TTMath School

Level 3: Algebra Class 3

1. 1 variable degree 2 equation (Quadratic equation)

(a) Standard form: Ax2 + Bx + C = 0 where A, B, C are constants, A 6= 0.
(b) Factored form: A(x + R)(x + S) = 0 where A, R, S are constants, A 6= 0.
(c) Expanding: The process of going from factored form into standard form.
(d) Factoring: The process of going from standard form into factored form.
(e) Roots/zeroes/solutions: Solutions to a quadratic equation.
2. Factoring Trinomials
• Step1: Write the trinomial in standard form. Ax2 + Bx + C = 0


• Step2: Factor out the greatest common factor of all terms. K ax2 + bx + c = 0
• Step3: Let P = ac and find two numbers, r and s, such that rs = P and r + s = b.
• Step4: Factor K((ax2 + rx) + (sx + c)) = 0 by grouping.
3. Factoring Trinomial Example: Consider the expression −26n − 14 + 4n2 .
• Step1: 4n2 − 26n − 14
• Step2: 2(2n2 − 13n − 7)
• Step3: Since P = −14 and b = −13 then r = −14 and s = 1
• Step4:

2 2x2 − 14x + (x − 7)

=2 (2x (x − 7) + (x − 7))
=2 (x − 7) (2x + 1)

4. Solving Quadratic Equation

• Step1: Express the quadratic in factored form. A(x + R)(x + S) = 0
• Step2: Solving x + R = 0 and x + S = 0 for two answers.
5. Special Factorizations
(a) Perfect square: a2 + 2ab + b2 = (a + b)2
(b) Difference of squares a2 − b2 = (a + b)(a − b)
(c) Sum of Cubes: a3 + b3 = (a + b)(a2 − ab + b2 )
(d) Difference of Cubes: a3 − b3 = (a − b)(a2 + ab + b2 )
(e) Simon’s Favorite Factoring Trick: ab + ay + bx + xy = (a + x)(b + y)

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6. Vieta’s formula: The roots of a quadratic, ax2 + bx + c = 0, can be related to its coefficient.
Specifically, if α and β are the two roots then
b
α+β =−
a
c
αβ =
a

Homework
Complete the following problems. Remember to show your work and simplify your answer. Do not
use a calculator.
1. Additional Practice: “Introduction to Algebra”: Chapter 10, 11
Next Class: “Introduction to Algebra”: Chapter 12, 13, 14
2. Solve the following equations for real solutions. (You must use factoring)
(a) g 2 + 1.5g − 10 = 0

(b) 6n8 + 30n7 + 36n6 = 0

(c) −2q 2 − 5q + 3 = 0

(d) 2r3 + r2 − 2r − 1 = 0

(e) s4 − 2s2 + 1 = 0

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(f) 22t + 5(2t ) + 4 = 0

(g) 4u + 2u+1 + 1 = 0

(h) vw + v + w + 1 = 0

√
(i) w + 2 w + 1 = 0

(j) x6 y 6 − 6x3 y 3 + 5 = 0

(k) y 8 − 1 = 0

(l) z 4 + z 2 + 1 = 0

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(m) x2 y 2 − 4y 2 − x2 + 4 = 0

(n) 2cd − 3d − 14c + 21 = 0

3. Find the sum of the squares of the roots 3x2 − 3x + 4 = 0 without explicitly finding the roots. (Yes, the answer
does exist)

4. Consider the quadratic equation in x, 2x2 − 5x − a = 0. If the two roots are in the ratio of x1 : x2 = 2 : 3, find
the value of a.

a
5. Let a and b be two real numbers such that a2 + 3a + 1 = 0 and b2 + 3b + 1 = 0. Find the value of b + ab .

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√ √
6. Points ( π, a) and ( π, b) are distinct points on the graph y 2 + x4 = 2x2 y + 1.
(a) Find the value of a + b.

(b) Find the value of |a − b|.

√
7. Solve the equation 2x2 + 7 3x + 9 = 0. (You must use factoring)

8. Solve the equation (x2 + 5x − 24)(x2 − 3x + 2) = (4x − 10)(x2 + 5x − 24).

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9. Find all pairs of integers (p, q) such that pq − 3p + 5q = 0.

10. Solve the equation x2 + 2x + y 2 + 2 = 2y.

11. If m and n are the roots of x2 + mx + n = 0, where m 6= 0 and n 6= 0, then find the numerical value of m + n?

12. Let p, q, and r be constants. One solution to the equation (x − p)(x − q) = (r − p)(r − q) is x = r. Find the
other solution in terms of p, q, and r.

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13. Compute
1999199819972 − 2 · 1999199819942 + 1999199819912.

√
14. Find x − y given that x4 = y 4 + 18 3, x2 + y 2 = 6, and x + y = 3.

15. Suppose the quadratic x2 + bx + c equals 0 when x = r or x = s. If r2 s + s2 r = 10, and b and c are integers,
find all possible ordered pairs (b, c).

16. Find all triples (a, b, c) such that all three of the following equations are satisfied:

a(b + c − 5) = 7,
b(a + c − 5) = 7,
a2 + b2 = 50.

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17. Joel is thinking of a quadratic and Eve is thinking of a quadratic. Both use x as their variable. When they
evaluate their quadratics for x = 1, they get the same number. When they evaluate their quadratics for x = 2,
they both again get the same number. And when they evaluate their quadratics for x = 3, they again both
have the same result. Are their quadratics necessarily the same?

18. Let x and y be numbers such that

|x| 6= |y|, x3 = 15x + 4y, and y 3 = 4x + 15y.

Find x2 + y 2 .

√
19. Determine 1 + 50 · 51 · 52 · 53 without a calculator.

20. Factor x4 + 4y 4 .

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21. Express 222 + 1 as the product of two four-digit numbers.

22. Simplify the expression √ √

( 2 − 1)1− 3
√ √ ,
( 2 + 1)1+ 3
√
writing your answer as a − b c, where a, b, and c are positive integers.

23. Without a calculator, find the sum of the digits of the number 20034 − 19974.