1

Chapter 1 Quadratic Equations

Quadratic Equations

1 Equation:

values of the variable. For example

5x + 6 = 2, x is the variable (unknown)

2 Degree of an Equation:
The degree of an equation is the highest sum of powers of the variables in one of the
term of the equation. For example
2x + 5 = 0 1st degree equation in single variable
3x + 7y = 8 1st degree equation in two variables
2x2 7x + 8 = 0 2nd degree equation in single variable
2xy 7x + 3y = 2 2nd degree equation in two variables

x3 2x2 + 7x + 4 = 0 3rd degree equation in single variable

x2y + xy + x = 2 3rd degree equation in two variables

3 Polynomial Equation of Degree n:

An equation of the form
anxn + an-1xn-1 + ---------------- + a3x3 + a2x2 + a1x + a0 = 0--------------(1)
Where n is a non-negative integer and an, an-1, -------------, a3, a2, a1, a0 are real
constants, is called polynomial equation of degree n. Note that the degree of the
equation in the single variable is the highest power of x which appear in the equation.
Thus
3x4 + 2x3 + 7 = 0

x4 + x 3 + x 2 + x + 1 = 0 , x4 = 0
are all fourth-degree polynomial equations.
By the techniques of higher mathematics, it may be shown that nth degree equation of
the form (1) has exactly n solutions (roots). These roots may be real, complex or a
mixture of both. Further it may be shown that if such an equation has complex roots,
they occur in pairs of conjugates complex numbers. In other words it cannot have an
odd number of complex roots.
A number of the roots may be equal. Thus all four roots of x 4 = 0
are equal which are zero, and the four roots of x 4 2x2 + 1 = 0
Comprise two pairs of equal roots (1, 1, -1, -1).
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Quadratic Equations
4 Linear and Cubic Equation:
The equation of first degree is called linear equation.
For example,
i) x+5=1 (in single variable)
ii) x+y=4 (in two variables)
The equation of third degree is called cubic equation.
For example,
i) a3x3 + a2x2 + a1x + a0 = 0 (in single variable)
3 2
ii) 9x + 5x + 3x = 0 (in single variable)
iii) x2y + xy + y = 8 (in two variables)
5 Quadratic Equation:
The equation of second degree is called quadratic equation. The word quadratic
ce the highest power of the unknown that appears
in the equation is square. For example
2x2 3x + 7 = 0 (in single variable)
xy 2x + y = 9 (in two variable)
Standard form of quadratic equation
The standard form of the quadratic equation is ax 2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b and c
are constants with a 0.
If b 0 then this equation is called complete quadratic equation in x.
If b = 0 then it is called a pure or incomplete quadratic equation in x.
For example, 5 x 2 + 6 x + 2 = 0 is a complete quadratic equation is x.
and 3x2 4 = 0 is a pure or incomplete quadratic equation.
6 Roots of the Equation:
The value of the variable which satisfies the equation is called the root of the
equation. A quadratic equation has two roots and hence there will be two values of the
variable which satisfy the quadratic equation. For example the roots of x 2 + x 6 = 0
are 2 and -3.
7 Methods of Solving Quadratic Equation:
There are three methods for solving a quadratic equation:
i) By factorization
ii) By completing the square
iii) By using quadratic formula

i) Solution by Factorization:
Method:
Step I: Write the equation in standard form.
Step II: Factorize the quadratic equation on the left hand side if possible.
Step III: The left hand side will be the product of two linear factors. Then
equate each of the linear factor to zero and solve for values of x. These values
of x give the solution of the equation.
Example 1:
Solve the equation 3x2 + 5x = 2
Solution:
3x2 + 5x = 2
Write in standard form 3x2 + 5x 2 = 0
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Quadratic Equations
Factorize the left hand side 3x2 + 6x x 2 = 0
3x(x + 2) -1(x + 2) = 0
(3x 1) (x + 2) = 0
Equate each of the linear factor to zero.
3x 1 = 0 or x+2=0
3x = 1 or x = -2
1
x=
3
1
x = , - 2 are the roots of the Equation.
3
1
Solution Set = { , -2}
3

Example 2:
Solve the equation 6x2 5x = 4
Solution:
6x2 5x = 4
6x2 5x 4 = 0
6x2 8x + 3x 4 = 0
2x (3x 4) +1 (3x 4) = 0
(2x + 1) (3x 4) = 0
Either 2x + 1 = 0 or 3x 4 = 0
Which gives 2x = 1 which gives 3x = 4
1 4
x= x=
2 3
1 4
Required Solution Set = ,
2 3
ii) Solution of quadratic equation by Completing the
Square
Method:
Step I: Write the quadratic equation is standard form.
Step II: Divide both sides of the equation by the co-efficient of x 2 if it is
not already 1.
Step III: Shift the constant term to the R.H.S.
Step IV: Add the square of one-half of the co-efficient of x to both side.
Step V: Write the L.H.S as complete square and simplify the R.H.S.
Step VI: Take the square root on both sides and solve for x.

Example 3:
Solve the equation 3x2 = 15 4x by completing the square.
Solution: 3x2 = 15 4x
Step I Write in standard form: 3x 2 + 4x 15 = 0
4
Step II Dividing by 3 to both sides: x 2 + x 5 = 0
3
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Quadratic Equations
4
Step III Shift constant term to R.H.S: x2 +
x=5
3
Step IV Adding the square of one half of the co-efficient of
2
4
x. i.e., on both sides:
6
2 2
4 4 4
x2 + x+ =5+
3 6 6
Step V: Write the L.H.S. as complete square and simplify the R.H.S.
:
2
4 16
x+ =5+
6 36
180 + 16
=
36
2
4 196
x+ =
6 36
Step VI: Taking square root of both sides and Solve for x

2
4 196
x+
6 36
4 14
x+ =
6 6
4 7
x+ =
6 3
4 7 4 7
x+ = , x+ =-
6 3 6 3
7 4 7 4
x= - x=- -
3 6 3 6
10 -18
x= , x=
6 6
5
x= , x= 3
3
5
Hence, the solution set = -3,
3
Example 4:
Solve the equation a2 x2 = ab x + 2b2 by completing the square.
Solution:
a2 x2 = ab x + 2b2
a2 x2 ab x 2b2 = 0
Dividing both sides by a2, we have
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Quadratic Equations

bx 2b2
x2 - - 2 =0
a a
bx 2b 2
x2 - = 2
a a
2
b
Adding the square of one half of the co-efficient of x i.e., on both
2a
sides.
2 2
bx b 2b2 b
x2 - +
a 2a a2 2a
2
b 2b2 b2
x
2a a2 4a 2
2
b 8b2 + b2
x
2a 4a 2
2
b 9b2
x
2a 4a 2
Taking square root on both sides
b 3b
x
2a 2a
b 3b b 3b
x x
2a 2 a 2a 2 a
b 3b b 3b
x x
2a 2a 2a 2a
b + 3b b - 3b
x x
2a 2a
4b 2b
x x
2a 2a
2b b
x x
a a
2b b
Solution Set = ,
a a
iii) Derivation of Quadratic formula
Consider the standard form of quadratic equation ax 2 + b x + c = 0.
Solve this equation by completing the square.
ax2 + bx + c = 0
Dividing both sides by a

Take the constant term to the R.H.S

b c
x2 + x = -
a a
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Quadratic Equations
2
b
To complete the square on L.H.S. add to both sides.
2a
2 2
b b c b
X2 + x+ =- +
a 2a a 2a
2
b b2 c
x+ = 2 -
2a 4a a
2
b b2 - 4ac
x+ =
2a 4a 2
Taking square root of both sides

b b 2 - 4ac
x=-
2a 4a 2

-b b 2 - 4ac
x= which is called the Quadratic
2a
formula.

Where, a = co-efficient of x2 , b = coefficient of x , c = constant term

Actually, the Quadratic formula is the general solution of the quadratic equation ax 2 + b
x+c=0
-b b 2 - 4ac -b - b 2 - 4ac
Note: , are also called roots of the quadratic equation
2a 2a
Method:
To solve the quadratic equation by Using Quadratic formula:
Step I: Write the Quadratic Equation in Standard form.
Step II: By comparing this equation with standard form ax 2 + b x + c = 0
to identify the values of a , b , c.
Step III: Putting these values of a, b, c in Quadratic formula
-b b 2 - 4ac
x= and solve for x.
2a
Example 5:
Solve the equation 3x2 + 5x = 2
Solution:
3x2 + 5x = 2
3x2 + 5x 2 = 0
Composing with the standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0, we have a = 3 , b = 5, c = -2.
Putting these values in Quadratic formula
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Quadratic Equations

-b b 2 - 4ac
x=
2a
-5 (5) 2 - 4(3)(-2)
=
2(3)
-5 25 + 24
=
6
-5 7
x=
6
-5 + 7 -5 - 7
x= or x=
6 6
2 -12
x= or x=
6 6
1
x= or x = -2
3
1
Sol. Set = , 2
3
Example 6:
Solve the equation 15x2 2ax a2 = 0 by using Quadratic formula:
Solution:
15x2 2ax a2 = 0
Comparing this equation with General Quadratic Equation
Here, a = 15, b = -2a , c = -a2
Putting these values in Quadratic formula
-b b 2 - 4ac
x=
2a
-(-2a) (-2a) 2 - 4(15)(-a 2 )
=
2(15)
-(-2a) 4a 2 + 60a 2
=
30
2a 8a
=
30
2a + 8a 2a - 8a
x = or x =
30 30
10a -6a
x = or x =
30 30
a a
x = or x =-
3 5
a a
Sol. Set = ,
3 5
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Quadratic Equations
Example 7:
1 5
Solve the equation + = 2 by using Quadratic formula.
2x - 5 2x - 1
Solution:
1 5
+ =2
2x - 5 2x - 1
Multiplying throughout by (2x 5)(2x 1), we get
(2x 1) + 5(2x 5) = 2 (2x 5) (2x 1)
2x 1 + 10x 25 = 8x2 24x + 10
8x2 36x + 36 = 0
2x2 9x + 9 = 0
Comparing this equation with General Quadratic Equation
Here, a = 2 , b = -9 , c = 9
Putting these values in the Quadratic formula
b± b 2 4ac
x=
2a
( 9) ( 9) 2 4(2)(9)
=
2(2)
9 81 72
=
4
9 3
=
4
9 3 9 3
x= or x=
4 4
12 6
x= or x=
4 4
3
x=3 or x=
2
3
Sol. Set 3,
2

Exercise 1.1
Q.1. Solve the following equations by factorization.

(i). x2 + 7x = 8 (ii). 3x2 + 7x + 4 = 0

1
(iii). x2 3x = 2x 6 (iv). 3x2 1 = (1 x)
5
1 5
(v). (2x + 3) (x + 1) = 1 (vi). 2
2x 5 2x 1
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Quadratic Equations
4 5 3 1 1 1 1
(vii). = (viii).
x-1 x+2 x a+b+x a b x
(ix). abx2 + (b2 ac) x bc = 0 (x). (a + b)x2 +(a + 2b + c) x + (b + c) = 0
a b x+2 2 x+3
(xi). =a+b (xii). 2 =
ax - 1 bx - 1 x-1 3 x-2

Q.2. Solve the following equations by the method of completing the square.

(i). x2 6x + 8 = 0 (ii). 32 3x2 = 10x

(iii). (x 2)(x + 3) = 2(x + 11) (iv). x 2 + (a + b)x + ab = 0

1 10 10 10 5
(v). x+ = (vi). + =
x 3 x-5 x+5 6

(vii). 2x2 5bx = 3b2 (viii). x2 2 a x + a2 b2 = 0

Q.3 Solve the following equations by using quadratic formula.

(i). 2x 2 3x 9 0 (ii). (x + 1)2 = 3x + 14
1 1 1 3
. (iv).
(iii) x+1 x+2 x+3 x

(v). x 2 (m n)x 2(m n)2 0 (vi) mx2 + (1 + m)x + 1 = 0

(vii) abx 2 (2b 3a)x 6 0 (viii). x2 (b a)x ab 0
x x+1 x+2
(ix) 3
x+1 x+2 x+3
Q.4 The sum of a number and its square is 56 . Find the number.
Q.5 A projectile is fired vertically into the air. The distance (in meter) above the
ground as a function of time (in seconds) is given by s = 300 100 t 16 t2 .
When will the projectile hit the ground?
Q.6 The hypotenuse of a right triangle is 18 meters. If one side is 4 meters longer
than the other side, what is the length of the shorter side ?

Answers 1.1

4
Q.1. (i). {1, -8} (ii). 1, (iii). {2, 3}
3

1
(iv). { (v). 2, (vi).
2
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Quadratic Equations
1
(vii). ,3 (viii). {-a, -b} (ix).
2
(x). (xi). (xii).

16 1 113
Q.2. (i). {2, 4} (ii). {2, } (iii). { }
3 2
1
(iv). { a, b} (v). {3, } (vi). {-1, 25}
3

b
(vii). {3b, } (viii) { (a + b), (a b)}
2
3 1 53 11 13
Q.3. (i). { , 3} (ii). { } (iii). { }
2 2 6
25 1 1
(iv). { , } (v). { m n, 2(m n) } (vi) 1,
2 2 m
2 3 6 3 6 3
(vii). { , } (viii). { b, a } (ix) ,
a b 3 3

Q.4. 7,-8 Q.5. 8.465 seconds Q.6. 10.6 m

Nature of the roots of the Equation ax2 + bx + c = 0

The two roots of the Quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 are:
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Quadratic Equations

b± b 2 4ac
x=
2a
The expression b2 4ac which appear under radical sign is called the
Discriminant (Disc.) of the quadratic equation. i.e., Disc = b 2 4ac
The expression b2 4ac discriminates the nature of the roots, whether they are
real, rational, irrational or imaginary. There are three possibilities.
(i)b2 4ac < 0 (ii) b2 4ac = 0 (iii) b2 4ac > 0

(i) If b2 4ac < 0, then roots will be imaginary and unequal.

(ii) If b2 4ac = 0, then roots will be real, equal and rational.
(This means the left hand side of the equation is a perfect square).
(iii) If b2 4ac > 0, then two cases arises:
(a) b2 4ac is a perfect square, the roots are real, rational and unequal.
(This mean the equation can be solved by the factorization).
(b) b2 4ac is not a perfect square, then roots are real, irrational and
unequal.
Example 1:
Find the nature of the roots of the given equation
9x2 + 6x + 1 = 0
Solution:
9x2 + 6x + 1 = 0
Here a = 9, b = 6, c = 1
Therefore , Discriminant = b2 4ac
= (6)2 4(9) (1)
= 36 36
=0
2
Because b 4ac = 0
roots are equal, real and rational.
Example 2:
Find the nature of the roots of the Equation
3x2 13x + 9 = 0
Solution:
3x2 13x + 9 = 0
Here a = 3, b = -13, c = 9
Discriminant = b2 4ac
= (-13)2 -4(3) (9)
= 169 108 = 61
2
Disc = b 4ac = 61 which is positive
Hence the roots are real, unequal and irrational.
Example 3:
roots of Kx2 + 4x + (K 3) = 0
are equal.
Solution:
Kx2 + 4x + (K 3) = 0
Here a = K, b = 4, c = K 3
Disc = b2 4ac
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Quadratic Equations
= (4)2 4(K)(K 3)
= 16 4K2 + 12K
The roots are equal if b2 4ac = 0
i.e. 16 4K2 + 12K = 0
4K2 3K 4 = 0
2
K 4K + K 4 = 0
K(K 4) + 1(K 4) = 0
Or K = 4, 1
Hence roots will be equal if K = 4, 1
Example 4:
Show that the roots of the equation
2(a + b)x2 2(a + b + c)x + c = 0 are real
Solution: 2(a + b)x2 2(a + b + c)x + c = 0
Here, a = 2(a + b) , b = 2 (a + b + c) , c = c
Discriminant = b2 4ac
= [ 2(a + b + c)]2 4[2(a + b) c]
= 4(a 2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ac) 8(ac + bc)
= 4(a 2 + b2 + c2 + 2ab + 2bc + 2ac 2ac 2bc )
2 2 2
= 4(a + b + c + 2ab)
= 4[(a 2 + b2 + 2ab)+ c 2]
= 4[(a+ b)2 + c2 ]
Since each term is positive, hence
Disc > 0 Hence , the roots are real.
Example 5:
For what value of K the roots of equation 2x 2 + 5x + k = 0 will be rational.
Solution:
2x2 + 5x + k = 0
Here, a = 2, b = 5, c = k
The roots of the equation are rational if
Disc = b2 4ac = 0
So, 52 4(2)k = 0
25 8k = 0
25
k= Ans
8
Exercise 1.2
Q1. Find the nature of the roots of the following equations
(i) 2x2 + 3x + 1 = 0 (ii) 6x2 = 7x +5
(iii) 3x2 + 7x 2 = 0 (iv)

Q2. For what value of K the roots of the given equations are equal.
(i) x2 + 3(K + 1)x + 4K + 5 = 0 (ii) x 2 + 2(K 2)x 8k = 0
2
(iii) (3K + 6)x + 6x + K = 0 (iv) (K + 2)x2 2Kx + K 1 = 0
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Quadratic Equations
Q3. Show that the roots of the equations
(i) a2(mx + c)2 + b2x2 = a2 b2 will be equal if c2 = b2 + a2m2
a
(ii) (mx + c)2 = 4ax will be equal if c=
m
(iii) x2 + (mx + c)2 = a2 has equal roots if c2 = a2 (1 + m2).

Q4. If the roots of (c2 ab)x2 2(a2 bc)x + (b2 ac) = 0 are equal then prove that
a3 + b3 + c3 = 3abc
Q5. Show that the roots of the following equations are real
1
(i) x2 2 ( m+ )x + 3 = 0
m
(ii) x2 2ax + a2 = b2 + c2
(iii)(b2 4ac)x2 + 4(a + c)x 4 = 0
Q6. Show that the roots of the following equations are rational
(i) a(b c)x2 + b(c a)x + c(a b) = 0
(ii) (a + 2b)x2 + 2(a + b + c)x + (a + 2c) = 0
(iii) (a + b)x2 ax b) = 0
(iv) p x2 - (p q) x q = 0

Q7. k) x2 + 2(k+2) x + 8k + 1 = 0 will be a

perfect square.
(Hint : The equation will be perfect square if Disc. b 2 4ac = 0 )

Answers 1.2
Q1. (i) Real, rational, unequal (ii) unequal, real and rational
(iii) ir-rational, unequal, real (iv) Real, unequal, ir-rational
-11
Q2. (i) 1, (ii) -2 (iii) 1, -3 (iv) 2
9

Q7. 0, 3