AQA Core 1 Algebra

1 of 3 10/01/13 MEI
Section 4: Further use of quadratics

Notes and Examples

These notes contain subsections on
Quadratic inequalities
One linear and one quadratic simultaneous equations


Quadratic inequalities

You can solve a quadratic inequality by factorising the quadratic expression,
just as you do to solve a quadratic equation. This tells you the boundaries of
the solutions. The easiest way to find the solution is then to sketch a graph.


Example 1
Solve the inequality
2
6 0 x x

Solution

2
6 0
( 2)( 3) 0
x x
x x






The solution is 2 3 x


Example 2
Solve the inequality
2
3 5 2 0 x x

Solution

2
3 5 2 0
(3 )(1 2 ) 0
x x
x x



This shows that the graph of
2
6 y x x cuts the x-axis at x = -2
and x = 3. Use this information to
sketch the graph.
The solution to the inequality is the
negative part of the graph. This is
the part between 2 and 3.
This shows that the graph of
2
3 5 2 y x x cuts the x-axis at
x = -3 and x = . You can now
sketch the graph note that as the
term in x is negative, the graph is
inverted.

AQA C1 Algebra 4 Notes and Examples


2 of 3 10/01/13 MEI


The solution is x -3 or x .


Note: if you prefer to work with a positive x term, you can change all the signs
in the original inequality and reverse the inequality, giving
2
2 5 3 0 x x . The
graph will then be the other way up, and you will take the positive part of the
graph, so the solution will be the same.


To see more examples, use the Flash resource Quadratic inequalities. (This
shows an alternative approach using a number line.)

You can also look at the Solving inequalities video, which uses a range of
approaches.


For more practice in solving quadratic inequalities, try the interactive
questions Solving quadratic inequalities.

You can also try the Quadratic inequalities puzzle.


One linear and one quadratic simultaneous equations

When you need to solve a pair of simultaneous equations, one of which is
linear and one of which is quadratic, you need to substitute the linear
equation into the quadratic equation.


Example 3
Solve the simultaneous equations

2 2
2 6
1
x y
x y




Solution
1 x y

2 2
( 1) 2 6 y y
The solution to the inequality is
the negative part of the graph.
This is in fact two separate parts.
Start by using the linear equation to write
one variable in terms of the other.
Now substitute this expression
for y into the first equation
AQA C1 Algebra 4 Notes and Examples


3 of 3 10/01/13 MEI

2 2
2
2 1 2 6
3 2 5 0
(3 5)( 1) 0



y y y
y y
y y


5
3
or 1 y y

5
3
y
5 2
3 3
1 1 x y
1 y 1 1 1 2 x y

The solutions are
5 2
3 3
, x y and 2, 1 x y


When you try to solve a quadratic equation and a linear equation
simultaneously, you usually get 2 solutions. However, 0 or 1 solutions are
also possible. Can you explain why?
[Hint: think about the graphs]

You can look at some more examples like these using the Flash resources
Simultaneous equations and Intersection of curve and line.

For some practice in examples like the ones above, involving a quadratic
equation, try the interactive questions Simultaneous equations involving
quadratics.


Multiply out, simplify and factorise
Now substitute each value
for y into the linear
equation to find the
corresponding values of x