Unit: Quadratic Equations and InequalitiesModule: Formulas and Applications [Page 1 of 1]

Solving a Quadratic Geometry Problem

• Process for solving word problems:

• Define the variable.
• Write what facts you know.
• Create the equation.
• Solve the equation.
• Check your answer.

• Geometry problems generally use at least one of the many formulas

everyone knows for area, surface area, circumference, volume, etc. They
help you set up your equations.

In reading this problem, you find several facts and know that
you are being asked to find the dimensions of the room; i.e.,
its length and width.

Now you can define your variables and set up the equation
for the perimeter.

You can even simplify the equation by noticing that 2 factors

out of everything.

You can also set up an equation for the area of the room.
Knowing this gives you two equations.

Now, solve one equation for w, in terms of L.

Substitute that into the other equation and solve for L.

In solving this equation, you will find two values for L, 5 and
12.

By substituting these back into

w = 17 – L, you can determine the actual values for the
length and width of the room.

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Formulas and Applications [Page 1 of 1]

Solving with the Pythagorean Theorem

• The Pythagorean Theorem states that the sum of the squares of the two sides of
a right triangle is equal to the square of the hypotenuse: a2 + b2 = c2.

This splendid theorem is used frequently and in a variety

of circumstances throughout math. You will be amazed at
how often some process is an application or derivation of
the Pythagorean theorem.

This example involves a triangle that is 90 feet on each

side.

You are asked to find the hypotenuse.

In terms of the Pythagorean theorem, you know that

a = 90 and b = 90. What c equals is your problem to solve.

You substitute the known values into the theorem. Then

do the arithmetic to solve for the unknown value.

Remember: Length or distance is always positive so you

can dismiss negative possibilities.

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Formulas and Applications [Page 1 of 1]

Solving a Motion Problem

• Process for solving word problems:
• Define the variable.
• Write what facts you know.
• Create the equation.
• Solve the equation.
• Check your answer.

• This type of motion problem works with average speed over a given
distance or time.

The first thing to do, always, is to read the problem to see

what you are looking for and what you know.
In this problem, you are asked how long did the student
travel? Your variable, t, will be defined as the student's
travel time.
You know two distance facts and something about two
rates, defined with variable r.

You know that you will likely use the tried and true formula
connecting distance, speed and time.

This much information allows you to set up two equations,

one for each leg of the trip.
You want to eliminate one variable, if possible, so you can
solve the equation.
The equation for the first leg of the trip can be
solved for r. Then, substitute that value for r into the
equation for the second leg of the trip.

Now solve for t.

You find that t = -9/2 or 2.

However, you eliminate the negative answer because time
cannot be negative.
So, you know that t = 2 hrs. And that gives you the time for
the second leg of the trip.

Since the first leg of the trip was defined to be t + 1, that

means it took 3 hours. Therefore, the total time required
for the student's trip was 2 + 3 = 5 hrs.

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Formulas and Applications [Page 1 of 1]

Solving a Projectile Problem

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
• Quadratic formula: x =
2a

This situation involves a quadratic equation which

measures the impact of gravity on a moving object.

This formula solves for s as the position of the object off

the ground. The time, t, is used in seconds.
At the start, when t = 0, you can solve for s and discover
that the book is 2 feet above the ground. Apparently, the
student was holding it before she kicked it.
You can work with smaller numbers if you divide the
formula through by 2, the largest common factor for the
equation.

You know that s = 0 for this problem, because you are

being asked about the book as it returns to the ground.

You are solving for t, the time the book was in the air.
Now solve for t.

You find that t = -9/2 or 2.

However, you eliminate the negative answer because time
cannot be negative.

So, you know that t = 2 hrs. And that gives you the time for
the second leg of the trip.

Time is always positive, unless you're going backwards in

time, so you can throw away any answer which is
negative. In this case using the positive value from the
radical, 44.36, will create a negative answer. So, you get
to forget about using +44.36 and have only one answer.

You can leave your answer in fraction form, reduced to

lowest terms of course, or find the approximate decimal
value for your answer.

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 Unit: Quadratic Equations and Inequalities Module: Formulas and Applications [Page 1 of 1]

Solving Other Problems

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
• Quadratic formula: x =
2a

• When working with problems with decimals, many people will multiply
through by 10, 100, or whatever power of 10 required to "clear" the
decimals from the problem. As long as you multiply both sides of the
equation, this procedure is valid and protects the balance of the equation.
Clearing the decimals helps you think about the numbers involved since
most of us prefer to work with whole numbers.

In landing an aircraft the pilot must balance two things,

the distance available for the landing and the speed
needed to land safely without stalling.

The formula for this problem is set in s, the plane's

speed, and L, the length of the runway.
The problem tells us the runway is 800 feet long, so
we know that L = 800.
Before you start working, you may want to multiply
through by 10 to clear the decimals.
Once you have cleared the decimals, move everything
to one side of the equation. Then you find the values
you need for the quadratic formula:
a = 1, b = -30, c = -7780.

Substitute those values into the formula and solve.

You'll find you cannot use the negative value under the
radical because it makes the whole answer negative.
Time is rarely negative. So you discard that answer.
You are left with one valid answer.

Approximate its value in decimals to find the speed, in

feet/second, the plane must use.

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Copyright  2001, Thinkwell Corp. All Rights Reserved. 6875 –rev 05/21/2001