1.3: Solving Quadratic Equations
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We will first solve some quadratic equations by using the Zero Product Property. The Zero Product Property says that if the product of two quantities is zero, it must be that at least one of the quantities is zero. The only way to get a product equal to zero is to multiply by zero itself.
\(\text { If } a \cdot b=0, \text { then either } a=0 \text { or } b=0 \text { or both. }\)
We will now use the Zero Product Property, to solve a quadratic equation.
Solve: \((x+1)(x-4)=0\)
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Solve: \((x-3)(x+5)=0\)
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\(x=3, x=-5\)
Solve: \((y-6)(y+9)=0\)
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\(y=6, y=-9\)
We usually will do a little more work than we did in this last example to solve the linear equations that result from using the Zero Product Property.
Solve: \((5 n-2)(6 n-1)=0\)
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\((5 n-2)(6 n-1)=0\) Use the Zero Product Property to set
each factor to 0.\(5 n-2=0 \)
\(6 n-1=0\) Solve the equations. \(n=\frac{2}{5}\) \(n = \frac{1}{6}\) Check your answers. 
Solve: \((3 m-2)(2 m+1)=0\)
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\(m=\frac{2}{3}, m=-\frac{1}{2}\)
Solve: \((4 p+3)(4 p-3)=0\)
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\(p=-\frac{3}{4}, p=\frac{3}{4}\)
Notice when we checked the solutions that each of them made just one factor equal to zero. But the product was zero for both solutions.
Solve: \(3 p(10 p+7)=0\)
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\(3p(10p+7)=0\) Use the Zero Product Property to set
each factor to 0.3p=0 10p+7=0 Solve the equations. p=0 10p=−7 \(p=-\frac{7}{10}\) Check your answers. 
Solve: \(2 u(5 u-1)=0\)
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\(u=0, u=\frac{1}{5}\)
Solve: \(w(2 w+3)=0\)
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\(w=0, w=-\frac{3}{2}\)
It may appear that there is only one factor in the next example. Remember, however, that \((y-8)^{2}\) means \((y-8)(y-8)\).
Solve: \((y-8)^{2}=0\)
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\((y−8)^{2}=0\) Rewrite the left side as a product. (y−8)(y−8)=0 Use the Zero Product Property and
set each factor to 0.y−8=0 y−8=0 Solve the equations. y=8 y=8 When a solution repeats, we call it
a double root.Check your answer. 
Solve: \((x+1)^{2}=0\)
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\(x=1\)
Solve: \((v-2)^{2}=0\)
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\(v=2\)
Solve Quadratic Equations by Factoring
Each of the equations we have solved in this section so far had one side in factored form. In order to use the Zero Product Property, the quadratic equation must be factored, with zero on one side. So we be sure to start with the quadratic equation in standard form, \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\). Then we factor the expression on the left.
Solve: \(x^{2}+2 x-8=0\)
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Solve: \(x^{2}-x-12=0\)
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\(x=4, x=-3\)
Solve: \(b^{2}+9 b+14=0\)
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\(b=-2, b=-7\)
- Write the quadratic equation in standard form, \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\).
- Factor the quadratic expression.
- Use the Zero Product Property.
- Solve the linear equations.
- Check.
Before we factor, we must make sure the quadratic equation is in standard form.
Solve: \(2 y^{2}=13 y+45\)
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\(2 y^{2}=13 y+45\) Write the quadratic equation in standard form. \(2 y^{2}-13 y-45=0\) Factor the quadratic expression. \((2 y+5)(y-9)=0\) Use the Zero Product Property
to set each factor to 0.\(2 y+5=0\) \(y-9=0\) Solve each equation. \(y=-\frac{5}{2}\) \(y=9\) Check your answers. 
Solve: \(3 c^{2}=10 c-8\)
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\(c=0, c=\frac{4}{3}\)
Solve: \(2 d^{2}-5 d=3\)
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\(d=3, d=-\frac{1}{2}\)
Solve: \(5 x^{2}-13 x=7 x\)
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\(5 x^{2}-13 x=7 x\) Write the quadratic equation in standard form. \(5 x^{2}-20 x=0\) Factor the left side of the equation. \(5 x(x-4)=0\) Use the Zero Product Property
to set each factor to 0.\(5x=0\) \(x−4=0\) Solve each equation. \(x=0\) \(x=4\) Check your answers. 
Solve: \(6 a^{2}+9 a=3 a\)
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\(a=0, a=-1\)
Solve: \(45 b^{2}-2 b=-17 b\)
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\(b=0, b=-\frac{1}{3}\)
Solving quadratic equations by factoring will make use of all the factoring techniques you have learned in this chapter! Do you recognize the special product pattern in the next example?
Solve: \(144 q^{2}=25\)
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\(\begin{array}{lrllrl} & 144 q^{2}&=&25 \\ \text { Write the quadratic equation in standard form. }& 144 q^{2}-25&=& 0 \\ \text { Factor. It is a difference of squares. } & (12 q-5)(12 q+5) & = & 0 \\ \text { Use the Zero Product Property to set each factor to } 0 . & 12 q-5&=&0 & 12 q+5&=&0 \\\text { Solve each equation. } & 12 q & = & 5 & 12 q&=&-5 \\ & q&=&\frac{5}{12} & q & =&-\frac{5}{12} \\ \text { Check your answers. }\end{array}\)
Solve: \(25 p^{2}=49\)
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\(p=\frac{7}{5}, p=-\frac{7}{5}\)
Solve: \(36 x^{2}=121\)
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\(x=\frac{11}{6}, x=-\frac{11}{6}\)
The left side in the next example is factored, but the right side is not zero. In order to use the Zero Product Property, one side of the equation must be zero. We’ll multiply the factors and then write the equation in standard form.
Solve: \((3 x-8)(x-1)=3 x\)
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\(\begin{array}{ll} & (3 x-8)(x-1)=3 x \\ \text { Multiply the binomials. }& 3 x^{2}-11 x+8=3 x \\ \text { Write the quadratic equation in standard form. }& 3 x^{2}-14 x+8=0\\ \text { Factor the trinomial. }& (3 x-2)(x-4)=0\\\text { Use the Zero Product Property to set each factor to } 0 . & 3 x-2=0 \quad x-4=0 \\ \text { Solve each equation. } & 3 x=2 \quad x=4 \\ & x=\frac{2}{3} \\ \text { Check your answers. } & \text {The check is left to you! } \end{array}\)
Solve: \((2 m+1)(m+3)=12 m\)
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\(m=1, m=\frac{3}{2}\)
Solve: \((k+1)(k-1)=8\)
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\(k=3, k=-3\)
The Zero Product Property also applies to the product of three or more factors. If the product is zero, at least one of the factors must be zero. We can solve some equations of degree more than two by using the Zero Product Property, just like we solved quadratic equations.
Solve: \(9 m^{3}+100 m=60 m^{2}\)
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\(\begin{array}{lrllrl} & 9 m^{3}+100 m&=&60 m^{2}\\ \text { Bring all the terms to one side so that the other side is zero. } & 9 m^{3}-60 m^{2}+100 m&=&0 \\ \text { Factor the greatest common factor first. } & m\left(9 m^{2}-60 m+100\right)&=&0 \\ \text { Factor the trinomial. } & m(3 m-10)(3 m-10)&=&0 \\ \text { Use the Zero Product Property to set each factor to 0. } & m&=&0 & 3 m-10&=&0 & 3 m-10&=&0 \\ \text { Solve each equation. } & m&=&0 & m&=&\frac{10}{3}& m&=&\frac{10}{3} \\ \text { Check your answers. } & \text { The check is left to you. } \end{array}\)
Solve: \(8 x^{3}=24 x^{2}-18 x\)
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\(x=0, x=\frac{3}{2}\)
Solve: \(16 y^{2}=32 y^{3}+2 y\)
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\(y=0, y=\frac{1}{4}\)
When we factor the quadratic equation in the next example we will get three factors. However the first factor is a constant. We know that factor cannot equal 0.
Solve: \(4 x^{2}=16 x+84\)
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\(\begin{array}{lrllrl} & 4 x^{2}&=&16 x+84\\ \text { Write the quadratic equation in standard form. }& 4 x^{2}-16 x-84&=&0 \\ \text { Factor the greatest common factor first. }& 4\left(x^{2}-4 x-21\right)&=&0 \\ \text { Factor the trinomial. } & 4(x-7)(x+3)&=&0 \\ \text { Use the Zero Product Property to set each factor to 0. } & 4&\neq&0 & x-7&=&0 & x +3&=&0 \\ \text { Solve each equation. } & 4&\neq&0 & x&=&7& x&=&-3 \\ \text { Check your answers. } & \text { The check is left to you. } \end{array}\)
Solve: \(18 a^{2}-30=-33 a\)
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\(a=-\frac{5}{2}, a=\frac{2}{3}\)
Solve: \(123 b=-6-60 b^{2}\)
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\(b=2, b=\frac{1}{20}\)
Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula
When we solved quadratic equations in the last section by completing the square, we took the same steps every time. By the end of the exercise set, you may have been wondering ‘isn’t there an easier way to do this?’ The answer is ‘yes’. Mathematicians look for patterns when they do things over and over in order to make their work easier. In this section we will derive and use a formula to find the solution of a quadratic equation.
We have already seen how to solve a formula for a specific variable ‘in general’, so that we would do the algebraic steps only once, and then use the new formula to find the value of the specific variable. Now we will go through the steps of completing the square using the general form of a quadratic equation to solve a quadratic equation for \(x\).
We start with the standard form of a quadratic equation and solve it for \(x\) by completing the square.
| \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0, \quad a \ne 0\) | |
| Isolate the variable terms on one side. | \(ax^2 + bx \quad = -c\) |
| Make the coefficient of \(x^{2}\) equal to \(1\), by dividing by \(a\). | \(\dfrac{ax^2}{a} + \dfrac{b}{a}x \quad = -\dfrac{c}{a}\) |
| Simplify. | \(x^2+ \dfrac{b}{a}x \quad = -\dfrac{c}{a}\) |
| To complete the square, find \(\left(\dfrac{1}{2} \cdot \dfrac{b}{a}\right)^{2}\) and add it to both sides of the equation. | |
| \(\left(\dfrac{1}{2} \dfrac{b}{a}\right)^{2}=\dfrac{b^{2}}{4 a^{2}}\) | \(x^2 + \dfrac{b}{a}x +{\color{red}{\dfrac{b^2}{4a^2}}}{\color{black}{ = -\dfrac{c}{a}\,+\,}}{\color{red}{\dfrac{b^2}{4a^2}}}\) |
| The left side is a perfect square, factor it. | \(\left( x + \dfrac{b}{2a}\right)^2 = -\dfrac{c}{a}+\dfrac{b^2}{4a^2}\) |
| Find the common denominator of the right side and write equivalent fractions with the common denominator. | \(\left( x + \dfrac{b}{2a}\right)^2 =\dfrac{b^2}{4a^2}-\dfrac{c\cdot\color{red}{4a}}{a\cdot\color{red}{4a}}\) |
| Simplify. | \(\left( x + \dfrac{b}{2a}\right)^2 =\dfrac{b^2}{4a^2}-\dfrac{4ac}{4a^2}\) |
| Combine to one fraction. | \(\left( x + \dfrac{b}{2a}\right)^2 =\dfrac{b^2-4ac}{4a^2}\) |
| Use the square root property. | \(x + \dfrac{b}{2a}= \pm\sqrt{\dfrac{b^2-4ac}{4a^2}}\) |
| Simplify the radical. | \(x + \dfrac{b}{2a}= \pm\dfrac{\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\) |
| Add \(-\dfrac{b}{2a}\) to both sides of the equation. | \(x = -\dfrac{b}{2a} \pm\dfrac{\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\) |
| Combine the terms on the right side. | \(x = \dfrac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}\) |
The final equation is called the "Quadratic Formula."
The solutions to a quadratic equation of the form \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\), where \(a≠0\) are given by the formula:
\[x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4 a c}}{2 a} \label{quad}\]
To use the Quadratic Formula, we substitute the values of \(a,b\), and \(c\) from the standard form into the expression on the right side of the formula. Then we simplify the expression. The result is the pair of solutions to the quadratic equation.
Notice the Quadratic Formula (Equation \ref{quad}) is an equation. Make sure you use both sides of the equation.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(2 x^{2}+9 x-5=0\).
Solution:
| Step 1: Write the quadratic equation in standard form. Identify the \(a,b,c\) values. | This equation is in standard form. | \(\begin{aligned} \color{red}{a x^{2}+b x+c =0} \\ 2 x^{2}+9 x-5 =0 \\ a=2, b =9, c=-5 \end{aligned}\) |
| Step 2: Write the quadratic formula. Then substitute in the values of \(a,b,c\). | Substitute in \(a=2, b=9, c=-5\) | \(x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4 a c}}{2 a}\) \(x=\dfrac{-9 \pm \sqrt{9^{2}-4 \cdot 2 \cdot(-5)}}{2 \cdot 2}\) |
| Step 3: Simplify the fraction, and solve for \(x\). | \(\begin{array}{l}{x=\dfrac{-9 \pm \sqrt{81-(-40)}}{4}} \\ {x=\dfrac{-9 \pm \sqrt{121}}{4}} \\ {x=\dfrac{-9 \pm 11}{4}} \\ {x=\dfrac{-9+11}{4}}\quad x=\dfrac{-9-11}{4} \\ {x=\dfrac{2}{4} \quad \quad\:\:\: x=\dfrac{-20}{4}}\\ {x=\dfrac{1}{2} \quad\quad\:\:\: x=-5}\end{array}\) | |
| Step 4: Check the solutions. | Put each answer in the original equation to check. Substitute \(x=\color{red}{\dfrac{1}{2}}\) and \(x=\color{red}{-5}\). |
\(\begin{aligned}2 x^{2}+9 x-5&=0 \\ 2\color{black}{\left(\color{red}{\dfrac{1}{2}}\right)}^{2}+9 \cdot \color{red}{\dfrac{1}{2}}\color{black}{-}5 &\stackrel{?}{=} 0 \\ 2\cdot\dfrac{1}{4}+0\cdot\dfrac{1}{2}-5&\stackrel{?}{=}0 \\ 2\cdot\dfrac{1}{4}+9\cdot\dfrac{1}{2}-5&\stackrel{?}{=}0 \\ \dfrac{1}{2}+\dfrac{9}{2}-5&\stackrel{?}{=}0 \\ \dfrac{10}{2}-5&\stackrel{?}{=}0 \\5-5&\stackrel{?}{=}0\\0&=0\end{aligned}\) \(\begin{array}{r}{2 x^{2}+9 x-5=0} \\ {2(\color{red}{-5}\color{black}{)}^{2}+9(\color{red}{-5}\color{black}{)}-5\stackrel{?}{=}0} \\ {2 \cdot 25-45-5\stackrel{?}{=}0} \\ {50-45-5\stackrel{?}{=}0} \\ {0=0}\end{array}\) |
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(3 y^{2}-5 y+2=0\).
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\(y=1, y=\dfrac{2}{3}\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(4 z^{2}+2 z-6=0\).
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\(z=1, z=-\dfrac{3}{2}\)
- Write the quadratic equation in standard form, \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\). Identify the values of \(a,b\), and \(c\).
- Write the Quadratic Formula. Then substitute in the values of \(a,b\), and \(c\).
- Simplify.
- Check the solutions.
If you say the formula as you write it in each problem, you’ll have it memorized in no time! And remember, the Quadratic Formula is an EQUATION. Be sure you start with “\(x=\)”.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(x^{2}-6 x=-5\).
Solution:
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\(x^{2}-6 x=-5\) |
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| Write the equation in standard form by adding \(5\) to each side. |
\(x^{2}-6 x+5=0\) |
| This equation is now in standard form. |
\({\color{red}{\small{ax^2+bx + c} = \small{0}}}\) |
| Identify the values of \(\color{cyan}a\), \(\color{red}b\), \(\color{limegreen}c\). | \({\color{cyan}a=1}\), \({\color{red}b=-6}\), \({\color{limegreen}c=5}\) |
| Write the Quadratic Formula. |
\(x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4 a c}}{2 a}\) |
| Then substitute in the values of \(a, b, c\). |
\(x=\dfrac{-\color{red} (-6 ) \color{black} \pm \sqrt{\color{red}(-6) \color{black}^{2}-4 \cdot \color{cyan}1 \color{black} \cdot ( \color{limegreen}5 \color{black})}}{2 \cdot \color{cyan} 1} \) |
| Simplify. |
\(x=\dfrac{6 \pm \sqrt{36-20}}{2}\) \(x=\dfrac{6 \pm \sqrt{16}}{2}\) \(x=\dfrac{6 \pm 4}{2}\) |
| Rewrite to show two solutions. |
\(x=\frac{6+4}{2}, \quad x=\frac{6-4}{2}\) |
| Simplify. |
\(x=\frac{10}{2}, \quad x=\frac{2}{2}\) |
| \(x=5, \quad x=1\) | |
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Check:  |
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(a^{2}-2 a=15\).
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\(a=-3, a=5\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(b^{2}+24=-10 b\).
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\(b=-6, b=-4\)
When we solved quadratic equations by using the Square Root Property, we sometimes got answers that had radicals. That can happen, too, when using the Quadratic Formula. If we get a radical as a solution, the final answer must have the radical in its simplified form.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(2 x^{2}+10 x+11=0\).
Solution:
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| This equation is in standard form. |  |
| Identify the values of \(a,b\) and \(c\). |  |
| Write the Quadratic Formula. |
\(x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4 a c}}{2 a}\) |
| Then substitute in the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\). |  |
| Simplify. |
\(x=\dfrac{-10 \pm \sqrt{100-88}}{4}\) |
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\(x=\dfrac{-10 \pm \sqrt{12}}{4}\) |
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| Simplify the radical. |
\(x=\dfrac{-10 \pm 2 \sqrt{3}}{4}\) |
| Factor out the common factor in the numerator. |
\(x=\dfrac{\color{red}{2}(-5 \pm \sqrt{3})}{4}\) |
| Remove the common factors. |
\(x=\dfrac{-5 \pm \sqrt{3}}{2}\) |
| Rewrite to show two solutions. |
\(x=\dfrac{-5+\sqrt{3}}{2}, \quad x=\dfrac{-5-\sqrt{3}}{2}\) |
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Check: We leave the check for you! |
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(3 m^{2}+12 m+7=0\).
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\(m=\dfrac{-6+\sqrt{15}}{3}, m=\dfrac{-6-\sqrt{15}}{3}\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(5 n^{2}+4 n-4=0\).
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\(n=\dfrac{-2+2 \sqrt{6}}{5}, n=\dfrac{-2-2 \sqrt{6}}{5}\)
When we substitute \(a, b\), and \(c\) into the Quadratic Formula and the radicand is negative, the quadratic equation will have imaginary or complex solutions. We will see this in the next example.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(3 p^{2}+2 p+9=0\).
Solution:
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| This equation is in standard form. |  |
| Identify the values of \(a,b,c\). |  |
| Write the Quadratic Formula. |  |
| Then substitute in the values of \(a,b,c\). |  |
| Simplify. |  |
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| Simplify the radical using complex numbers. |  |
| Simplify the radical. |  |
| Factor the common factor in the numerator. |  |
| Remove the common factors. |  |
| Rewrite in standard \(a+bi\) form. |  |
| Write as two solutions. |  |
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(4 a^{2}-2 a+8=0\).
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\(a=\dfrac{1}{4}+\dfrac{\sqrt{31}}{4} i, \quad a=\dfrac{1}{4}-\dfrac{\sqrt{31}}{4} i\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(5 b^{2}+2 b+4=0\).
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\(b=-\dfrac{1}{5}+\dfrac{\sqrt{19}}{5} i, \quad b=-\dfrac{1}{5}-\dfrac{\sqrt{19}}{5} i\)
Remember, to use the Quadratic Formula, the equation must be written in standard form, \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\). Sometimes, we will need to do some algebra to get the equation into standard form before we can use the Quadratic Formula.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(x(x+6)+4=0\).
Solution:
Our first step is to get the equation in standard form.
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| Distribute to get the equation in standard form. |  |
| This equation is now in standard form. |  |
| Identify the values of \(a,b,c\). |  |
| Write the Quadratic Formula. |  |
| Then substitute in the values of \(a,b,c\). |  |
| Simplify. |  |
 |
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| Simplify the radical. |  |
| Factor the common factor in the numerator. |  |
| Remove the common factors. |  |
| Write as two solutions. |  |
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Check: We leave the check for you! |
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(x(x+2)−5=0\).
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\(x=-1+\sqrt{6}, x=-1-\sqrt{6}\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(3y(y−2)−3=0\).
- Answer
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\(y=1+\sqrt{2}, y=1-\sqrt{2}\)
When we solved linear equations, if an equation had too many fractions we cleared the fractions by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD. This gave us an equivalent equation—without fractions— to solve. We can use the same strategy with quadratic equations.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(\dfrac{1}{2} u^{2}+\dfrac{2}{3} u=\dfrac{1}{3}\).
Solution:
Our first step is to clear the fractions.
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| Multiply both sides by the LCD, \(6\), to clear the fractions. |  |
| Multiply. |  |
| Subtract \(2\) to get the equation in standard form. |  |
| Identify the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\). |  |
| Write the Quadratic Formula. |  |
| Then substitute in the values of \(a, b,\) and \(c\). |  |
| Simplify. |  |
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| Simplify the radical. |  |
| Factor the common factor in the numerator. |  |
| Remove the common factors. |  |
| Rewrite to show two solutions. |  |
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Check: We leave the check for you! |
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(\dfrac{1}{4} c^{2}-\dfrac{1}{3} c=\dfrac{1}{12}\).
- Answer
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\(c=\dfrac{2+\sqrt{7}}{3}, \quad c=\dfrac{2-\sqrt{7}}{3}\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(\dfrac{1}{9} d^{2}-\dfrac{1}{2} d=-\dfrac{1}{3}\).
- Answer
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\(d=\dfrac{9+\sqrt{33}}{4}, d=\dfrac{9-\sqrt{33}}{4}\)
Think about the equation \((x-3)^{2}=0\). We know from the Zero Product Property that this equation has only one solution, \(x=3\).
We will see in the next example how using the Quadratic Formula to solve an equation whose standard form is a perfect square trinomial equal to \(0\) gives just one solution. Notice that once the radicand is simplified it becomes \(0\), which leads to only one solution.
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(4 x^{2}-20 x=-25\).
Solution:
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| Add \(25\) to get the equation in standard form. |  |
| Identify the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\). |  |
| Write the quadratic formula. |  |
| Then substitute in the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\). |  |
| Simplify. |  |
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| Simplify the radical. |  |
| Simplify the fraction. |  |
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Check: We leave the check for you! |
Did you recognize that \(4 x^{2}-20 x+25\) is a perfect square trinomial. It is equivalent to \((2 x-5)^{2}\)? If you solve \(4 x^{2}-20 x+25=0\) by factoring and then using the Square Root Property, do you get the same result?
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(r^{2}+10 r+25=0\).
- Answer
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\(r=-5\)
Solve by using the Quadratic Formula: \(25 t^{2}-40 t=-16\).
- Answer
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\(t=\dfrac{4}{5}\)
Use the Discriminant to Predict the Number and Type of Solutions of a Quadratic Equation
When we solved the quadratic equations in the previous examples, sometimes we got two real solutions, one real solution, and sometimes two complex solutions. Is there a way to predict the number and type of solutions to a quadratic equation without actually solving the equation?
Yes, the expression under the radical of the Quadratic Formula makes it easy for us to determine the number and type of solutions. This expression is called the discriminant.
Discriminant
Let’s look at the discriminant of the equations in some of the examples and the number and type of solutions to those quadratic equations.
| Quadratic Equation (in standard form) | Discriminat \(b^{2}-4ac\) | Value of the Discriminant | Number and Type of Solutions |
|---|---|---|---|
| \(2 x^{2}+9 x-5=0\) | \(\begin{aligned} 9^{2}-& 4 \cdot 2(-5) \\ & 121 \end{aligned}\) | \(+\) | \(2\) real |
| \(4 x^{2}-20 x+25=0\) | \((-20)^{2}-4 \cdot 4 \cdot 25\) \(0\) |
\(0\) | \(1\) real |
| \(3 p^{2}+2 p+9=0\) | \(2^{2}-4 \cdot 3 \cdot 9\) \(-104\) |
\(-\) | \(2\) complex |
Using the Discriminant \(b^{2}-4ac\), to Determine the Number and Type of Solutions of a Quadratic Equation
For a quadratic equation of the form \(ax^{2}+bx+c=0\), \(a \neq 0\),
- If \(b^{2}-4 a c>0\), the equation has \(2\) real solutions.
- if \(b^{2}-4 a c=0\), the equation has \(1\) real solution.
- if \(b^{2}-4 a c<0\), the equation has \(2\) complex solutions.
Determine the number of solutions to each quadratic equation.
- \(3 x^{2}+7 x-9=0\)
- \(5 n^{2}+n+4=0\)
- \(9 y^{2}-6 y+1=0\)
Solution:
To determine the number of solutions of each quadratic equation, we will look at its discriminant.
a.
\(3 x^{2}+7 x-9=0\)
The equation is in standard form, identify \(a, b\), and \(c\).
\(a=3, \quad b=7, \quad c=-9\)
Write the discriminant.
\(b^{2}-4 a c\)
Substitute in the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\).
\((7)^{2}-4 \cdot 3 \cdot(-9)\)
Simplify.
\(49+108\)
\(157\)
Since the discriminant is positive, there are \(2\) real solutions to the equation.
b.
\(5 n^{2}+n+4=0\)
The equation is in standard form, identify \(a, b\), and \(c\).
\(a=5, \quad b=1, \quad c=4\)
Write the discriminant.
\(b^{2}-4 a c\)
Substitute in the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\).
\((1)^{2}-4 \cdot 5 \cdot 4\)
Simplify.
\(1-80\)
\(-79\)
Since the discriminant is negative, there are \(2\) complex solutions to the equation.
c.
\(9 y^{2}-6 y+1=0\)
The equation is in standard form, identify \(a, b\), and \(c\).
\(a=9, \quad b=-6, \quad c=1\)
Write the discriminant.
\(b^{2}-4 a c\)
Substitute in the values of \(a, b\), and \(c\).
\((-6)^{2}-4 \cdot 9 \cdot 1\)
Simplify.
\(36-36\)
\(0\)
Since the discriminant is \(0\), there is \(1\) real solution to the equation.
Determine the number and type of solutions to each quadratic equation.
- \(8 m^{2}-3 m+6=0\)
- \(5 z^{2}+6 z-2=0\)
- \(9 w^{2}+24 w+16=0\)
- Answer
-
- \(2\) complex solutions
- \(2\) real solutions
- \(1\) real solution
Determine the number and type of solutions to each quadratic equation.
- \(b^{2}+7 b-13=0\)
- \(5 a^{2}-6 a+10=0\)
- \(4 r^{2}-20 r+25=0\)
- Answer
-
- \(2\) real solutions
- \(2\) complex solutions
- \(1\) real solution
Identify the Most Appropriate Method to Use to Solve a Quadratic Equation
We summarize the four methods that we have used to solve quadratic equations below.
Methods for Solving Quadratic Equations
- Factoring
- Square Root Property
- Completing the Square
- Quadratic Formula
Given that we have four methods to use to solve a quadratic equation, how do you decide which one to use? Factoring is often the quickest method and so we try it first. If the equation is \(ax^{2}=k\) or \(a(x−h)^{2}=k\) we use the Square Root Property. For any other equation, it is probably best to use the Quadratic Formula. Remember, you can solve any quadratic equation by using the Quadratic Formula, but that is not always the easiest method.
What about the method of Completing the Square? Most people find that method cumbersome and prefer not to use it. We needed to include it in the list of methods because we completed the square in general to derive the Quadratic Formula. You will also use the process of Completing the Square in other areas of algebra.
Identify the Most Appropriate Method to Solve a Quadratic Equation
- Try Factoring first. If the quadratic factors easily, this method is very quick.
- Try the Square Root Property next. If the equation fits the form \(ax^{2}=k\) or \(a(x−h)^{2}=k\), it can easily be solved by using the Square Root Property.
- Use the Quadratic Formula. Any other quadratic equation is best solved by using the Quadratic Formula.
The next example uses this strategy to decide how to solve each quadratic equation.
Identify the most appropriate method to use to solve each quadratic equation.
- \(5 z^{2}=17\)
- \(4 x^{2}-12 x+9=0\)
- \(8 u^{2}+6 u=11\)
Solution:
a.
\(5z^{2}=17\)
Since the equation is in the \(ax^{2}=k\), the most appropriate method is to use the Square Root Property.
b.
\(4 x^{2}-12 x+9=0\)
We recognize that the left side of the equation is a perfect square trinomial, and so factoring will be the most appropriate method.
c.
\(8 u^{2}+6 u=11\)
Put the equation in standard form.
\(8 u^{2}+6 u-11=0\)
While our first thought may be to try factoring, thinking about all the possibilities for trial and error method leads us to choose the Quadratic Formula as the most appropriate method.
Identify the most appropriate method to use to solve each quadratic equation.
- \(x^{2}+6 x+8=0\)
- \((n-3)^{2}=16\)
- \(5 p^{2}-6 p=9\)
- Answer
-
- Factoring
- Square Root Property
- Quadratic Formula
Identify the most appropriate method to use to solve each quadratic equation.
- \(8 a^{2}+3 a-9=0\)
- \(4 b^{2}+4 b+1=0\)
- \(5 c^{2}=125\)
- Answer
-
- Quadratic Formula
- Factoring or Square Root Property
- Square Root Property
Access these online resources for additional instruction and practice with using the Quadratic Formula.
Key Concepts
- Zero Product Property If \(a \cdot b=0\), then either a=0 or b=0 or both. See Example.
- Solve a quadratic equation by factoring To solve a quadratic equation by factoring: See Example.
- Write the quadratic equation in standard form, \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\).
- Factor the quadratic expression.
- Use the Zero Product Property.
- Solve the linear equations.
- Check.
- Use a problem solving strategy to solve word problems See Example.
- Read the problem. Make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
- Identify what we are looking for.
- Name what we are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
- Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Then, translate the English sentence into an algebra equation.
- Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
- Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
- Answer the question with a complete sentence.
Key Concepts
- Quadratic Formula
- The solutions to a quadratic equation of the form \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0, a \neq 0\) are given by the formula:
\(x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4 a c}}{2 a}\)
- The solutions to a quadratic equation of the form \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0, a \neq 0\) are given by the formula:
- How to solve a quadratic equation using the Quadratic Formula.
- Write the quadratic equation in standard form, \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0\). Identify the values of \(a, b, c\).
- Write the Quadratic Formula. Then substitute in the values of \(a, b, c\).
- Simplify.
- Check the solutions.
- Using the Discriminant, \(b^{2}-4 a c\), to Determine the Number and Type of Solutions of a Quadratic Equation
- For a quadratic equation of the form \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0, a \neq 0\),
- If \(b^{2}-4 a c>0\), the equation has \(2\) real solutions.
- If \(b^{2}-4 a c=0\), the equation has \(1\) real solution.
- If \(b^{2}-4 a c<0\), the equation has \(2\) complex solutions.
- For a quadratic equation of the form \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0, a \neq 0\),
- Methods to Solve Quadratic Equations:
- Factoring
- Square Root Property
- Completing the Square
- Quadratic Formula
- How to identify the most appropriate method to solve a quadratic equation.
- Try Factoring first. If the quadratic factors easily, this method is very quick.
- Try the Square Root Property next. If the equation fits the form \(a x^{2}=k\) or \(a(x-h)^{2}=k\), it can easily be solved by using the Square Root Property.
- Use the Quadratic Formula. Any other quadratic equation is best solved by using the Quadratic Formula.
Glossary
- quadratic equations
- are equations in which the variable is squared.
- Zero Product Property
- The Zero Product Property states that, if the product of two quantities is zero, at least one of the quantities is zero.
Glossary
- discriminant
- In the Quadratic Formula, \(x=\dfrac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^{2}-4 a c}}{2 a}\), the quantity \(b^{2}-4 a c\) is called the discriminant.