of its minimum

𝑥 = −2, 𝑦 = −9

c) Using the completed square form, find its roots

𝑥+2 2−9=0 so 𝑥+2 2 =9 𝑥 + 2 = ±3
𝑥 = −5 or 𝑥=1

NOW: d) Sketch the graph!

d) Sketch the quadratic

𝑦 = 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 5

-5 1

-5

𝑦 = 𝑥+2 2 −9 (-2,-9)
 Interpreting Graphs
You are expected to be able to interpret graphs.

What is the equation of this graph?

𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 8
What is the vertex form for this graph?
 4, 0 2, 0 𝑥+1 2−9
8
 1,  9
The Discriminant of a Quadratic Function
The formula for solving a quadratic equation is

 b  b 2  4ac
x
2a
The part b 2  4ac is called the discriminant

Because we square root the discriminant, we get different types of roots

depending on its sign.
The Discriminant of a Quadratic Function
To investigate the roots of the equation

x2  5x  4  0
we consider the graph of the function y  x2  5x  4
The roots of the equation are at
the points where y =0
y  x2  5x  4
(x=1 and x=4)
The discriminant

b 2  4ac  25  16
9 0
The roots are real and distinct. ( different )
The Discriminant of a Quadratic Function
For the equation x2  4x  4  0
the discriminant b 2  4ac  16  16  0

y  x2  4x  4

The roots are real and equal ( x = 2)

The Discriminant of a Quadratic Function
For the equation x2  4x  7  0
the discriminant is
b 2  4ac  16  28
  12  0
y  x2  4x  7
There are no real roots as the function
is never equal to zero

If we try to solve x 2  4 x  7  0 , we get

4   12
x
2
The square of any real number is positive so there are no real solutions to

 12
 Exercise
1 (a) Use the discriminant to determine the nature of the roots of the following
quadratic equations:

(i)
x  2x  1  0
2 (ii) x  2x  1  0
2

(b) Check your answers by completing the square to find the vertex of the function
and sketching.

Solution: (a) (i) b 2  4ac  4  4(1)(1)  0

The roots are real and equal.

(ii)
b 2  4ac  4  4(1)(  1)  4  4  8
The roots are real and distinct.
A useful tip:

If a quadratic equation is written as ax 2  bx  c 0

then if b  4ac
2 is a perfect square, the quadratic will factorise

e.g. 1 2x2  x  3 a  2, b  1, c  3

b 2  4ac  (1) 2  4(2)(3)
 1  24  25
The quadratic factorises!

 2 x 2  x  3  (2 x  3)( x  1)
e.g. 2 x 2  5x  3  0 a  1, b  5, c  3
b 2  4ac  25  4(1)(3)
 13
The quadratic does not factorise!
 (b) Check your answers by completing the square to find the vertex of the function
and sketching.

x2  2x  1
(b) (i)

 (x  1) 2  1  1 y  x2  2x  1
 ( x  1) 2
 Vertex is ( -1,0 )
Roots of equation
(real and equal)

(ii) x 2  2 x2  1
 (x  1)  1  1 y  x2  2x  1
 (x  1) 2  2
 Vertex is ( 1,-2 )
Roots of equation
(real and distinct)
2. Determine the nature of the roots of the following quadratic equations ( real and
distinct or real and equal or not real ) by using the discriminant. DON’T solve
the equations.

(a) x2  6x  9  0
b 2  4ac  (  6) 2  4(1)( 9)  36  36  0
Roots are real and equal

(b)
2x2  5x  9  0
b 2  4ac  (  5) 2  4( 2)( 9)  25  72   47  0
There are no real roots

(c)
5x2  9x  2  0
b 2  4ac  (9) 2  4(5)(  2)  81  40  121  0
Roots are real and distinct
Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
e.g. 1 y  x2       (1)
y  3  2 x       (2)
Since the y-values are equal we can eliminate y by equating the right hand sides of
the equations:

x 2  3  2 x This is a quadratic equation, so we

get zero on one side and try to
 x  2x  3  0
2
factorise:
 ( x  1)( x  3)  0  x  1 or x  3
To find the y-values, we use the linear equation, which in this example is equation
(2)

x 1  y  3  2(1)  y 1
x  3  y  3  2(3)  y  9
The points of intersection are (1, 1) and (-3, 9)
Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
Sometimes we need to rearrange the linear equation before eliminating y

e.g. 2 y  x2  3       (1)
y  3 x  1       (2)
Rearranging (2) gives y  3 x  1       ( 2a )
Eliminating y: x 2  3  3x  1
y  3 x  1 (4, 13)
 x 2  3x  4  0
 ( x  1)( x  4)  0
 x  1 or x  4 ( 1,  2) y  x2  3
Substituting in (2a): x  1  y  2
x  4  y  13
Quadratic Simultaneous Equations
e.g. 3 Find the points of intersection of y  x2 and y  3  2x

y  x2 There are 2 points of

intersection

y  3  2x

We again solve the equations simultaneously but this time there will be 2 pairs of x-
and y-values
 Exercise
Find the points of intersections of the following curve and line

y  x 2  2       (1)
x y8       ( 2)

The solution is on the next slide

 Solution: y  x 2  2       (1)
x y8       ( 2)
Rearrange (2): y  8  x       ( 2a )
Eliminate y: x2  2  8  x
 x2  x  6  0
 ( x  3)( x  2)  0  x  3 or x2
Substitute in (2a): y  8 x
x  3  y  8  ( 3)  y  11
x2  y  8  ( 2)  y6
The points of intersection are (3, 11) and (2, 6)
 Special Cases

e.g. 1 Consider the following equations:

y  x 2  2       (1)
y   x  1       (2)

y  x2  2
The line and the
y  x  1 curve don’t meet.

Solving the equations simultaneously will not give any real solutions
 Suppose we try to solve the equations:
y  x 2  2       (1)
y   x  1       (2)
Eliminate y: x2  2  x  1
 x2  x  1  0
Calculating the discriminant,  4ac
bwe2 get:
b 2  4ac  (1) 2  4(1)(1)
 14
 3  0
b  4ac  0 
2 The quadratic equation has no real roots.
 e.g. 2 y  x 2  3       (1)
y  4 x  1       (2)
Eliminate y: x 2  3  4 x  1
 x 2  4x  4  0
The discriminant, b 2  4ac  4 2  4(1)( 4 )  0
The quadratic equation has equal
roots. y  x2  3
y  4 x  1
2
Solving x  4x  4  0
 ( x  2)( x  2)  0
 x  2 (twice)
x  2  y  7
The line is a tangent to the curve.
 Exercise
Decide whether the following pairs of lines and curves meet. If they do, find the
point(s) of intersection. For each pair, sketch the curve and line.

1. y  x 2  3 

y  2 x  2 

2. y  x 2  3 

y  7 x  7 

3. y  x2  3 

y  x  1  0 
Solutions

1. y  x 2  3   x 2  3  2 x  2

y  2 x  2   x2  2x  1  0
b 2  4ac  4  4(1)(1)  0
b 2  4ac  0  the line is a tangent to the curve

x2  2x  1  0 y  x2  3
 ( x  1)( x  1)  0
 x  1
y  2x  2
 y4
Solutions

2. y  x 2  3   x2  3  7x  7

y  7 x  7   x 2  7 x  10  0
b 2  4ac  49  4(1)(10 )  9
b 2  4ac  0  there are 2 points of intersection

x 2  7 x  10  0

 ( x  2)( x  5)  0 y  x2  3
 x  2, 5
x2  y7
x  5  y  28 y  7x  7
Solutions

3. y  x2  3   x2  3  x  1

y  x  1  0   x2  x  4  0

b 2  4ac  (  1) 2  4(1)( 4 )   15
b 2  4ac  0  there are NO points of intersection

y  x2  3

y x 1 0
 Linear Inequalities
Examples of linear inequalities:
1. 3 x  12 2. 4  3x  8  x
These inequalities can be solved like linear equations EXCEPT that multiplying or
dividing by a negative number reverses the inequality. BE CAREFUL!

Consider the numbers 1 and 2 :

We know
1 2 ( 1 is less than 2 )

Dividing by -1 gives -1 and -2

BUT -1 is greater than -2
So, 1 2
 Linear Inequalities
Examples of linear inequalities:
1. 3 x  12 2. 4  3x  8  x
These inequalities can be solved like linear equations EXCEPT that multiplying or
dividing by a negative number reverses the inequality.

Consider the numbers 1 and 2 :

We know
1 2 ( 1 is less than 2 )

Dividing by -1 gives -1 and -2

BUT -1 is greater than -2
So, 1 2
The inequality sign has been reversed!
 Linear Inequalities
e.g.1. Find the values of that satisfy the inequality

3 x  12
Solution:
Divide by 3  x4
e.g.2 Find the range of values of x that satisfy the inequality
4  3x  8  x
Solution: Collect the like terms
Notice the change from “less
 x  3x  8  4 than” to “greater than”
  4x  4
Divide by -4:  x  1
Tips:  Collecting the x-terms on the side which makes the coefficient positive
avoids the need to divide by a negative number

 Substitute one value of x as a check on the answer

 Exercise
Find the range of values of x satisfying the following linear inequalities:

1. 4x  1  2x  3
Solution: 4 x  2 x  3  1  2 x  4
 x  2
2. 7  3x  x  1
Solution: Either 7  1  x  3x  8  4x
 2 x so, x2
Or  4 x  8 Divide by -4:  x2
 Quadratic Inequalities
e.g.1 Find the range of values of x that satisfy
x  2x  3
2
Solution: Method: ALWAYS use a sketch
Rearrange to get zero on one side: x2  2x  3  0
Let f ( x)  x 2  2 x  3 and find the zeros of y  f ( x)
x 2  2 x  3  0  ( x  1)( x  3 )  0 y  x2  2x  3
 x  1 or x  3

x2  2x  3 is less than 0 below the x-axis

The corresponding x values are between -3 and 1
 3 x1
 Quadratic Inequalities
e.g.2 Find the values of x that satisfy x2  4x  5  0
Solution:

Find the zeros of f ( x) where f ( x)  x 2  4 x  5

x 2  4 x  5  0  ( x  5 )( x  1)  0 yy  x 2  4 x  5
 x5 or x  1
x2  4x  5 is greater than or

equal to 0 above the x-axis

There are 2 sets of values of x

 x  1 or x 5
These represent 2 separate intervals and CANNOT be combined
 Quadratic Inequalities
e.g.3 Find the values of x that satisfy 4x  x2  0
Solution:

Find the zeros of f ( x) where f ( x)  4 x  x 2

 4x  x2  0 This quadratic has a common factor, x

 x (4  x )  0 y  4x  x2

x0 or x4
4x  x2 is greater than 0

above the x-axis

 0 x4
Be careful sketching this quadratic as the coefficient
of is negative. The quadratic is “upside
down”.
 Exercise
1. Find the values of x that satisfy f ( x)  0 where

f ( x )  x 2  7 x  10
Solution:

x  7 x  10  0  ( x  5 )( x  2 )  0
2

 x5 or
x2 y  x 2  7 x  10

x 2  7 x  10 is greater than

or equal to 0 above the x-axis

There are 2 sets of values of x which cannot be combined

 x 2 or x 5