CHAPTER

Quadratic Expessions
and Equations

2.1 Quadratic Expressions

CCTS Identifying

Example
State whether the following expressions are quadratic expressions.
1
(b) 6 5x
(c) 3p2 7
(a) x2 3x + 5
2
(d) 7q2 + 5q
1
(e)
x + 3x 5
Solution:
(a) Quadratic expression
(b) Not a quadratic expression
(c) Quadratic expression
(as a = 0)
(d) Quadratic expression
(e) Not a quadratic expression (as a = 1)
1. Identify the following expressions as quadratic or linear.
1 x+7
4

(a) 5x2 8x + 2

Quadratic expression

(b)

1 x2
(c) 7 2x +
2

Quadratic expression

1
2
(d) n2 + n 70
5
7

Quadratic expression

(e) 6x x2

Quadratic expression

(f) 40q2 + 3q 1

Quadratic expression

Linear expression

CCTS Thinking systematically

Example
Expand
(a) x(5x + 2)

1
(c)
3 x(6x 9) + 6

(b) 3x(4 2x)

Solution:
(a) x(5x + 2)
= 5x x + 2 x
= 5x2 + 2x

(b)
= 3x 4 3x(2x)
= 12x + 6x2

1
1 x9+6

(c)
3 x 6x 3
= 2x2 3x + 6

2. Expand the following.

x (24 8x)
(a)
4
= 6x 2x2

1
1
(b) 3x( x ) + 2
6
3
1
2
= x x + 2
2

(c) 3x(6 x)
= 18x + 3x2

(e) (3x 4)(3x)

= 9x2 + 12x

(f) 13x(11 13x)

= 143x 169x2

(g) 5x(16 3x)

= 80x + 15x2

10

(d) px(x p)
= px2 + p2x

(h) hx(kx 1)
= hkx2 hx

Example
Expand the following.
(a) (x 3)(2x + 5)
Solution:

(b) (2 3x)2

(b) (2 3x)2
= (2 3x)(2 3x)
= 4 + 6x + 6x + 9x2
= 9x2 + 12x + 4

(a) (x 3)(2x + 5)
Common Error
= 2x2 + 5x 6x 15
= 2x2 x 15

+5x 6x = 11x

3. Expand the following to form quadratic expressions.

(a) (x 2)(x 3)
= x2 3x 2x + 6
= x2 5x + 6

(b) (2x 1)(3 + x)

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

(c) (2 5x)(2x 4)
(d) (5x 1)(2x + 4)
= 4x 10x2 8 + 20x
= 10x2 + 20x 2x 4
2
= 10x + 24x 8
= 10x2 + 18x 4

(e) (5x + 2)2

= (5x + 2)(5x + 2)
= 25x2 + 10x + 10x + 4
= 25x2 + 20x + 4

(f) (2x + 1)(3x + 4)

= 6x2 + 3x 8x + 4
= 6x2 5x + 4

(g) (2x 3)(x 4)

(h) (x 9)(2 5x)
= 2x2 + 8x 3x + 12
= 2x 5x2 18 + 45x
= 2x2 + 5x + 12
= 5x2 + 47x 18

1 x 3)2
(i) (2x + 3)2
(j) (
3
= (2x + 3)(2x + 3)
2
1 x 3)(
1 x 3)
= 4x 6x 6x + 9
= (
2
3
3
= 4x 12x + 9
1
= x2 x x + 9
9
1 x2 2x + 9
=
9

(k) (5x 1)(x + 2)

= 5x2 + 10x x 2
= 5x2 + 9x 2

(l) (2x + 1)( x 5)

= 2x2 10x x 5
= 2x2 11x 5

CCTS Interpreting

Example
6m

xm

Solution:
3m

field

Area = length width

= (6 + x) (3 + x)
= 18 + 6x + 3x + x2
= x2 + 9x + 18

path

xm

The diagram above shows a field and its path in the

shape of a rectangle. Find the total area in term s of x.
11

4.

5.

3x + 2

8 cm

.......
...........

2x + 3

12 cm
...

...

2x cm

..........

x cm

The diagram above shows a rubber plantation.

There are (3x + 2) columns of rubber trees and
(2x + 3) rows of rubber trees. Find the total number
of rubber trees in the plantation.

Find the area, in cm2, of the shaded region in the

diagram above.

Total number of rubber trees

= (3x + 2) (2x + 3)
= 6x2 + 9x + 4x + 6
= 6x2 + 13x + 6

Length = (8 x) cm
Width = (12 2x) cm
Area of the shaded region
= (8 x)(12 2x)
= 96 16x 12x + 2x2
= 96 28x + 2x2

2.2 Factorisation of Quadratic Expressions

CCTS Recognising

Example
Factorise the following expressions completely.
(a) 2x2 4
(b) 84x 12x2

(c) 10p2 p

Solution:
(a) 2x2 4
= 2x2 2 2
= 2(x2 2)

(c) 10p2 p
= 10 p p p 1
= p(10p 1)

(b) 84x 12x2

= 12x 7 12x x
= 12x(7 x)

1. Factorise the following quadratic expressions.

(a) 5p2 4p
= p(5p 4)

(b) 10 2x2
= 2(5 x2)

(c) 28x + x2
= x(28 + x)

(d) 12 4n2
= 4(3 + n2)

(e) 144x2 24x

= 24x(6x 1)

(f) 25x2 + 15
= 5(5x2 + 3)

(g) 5x2 x
= x(5x 1)

(h) 6x + 108x2
= 6x(1 + 18x)

(i) 121x2 + 33
= 11(11x2 + 3)

(j) 12x2 4x
= 4x(3x 1)

(k) 81x2 + 18x

= 9x(9x + 2)

(l) 4x 8x2
= 4x(1 2x)

12

CCTS Recognising

Example
Factorise the following quadratic expressions.
(a) x2 1
(b) p2 49
Solution:
(a) x2 12 = (x + 1)(x 1)

(c) 50x2 8

(b) p2 49 = p2 72
= (p + 7)(p 7)

(c) 50x2 8 = 2(25x2 4)

= 2[(5x)2 22]
= 2(5x + 2)(5x 2)

2. Factorise the following quadratic expressions.

(a) 1 p2
= (1 p)(1 + p)

(b) x2 36
= x2 62
= (x + 6)(x 6)

(c) 25 121x2
= 52 (11x)2
= (5 + 11x)(5 11x)

(d) 12x2 3
= 3(4x2 1)
= 3[(2x)2 12]
= 3(2x + 1)(2x 1)

(e) 25 9x2
= 52 (3x)2
= (5 + 3x)(5 3x)

(f) 36 4x2
= 4[9 x2]
= 4[32 x2]
= 4(3 + x)(3 x)

(g) 100 4x2

= 4[25 x2]
= 4[52 x2]
= 4(5 + x)(5 x)

(h) 144x2 1
= (12x)2 12
= (12x + 1)(12x 1)

(j) 49 25x2
(i) 18x2 50
= 72 (5x)2
= 2(9x2 25)
= (7 + 5x)(7 5x)
= 2[(3x)2 52]
= 2(3x + 5)(3x 5)

(k) 121x2 81
= (11x)2 92
= (11x + 9)(11x 9)

(l) 1 25p2
= 12 (5p)2
= (1 + 5p)(1 5p)

(m) 49x2 16
= (7x)2 42
= (7x + 4)(7x 4)

(o) 400 x2
= 202 x2
= (20 + x)(20 x)

(p) 169 64p2

= 132 (8p)2
= (13 + 8p)(13 8p)

(n) 100 64x2

= 4[25 16x2]
= 4[(5)2 (4x)2]
= 4(5 + 4x)(5 4x)

CCTS Recognising

Example
Factorise the following quadratic expressions.
(a) x2 + 3x + 2
(b) x2 + x 2
Solution:
(b) x2 + x 2
(a) x2 + 3x + 2
2
= x + x + 2x + 2
= x2 x + 2x 2
= x(x + 1) + 2(x + 1)
= x(x 1) + 2(x 1)
= (x + 1)(x + 2)
= (x 1)(x + 2)
Tips
(a) x2 + 3x + 2
12
1x + 2x = 3x

(b) x2 + x 2

(c) x2 6x + 8
(c) x2 6x + 8
= x2 2x 4x + 8
= x(x 2) 4(x 2)
= (x 2)(x 4)

(c) x2 6x + 8

1 2
x + 2x = x

13

(2) ( 4)
2x 4x = 6x

3. Factorise the following quadratic expressions.

(a) x2 + 6x + 8
= x2 + 2x + 4x + 8
= x(x + 2) + 4(x + 2)
= (x + 2)(x + 4)

(b) x2 + 3x 10
= x2 + 5x 2x 10
= x(x + 5) 2(x + 5)
= (x + 5)(x 2)

(c) x2 2x 8
= x2 4x + 2x 8
= x(x 4) + 2(x 4)
= (x 4)(x + 2)

(d) x2 4x 21
= x2 7x + 3x 21
= x(x 7) + 3(x 7)
= (x 7)(x + 3)

(e) x2 7x + 10
= x2 2x 5x + 10
= x(x 2) 5(x 2)
= (x 2)(x 5)

(f) x2 5x 36
= x2 9x + 4x 36
= x(x 9) + 4(x 9)
= (x 9)(x + 4)

(g) x2 + x 12
= x2 + 4x 3x 12
= x(x + 4) 3(x + 4)
= (x + 4)(x 3)

(h) x2 2x 15
= x2 5x + 3x 15
= x(x 5) + 3(x 5)
= (x 5)(x + 3)

(i) x2 + 8x + 15
= x2 + 3x + 5x + 15
= x(x + 3) + 5(x + 3)
= (x + 3)(x + 5)

(j) x2 + x 56
= x2 7x + 8x 56
= x(x 7) + 8(x 7)
= (x 7)(x + 8)

(k) x2 + 9x 22
= x2 + 11x 2x 22
= x(x + 11) 2(x + 11)
= (x + 11)(x 2)

(l) x2 13x 30
= x2 15x + 2x 30
= x(x 15) + 2(x 15)
= (x 15)(x + 2)

Example
Factorise the following quadratic expressions.
(a) 2x2 + x 6
(b) 10x2 + x 2

(c) 42 17x 15x2

Solution:
2x
x
2x2

3
2
6

3x
4x
x

5x
2x
10x2

2
1
2

4x
5x
x

5x
3x
15x2

6
7
42

18x
35x
17x

2x x = 2x2
3 2 = 6
3x + 4x = x

5x 2x = 10x2
2 1 = 2
4x + 5x = x

5x 3x = 15x2
6 7 = 42
18x 35x = 17x

2x2 + x 6
= (2x 3)(x + 2)

10x2 + x 2
= (5x 2)(2x + 1)

42 17x 15x2
= (5x + 6)(3x + 7)

4. Factorise the following quadratic expressions.

(a) 6x2 + 7x 3
3x
2x
6x2

1
3
3

6x2 + 7x 3
= (3x 1)(2x + 3)

(b) 10x2 13x 3

2x
9x
7x

5x
2x
10x2

1
3
3

(c) 10x2 19x 15

2x
15x
13x

10x2 13x 3
= (5x + 1)(2x 3)

14

5x
2x
10x2

3
5
15

6x
25x
19x

10x2 19x 15
= (5x + 3)(2x 5)

(d) 2x2 + 7x 3
2x
x
2x2

1
3
3

(e) 2x2 + 5x 7
x
6x
7x

2x2 + 7x 3
= (2x + 1)(x 3)
or (1 2x)(x 3)

1
3
3

9x2 + 26x 3
= (9x 1)(x + 3)

7
1
7

7x
2x
5x

2x2 + 5x 7
= (2x + 7)(x 1)

(g) 9x2 + 26x 3

9x
x
9x2

2x
x
2x2

(f) 10x2 + 13x 3

7x
3x
21x2

4
2
8

1
3
3

2x
15x
13x

10x2 + 13x 3
= (5x 1)(2x + 3)

(h) 21x2 2x 8
x
27x
26x

5x
2x
10x2

(i) 12x2 + 11x 2

12x
14x
2x

21x2 2x 8
= (7x + 4)(3x 2)

3x
4x
12x2

2
1
2

8x
3x
11x

12x2 + 11x 2
= (3x + 2)(4x 1)
or (2 3x)(4x 1)

CCTS Recognising & representing

Example
Factorise the following quadratic expressions.
(a) 3x2 12x 36
(b) 24x2 + 28x 20
Solution:
(a) 3x2 12x 36
= 3(x2 4x 12)
= 3(x + 2)(x 6)

(b) 24x2 + 28x 20

= 4(6x2 + 7x 5)
= 4(3x + 5)(2x 1)

Tips
Take out the common factor 4, then
factorise. This way is easier than
factorising it without taking out the
factor 4.

5. Factorise the following quadratic expressions.

(a) 10x2 5x 15
= 5(2x2 x 3)
= 5(2x 3)(x + 1)

(b) 12x2 + 21x + 6

= 3(4x2 7x 2)
= 3(4x + 1)(x 2)

(c) 20 28x + 8x2

= 4(5 7x + 2x2)
= 4(5 2x)(1 x)

(d) 18 + 3x 3x2
= 3(6 + x x2)
= 3(3 x)(2 + x)

(e) 6x2 48x 90

= 6(x2 + 8x + 15)
= 6(x + 5)(x + 3)

(f) 2x2 2x 40
= 2(x2 x 20)
= 2(x 5)(x + 4)

15

2.3 Quadratic Equations

CCTS Identifying

Example
Identify the following equations and state the number of unknowns.
(a) 5x2 + 3x = 0
(b) 7x + 5 = 0
Solution:
(a) It is a quadratic equation
in one unknown. (i.e. x)

(b) It is not a quadratic

equation. It has one
unknown. (i.e. x)

(c) 3xy + y = 0
(c) It is not a quadratic
equation. It has
two unknowns.
(i.e. x and y)

1. Identify the quadratic equations with one unknown from the following equations.
1 + 4y
(b) 7 =
x
It is not a quadratic equation.

(a) 15 + 3x = 6x2
It is a quadratic equation in one unknown.
x2 + 3 = x
(c)
4
It is a quadratic equation in one unknown.

(d) 16 = pq2 + 2p
It is not a quadratic equation.
CCTS Identifying

Example
Write the following quadratic equations in general form.
(a) 2 x = 5x2
(b) 5x 2 = x2
4
Solution:
5x 2
(a)
2 x = 5x2
(b)
=
2
4
5x x + 2 = 0
5x 2 =
5x2 + x 2 = 0
4x2 + 5x 2 =
4x2 5x + 2 =

x2 + 2
x1
(c)
=
3
2
x2

(c)

4x2
0
0

2. Write the following quadratic equations in general form.

x2 + 2 =

3
2x2 + 4 =
2x2 3x + 4 + 3 =
2x2 3x + 7 =

x1

2
3x 3
0
0

CCTS Representing

(a) 7x2 = 4x + 3
7x2 4x 3 = 0

(b) x + 2 = x2
5
x + 2 = 5x2
5x2 + x + 2 = 0
5x2 x 2 = 0

(c) 9 = 1 x2 + 3x
2
18 = x2 + 6x
0 = x2 + 6x 18
x2 + 6x 18 = 0

1 (x2 + 1) = x 3
(d)

8
3
2
x
+
1
x

3
=
8
3
3x2 + 3 = 8x 24
3x2 8x + 3 + 24 = 0
3x2 8x + 27 = 0

(e) (x 1)(x + 2) = (2x 1)2

(x 1)(x + 2) = (2x 1)(2x 1)
x2 x + 2x 2 = 4x2 2x 2x + 1
x2 + x 2 = 4x2 4x + 1
0 = 4x2 x2 4x x + 1 + 2
3x2 5x + 3 = 0

(f) (x + 3)(x 2) = 5
x2 + 3x 2x 6 5 = 0
x2 + x 11 = 0

16

Example
There are 420 form one students in SMK Berapit. They are divided into (x + 3) classes and each class has
(2x 3) number of students. Write a quadratic equation for this situation.
Solution:
Total number of students
420
420
2x2 + 3x 9 420
2x2 + 3x 429
3.

= (x + 3)(2x 3)
= (x + 3)(2x 3)
= 2x2 + 6x 3x 9
=0
=0

(2x + 3) cm

4.
(x + 1) m

(x + 1) m

2y cm
(x 2) cm

8m

The diagram above shows a trapezium with an

area of 70 cm2. Given that y = 5 x, show that
3x2 14x + 65 = 0.
Area of trapezium
Given that area = 70
= [(2x + 3) + (x 2)] y
70 = 3x2 + 14x + 5
= (3x + 1) y
3x2 14x 5 + 70 = 0
= (3x + 1) (5 x)
3x2 14x + 65 = 0
= 3x2 + 14x + 5

5.

The diagram above shows the cross-section of

a roof. Find a quadratic equation involving x as
a variable.
82 = (x + 1)2 + (x + 1)2
64 = x2 + 2x + 1 + x2 + 2x + 1
64 = 2x2 + 4x + 2
0 = 2x2 + 4x 62
or 2x2 + 4x 62 = 0

6.

r cm

(x + 1) cm

p cm
q cm
(3x

2) cm

1
The diagram above shows a kite with p = q,

q = 3x 3 and r = 2x 1. Given that the area of

the kite is 36 cm2, show that 2x2 3x 8 = 0.
The diagram above shows four congruent
rectangles arranged in the position shown. Find
the area of the shaded region, A cm2.
If A = 50, show that 4x2 12x 41 = 0.

Area of kite
p
q
= 2 area of triangle
= 2 1 [(3x 3) + 1 (3x 3)] (2x 1)
2
3
= (3x 3 + x 1) (2x 1)
= (4x 4)(2x 1)
= 8x2 12x + 4
8x2 12x + 4 = 36
4(2x2 3x + 1) = 36
2x2 3x + 1 = 9
2x2 3x 8 = 0

Length of side of region A

= 3x 2 (x + 1)
= 3x 2 x 1
= 2x 3
A is a square.
Area of A = (2x 3)2
50 = (2x 3)(2x 3)
50 = 4x2 12x + 9
0 = 4x2 12x 41
4x2 12x 41 = 0
17

2.4 Roots of Quadratic Equations

CCTS Interpreting

Example
Determine whether 2 or 4 is a root of 2x2 5x 12 = 0.
Solution:
(a) When x = 2,
2x2 5x 12
= 2(2)2 5(2) 12
= 8 10 12
= 14 0
Therefore, x = 2 is not a root
of the equation.

(b) When x = 4,
Tips
2x2 5x 12
If the final value is zero, then the
2
= 2(4) 5(4) 12
value of x is a root of the equation.
= 32 20 12
=0
Therefore, x = 4 is a root of the
equation.

1. Given the following values of x and its corresponding equations, determine whether the given value is a root
of the equation.
(a) x = 2,

2x2 3x 2 = 0

(b) x = 3,

3x2 16x + 5 = 0

When x = 2,
2x2 3x 2
= 2(2)2 3(2) 2
=862
=0

When x = 3,
3x2 16x + 5
= 3(3)2 16(3) + 5
= 27 48 + 5
= 16 0

 x = 2 is a root of the quadratic equation.

 x = 3 is not a root of the quadratic equation.

(c) x = 2,

(d) x = 1 , 2 x = x2
2
6
Tips: Change it to
2 x = x2
general form.
6
2
2 x = 6x
6x2 + x 2 = 0
When x = 1 ,
2
6x2 + x 2
=6 1 1 + 1 2
2
2
2
3
1
=
+
2
2
2
=0

1 x2
1 x+2=0

4
2

When x = 2,
1 2
1

x
x+2
4
2
1 (2)2
1 (2) + 2
=
4
2
1
= 4 + 1 + 2
4
=1+3
=40
 x = 2 is not a root of the quadratic equation.

 x = 1 is a root of the quadratic equation.

2
18

1 ,
(e) x =
2

1
(f) x = ,
3x2 4x = 1
3
3x2 4x + 1 = 0
1
When x =
3
3x2 4x + 1
1 )2 4(
1)+1
= 3(
3
3
1
4
= + 1
3
3
=0

(2x 1)(x + 1) = 0

1 ,
When x =
2
(2x 1)(x + 1)
1 + 1)
1 ) 1)(
= (2(
2
2
1
= (0)( )
2
=0
1 is a root of the quadratic equation.
 x =
2

1 is a root of the quadratic equation.

 x =
3
CCTS Recognising & interpreting

Example
Determine the solutions (roots) of the quadratic equations below by trial and error.
(a) 2x2 3x 2 = 0

(b) 2x2 + 3x 9 = 0

Solution:
(a) When x = 1,
2x2 3x 2
= 2(1)2 3(1) 2
=232
= 3 0

(b) When x = 1,
2(1)2 + 3(1) 9
=2+39
= 4
When x = 2,
2(2)2 + 3(2) 9
=8+69
=5

When x = 2,
2(2)2 3(2) 2
=862
=0
x = 2 is a root of the quadratic equation.
When x = 0,
2x2 3x 2
= 2(0)2 3(0) 2
= 2
When x = 1
2(1)2 3(1) 2
=2+32
=3
1
Try x = ,
2
1
1
2
2( ) 3( ) 2
2
2
1
3
= + 2
2
2

Note:
Changes from ve to
+ve. Therefore, there
is a root between
x = 1 and x = 2.

3 ,
Try x =
2
3
3 )9
2
2( ) + 3(
2
2
9
9
= + 9
2 2

Note:
When the value of
x changes from
0 to 1, the answer
changes from 2
(ve) to 3 (+ve).
This means that
there is a root
between
x = 0 and x = 1.

=0
3
x = is a root of the quadratic equation.
2
When x = 2,
2(2)2 + 3(2) 9
=869
= 7

= 0

When x = 3,
2(3)2 + 3(3) 9
= 18 9 9
=0

1 is a root of the quadratic equation.

x =
2

x = 3 is a root of the quadratic equation.

19

2. Find the solutions of the following quadratic equations by trial and error.
(a) x2 + 4x 5 = 0

(b) x2 + x 6 = 0

When x = 1,
x2 + 4x 5
= 12 + 4(1) 5
=0
x = 1 is a root of the quadratic equation.

When x = 2,
x2 + x 6
= 22 + 2 6
=4+26
=0
x = 2 is a root of the quadratic equation.

When x = 4,
( 4)2 + 4( 4) 5
= 16 16 5
= 5

When x = 2,
(2)2 + (2) 6
=426
= 4

When x = 5,
(5)2 + 4(5) 5
= 25 20 5
=0
x = 5 is a root of the quadratic equation.

When x = 3,
(3)2 + (3) 6
=936
=0
x = 3 is a root of the quadratic equation.

Example
Solve the following quadratic equations by factorisation.
(a) 3x2 5x = 2

(b) 9 + 7x = 2x2

Solution:
(a) 3x2 5x = 2
3x2 5x 2 = 0
3x
x
3x2

1
2
2

(b) 9 + 7x = 2x2
2x2 7x 9 = 0

Change it to the
general form.
x
6x
5x

2x
x
2x2

(3x + 1)(x 2) = 0
3x + 1 = 0 or x 2 = 0
3x = 1
1 or x = 2
x =
3

9
1
9

9x
2x
7x

(2x 9)(x + 1) = 0
2x 9 = 0 or x + 1 = 0
2x = 9
9
x =
2

or x = 1

3. Solve the following quadratic equations by factorisation.

(a) 3x2 21x = 30
3x2 21x + 30 = 0
(3x 6)(x 5) = 0
3x 6 = 0 or x 5 = 0
3x = 6
x=2

or

x=5

x2 10
(b)
= x
3
3
x2 10 = 3x
x2 + 3x 10 = 0
(x 2)(x + 5) = 0
x 2 = 0 or x + 5 = 0
x = 2 or
x = 5

20

2
(c) 2x + 35 = x
19
2x2 + 35 = 19x
2x2 19x + 35 = 0
(2x 5)(x 7) = 0
2x 5 = 0 or x 7 = 0
2x = 5
5
x =
x=7
2 or

(d) 8x2 + 14x = 3

8x2 + 14x 3 = 0
(4x 1)(2x + 3) = 0
4x 1 = 0 or 2x + 3 = 0
4x = 1 or
2x = 3
3
1
x = or
x =
2
4
3
x =
2

(e) 1 + 12x = 6x2 7x + 16

0 = 6x2 7x 12x + 16 1
0 = 6x2 19x + 15
0 = (2x 3)(3x 5)
2x 3 = 0 or
3x 5 = 0
2x = 3
3x = 5
3
5
x = or
x =
2
3

(f) 6x2 + 7 = 23x

6x2 23x + 7 = 0
(3x 1)(2x 7) = 0
3x 1 = 0 or 2x 7 = 0
3x = 1 or
2x = 7
1
7
x = or
x =
3
2

(i) 4 + x = 15 x2
2
8 + 2x = 15x2
15x2 2x 8 = 0
(3x + 2)(5x 4) = 0
3x + 2 = 0
or 5x 4 = 0
3x = 2 or
5x = 4
4
2
x = or
x =
5
3

(g) 10 8x = 21x(x + 1)
(h) 10 = 3x(9x 13)
10 8x = 21x2 + 21x
10 = 27x2 39x
2
0 = 21x + 21x + 8x 10
0 = 27x2 39x 10
2
0 = 21x + 29x 10
0 = (9x + 2)(3x 5)
0 = (7x 2)(3x + 5)
9x + 2 = 0 or 3x 5 = 0
7x 2 = 0 or 3x + 5 = 0
9x = 2 or
3x = 5
2
5
7x = 2 or
3x = 5
x = or
x =
2 or
5
x =
x =
9
3
7
3

CCTS Solving problems

Example
A man and his son are painting a house. When both of them paint together, they need 4 days to complete. If
the father paints the house alone, he can complete the job 6 days earlier than the son. Find the number of days
needed for the son to paint the house alone.
Solution:
Let x be the number of days needed if the son paints
alone.
1
In one day, he will complete amount of work.
x
Let (x 6) be the number of days needed if the father
paints alone.
1
In one day, he will complete x 6 amount of work.

If both paint together, in one day they will complete

1

of the amount of work.

4

1
1 + 1 =
x
x6
4
1
x 6 + x =
x(x 6)
4
1
2x 6 =
4
x(x 6)
8x 24
0
0
x 12
x

=
=
=
=
=

x2 6x
x2 14x + 24
(x 12)(x 2)
0 or x 2 = 0
12 or
x = 2 (not applicable)

The son can complete the job in 12 days.

21

4. The length of a rectangle is five times its breadth.

When the breadth of the rectangle is increased by
10 m, while the length of the rectangle is decreased
by 25 m, the area of the rectangle remains the same.
Find the dimensions of the original rectangle.

5. John has a rectangular fish pond with an area of

1 575 m2. If he reduces the length of one side by 30
m and the other by 20 m, the new pond will become
a square. Find the length of the new pond.
Let x be the length of the new pond.
Then (x + 20) and (x + 30) will be the length of the
sides of the original pond.
1 575 = (x + 20)(x + 30)
1 575 = x2 + 50x + 600
0 = x2 + 50x 975
0 = (x 15)(x + 65)
x 15 = 0 or x + 65 = 0
x = 15 or
x = 65 (not acceptable)

Let x and 5x be the dimensions of the original

rectangle. Then (x + 10) and (5x 25) will be its
new dimensions.
Area = 5x2 = (x +10)(5x 25)
5x2 = 5x2 + 25x 250
0 = 25x 250
25x = 250
x = 10

The side of the new pond is 15 m.

Thus, the dimensions of the original rectangle are

10 m and 50 m.

6. There are 180 pencils to be distributed equally

among a group of students. When 3 new students
join the group, each of the students will receive
3 pencils less. Find the initial number of students
in the group.

7. Faizal thinks of two positive integers. The difference

between the two integers is 8 and the sum of the
square of each integer is 370. Find the value of both
integers.
Let x and (x + 8) represent the two positive integers.
x2 + (x + 8)2 = 370
x2 + x2 + 16x + 64 = 370
2x2 + 16x 306 = 0
x2 + 8x 153 = 0
(x 9)(x + 17) = 0
x 9 = 0 or x + 17 = 0
x = 9 or
x = 17 (not acceptable)

Let x be the initial number of students in the group.

Initially each student will receive 180 pencils.
x
After 3 new students join the group, each will
180
receive
pencils.
x+3
180 + 3 = 180
x+3
x
multiply by x(x + 3),
180x + 3x(x + 3) = 180(x + 3)
180x + 3x2 + 9x = 180x + 540
3x2 + 9x 540 = 0
x2 + 3x 180 = 0
(x 12)(x + 15) = 0
x 12 = 0 or x + 15 = 0
x = 12
or
x = 15 (not acceptable)

The second integer = 9 + 8 = 17

Therefore, the two integers are 9 and 17.

Initially, the group has 12 students.

22

SPM Practice 2
Paper 1
1. (3x y)2 x(2x y) =
A 7x2 5xy + y2
B 7x2 7xy + y2
C 11x2 5xy + y2
D 11x2 7xy + y2

8. Factorise 3x2 13x 10.

A (3x + 2)(x + 5)
B (3x + 2)(x 5)
C (3x 2)(x 5)
D (3x 2)(x + 5)
9. Factorise 3(x 1) x(x 1).
A (x + 1)(3 x)
C (3x 3)(3 x)
B (x 1)(3 x)
D (x 1)(3 + x)

2. 2x(1 x) + 5x2 =
7x2 2x
SPM A
2006
2001
B 9x2
C 2x 7x2
D 7x2 + 2x

10. Factorise 9x2 m2.

A (3x + m)2
B (3x m)2

3. Expand 4(3 2x)(x 1).

A 8x2 + 5x 3
2005
2001 B 8x2 5x + 3
C 8x2 20x + 12
D 8x2 + 20x 12
SPM

4. Expand px(4x 3).

A 4px2 3
B 4px2 + 3px

11. Factorise 15x2 + 10x 25 completely.

A 5(x 1)(3x + 5)
B (5x 5)(3x + 5)
C 5(1 x)(3x + 5)
D (5x 1)(3x + 5)

C 4px2 3px
D 4p2x 3px

12. Which of the following is not a quadratic

equation?
1 =
4
A 4x

C mx 3x = 2
5
x
7 =
5
B 5x 4x2 = 0
D
x2
x+1

5.
2x
4x

13. Which of the following quadratic equations is

not in the general form?
A 1 x2 + 2x 5 = 0
C 16x2 + 2 x 1 = 0
2
3
5
B 3x x2 = 2
D 6x2 + 7x 8 = 0

Form a quadratic expression for the area of the

triangle shown above.
1 (4x 1)
A
C 2x(4x 3)
2
1
D
B x(4x + 3)
2 x(3 + 4x)

14.

1
2
6. Factorise x2 x completely.
3
3
x (x 2)
A
C 3x(x 2)
3
B x(x 2)

C (3x m)(3x + m)
D (x m)(3x + 3m)

2x m
xm

The diagram above shows the length and breadth

of a rectangle. If the length is increased by 1 m
and its breadth is decreased by 2 m, find the area,
in m2, of the new rectangle.
A (2x 1)(x + 2)
B (2x 1)(x + 3)
C 2x2 + 3x 2
D 2x2 3x 2

1
D x(x2 2)
3

7. Factorise 16x2 1.
A 4x(4x + 1)
B 4x(4x 1)
C (4x + 1)(4x 1)
D (4x + 1)2
23

18. The solutions of 6x2 + 11x 2 = 0 are

1
1 and 2
C
A 6 and
2
6
1
B and 2
D 6 and 2
6

15. Determine which of the following is a root of

(5x 1)(x 3) = 0.
C 3
A 1
B 2
D 4
16. Determine which of the following is a root of
3x2 + 7x 6 = 0.
A 3
C 0
B 1
D 2

19. The roots of (2x 3)(3 5x) = 0 are

1 and
5
A
C 3 and 5
3
3
1 and
5
3 and
3
D
B
3
3
2
5

17. One of the roots of 8x2 6x 9 = 0 is

1
3
A 1
C
2
4
1
4
B 1
D
2
3

2
20. The roots of x2 + 5 x 2 = 0 are
3
1
1
C 3 and
A and 6
3
6
2
B and 4
D 2 and 5
3
Paper 2
2. Expand
(a) (x 1)(5 4x)
1 (x + 2)(6x + 9)
(b)
3

1. Solve the quadratic equation 6x2 35 = 11x by

SPM
factorisation

2007
2001

6x2 11x 35 = 0
(2x 7)(3x + 5) = 0
2x 7 = 0 or 3x + 5 = 0
x = 7 or x = 5
2
2

(a) (x 1)(5 4x) = 5x 4x2 5 + 4x

= 4x2 + 9x 5
1 (x + 2)(6x + 9) = 1 (x + 2)3(2x + 3)
(b)
3
3
= (x + 2)(2x + 3)
= 2x2 + 4x + 3x + 6
= 2x2 + 7x + 6

3. Given that 3x2 + 2x 8 = (x + 2)(ax + p). Find the

values of a and p.

4. Expand (10x + 3)2.

(10x + 3)(10x + 3) = 100x2 30x 30x + 9
= 100x2 60x + 9

3x2 + 2x 8 = (3x 4)(x + 2)

a = 3 and p = 4

5. Factorise 2x2 9x 143.

6. Factorise 64p2 25.

2x2 9x 143 = (x 11)(2x + 13)

64p2 25 = (8p)2 52
= (8p + 5)(8p 5)

24

7. Solve
(a) x2 7x = 0
2005
2001
3 11x
(b) = 5x2
4

8. Find the roots of the quadratic equations:

x 30
2006
2001 (a) x2 8x =
(b) 6x2 + x 1 = 0
2

SPM

SPM

x 30
(a) x2 8x =
2
2x2 16x = x 30
2x2 17x + 30 = 0
(2x 5)(x 6) = 0
5
x = or x = 6
2

(a) x2 7x = 0
x(x 7) = 0
x = 0 or x 7 = 0
x = 0 or
x=7
3 11x
(b) = 5x2
4

(b) 6x2 + x 1 = 0
(2x + 1)(3x 1) = 0
2x + 1 = 0 or 3x 1 = 0
1 or x =
1
x =
2
3

20x2 + 11x 3 = 0
(5x 1)(4x + 3) = 0
5x 1 = 0 or 4x + 3 = 0
5x = 1 or
4x = 3
1
3
x = or
x =
5
4

10.

9.

17 m

x
15 m

5m

Metal
plate

6m

{
x

8m

The diagram above shows a ladder leaning against

a wall. When the ladder slides down x m, form
a quadratic equation for the ladder at the new
position.
(Note: When A moves x m, B moves x m.)

When a metal plate is heated, it expands to a new

dimensions as shown in the diagram. Find the
increase in the area of the plate, in m2.
Increase in area = (6 + 2x)(5 + 2x) 5 6
= 30 + 22x + 4x2 30
= 4x2 + 22x

172 = (15 x)2 + (8 + x)2

289 = 225 30x + x2 + 64 + 16x + x2
289 = 2x2 14x + 289
2x2 14x = 0

25