SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY USING THE QUADRATIC FORMULA

 The quadratic formula is generally used to solve ANY quadratic equation 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.

 The quadratic formula is:
−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐
𝑥= ,
2𝑎
where 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 are the coefficients in the quadratic equation.
 It is read as “Negative b, plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac, all divided by
2a.”
 In the Quadratic Formula, the quantity under the radical sign, 𝑏 2 – 4𝑎𝑐, is called the
discriminant of the quadratic equation. It is used to describe the nature of the roots of a
quadratic equation or to determine the number of real solutions of a quadratic equation.
 Nature of the roots:
o If the discriminant is equal to zero, then the roots are real numbers and are equal.
o If the discriminant is greater than zero and a perfect square, then the roots are rational
numbers but are not equal.
o If the discriminant is greater than zero but not a perfect square, then the roots are
irrational numbers and are not equal.
o If the discriminant is less than zero, then the equation has no real roots.
 Steps in solving quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula.
o Write the equation is standard form, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.
o Identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, and 𝑐, then substitute it in the quadratic formula.
o Simplify the numbers within the quadratic formula
o Simplify the result if possible.
o Check the solutions obtained against the original equation.
o
Example 1: Find the solutions of the equation 𝟐𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟐𝟕 using the quadratic formula.

Step 1: Write the equation in standard form.

2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 27 → 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 27 = 0
Step 2: Identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏, and c.
2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 27 = 0 → 𝑎 = 2; 𝑏 = 3; 𝑐 = −27
Substitute the values in the quadratic formula.
−𝑏±√𝑏2 −4𝑎𝑐 −(3)±√(3)2 −4(2)(−27)
𝑥= 2𝑎
→ 𝑥= 2(2)
Step 3: Simplify the result.
−(3)±√(3)2 −4(2)(−27) −3±√9+216
𝑥= 2(2)
→ 𝑥= 4
−3±√225
𝑥 = 4
−3±15
𝑥 = 4
−3 + 15 12
𝑥1 = = =3
4 4
−3 − 15 18 9
𝑥2 = =− =−
4 4 2
Step 4: Check the solutions obtained against the equation 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 27.
When 𝑥 = 3:
2(3)2 + 3(3) = 27 → 2(9) + 2(3) = 27
18 + 9 = 27
27 = 27
 9
When 𝑥 = − 2:
9 2 9 81 9
2 (− ) + 3 (− ) = 27 → 2 ( ) + 3 (− ) = 27
2 2 4 2
81 27
− = 27
2 2
54
= 27
2
27 = 27
Both values of 𝑥 satisfy the given equation. So the equation 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 27 is true when 𝑥 = 3 or
9
when 𝑥 = − .
2

9
Answer: The equation 2𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 27 has two solutions: 𝑥 = 3 or 𝑥 = − .
2

Example 2: Use the quadratic formula to solve 𝒙𝟐 + 𝟑𝒙 = 𝟗.

𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 9 → 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 9 = 0
𝑎 = 1; 𝑏 = 3; 𝑐 = −9
2
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 − 4𝑎𝑐 −3 ± √(3)2 − 4(1)(−9)
𝑥= → 𝑥=
2𝑎 2(1)
−3 ± √9 + 36
𝑥=
2
−3 ± √45
𝑥=
2
−3 ± √9 ∙ 5
𝑥=
2
−3 ± 3√5
𝑥=
2
−3±3√5
Since 2 can’t be simplified anymore, therefore, the solutions of the equation 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 = 9
−3+3√5 −3−3√5
are 𝑥 = 2
and 𝑥 = 2
.

Practice: 1 whole sheet of paper

I. Determine the nature of the roots of the following quadratic equations using the discriminant.
Show your complete solutions.
1. 𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 9 = 0 Discriminant: ___________________ Nature of the roots: ________________
2. 𝑥 2 + 9𝑥 + 20 = 0 Discriminant: ___________________ Nature of the roots: ________________
3. 2𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 4 = 0 Discriminant: ___________________ Nature of the roots: ________________
4. 3𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 = −4 Discriminant: ___________________ Nature of the roots: ________________
5. 10𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 = 8 Discriminant: ___________________ Nature of the roots: ________________
II. Find the solutions of each of the following quadratic equations using the quadratic formula.
Show your complete solutions.
1. 𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 + 9 = 0 4. 4𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 1 = 0
2. 𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 14 = 0 5. 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 = 3
3. 𝑥 2 + 7𝑥 = 4