Lesson 4

Quadratic Equation 2


Learning Outcomes
At the end of this lesson, students will be able to
a) Solve quadratic equations using Completing the Square Method.
b) Solve quadratic equations using the Formula Method.

Introduction
In this lesson, which is the continuation of lesson 1, we will solve quadratic equations using
the second method, namely, completing the square method and then followed by the formula
method

Method II: Completing the Square
Some examples of perfect squares are
16 = 4
2
p
4
= (p
2
)
2
(x + y)
6
= [(x + y)
3
]
2
In general, when a = 1
x
2
+ bx + c =

+ c
Example 1
Use the completing the square method to solve the following quadratic equations.
a) x
2
+ 6x 1 = 0
b) x
2
3x + 1 = 0
c) x
2
+ x 12 = 0
Solution
a) x
2
+ 6x 1 = 0
Completing the square gives
x
2
+ 6x 1 =

=

2
9 1
=
2
10


2
10 = 0


=
x = 3

b) x
2
3x + 1 = 0
Completing the square gives
x
2
3x + 1 = =

+ 1
=

= 0

2
=

c) x
2
+ x 12 = 0
Completing the square gives
x
2
+ x 12 ==

12
=

= 0

2
=

= 3 or 4

In general, when a
ax
2
+ bx + c = a(x
2
+

)

Completing the square gives

]


Example 2
Use the completing the square method to solve the following quadratic equations.
a) 3x
2
6x + 1= 0
b) 3x
2
2x = 3
c) 2x
2
3 = 5x

Solution
a) 3x
2
6x + 1= 0

Firstly, divide with 3 so that a =1
x
2
2x +

= 0
Completing the square gives
x
2
2x +

=

2
+

=
2

In solving the equation

2

= 0

2
=

b) 3x
2
2x = 3
Firstly, rearrange so that the right hand side = 0, then divide with 3 so that a =1

3x
2
2x 3 = 0
x
2

x 1 = 0
Completing the square gives
x
2

x 1 =

In solving the equation

= 0

2
=

c) 2x
2
3 = 5x
Firstly, rearrange so that the right hand side = 0, then divide with 2 so that a =1

2x
2
5x 3 = 0
Divide with 2
x
2

= 0
Completing the square gives
x
2

In solving the equation

= 0

2
=

= 3 or

Exercise 1
Solve the following equations by completing the square.
i) x
2
+ x 20 = 0 ii) x
2
+ 5x + 6 = 0 iii) 3x
2
2x 16 = 0
iv) 2x
2
+ 5x 15 = 0 v) 2x
2
9x 15 = 0 vi) 3x
2
+ 21x 8 = 0
vii) 9x
2
16x 30 = 0


Method III: Using quadratic formula method
To solve using the formula method, write the quadratic equation in general form
ax
2
+ bx + c = 0 , then identify a, b and c.
Substitute values of a, b and c into:

Example 3
Solve the equation 4x
2
+3x 2 = 0 by formula.
Solution
4x
2
+3x 2 = 0 , where a = 4, b = 3 and c = 2
Using the formula

Example 4
Solve the equation 14x
2
17x 5 = 0 by formula.
Solution
14x
2
17x 5 = 0, where a = 14, b = 17 and c = 5
Using the formula

The quadratic formula is suitable to be used if:
a) the values of a, b and c of the quadratic equation ax
2
+ bx + c = 0 are quite large causing
difficulty in factorising the equation,
b) the quadratic equation ax
2
+ bx + c = 0 cannot be factorised.

Exercise 2
Solve the following equations by using the quadratic formula.
i) 12x
2
19x + 5 = 0 ii) 2p
2
10p + 3 = 0 iii) 3x
2
+ 21x 8 = 0
iv) 9x
2
16x 30 = 0



Summative Exercise
1. Express the quadratic equation

in the general form.

2. Solve the quadratic equation 2x(x 3) = (1 x)(x + 4). Give your answers to four significant
figures.
3. Solve the quadratic equation 12q
2
5q(2q 1) = 2(3q + 2). Give your answers to four decimal
places.
4. Find the roots of the quadratic equation 2p
2
7p 4 = 0 by completing the square.
5. The quadratic equation p
2
x
2
12x + p + 7 = 0 has the root

. Find the values of p.

6. The quadratic equation x
2
x + h has the roots of p and -2. Find the value of h and p.