How do we solve Quadratic Equations?

For all three methods, we need to rearrange the quadratic equation into the form
ax 2 + bx + c = 0 , so that it is equal to zero.

Method 1: Factorising
This is the easiest method if it is possible, but not all quadratics can be
factorised
Example: 2 x 2 - x - 6 = 0
( 2 x + 3) ( x - 2 ) = 0
Either 2 x + 3 = 0 or x - 2 = 0
3
Two solutions are x = - or x = 2
2

Method 2: Completing the Square

This is harder than factorising but if the quadratic has solutions then this method
always works
Example: x 2 + 6 x + 4 = 0
( x + 3) - 5 = 0
2

( x + 3)
2
=5
x+3=�5
x = -3 � 5
Two solutions are x = -3 + 5 and x = -3 - 5

Method 3: The Quadratic Formula

Again this is harder than factorising, but if the quadratic has solutions then it
always works
-b � b 2 - 4ac
The formula is x =
2a
Example: x - 8 x + 10 = 0
2

a = 1, b = -8, c = 10
8 � 64 - 40 8 � 4 �6
x= = =4� 6
2 2
Two solutions are x = 4 + 6 and x = 4 - 6
 How do we sketch quadratic graphs?

Suppose we want to sketch y = ax 2 + bx + c

The first thing we know is the basic shape of the graph.
By looking at the value of a we can see which way up the graph is going to be.

If a > 0 , the graph will be “happy” with the turning point being a MINIMUM

If a < 0 , the graph will be “sad” with the turning point being a MAXIMUM

Next we look at the value of c to find out where the graph crosses the y-axis.
Now we do one of the following:

Method 1: If the equation factorises, we can find where it crosses the x-axis by
factorising and finding the roots

Method 2: We can find the coordinates of the turning point by completing the
square. If, when we complete the square, the equation is y = a ( x + d ) + e then
2

the coordinates of the turning point are ( - d , e )

Example: Sketch the graph of y = - x 2 - 2 x + 2

Solution: We see straight away that are graph is “sad”, and that it crosses the
4 y

y-axis at ( 0,2 )
3

- x - 2 x + 2 does not factorise so we need to complete the square

2 1
x

–6 –4 –2 2 4 6

( x + 1) - 2 - 1�
� 2
- x2 - 2 x + 2 = - �
x 2 + 2x - 2�
�
–1

�= - �
–2
�
= -� ( x + 1) - 3�� (
= - x + 1) + 3
2 –3
2
�
–4

This tells us the turning point is at ( -1,3) . Now we sketch it as best we can.