Can we determine a

quadratic equation if we
have its roots?
Do Now: Use the quadratic formula to
determine the general form of BOTH
roots to any quadratic equation.
 What is the sum of the roots
of a quadratic equation?
• We determined that the general form of
the two roots can be written as:
b  b 2  4ac b  b 2  4ac
x or x 
2a 2a
• To find the sum, we add these together
b  b  4ac b  b  4ac 
2 2 b  b 2
 4ac  b  b 2
 4ac
  2a
2a 2a
b  b 2b b
  
2a 2a a

 The sum of the roots is
always the same?
• Yes, for any quadratic equation, due to
the nature of the roots, the sum of the
roots is the opposite of b over a.
• If we know one root and the sum of the
roots, we can find the other root.
• Note: If we know that one root is
imaginary, then the other root is the
CONJUGATE!!!
 Is there a similar
relationship for the product
of the roots?
• Yes! We can use the general form of
the roots to find the product.
b  b 2  4ac b  b 2  4ac (b  b 2  4ac )(b  b 2  4ac )
 
2a 2a 2a  2a

b  b b  4ac  b b  4ac  ( b  4ac )

2 2 2 2 2
b 2  (b 2  4ac)
 
4a 2  4a 2
4ac c
 2 
4a a

 Example
• What are the sum and product of the
roots of the equation 3x2-6x+8=0
• Sum
b (6) 6
  2
a 3 3
• Product
c 8

 a 3
 Why do we care about the
sum and product of roots?
• If we know the sum and product, we
can write the original quadratic
equation.
• The sum is made of b and a, and the
product is made of c and a, so we have
everything we need to write the
quadratic equation.
 Example
• Find the quadratic equation whose roots
are: 3  2 and 3  2
1) Find sum and
(3  2)  (3  2)  6 product
(3  2)(3  2)
93 2  3 2  4

  9  2  7
b 2) Find a, b, and c
6  b  6, a  1
a
c
7 c7
a
0  x 2  6x  7 3) Write equation
 Try on your own
• Find the quadratic equation whose roots
are 5+2i and 5-2i.
 Summary/HW
• How can we determine a quadratic
equation if we have the roots of the
equation?