Quadratic Equation

A quadratic equation in variable x is a second – degree equation that can be written

in standard form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where a, b and c are real numbers and a≠ 0. In the
equation, 𝑎𝑥 2 is the quadratic term, 𝑏𝑥 is the linear term and c is the constant term. The
value of a is the numerical coefficient of quadratic term, b is the numerical coefficient of
the linear term, and c is the constant term that could be positive, negative or zero.
Below are forms of a quadratic equation.

𝑎𝑥 2 = 𝑐 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 = 𝑐 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0
There are two possible answers that will make quadratic equation true. These
answers called roots of the quadratic equation.

 Recall that in finding the roots of quadratic equation by extracting the square roots, we
should know first the basic knowledge and skill in solving square roots.

Solving Quadratic Equations by

Extracting the Square root
There are several methods in finding the roots pf quadratic equations, one of these are
by extracting the square root. We can use this method when the quadratic equation is in the
form of 𝑎𝑥 2 = 𝑐, where the value of 𝑏 is zero

Solving quadratic equations by extracting their square roots

Steps:
1. Transpose all terms that have the square of the unknown at one side and the rest to the
other side of the equation.
2. Combine similar terms if there is.
3. If the 𝑥 2 has a numerical coefficient, divide both terms in both sides by this.
4. Extract the roots.

Example 1. 𝑥 2 = 36
Solution:
𝑥 2 = 36
𝑥 = √36
𝑥 = ±6
 Thus, 𝑥 = 6 or 𝑥 = −6
Example 2. 2𝑥 2 = 50
Solution:

2𝑥 2 = 50
50
𝑥2 =
2
𝑥 = √25
𝑥 = ±5
Thus, 𝑥 = 5 or 𝑥 = −5

Example 3. 3𝑥 2 − 27 = 0
Solution:
3𝑥 2 − 27 = 0
3𝑥 2 = 27
27
𝑥2 = 3
𝑥 = √9
𝑥 = ±3
Thus, 𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = −3

Example 4. 4𝑥 2 − 72 = 2𝑥 2
Solution:

4𝑥 2 − 72 = 2𝑥 2
4𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 2 = 72
2𝑥 2 = 72
𝑥 2 = 36
𝑥 = √36
𝑥 = ±6
Thus, 𝑥 = 6 or 𝑥 = −6

Example 5. 9𝑥 2 − 16 = 0
Solution:

9𝑥 2 − 16 = 0
9𝑥 2 = 16
𝑥 2 = 16/9
16
𝑥 = √9
4
𝑥 = ±3
4 4
Thus, 𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = − 3

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
Activity 1: Let’s Do it!
Direction: Solve each quadratic equation by extracting square roots completely. Box your final
answers.

1. 𝑥 2 = 169
2. 16𝑥 2 − 49 = 0
3. 4𝑥 2 − 36 = 0
4. 8𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 2 − 81 = 4𝑥 2
𝑥4 9𝑥 2
5. =
4 4

Solving Quadratic Equations by

Factoring Method
Another way to solve quadratic equations is using the factoring method. In your
previous year, you learned different factoring methods such as common monomial factor,
difference of two squares perfect square trinomial and other trinomials.

 Recall that to factor an algebraic expression, is to find two or more factors whose product is
the original expression.

Solving quadratic equations by factoring

Steps:
1. In the equation, simplify the terms as well as combining similar terms, grouping symbols
and fractions.
2. Transpose all the terms to the left side of the equation then equate it to zero.
3. Apply the factoring method that is applicable to the certain quadratic equation.
4. You will now have two factors. Equate each factor to zero and solve for the unknown
variable.

Example 1. 𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 36 = 0
Solution:
𝑥 2 + 12𝑥 + 36 = 0
(𝑥 + 6)(𝑥 + 6) = 0
𝑥+6=0 𝑥+6=0
𝑥 = −6 𝑥 = −6
Thus, 𝑥 = 6 or 𝑥 = −6

Example 2. 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 10
Solution:

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 10 = 0
(𝑥 + 5)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
𝑥+5=0 𝑥−2=0
𝑥 = −5 𝑥=2
Thus, 𝑥 = −5 or 𝑥 = 2

Example 3. 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 = 15
Solution:
2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 15 = 0
(2𝑥 − 5)(𝑥 + 3) = 0
2𝑥 − 5 = 0 𝑥+3=0
5
𝑥=2 𝑥 = −3
Thus, 𝑥 = 5/2 or 𝑥 = −3

Activity 2: Factor me out!

Direction: Solve each quadratic equation by factoring completely. Box your final answers.

1. 7𝑥 2 = 175
2. 36𝑥 2 − 121 = 0
3. 4𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 = 0
4. 2𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 28 = 0
5. 12𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 35 = 0

Solving Quadratic Equations by

Completing the Square

From the previous methods we use, it is easy to solved quadratic equations when we
can extract the square root of the constant in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 = 𝑐 likewise when the left side of
the quadratic equation is factorable. But the problem arises when we cannot extract the
square or cannot be factored. A different method is required for such case. One method of
solving quadratic equations that works whether the equation can be factored or not is the
method of completing the square.

 Recall that the main task in using the method of completing the square is to produce a perfect
square trinomial (PST) on the left side of the quadratic equation, and the use the square root
property to solve the equation.

Solving quadratic equations by completing the square

Steps:

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
 1. Transpose the constant term at the right side of the equation.
2. Find one-half of the numerical coefficient of the linear term, then square it.
3. Add the number to the both sides of the equation.
4. Factor the Perfect Square Trinomial at the left side and simplify the right side.
5. Extract the square root both sides
6. Solve for x by combining the similar terms at the right side.

Example 1. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 8 = 0 𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒.

Solution:

𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 8 = 0 Given
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 = −8 Transpose the constant term
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + ___ = −8 + ___ Divide the numerical coefficient of linear term 6x by 2 then
square it.
𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 = −8 + 9 Add 9 to the both sides
(𝑥 + 3)2 = 1 Simplify it by factoring

√(𝑥 + 3)2 = √1 Get the square root of both sides

𝑥 + 3 = ±1 Solve the value of x
𝑥+3=1 𝑥 + 3 = −1
=1−3 = −1 − 3
𝑥 = −2 𝑥 = −4

Thus, the roots are -2 and -4.

Example 2. 𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 = 4
Solution:

𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 4 = 0 Given
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 = 4 Transpose the constant term
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + ___ = 4 + ___ Divide the numerical coefficient of linear term -10x by 2 then
square it.
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 = 4 + 25 Add 25 to the both sides
(𝑥 − 5)2 = 29 Simplify it by factoring

√(𝑥 − 5)2 = √29 Get the square root of both sides

𝑥 − 5 = ±√29 Solve the value of x

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
 𝑥 − 5 = √29 𝑥 − 5 = −√29
= 5 + √29 = 5 − √29

Thus, the roots are 5 + √29 and 5 − √29.

Example 3. 2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 = 20
Solution:

2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 = 20 Given
2𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + ___ = 20 + ___ Divide the numerical coefficient of linear term 8x by 2 then
square it.
𝑥 2 + 8𝑥 + 16 = 20 + 16 Add 16 to the both sides
(𝑥 + 4)2 = 36 Simplify it by factoring

√(𝑥 + 4)2 = √36 Get the square root of both sides

𝑥 + 4 = ±6 Solve the value of x
𝑥+4=6 𝑥 + 4 = −6
=6−4 = −6 − 4
𝑥=2 𝑥 = −10

Thus, the roots are 2 and -10.

Activity 3: Complete me!

Direction: Solve each quadratic equation by completing the square. Write your solution
completely and box your final answers.

1. 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 = 7
2. 𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 − 21 = 0
3. 3𝑞 2 + 18𝑞 − 21 = 0

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
Solving Quadratic Equations by
the Quadratic Formula

Often the method of completing the square is tedious especially when the values of
a,b, and c are large numbers. However, a formula for solving any quadratic equation involving
a,b, and c can be derived using the method of completing the square in 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

−𝑏±√𝑏 2−4𝑎𝑐
Thus, the quadratic formula is . . . 𝑥 = , where a is the numerical
2𝑎
coefficient of the quadratic term, b is the numerical coefficient of linear term and c is a constant
of the quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

 In this method, we simply identify the values of a, b, and c to the quadratic formula and simplify
it afterwards. But before using the quadratic formula, see to it that the quadratic equation is
simplified and be in the standard form.

Example 1. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 14 = 0 by quadratic formula.

Solution:

Since the given equation, 𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 14 = 0 is already in standard form then identify

the values for a, b, and c. Thus, 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑏 = 9 and 𝑐 = 14. Now, substitute the following
values to the quadratic equation.

2
−𝑏±√𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
Formula: 𝑥= 2𝑎
2
−𝑏±√𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= Substitute the values of a, b and c.
2𝑎
2
−9±√9 −4(1)(14)
𝑥= 2(1)
Simplify the equation
−9±√81−56
𝑥= 2
−9± 25
√
𝑥= 2
−9+5 −9−5
𝑥= 2 𝑥= 2
𝑥 = −2 𝑥 = −7
Thus, the roots are -2 and -7.

Example 2. 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 = −9
Solution:

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
 Take a look that the given equation, 𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 = −9 is not yet in standard form. So,
transform it first to its standard form to identify the values for a, b, and c. Thus, it will be, 𝑥 2 −
6𝑥 + 9 = 0, 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑎 = 1 , 𝑏 = −6 and 𝑐 = 9. Now, substitute the following values
to the quadratic equation.

2
−𝑏±√𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
Formula: 𝑥= 2𝑎
2
−𝑏±√𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= Substitute the values of a, b and c.
2𝑎
2
−(−6)±√(−6) −4(1)(9)
𝑥= Simplify the equation
2(1)
6± 36−36
√
𝑥= 2
−6± 0√
𝑥= 2
−6
𝑥= 2
𝑥 = −3
Thus, the root of the equation is -3.

Example 3. 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 15 = 0
Solution:

Take a look that the given equation, 2𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 15 = 0 is in then standard form. Thus,
the values of 𝑎 = 2 , 𝑏 = 1 and 𝑐 = 15. Now, substitute the following values to the quadratic
equation.

2
−𝑏±√𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
Formula: 𝑥= 2𝑎
2
−𝑏±√𝑏 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= Substitute the values of a, b and c.
2𝑎
2
−1±√(1) −4(2)(−15)
𝑥= Simplify the equation
2(2)
−1± 121
√
𝑥= 4
−1±11
𝑥= 4
−1+11 −1−11
𝑥= 4
𝑥 = 4
−12
𝑥 = 10/4 𝑥=
4
𝑥 = 5/2 𝑥 = −3

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo
 Thus, the roots of the equation are 5/2 and -3.

Activity 4: Lead me to the Formula!

Direction: Solve each quadratic equation by using the quadratic formula. Write your solution
completely and box your final answers.

1. 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 − 12 = 0
2. 3𝑝2 − 4𝑝 = 4
3. 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 − 96 = 0

Prepared by:
Lyka Monique A. Olalo