What is Quadratic Equation?

There are various methods to find the roots of a

quadratic equation. The usage of the quadratic
A quadratic equation is an algebraic
formula is one of them.
equation of the second degree in x. The quadratic
equation in its standard form is ax2 + bx + c = 0,
Quadratic Formula
where a and b are the coefficients, x is the variable,
and c is the constant term. The important condition Quadratic formula is the simplest way to find
for an equation to be a quadratic equation is the roots of a quadratic equation. There are certain
2
the coefficient of x is a non-zero term (a ≠ 0). For quadratic equations that cannot be easily
writing a quadratic equation in standard form, the
factorized, and here we can conveniently use this
x2 term is written first, followed by the x term, and
quadratic formula to find the roots in the quickest
finally, the constant term is written.
possible way. The two roots in the quadratic
formula are presented as a single expression. The
positive sign and the negative sign can be
alternatively used to obtain the two distinct roots of
the equation.

Quadratic Formula: The roots of a quadratic

equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are given by x = [-b ±
Further, in real math problems the quadratic
√(b2 - 4ac)]/2a.
equations are presented in different forms: (x - 1)(x
+ 2) = 0, -x2 = -3x + 1, 5x(x + 3) = 12x, x3 = x(x2 + x
- 3). All of these equations need to be transformed
into standard form of the quadratic equation before
performing further operations.

Roots of a Quadratic Equation

This formula is also known as the Sridharacharya
The roots of a quadratic equation are the
formula.
two values of x, which are obtained by solving the
Example: Let us find the roots of the same
quadratic equation. These roots of the quadratic
equation that was mentioned in the earlier section
equation are also called the zeros of the equation.
x2 - 3x - 4 = 0 using the quadratic formula.
For example, the roots of the equation x2 - 3x - 4 =
a = 1, b = -3, and c = -4.
0 are x = -1 and x = 4 because each of them
x = [-b ± √(b2 - 4ac)]/2a
satisfies the equation. i.e.,
= [-(-3) ± √((-3)2 - 4(1)(-4))]/2(1)
 At x = -1, (-1)2 - 3(-1) - 4 = 1 + 3 - 4 = 0
= [3 ± √25] / 2
 At x = 4, (4)2 - 3(4) - 4 = 16 - 12 - 4 = 0
= [3 ± 5] / 2 value, which is part of the formula to solve the
= (3 + 5)/2 or (3 - 5)/2 quadratic equation. The value b2 - 4ac is called the
= 8/2 or -2/2 discriminant of a quadratic equation and is
= 4 or -1 are the roots. designated as 'D'. Based on the discriminant value
the nature of the roots of the quadratic equation
Proof of Quadratic Formula
can be predicted.
2
Consider an arbitrary quadratic equation: ax + bx +
c = 0, a ≠ 0 Discriminant: D = b2 - 4ac
To determine the roots of this equation, we proceed  D > 0, the roots are real and distinct
as follows:  D = 0, the roots are real and equal.
ax2 + bx = -c ⇒ x2 + bx/a = -c/a  D < 0, the roots do not exist or the roots
Now, we express the left-hand side as a perfect are imaginary.
square, by introducing a new term (b/2a)2 on both
sides:
x2+ bx/a + (b/2a)2 = -c/a + (b/2a)2
The left-hand side is now a perfect square:
(x + b/2a)2 = -c/a + b2/4a2 ⇒ (x + b/2a)2 = (b2 -
4ac)/4a2
This is good for us, because now we can
Now, check out the formulas to find the sum and
take square roots to obtain:
the product of the roots of the equation.
2
x + b/2a = ±√(b - 4ac)/2a Sum and Product of Roots of Quadratic
Equation
x = (-b ± √(b2 - 4ac))/2a
The coefficient of x2, x term, and the constant term
Thus, by completing the squares, we were able to
of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 are useful
isolate x and obtain the two roots of the equation.
in determining the sum and product of the roots of
the quadratic equation. The sum and product of the
Nature of Roots of the Quadratic Equation
roots of a quadratic equation can be directly
The roots of a quadratic equation are
calculated from the equation, without actually
usually represented to by the symbols alpha (α),
finding the roots of the quadratic equation. For a
and beta (β). Here we shall learn more about how
quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, the sum and
to find the nature of roots of a quadratic equation
product of the roots are as follows.
without actually finding the roots of the equation.
 Sum of the Roots: α + β = -b/a = - Coefficient of x/
The nature of roots of a quadratic equation can be
Coefficient of x2
found without actually finding the roots (α, β) of the
 Product of the Roots: αβ = c/a = Constant term/
equation. This is possible by taking the discriminant
Coefficient of x2
 Writing Quadratic Equations Using Roots
 The quadratic equation whose roots are α, β, is x2 -
The quadratic equation can also be formed
(α + β)x + αβ = 0.
for the given roots of the equation. If α, β, are the
 The condition for the quadratic equations a1x2 + b1x
roots of the quadratic equation, then the quadratic
+ c1 = 0, and a2x2 + b2x + c2 = 0 having the same
equation is as follows.
roots is (a1b2 - a2b1) (b1c2 - b2c1) = (a2c1 - a1c2)2.
2
x - (α + β)x + αβ = 0
 When a > 0, the quadratic expression f(x) = ax2 + bx
+ c has a minimum value at x = -b/2a.
Example: What is the quadratic equation whose
 When a < 0, the quadratic expression f(x) = ax2 + bx
roots are 4 and -1?
+ c has a maximum value at x = -b/2a.
 The domain of any quadratic function is the set of
Solution: It is given that α = 4 and β = -1. The
all real numbers.
corresponding quadratic equation is found by:
x2 - (α + β)x + αβ = 0 Methods to Solve Quadratic Equations
2
x - (α + β)x + αβ = 0 A quadratic equation can be solved to
2
x - (4 - 1)x + (4)(-1) = 0 obtain two values of x or the two roots of the
2
x - 3x - 4 = 0 equation. There are four different methods to find
the roots of the quadratic equation. The four
Formulas Related to Quadratic Equations
methods of solving the quadratic equations are as
The following list of important formulas is helpful to
follows.
solve quadratic equations.
 Factorizing of Quadratic Equation
 The quadratic equation in its standard form is ax2 +
 Using quadratic formula (which we have seen
bx + c = 0
already)
 The discriminant of the quadratic equation is D =
 Method of Completing the Square
b2 - 4ac
 Graphing Method to Find the Roots
 For D > 0 the roots are real and distinct.
Let us look in detail at each of the above methods
 For D = 0 the roots are real and equal.
to understand how to use these methods, their
 For D < 0 the real roots do not exist, or the roots
applications, and their uses.
are imaginary.
 The formula to find the roots of the quadratic Solving Quadratic Equations by Factorization
2
equation is x = [-b ± √(b - 4ac)]/2a. Factorization of quadratic equation follows a
 The sum of the roots of a quadratic equation is α + sequence of steps. For a general form of the
β = -b/a. quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, we need to first
 The product of the Root of the quadratic equation is split the middle term into two terms, such that the
αβ = c/a. product of the terms is equal to the constant term.
 Further, we can take the common terms from the  ax2 + bx + c = 0
available term, to finally obtain the required factors  ax2 + bx = -c
as follows:  x2 + bx/a = -c/a
 x2 + (a + b)x + ab = 0
 x2 + ax + bx + ab = 0 Now, we express the left-hand side as a perfect
 x(x + a) + b(x + a) square, by introducing a new term (b/2a)2 on both
 (x + a)(x + b) = 0 sides:
 x2 + bx/a + (b/2a)2 = -c/a + (b/2a)2
Here is an example to understand the factorization  (x + b/2a)2 = -c/a + b2/4a2
process.  (x + b/2a)2 = (b2 - 4ac)/4a2
 x2 + 5x + 6 = 0  x + b/2a = +√(b2- 4ac)/2a
 x2 + 2x + 3x + 6 = 0  x = - b/2a +√(b2- 4ac)/2a
 x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2) = 0  x = [-b ± √(b2 - 4ac)]/2a
 (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0
Here the '+' sign gives one root and the '-' sign
Thus, the two obtained factors of the quadratic gives another root of the quadratic equation.
equation are (x + 2) and (x + 3). To find its roots, Generally, this detailed method is avoided, and only
just set each factor to zero and solve for x. i.e., x + the quadratic formula is used to obtain the required
2 = 0 and x + 3 = 0 which gives x = -2 and x = -3. roots.
Thus, x = -2 and x = -3 are the roots of x2 + 5x + 6 =
0. Graphing a Quadratic Equation
The graph of the quadratic equation ax2 +

Further, there is another important method of bx + c = 0 can be obtained by representing the

solving a quadratic equation. The method of quadratic equation as a function y = ax2 + bx + c.

completing the square for a quadratic equation is Further by solving and substituting values for x, we

also useful to find the roots of the equation. can obtain values of y, we can obtain numerous
points. These points can be presented in the
Method of Completing the Square coordinate axis to obtain a parabola-shaped graph
The method of completing the square in a for the quadratic equation. For detailed information
quadratic equation is to algebraically square and about graphing a quadratic function, click here.
simplify, to obtain the required roots of the
equation. Consider a quadratic equation ax2 + bx +
c = 0, a ≠ 0. To determine the roots of this equation,
we simplify it as follows:
 The maximum and minimum values for the
quadratic function F(x) = ax2 + bx + c can be
observed in the below graphs. For positive values
of a (a > 0), the quadratic expression has a
minimum value at x = -b/2a, and for negative value
of a (a < 0), the quadratic expression has a
maximum value at x = -b/2a. x = -b/2a is the x-
coordinate of the vertex of the parabola.

The point(s) where the graph cuts the horizontal x-

axis (typically the x-intercepts) is the solution of the
quadratic equation. These points can also be
algebraically obtained by equalizing the y value to 0
in the function y = ax2 + bx + c and solving for x.

Quadratic Equations Having Common Roots

Consider two quadratic equations having The maximum and minimum values of the
common roots a1x2 + b1x + c1 = 0, and a2x2 + b2x + quadratic expressions are of further help to find the
c2 = 0. Let us solve these two equations to find the range of the quadratic expression: The range of the
conditions for which these equations have a quadratic expressions also depends on the value of
common root. The two equations are solved for a. For positive values of a( a > 0), the range is [ F(-
x2 and x respectively. b/2a), ∞), and for negative values of a ( a < 0), the
range is (-∞, F(-b/2a)].
2
(x )(b1c2 - b2c1) = (-x)/(a1c2 - a2c1) = 1/(a1b2 - a2b1)
x2 = (b1c2 - b2c1) / (a1b2 - a2b1)  For a > 0, Range: [ f(-b/2a), ∞)
x = (a2c1 - a1c2) / (a1b2 - a2b1)  For a < 0, Range: (-∞, f(-b/2a)]

Hence, by simplifying the above two expressions Note that the domain of a quadratic function is the
we have the following condition for the two set of all real numbers, i.e., (-∞, ∞).
equations having the common root.
(a1b2 - a2b1) (b1c2 - b2c1) = (a2c1 - a1c2)2 Tips and Tricks on Quadratic Equation:
Some of the below-given tips and tricks on
Maximum and Minimum Value of Quadratic quadratic equations are helpful to more easily solve
Expression
quadratic equations.
 The quadratic equations are generally solved
through factorization. But in instances when it
cannot be solved by factorization, the quadratic
formula is used.
 The roots of a quadratic equation are also called
the zeroes of the equation.
 For quadratic equations having negative
discriminant values, the roots are represented by
complex numbers.
 The sum and product of the roots of a quadratic
equation can be used to find higher algebraic
expressions involving these roots.