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Factorising Quadratic Equations

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39 views

Factorising Quadratic Equations

Uploaded by

bha0052
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorising

Prior Knowledge:
• Factorising quadratic expressions.
• Rearranging equations.

A quadratic equation includes an algebraic term raised to the power of two (but no higher), such
as x2, y2 or n2. As a general form, they can be written as:
ax2 + bx + c = 0
Where a is any number other than 0, and b and c are any number.

Like a linear equation, your aim is to work out the value of x (or other algebraic term). Unlike in
linear equations, x can have up to two values, rather than just one.

Example 1:
2
Solve x + 5x = 0

The first important thing to notice is that we have all the terms on one side of the equals sign, with
0 on the other. A quadratic equation should be in this format before you try to solve it.

We will start by factorising the left-hand side of the equation. x2 and 5x have a common factor of x:
x2 + 5x = x(x + 5)

This gives us a factorised equation:


x(x + 5) = 0

Next, you need to remember what the expression on the left-hand side of the equals sign means:
we are multiplying x by x + 5.
x × (x + 5) = 0

Any time we multiply two expressions and get an answer of 0, we know that either the first
expression or the second expression must equal 0 (anything times 0 is 0).
Either:
x=0
Or:
x+5=0
We now have the first value of x: 0
(It’s worth noting that although we are saying ‘first’ and ‘second’ value, the order does not matter.)

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Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorising
To find the second value, we solve the equation above:
x+5=0
x = -5

Therefore, we can say that if:


x2 + 5x = 0
x = 0, or x = -5

Example 2:
2
Solve x + 7x + 12 = 0

Again, we start by factorising our expression:


x2 + 7x + 12 = (x + 3)(x + 4)
(x + 3)(x + 4) = 0

Now, we know that either:


x+3=0
Or:
x+4=0

Solving each equation gives us:


x = -3 or x = -4

Example 3:
2
Solve 2x – 3x – 20 = 0

Whether the equation is easier or harder to factorise, you can use the same method:
2x2 – 3x – 20 = 0
(2x + 5)(x – 4) = 0

We know that either:


2x + 5 = 0
2x = -5
x = -5
2

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Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorising
Or:
x–4=0
x=4
This means that if:
2x2 – 3x – 20 = 0
x = -5 or x = 4
2

Example 4 (higher only):


2
Solve x – 24 = 5x

To solve this equation, you need an extra step – you need to rearrange the equation so that it is
equal to 0:
x2 – 24 = 5x
x2 – 5x – 24 = 0

From this point, you solve as normal.


x2 – 5x – 24 = 0
(x + 3)(x – 8) = 0
x = -3 or x = 8

On a foundation paper, all quadratic equations can be solved by factorisation through this method.
On a higher paper, you may also need to solve quadratic equations by completing the square or
by using the quadratic formula.

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Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorising
Your Turn
1. Each of these quadratic equations has already been factorised. Find the values of x. Where
necessary, give your answers as fully simplified fractions.

a. 3x(x – 3) = 0 c. (x + 3)(x – 5) = 0 e. (3x + 5)(x – 7) = 0

  

  
b. (x + 2)(x + 4) = 0 d. (2x + 6)(x – 3) = 0 f. (4x + 6)(5x – 4) = 0

  

  

2. Find x to solve each quadratic equation.

a. x2 – 7x = 0 e. x2 – 16 = 0 i. 3x2 – 7x + 2 = 0

  

  
b. 2x2 + 4x = 0 f. x2 – 7x + 12 = 0 j. 5x2 – 7x – 6 = 0

  

  
c. x2 + 4x + 3 = 0 g. x2 + 2x – 35 = 0

 

 
d. x2 + 6x + 9 = 0 h. 2x2 + 17x + 30 = 0

 

 

3. Fred has answered each of these questions wrong. For each question, write a sentence
explaining his mistake.
a. x2 + 5x + 6 = 0
x = 3, x = 2


b. x2 – 8x = 0
x=8


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Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorising

The following questions cover higher material.

4. Find x to solve each quadratic equation.

a. 4x2 = 6x f. 9 = 12x – 4x2

 

 

 
b. x2 = 25 g. 4x2 = 81

 

 

 
c. x2 + 6 = 5x h. 6x2 + 5x = 10 – 6x

 

 

 
d. x2 + 14x = -49 i. 19x + 5 = 4x2

 

 

 
e. 2x2 – x = 21 – 2x j. 8x + 4y – 15 = 4y – 12x2

 

 

 

5. A rectangle has sides of length (x + 3) cm and (2x + 5) cm. If the area of the rectangle is 21cm2,
find the length of each side.

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Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorising

6. The energy given off by a chemical reaction is given by the formula E = 4t2, where E is energy
(in joules) and t is time (in seconds). If 49J have been given off, how much time has passed?

Challenge:
A right-angled triangle has sides of length 6cm, (x + 2) cm and (2x – 2) cm, where (2x – 2) cm is the
length of the hypotenuse. Find the length of each side.

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