1.

2 QUADRATIC EQUATIONS

ENGAGE

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This is just a normal banana but when you look at it, the curve that it creates
actually has an equation and this is called a quadratic equation. Unlike linear
equation, quadratic equation creates curves when you try to graph its equation.

EXPLORE Quadratic Equation is an equation in which the highest power of the variable
is two. The first degree term and constant term may or may not be present but
the highest power of the unknown occurring is two.

Examples:

1) 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 + 4 = 0

2) 2𝑥 2 = 0

3) 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 0

4) 𝑥 2 + 5 = 0

Four ways to solve quadratic equation:

1) First – degree term missing

You can use this method if the first – degree term of the equation is missing.
This is done by just squaring both sides of the equation to get the value of x.
example number 2 above can be solved simply using this method.

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 2) Solution by factoring

If you could recall, I included factoring in the review section of this module
because there are many ways to factor a polynomial and it is not covered in
MATH 116. So you need to review how to factor a polynomial.
𝑏
Shown below is a standard trinomial. If last term, 𝑐 = , then you can use
2
solution by factoring with ease.
𝑎𝑥 2 ± 𝑏𝑥 ± 𝑐 = 0
𝑏
If 𝑐 ≠ , refer to the elementary factory types below.
2

(𝑚 − 𝑛)2 = 𝑚2 − 2𝑚𝑛 + 𝑛2

(𝑚 + 𝑛)2 = 𝑚2 + 2𝑚𝑛 + 𝑛2

(𝑚 + 𝑛)(𝑚 − 𝑛) = 𝑚2 − 𝑛2

3) Solution by completing the square

If the last term is not a perfect square, then you can use this solution. Actually,
almost all quadratic equation can be solved using this method.

4) Solution by formula

If you tried factoring and completing the square but you are having a hard time
arriving to the answer, then your best option is by formula, provided that 𝑎 ≠ 0

−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

Suggested steps in solving Quadratic Equations

1. Check if the equation is complete with second – degree term and first –
degree term. If the equation doesn’t have the first – degree – term, then
you can just solve by squaring both sides of the equation
2. If not then, arrange it into standard trinomial form so that you can clearly
determine what solution to be used to solve the equation. Check if you
can recognize elementary factor types. If yes, then proceed solving by
factoring
3. If step 1 is not feasible, check if the last term is a perfect square. If yes,
then proceed solving by completing the square
4. If step 2 is still not feasible, then you may proceed solving using the
formula
5. Solve for the values of x
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Sample Problem 1:

Determine the roots of the equation: 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 = 0

Solution:

Step Upon inspection, the given equation is complete with the second –
1 degree term and first degree term so squaring both sides to solve
for x is not feasible for this problem.

Step The equation is in standard trinomial form and you can use
2 factoring to solve the problem

𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 = 0

The last term is 6. Its factors are 3 times 2 and 6 times 1.So by trial
and error, let’s check if we could attain the middle term.

Multiplying – 2 and x, we get – 2x. multiplying x and – 3, we get –

5x which is the middle term. This means that our factors should be

(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 3) = 0
This is great because on our first trial, we already got the middle
term but there are instances that we don’t arrive on our first trial.
That’s why we need to think of the other factors for the last term
and follow the same process

After determining the factor, solve for the values of x.

𝑥−2=0 𝑥−3=0

𝑥=2 𝑥=3

Therefore, for the given problem the root is 2 and 3.

Step In the event that you are having a hard time solving the problem by
3 factoring, you can also use completing the square. There are
instances that the problem is too difficult and you should not dwell
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longer on a certain problem especially during exams because you
need to practice efficiency in solving problems in preparation for the
board exam.

So here’s how you solve the same problem by completing the

square.
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 = 0

Transpose 6 to the left – hand side of the equation.

𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 = −6

Next, determine the coefficient of the first – degree term of the

equation then divide it by 2 then square it. In this case, the
5
coefficient is – 5. So, divide it by 2, we get − 2 then square it, to get
25
. Next, is we add that value on both sides of the equation.
4

25 25
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + = −6 +
4 4

Simplify the equation by combining similar terms, then express the

term on the left as a square of a binomial.

25 1
𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + =
4 4

5 2 1
(𝑥 − ) =
2 4

Square both sides of the equation to eliminate the 2nd power in the
left – hand side of the equation.

5 2 1
√(𝑥 − ) = √
2 4

5 1
𝑥− = ±
2 2

There is a plus and minus sign before the value in the right – hand
1 1
side of the equation because squaring + 2 and − 2 would still arrive
1
to the answer 4.

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 Finally, solve for the value of x
5 1
𝑥− = +
2 2
1 5
𝑥= + +
2 2
6
𝑥=
2

𝑥=3

5 1
− = −
2 2
1 5
𝑥= − +
2 2
4
𝑥=
2

𝑥=2

Step Step 1 and Step 2 shows the solution using factoring and
4 completing the square but for instance, you don’t like solving it that
way because you find it very time consuming, the you can solve it
using the formula.

Since we have the formula, all we need to do is substitute the

values into the formula. Solve it simultaneously in positive and
negative because in the formula, you have the plus or minus
sign.Then that’s it! You will get the roots of the equation.

For the given equation, 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 6 = 0, a = 1 ; b = – 5; c = 6.

For the positive:

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

−𝑏 + √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
−(−5) + √(−5)2 − 4(1)(6)
𝑥=
2(1)

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 𝑥= 3

For the negative:

−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

−𝑏 − √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

−(−5) − √(−5)2 − 4(1)(6)

𝑥=
2(1)

𝑥=2

Step The roots of the equation is 2 and 3.

5
When you solve later on, no need for you to show all the different
ways of solving quadratic equations. One way is enough and using
the formula is the easiest and simplest approach to solve quadratic
equations but you need to be familiar with the other way of solving
it as a back – up, in the event that you forgot the formula

Sample Problem 2:

Find the roots: 4𝑥 2 − 3 = 0

Solution:

Step The equation doesn’t have a first – degree term. So we can solve
1 it using the first method.

.
Step 4𝑥 2 − 3 = 0
2
Transpose 3 to the left – hand side of the equation.

4𝑥 2 = 3
Divide both sides by 4 to eliminate the coefficient of x2.

4𝑥 2 3
=
4 4
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 Cancel out 4 then square both sides of the equation to eliminate
the 2nd power of x.

3
𝑥2 =
4

3
√𝑥 2 = √
4

3 √3
𝑥 = ±√ = ±
4 2

Sample Problem 3:

Find the roots: 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4 = 0

Solution:

Step The equation is in standard trinomial form so we can’t solve it

1 using the first method. The option that we have is factoring,
completing the square and by formula.

Let’s say for example you want to solve it by completing the

square

Step 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 4 = 0
2 Transpose 4 to the left – hand side of the equation, then divide
both sides of the equation by 3 to eliminate the coefficient of x2.

3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 4

3𝑥 2 2𝑥 4
− =
3 3 3
2 4
𝑥2 − 𝑥 =
3 3

Next, determine the coefficient of the first – degree term equation

then divide it by 2 then square it.

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 2
In this case, the linear coefficient is − 3. So, divide it by 2, we get
1 1
− 3 then square it, to get . Next, is we add that value on both
9
sides of the equation.

2 1 4 1
𝑥2 − 𝑥 + = +
3 9 3 9

Simplify the equation by combining similar terms, then express

the term on the left – hand side of the equation as a square of a
binomial.

1 2 13
(𝑥 − ) =
3 9

Take the square root of both sides.

1 13
√(𝑥 − )2 = √
3 9

1 √13
𝑥− = ±
3 3
Solve for the values of x

1 √13
𝑥− = +
3 3

√13 1
𝑥= + +
3 3

1 + √13
𝑥=
3

1 √13
𝑥− = −
3 3

√13 1
𝑥= − +
3 3

1 − √13
𝑥=
3

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Sample Problem 4:

Find the roots: 12𝑥 2 − 73𝑥 + 6 = 0

Solution:

Step Upon inspection, the given equation is complete with the second –
1 degree term and first degree term so squaring both sides to solve
for x is not feasible for this problem. But all three methods can be
used to solve this problem.

Step Assuming that you want to solve it by factoring, you need to

2 determine the factors of the coefficient of x2 and 6 such that when
you add the values, the answer is – 73.
The factors of 12 is 4, 3, 6, 2, 1 and 12. While the factors of 6 is
3,2,1 and 6.

(12 𝑥 − 1)(𝑥 − 6) = 0

Since our answer is correct, we will now proceed in solving for x in

12x – 1

12𝑥 − 1 = 0

Transpose 1 to the left – hand side of the equation

12 𝑥 = 1

Divide both sides by 12 to get the value of x

12𝑥 1
=
12 12
1
𝑥=
12

Solve for the value of x for x – 6

𝑥−6=0
Transpose 6 to the left – hand side of the equation

𝑥=6
1
Therefore, the roots of the equation 12𝑥 2 − 73𝑥 + 6 = 0, is 6 and 12

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 EXPLAIN SUMMARY

There are four ways in solving quadratic equations: first degree – term missing
solution by factoring, solution by completing the square and solution by
formula.

For the first method, you need to check the format of the equation if this
method can be applied or not. As its name suggest, if the first degree – term of
the equation is missing, then this method is very applicable.

For the second method, you need to review on factoring to be able to do this
smoothly because trial and error on the factors to get the middle term is very
time consuming

For the third method, this could be a long process but is very useful especially
if you forgot the formula
−𝒃 ± √𝒃𝟐 − 𝟒𝒂𝒄
𝒙=
𝟐𝒂

For the last method, you need to memorize the formula. This is the shortest
method in solving quadratic equations. It is up to you on which method you will
use because all of them will arrive on the same answer.

ELABORATE
PRACTICE PROBLEMS
Solve the problems below and apply what you have learned so far. In this
practice problem, answers are provided on every problem so that you will know
if your answers are correct. Write your solutions on the blank pages after this.

It is not necessary to solve it using all of the methods but is advisable to do so

because in this way, you can practice solving it using different methods

Problems Answers
For the following problems, determine the roots of
the equation
1 𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 7 = 0 −1 ± 2√2
2 16𝑥 2 + 88𝑥 + 121 = 0 11
−
4
3 𝑥 2 − 121 = 0 ±11
4 𝑥 2 − 13𝑥 + 36 = 0 9, 4
1
5 2𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 1 = 0 1, − 2

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