x =

2+4
2

or

x =

24
2

x =

6
2

or

x =

2
2

x = 3

or

x = 1

3) Consider the equation

x2 2x + 3 = 0

This is in the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

The coefficients are

a = 1, b = 2, c = 3

roots are distinct

b b 2 4ac
x =
2a
(2) 2 (2) 2 4(1)(3)
x =
2 x1
x =

2 4 12
2

x =

2 8
2

x =

22 2
2

x =

2 1 2
2

x = 1+ 2

= 1 2

or 1 2

roots are imaginary

From the above examples it is clear that,

1) Nature of the roots of quadratic equation depends upon the value of (b2 4ac)
2) The Expression (b2 4ac) is denoted by (delta) which determines the nature
of the roots.
3) In the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 the expression (b2 4ac) is called the discriminant.
143

Discriminant (b2 4ac)

Nature of the roots

= 0

Roots are real and equal

> 0 (Positive)

Roots are real and distinct

< 0 (negative)

Roots are imaginary

Example 1 : Determine the nature of the roots of the equation 2x2 5x 1 = 0.

Consider the equation 2x2 5x 1 = 0
This is in form of
ax2 + bx + c = 0
The co-efficient are a = 2, b = 5, c = 1
= b2 4ac
= (5)2 4(2) (1)
= 25 + 8
= 33

> 0

Roots are real and distinct

the roots of the equation 4x2 4x + 1 = 0
4x2 4x + 1 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a = 4, b = 4, c = 1
= b2 4ac
= (4)2 4 (4) (1)
= 16 16
= 0
Roots are real and equal

Example 2 : Determine the nature of

Consider the equation
This is in the form of
The co-efficient are

Example 3 : For what values of m roots of the equation x2 + mx + 4 = 0 are

(i) equal (ii) distinct
Consider the equation x2 + mx + 4 = 0
This is in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0
the co-efficients are a = 1, b = m, c = 4
= b2 4ac
= m2 4(1) (4)
= m2 16
1) If roots are equal = 0
m2 16 = 0
m2 = 16
m =

16
144

m = 4

2) If roots are distinct

> 0
m2 16 > 0
m2 > 16
m2 > 16
m > 4
Example 4 : Determine the value of k for which the equation kx2 + 6x + 1 = 0 has
equal roots.
kx2 + 6x + 1 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a = k, b = 6, c = 1

Consider the equation

This is in the form
the co-efficients are

= b2 4ac

b2 4ac = 0
(6)2 4(k)(1) = 0
36 4k = 0
4k = 36

since the roots are equal,

( = 0)

36
= 9
4
k=9

k =

Example 5 : Find the value of p for which the equation x2 (p + 2) x + 4 = 0 has

equal roots.
x2 (p + 2) x + 4 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a = 1, b = (p + 2), c = 4

Consider the equation

This is in the form
Coefficients are

=0
b2 4ac = 0
[(p + 2)]2 4(1)(4) = 0
(p + 2)2 16 = 0

since the roots are equal

p + 2 = 16
p+2= 4
p + 2 = + 4 or
p = 4 2 or
or
p=2
145

p + 2 = 4
p = 4 2
p = 6

Exercise : 5.6
A.

Discuss the nature of roots of the following equations

2) x2 2x + 3 = 0
3) 2n2 + 5n 1 = 0
1) y2 7y + 2 = 0
4) a2 + 4a + 4 = 0
5) x2 + 3x 4 = 0
6) 3d2 2d + 1 = 0

B.

For what positive values of m roots of the following equations are

1) equal 2) distinct 3) imaginary
2) x2 mx + 9 = 0
1)
a2 ma + 1 = 0
3)
r2 (m + 1) r + 4 = 0
4) mk2 3k + 1 = 0

C.

Find the value of p for which the quadratic equations have equal roots.
1) x2 px + 9 = 0
2) 2a2 + 3a + p = 0
3) pk2 12k + 9 = 0
5) (p + 1) n2 + 2(p + 3) n + (p + 8) = 0
4) 2y2 py + 1 = 0
6) (3p + 1)c2 + 2 (p + 1) c + p = 0

7.

Relationship between the roots and co-efficient of the terms of the quadratic
equation.
If m and n are the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 then
b + b2 4ac
m =
,
2a

b + b2 4ac
+
2a

m+n =

m + n =

b b2 4ac
2a

b + b 2 4ac b b 2 4ac
2a

m + n =

m + n =

2b
2a

( b) 2

If m and n are the roots of the

quadratic equation

-b
a

ax2 + bx + c = 0

b + b2 4ac

mn =

2
a

mn =

b b2 4ac
n =
2a

b b2 4ac

2
a

( b 4ac )
2

4a 2

146

Sum of the roots =

Product of roots =

b
a
+c
a

mn =

b 2 b 2 4ac
4a 2

mn =

b 2 b 2 + 4ac
4a 2

mn =

c
4ac
2 =
a
4a

mn =

c
a

Example 1 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation x2 + 2x + 1 = 0

x2 + 2x + 1 = 0
This is in the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

The coefficients are

a = 1, b = 2, c = 1

Let the roots be m and n

i)

Sum of the roots

m + n =

b
2
=
a
1

m + n = 2

ii)

Product of the roots mn =

c
1
=
a
1

mn = 1

Example 2 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation 3x2 + 5 = 0
3x2 + 0x + 5 = 0
This is in the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

The coefficients are

a = 3, b = 0, c = 5

Let the roots are p and q

i)

Sum of the roots

p + q =

b
0
=
a
3

p+q = 0

ii)

Product of the roots pq =

147

c
5
=
a
3

pq =

5
3

Example 3 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation 2m2 8m = 0
2m2 8m + 0 = 0
The coefficients are
a = 2, b = 8, c = 0
Let the roots be and
b
a

+ =

i)

Sum of the roots

ii)

Product of the roots =

(8)
= 4
2

c
0
=
= 0
a
2

Example 4 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation x2 (p+q)x + pq = 0
x2 (p + q) x + pq = 0
The coefficients are
a = 1, b = (p + q), c = pq
i)

Sum of the roots

m + n =
m + n =

b
a
[ (p + q )]
1

m + n = (p + q)

ii)

Product of the roots mn =

c
pq
=
a
1

mn = pq

Exercise : 5.7
Find the sum and product of the roots of the quadratic equation :
1) x2 + 5x + 8 = 0
2) 3a2 10a 5 = 0
3) 8m2 m = 2
4) 6k2 3 = 0
8.

5) pr2 = r 5

6) x2 + (ab) x + (a + b) = 0

To form an equation for the given roots

Let m and n are the roots of the equation
x = m or x = n
i.e., x m = 0, x n = 0
(x m) (x n) = 0
x2 mx nx + mn = 0
x2 (m + n) x + mn = 0
148

If m and n are the roots then the Standard form of the equation is
x2 (Sum of the roots) x +
Product of the roots
=
0
x2 (m + n) x + mn = 0
Example 1 : Form the quadratic equation whose roots are 2 and 3
Let m and n are the roots
m = 2, n = 3
Sum of the roots
=m+n = 2+3
m+n = 5
Product of the roots = mn
= (2) (3)
mn = 6
2
Standard form
x (m + n) x + mn = 0
x2 (5)x + (6) = 0
x2 5x + 6 = 0
Example 2 : Form the quadratic equation whose roots are

2
5
and
5
2

Let m and n are the roots

m =

2
5

and n =

5
2

Sum of the roots = m + n

m+n =

Product of the roots = mn =

Standard form

x2 (m + n) x + mn = 0
x2

29
x+1=0
10

10x2 29x + 10 = 0
149

2 5
x
5 2

4 + 25
10

2
5
+
=
5
2
29
10

mn = 1

Example 3 : Form the quadratic equation whose roots are 3 + 2 5 and 3 2 5

Let m and n are the roots
m = 3 + 2 5 and n = 3 2 5
Sum of the roots
= m+n

= 3+2 5 +32 5
m+n = 6
Product of the roots = mn

= (3 + 2 5 ) (3 2 5 )
= (3)2 (2 5 )2
= 9 20
mn = 11
2
x (m + n) x + mn = 0
x2 6x 11 = 0
Example 4 : If m and n are the roots of equation x2 3x + 1 = 0 find the value
1 1
+
m n
Consider the equation
x2 3x + 1 = 0
This is in the form
ax2 + bx + c = 0
The coefficients are
a = 1, b = 3, c = 1
Let m and n are the roots

of (i) m2n + mn2 (ii)

b
=
a
m + n = 3

i)

Sum of the roots

ii)

Product of the roots mn =

c
a

mn =

1
1

(i) m2n + mn2

(3)
= 3
1

m + n =

mn = 1

= mn (m + n)
= 1(3) = 3

(ii)

1
1
+
m
n

n+m
m+n
=
=
mn
mn

1
1
+
= 3
m
n
150

3
1

Example 5 : If m and n are the roots of equation x2 3x + 4 = 0 form the

equation whose roots are m2 and n2.
x2 3x + 4 = 0

Consider the equation

The coefficients are

a = 1, b = 3, c = 4

Let m and n are the roots

i) Sum of the roots =

m + n =

b
(3)
=
a
1

m + n = 3

ii) Product of the roots =

mn =

c
4
=
a
1

mn = 4

If the roots are m2 and n2

= (m + n)2 2mn
Sum of the roots m2 + n2
= (3)2 2(4)
= 9 8
2
m + n2 = 1
Product of the roots m2n2

= (mn)2
= 42
m2n2 = 16

x2 (m2 + n2) x + m2n2 = 0

x2 (1)x + (16) = 0
x2 x + 16 = 0

Example 6 : If one root of the equation x2 6x + q = 0 is twice the other, find the
value of q
Consider the equation x2 6x + q = 0
This is in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0
The coefficients are a = 1, b = 6, c = q
Let the m and n are the roots
b
(6)
=
a
1
m+n=6

i) Sum of the roots

m+n =

151

c
q
=
a
1
mn = q

ii) Product of the roots

mn =

If one root is (m) then twice the root is (2m)

m = m and n = 2m
m+n = 6
m + 2m = 6
3m = 6
m =

We know that q
q
q
q
q

=
=
=
=
=

6
3
mn
m(2m)
2m2
2(2)2
8

m = 2

q = 8

Example 7 : Find the value of k so that the equation x2 2x + (k + 3) = 0 has one

root equal to zero.
Consider the equation
x2 2x + (k + 3) = 0
The coefficients are
a = 1, b = 2, c = k + 3
Let m and n are the roots
Product of the roots = mn
mn =

mn =

c
a
k +3
1

mn = k + 3

Since m and n are the roots, and one root is zero then
m = m and n = 0
mn = k + 3
m(0) = k + 3
0 = k + 3
k = 3
152

Exercise : 5.8
A. Form the equation whose roots are
1) 3 and 5

2) 6 and 5

3) 2 and

5) 2 + 3 and 2 3

3
2

4)

2
3
and
3
2

6) 3 + 2 5 and 3 2 5

B.
1) If m and n are the roots of the equation x2 6x + 2 = 0 find the value of
i) (m + n) mn

ii)

1
1
+
m
n

2) If a and b are the roots of the equation 3m2 = 6m + 5 find the value of
i)

a b
+
b a

ii) (a + 2b) (2a + b)

3) If p and q are the roots of the equation 2a2 4a + 1 = 0 Find the value of
i) (p + q)2 + 4pq

ii) p3 + q3

4) Form a quadratic equation whose roots are

p
q
and
q
p

5) Find the value of k so that the equation x2 + 4x + (k + 2) = 0 has one root equal
to zero.
6) Find the value of q so that the equation 2x2 3qx + 5q = 0 has one root which
is twice the other.
7) Find the value of p so that the equation 4x2 8px + 9 = 0 has roots whose
difference is 4.
8) If one root of the equation x2 + px + q = 0 is 3 times the other prove that 3p2 = 16q
Graphical method of solving a Quadratic Equation
Let us solve the equation x2 4 = 0 graphically,
x2 4 = 0
x2 = 4
let y = x2 = 4
y = x2

and y = 4
153

Step 1: Form table of

corresponding values
of x and y

y = x2
x=0
x=1
x=2
x = 1
x = 2

Satisfying the equation

y = x2
Step 2: Choose the scale on
x axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit.

y = 02
y = 12
y = 22
y = (1)2
y = (2)2

y=0
y=1
y=4
y=1
y=4

Step 3: Plot the points (0, 0);

(1, 1); (1, 1); (2, 4)
and (2, 4) on graph
sheet.
Step 4: Join the points by a
smooth curve.
Step 5: Draw the straight line
y = 4 Parallel to x-axis
Step 6: From the intersecting
points of the curve and
the line y = 4, draw
perpendiculars to the
x axis
Step 7: Roots of the equations are

x = +2

or

x = 2

The graph of a quadratic polynomial is a curve called parabola

Example 1 : Draw a graph of y = 2x2 and find the value of 3 , using the graph.
Step 1: Form the table of
corresponding values of
x and y satisfying the
equation y = 2x2
x
0
1
1
2
2
3
Step 2: Choose the scale on x
y
0
2
2
8
8
6
axis, 1 cm = 1 unit and
(x, y) (0, 0) (1, 2)
(1, 2) (2, 8) (2, 8) ( 3 ,6)
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
Step 3: Plot the points (0, 0);
(1, 2) (1, 2); (2, 8) and
(2, 8) on graph sheet.
154

Step 4: Join the points by a

smooth curve
Step 5: Draw the straight line
y = 6 Parallel to x-axis.
Step 6: From the intersecting
points of the curve and
the line y = 6, draw
perpendiculars to the
x-axis.
Step 7: Value of

3 = 1.7
x = 1.7

or

x = + 1.7

Example 2 : Draw a graph of y = x2 and y = 2-x and hence solve the equation
x2 + x 2 = 0
Step 1: Form the table of
corresponding values of
x and y satisfying the
equation y = x2

(0, 0)

(1, 1)

(1, 1)

(2, 4)

(2, 4)

Step 2: Form the table of

corresponding values of
x and y satisfying the
equation y = 2 x.

(0, 2)

(1, 1)

(1, 3)

(2, 0)

(2, 4)

(x, y)

(x, y)

Step 3: Choose the scale on x

axis 1 cm = 1 unit and
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit.
Step 4: Plot the points (0, 0);
(1, 1); (1, 1); (2, 4)
and (2, 4) on the graph
sheet.
Step 5: Join the points by a
smooth curve.
Step 6: Plot the points (0, 2) ;
(1, 1); (1, 3); (2, 0)
and (2, 4) on graph
sheet
155

Step 7: Join the points to get a line.

Step 8: From the intersecting
Curve and the line, draw
perpendiculars to the
x-axis
Step 9: Roots of the equation are

x = 1

Example 3 : Solve the equation

Method I : x2 x 2 = 0
Split the equation
y = x2 and y = 2 + x
Step 1: Form the table of
corresponding values x
and y satisfying the
equation y = x2
Step 2: Form the table of
corresponding values x
and y satisfying the
equation y = 2 + x
Step 3: Choose the scale on
x axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
Step 4: Plot the points (0, 0);
(1, 1); (1, 1); (2, 4)
and (2, 4) on the graph
sheet.
Step 5: Join the points by a
smooth curve
Step 6: Plot the points (0, 2);
(1, 3) (2, 4); (1, 1) and
(2, 0) on the graph
sheet.
Step 7: Join the points to get a
straight line
Step 8: From the intersecting
points of Curve and the
line, draw the perpendiculars to the x-axis.
Step 9: Roots of the equation are

x = 2

(0, 0)

(1, 1)

(1, 1)

(2, 4)

(2, 4)

(0, 2)

(1, 3)

(2, 4)

(x, y)

(x, y)

x = 1
156

or

or

(1, 1) (2, 0)

x = 2

Method II :

Step 1: Form the table of

corresponding values of
x and y satisfying
equation y = x2 x 2.

(x, y)

(0, 2) (1, 2) (1, 0)

(2, 0) (2, 4)

Step 2: Choose the scale on x

axis 1 cm = 1 unit and
y axis 1 cm = 1 unit.
Step 3: Plot the points (0, 2);
(1 2); (1, 0); (2, 0)
and (2, 4) on the graph
sheet.
Step 4: Join the points to form
a smooth curve
Step 5: Mark the intersecting
points of the curve and
the x axis.
Step 6: Roots of the equations are

x = 1

or

x = 2

Exercise : 5.9
A.

B.

1)

Draw the graph of y = x2 and find the value of

2)

Draw the graph of y = 2x2 and find the value of

3)

Draw the graph of y =

1)

Draw the graph of y = x2 and y = 2x + 3 and hence solve the equation

x2 2x 3 = 0
Draw the graph of y = 2x2 and y = 3 x and hence solve the equation
2x2 + x 3 = 0
Draw the graph of y = 2x2 and y = 3 + x and hence solve the equation
2x2 x 3 = 0

2)
3)
C.

Solve graphically
1) x2 + x 12 = 0
4) x2 + x 6 = 0

7
3

1 2
x and find the value of 10
2

2) x2 5x + 6 = 0
5) 2x2 3x 5 = 0

157

3) x2 + 2x 8 = 0
6) 2x2 + 3x 5 = 0