SOLVING QUADRATIC

EQUATIONS
YEAR 11 METHODS
Solving quadratic equations

• By the end of this topic, you should be able to:

• solve pure quadratic equations (i.e. ax2 + c = 0)
• solve quadratic equations in both factored and non factored form
• solve quadratic equations involving fractions
• solve quadratic equations graphically
• solve quadratic equations by completing the square
• solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula
• solve quadratic equations using your Classpad
Solving pure quadratic equations

• A quadratic equation which has no x term (the constant b = 0) is said to be a

pure quadratic equation.
• That is, it is of the form ax2 + c = 0 where a and c are constants and a ≠ 0.
Solving pure quadratic equations

• Solve x2 – 4 = 0 Solve 3x2 – 27 = 0

• Solve 2x2 – 7 = 0 Solve x2 + 25 = 0

 Solving quadratic equations in factored form

• Solving quadratic equations in factorized form requires the application of the Null
Factor Law.

• Null Factor Law: If for any two real numbers a and b, the product a x b = 0,
then a = 0 or b = 0 or a = b = 0.

• To use the Null Factor Law the right hand side of the equation must be zero.
• The law may be extended to three or more factors.
 Solving quadratic equations in factored form
• Solve (x – 2)(x + 5) = 0

• Solve (x + 1)(2x – 3) = 0
 Solving quadratic equations NOT in factored form
• Quadratic equations which are not in factored form may be solved by first factorizing the given
quadratic equation and then applying the Null Factor Law.
 Solving quadratic equations NOT in factored form
• Solve x2 + 2x – 15 = 0 Solve 2x2 = 3 – 5x
Solving quadratic equations involving fractions
• Rational equations are equations with at least one denominator containing a variable.
• To solve equations involving fractions (rational equations), we first need to transform
the given rational equation to an equation without denominators.
• Denominators of rational equations will have restriction(s) on the domain of the variable
as the variable cannot take on any value that will cause the denominator to be zero.
Solving quadratic equations involving fractions
• Solve Solve +
Solving quadratic equations graphically
• In many cases quadratic equations may not be easily factorized or they may not have
rational factors. To solve such quadratic equations graphical methods may be used to
estimate the solutions.
Solving quadratic equations graphically
• Estimate the solution(s) of the
following quadratic equations
using the graph given.
a) x2 – 7x + 9 = 0
b) x2 – 7x + 9 = 3
c) x2 – 7x + 11 = 0
d) x2 – 7x + 9 > 0
 Definition of abscissa. : (in

Solving quadratic equations graphically a system of coordinates)

the distance from a point
to the vertical or y-axis,
measured parallel to the
horizontal or x-axis;
the x-coordinate.
• Estimate the solution(s) of the following quadratic equations
using the graph given.
a) x2 – 7x + 9 = 0
Solving quadratic equations graphically
• Estimate the solution(s) of the following quadratic equations using the graph given.
b) x2 – 7x + 9 = 3
 Solving quadratic equations graphically
• Estimate the solution(s) of the following quadratic equations using the graph given.
c) x2 – 7x + 11 = 0
Solving quadratic equations graphically
• Estimate the solution(s) of the following quadratic equations using the graph given.
d) x2 – 7x + 9 > 0
Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
• You should already know how to complete the square for a quadratric expression.
• You should be able to apply this method to solving quadratic equations which cannot be
readily factorized.
Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
• Solve x2 + 4x – 6 = 0

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Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
• Solve x2 + 7x + 1 = 0
Solving quadratic equations by completing the square
• Solve 2x2 – 6x = 5
Solving quadratic equations using the Quadratic
Formula
• Quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a, b and c are constants and a ≠ 0
may be solved using the formula below.

• The solutions or roots of quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 are given by
or
−𝑏 − √ 𝑏 − 4 𝑎𝑐
2
𝑥=
2𝑎
Solving quadratic equations using the Quadratic
Formula
• The number and nature of the solutions or roots of the quadratic equation
ax2 + bx + c = 0 are determined by the expression under the square root sign, that is, b 2 –
4ac which is called the discriminant.

• If b2 – 4ac < 0 then the quadratic equation has no real solutions or roots because over the
set of real numbers, we cannot find the square root of a negative number.
• If b2 – 4ac = 0 then the quadratic equation has one solution or root.
• If b2 – 4ac > 0, then the quadratic equation has two distinct solutions or roots.
Solving quadratic equations using the Quadratic
Formula
• A rational number is one that can be expressed as a fraction e.g. .
• An irrational number are numbers which cannot be expressed as a fraction e.g.

• If b2 – 4ac = 0 then the solution or root is rational.

• If b2 – 4ac > 0, and is a perfect square, then the solutions or roots are rational.
• If b2 – 4ac > 0, and is not a perfect square, then the solutions or roots are irrational.
Solving quadratic equations using the Quadratic
Formula
• Solve 2x2 + 4x – 3 = 0 using the quadratic formula. Give the exact solution(s).
Solving quadratic equations using the Classpad
Solving quadratic equations using the Classpad
Solving quadratic equations using the Classpad

• Visit ClassPad Help Series at www.classpad.com.au if you need additional

help with using your Classpad.
Solving quadratic equations.

• Complete Exercise 6B