Quadratic Equations
If f(x) is a polynomial of degree 2 i.e f(x) =
In this article, we will learn about the quadratic equations definition, formula, nature of roots, how to solve the equation using different methods with solved examples and many such concepts. Quadratic equations in algebra are the most frequently used topic. It is a very important topic from the perspective of competitive and entrance examinations. Questions from such a topic are frequently asked in bank exams like SBI PO, IBPS PO, SBI Clerk, IBPS Clerk, followed by exams like SSC CGL, RBI Grade B, etc.
What are Quadratic Equations?
The equation
In the equation above ‘a’ is termed the leading coefficient and ‘c’ is named the absolute term of f (x). The values of x that satisfy the quadratic equation are called the roots of the quadratic equation (denoted by;α,β). Quadratic equations are the basics of algebra and one must be familiar with them to be able to score well in the algebra section of any exam. Once the basics are clear, these equations become very easy to work with.
Quadratic Equation Formula
As per the definition, the standard form of a quadratic equation is
For the equation:
- ‘a’ denotes the coefficient of
x2 . - ‘b’ denotes the coefficient of x.
- ‘c’ is the constant.
These are also identified as polynomial equations of degree 2(due to the presence of
The quadratic equation in mathematics will always possess two roots and the nature of roots may be either real or imaginary depending upon the equation. Always remember that quadratic equations are second-degree polynomial i.e if a given equation appears to be a third-degree equation that is not quadratic. You will learn more about the above formula in the coming headings.
Formulas for Solving Quadratic Equations
In the previous heading, we saw the formula to find the roots. Let us learn some other important formulas for quadratic equations for solving various types of questions in different examinations.
For a standard quadratic equation of the form
- The roots are obtained by the formula:
x=−b±b2−4ac√2a . - The discriminant is calculated by the formula:
b2−4ac - If we consider α and β as the roots of a given quadratic equation then:
- The sum of roots of quadratic equation=S =α + β
- α + β =
−ba=−Coefficient of x Coefficient of x2 - The product of the roots= P=αβ
- αβ=
ca=Constant term Coefficient of x2 - The quadratic equation in the form of the above obtained roots:
x2–(α+β)x+(αβ)=0 - For a cubic equation
ax3+bx2+cx+d=0 , If α, β and γ are the roots then: - Sum of the three roots=
α+β+γ=−ba - Product of the combination of two roots=
αβ+βγ+λα=ca , and - Product of all the three roots=
αβγ=−da
Roots of Quadratic Equation
The standard quadratic equations
One can find the roots of a quadratic equation using the formula;
Nature of Roots of Quadratic Equation
Now that you know what are the roots of a given quadratic equation and how to find them. Let us step forward and learn about the nature of the root and how to find the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation.
The nature of the roots can be found by finding the roots using the formula. Another approach to determining nature is to find the value of
The general formula to obtain the roots is
If
If
If
If
If
What is Discriminant?
To compose the standard form of a quadratic equation, the
- If D > 0, the roots obtained are real and unequal.
- If D = 0, the roots fetched are real and equal.
- If D < 0, existing roots are imaginary and unequal.
Relationship between Coefficient and Roots of Quadratic Equation
For the quadratic equation
The sum and product of roots of a quadratic equation, can be computed using these coefficients as shown:
The sum of the roots=α + β =
The product of roots of quadratic equation= αβ=
Also, if α and β, are the roots, then the quadratic equation can be formed using these roots. The equation is as follows:
How to Solve Quadratic Equations?
Now that you know what a quadratic equation is with the definition and formula for solving such questions followed by information on the roots, their nature and roots of the quadratic equation formula. Let us now understand the different methods of solving quadratic equations.
Factorizing Quadratic Equation
Factoring quadratic equations is an approach where the equation
Consider the equation
Formula Method of Finding Roots
Another approach for finding the roots is using the formula to find the roots of a quadratic equation. That is, solving the equation using the Sridharacharya formula. This can be a tricky method in terms of calculations but it is comparatively faster. This approach is generally used when the solution cannot be obtained using the factorisation method. Here the roots for the standard equation are obtained using the below formula:
Using the above formula you will get two roots of x one with a positive sign and the other with a negative sign as shown below:
Method of Completing the Square
In this method, you will learn how to find the roots of quadratic equations by the method of completing the squares. The steps involved in solving are:
For the equation;
- First, divide all terms of the equation by the coefficient of
x2 i.e by ‘a’. - The equation becomes:
x2+bxa+ca=0 - Next, keep the terms of
x2 and x on one side and shift the term c/a to the right side of the equation;x2+bxa=−ca - Moreover, complete the square on the left side of the equation and counterbalance this by adding the identical value to the right.
- An equation similar to
(x+s)2=w is obtained. - In the next step, take the square root for both sides of the equation.
- Lastly, shift the numeral present on the left side of the equation to the right side to find x.
Graphing Method to Find the Roots
Lastly, the solution can also be obtained by graphing quadratic equations. Consider the general form of a quadratic equation as a function of y, the equation becomes
Next, substitute different values for x and obtain the respective values of y and plot the graph accordingly. The graph in general is a parabola-shaped graph for the quadratic equation.
Quadratic Equations having Common Roots
For the given two quadratic equations
The above equations are obtained using the determinant method.
Solving the equation we get:
Now squaring x and equating with
However, if both the roots of quadratic equations,
How to Solve Quadratic Equations with Common Roots?
In the previous heading, we saw the condition for a standard form of a quadratic equation to have one and two common roots. For a single common root the condition is;
Example: For the given quadratic equation
Solution:
Form the equation,
Substituting the values in the equation we get:
Therefore, the values of k are -264.95, -2.04.
How to Find the Range of a Quadratic Equation?
The general form of a quadratic function is represented by the equation
Now coming towards the range: The range of a function is the collection of all possible output values. This implies that while calculating the range the focus area is the vertical axis, that is, the values on the y axis. The value of the range also depends on the opening of the parabola. To identify whether the parabola opens upwards or downward, check for the sign of the coefficient of
Also, if the parabola is concave upward, the range will have all the real values that are greater than or equal to;
Solved Example: Find the range of the quadratic function given by the equation
Solution: On comparing the standard equation with the given one.
We get a = 1, b = 8 and c = 12
As the coefficient of
x = -b / 2a
Substitute the values we get;
x = -8/2(12)
x = -8/24
x = -0.33
Substitute -0.33 for x in the given equation to obtain the y-coordinate at the vertex.
y = 0.1089 – 2.64+ 12
y = 9.46
Therefore, the y-coordinate of the vertex is 9.46.
As the parabola is concave upward, the range will have all the real values that are greater than or equal to 9.46.
Maximum and Minimum Value of Quadratic Equation
The minimum, as well as the maximum value of the quadratic equation, depends on the nature of the graph, i.e. whether the graph opens upwards or downwards. When the graph is concave upwards i.e. a>0 then the expression holds a minimum value at x = -b/2. On the other hand when the graph is concave downwards i.e. a<0 then the expression holds a maximum value at x = -b/2a.
How to Find Maximum and Minimum values of Quadratic Functions?
In the previous heading, we use the two particular cases for the maximum and minimum values of the quadratic equations.
When the coefficient of
When the coefficient of
Solved Example: Locate the maximum or minimum value of the given quadratic equation
Solution: Given the equation;
Solving the equation we get:
=
As, the coefficient of
By substituting the values we get, x=3
Therefore, the maximum value of the quadratic equation
Word Problems on Quadratic Equation
A lot of daily life problems can be solved using quadratic equations. To solve any kind of word problem, first, you must translate the words into algebraic equations and then determine which method to apply to solve the equation so formed. Word problems are not specific to any one type. There can be innumerable types of word problems. Hence, there is no fixed technique or method to solve word problems. It’s all about logic and practice. However, if you keep the following points in mind, then it will be easy for you to solve any kind of word problem.
- First, you must carefully read and try to understand what the question is asking for and what quantity is to be found.
- Write whatever information is given in the question.
- The quantity which is unknown, suppose it to be any variable, for example, x.
- Now see which expressions are equal and form an equation using them.
- Solve the resulting equation for the variable.
- Lastly, check what the question demands, and then substitute the value of the variable you just found, to find the final answer.
Some practice problems for the are as follows:
Word Problem 1: Nine times a whole number is equal to five less than twice the square of the number. Find the number?
Solution: Let the required whole number be x.
According to the question,
Since x is supposed to be a whole number, the answer, i.e., the required whole number is 5.
Word Problem 2: Find a natural number whose square diminished by 84 is equal to thrice of 8 more than the given number.
Solution: Let the natural number be x.
According to the question,
Since x is supposed to be a natural number, we will not consider x=-9. Hence, the required natural number is 12.
Word Problem 3: The sum of two natural numbers is 8. If the sum of their reciprocals is
Solution: Let the numbers be x and 8-x where
According to the question
When x=3, then the numbers are 3,8-3 i.e. 3,5.
When x=5, then the numbers are 5,8-5 i.e. 5,3.
Hence, the required numbers are 3,5.
If you’ve learned Quadratic Equations, you can move on to learn about Average formulas in detail here!
Solved Examples on Quadratic Equation
By now you might be familiar with the definition, roots of quadratic equation formulas, nature of roots, discriminant, how to solve these equations using different methods and terms like range, maximum and minimum value, etc. Let us now practise some quadratic equation questions to understand all the discussed content from the exam viewpoint.
Solved Example 1: Find the roots of the given equation
Solution: Comparing the given equation with
Substituting the values in the formula;
=4±16+48√6=4±64√6=4±86
Hence, the roots of the given equation are
Solved Example 2: Obtain the roots of the given equation
Solution: Comparing the given equation with
Substituting the values in the formula;
Hence, the roots of the given equation are
Solved Example 3: Determine the roots of the equation (x+3) (x-3)=40.
Solution: Given(x+3) (x-3)=40
Using factorization method;
(x+7) (x-7)=0 (factorising left side)
x+7=0 or x-7=0 (zero-product rule)
x=-7 or x=7.
Hence, the roots of the given equation are -7, 7.
Solved Example 4: What are the roots of the equation
Solution: Given
Squaring both sides, we get
But x=20 does not satisfy the given equation, so it is rejected. Hence, the root of the given equation is 8.
We hope you found this article useful for your preparations. You can contact us if you have any doubts regarding this topic or any related topics. You can also download the Itselfu RBI Grade'B'App, which is absolutely free to practice more questions of quadratic equations. You can also attempt mock test series on the app for your preparation for competitive exams.
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