Methods for solving a quadratic function

In this article, we will learn the three most common ways to solve a quadratic function easily and quickly.

  1. Trinomial
  2. Quadratic Formula
  3. Completing the Square

Reminder:

The basic quadratic function equation is:
Y=ax2+bx+cY=ax^2+bx+c

When:
a a   - the coefficient of X2X^2
b b   - the coefficient of XX
cc - the constant term

  • aa must be different from 00
  • bb or cc can be 00
  • a,b,ca,b,c can be negative/positive
  • The quadratic function can also look like this:
    • Y=ax2Y=ax^2
    • Y=ax2+bxY=ax^2+bx
    • Y=ax2+cY=ax^2+c

Practice Solving Quadratic Equations

Examples with solutions for Solving Quadratic Equations

Exercise #1

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the constant term


What is the value of c c in the function y=x2+25x y=-x^2+25x ?

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

Let's recall the general form of the quadratic function:

y=ax2+bx+c y=ax^2+bx+c The function given in the problem is:

y=x2+25x y=-x^2+25x c c is the free term (meaning the coefficient of the term with power 0),

In the function in the problem there is no free term,

Therefore, we can identify that:

c=0 c=0 Therefore, the correct answer is answer A.

Answer

c=0 c=0

Exercise #2

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the independent number


what is the value ofb b in this quadratic equation:

y=4x216 y=4x^2-16

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Identify the given information and the standard quadratic form
  • Compare the given equation to this standard form
  • Extract the coefficients a a , b b , and c c and find b b

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The problem provides us with the equation y=4x216 y = 4x^2 - 16 . It's already in a form where we can identify the coefficients.
Step 2: Recall the standard form of a quadratic equation is ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c . Compare this form to the equation y=4x216 y = 4x^2 - 16 .
Step 3: By comparison, the coefficient of x2 x^2 (which is a a ) is 4. There is no x x term explicitly present, implying that b=0 b = 0 . The constant c c is -16.
Therefore, after comparison and identification, it becomes clear that the value of b b in the equation is b=0 b = 0 .

Answer

b=0 b=0

Exercise #3

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the independent number


what is the value of c c in this quadratic equation:

y=5+3x2 y=5+3x^2

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Compare the given equation y=5+3x2 y = 5 + 3x^2 to the standard form ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c .
  • Step 2: Identify the terms corresponding to a a , b b , and c c .

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The given equation is y=5+3x2 y = 5 + 3x^2 . Rearranging it in the standard form, we have y=3x2+0x+5 y = 3x^2 + 0\cdot x + 5 .

Step 2: From this arrangement, it's clear that:
- a=3 a = 3 (the coefficient of x2 x^2 )
- b=0 b = 0 (there is no x x term, so its coefficient is 0)
- c=5 c = 5 (the constant term)

Therefore, the value of c c is  c=5\ c=5 .

Answer

c=5 c=5

Exercise #4

a = Coefficient of x²

b = Coefficient of x

c = Coefficient of the independent number


what is the value of b b in the equation

y=3x2+10x y=3x^2+10-x

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to identify the coefficient of x x in the given quadratic equation. The equation given is y=3x2+10x y = 3x^2 + 10 - x . Let’s rearrange this equation to match the standard form of a quadratic equation ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c .

The given equation can be rewritten as:

y=3x2x+10 y = 3x^2 - x + 10

Here, we can identify the coefficients:

  • a=3 a = 3 (for x2 x^2 )
  • b=1 b = -1 (for x x )
  • c=10 c = 10 (the constant term)

Therefore, the value of b b , the coefficient of x x , is 1 -1 .

Answer

b=1 b=-1

Exercise #5

a = Coefficient of x²

b = Coefficient of x

c = Coefficient of the independent number


what is the value of a a in the equation

y=3x10+5x2 y=3x-10+5x^2

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Rewrite the given equation in standard quadratic form if necessary.
  • Step 2: Identify the term with x2 x^2 in the equation.
  • Step 3: Extract the coefficient of x2 x^2 as a a .

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The provided equation is y=3x10+5x2 y = 3x - 10 + 5x^2 . Although it's not initially in standard form, observation shows that the x2 x^2 term is clearly present.
Step 2: Locate the x2 x^2 term: in our equation, this term is 5x2 5x^2 .
Step 3: The coefficient of x2 x^2 is 5 5 . Hence, a=5 a = 5 .

Therefore, the coefficient of x2 x^2 , or a a , is a=5 a = 5 .

Answer

a=5 a=5

Exercise #6

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the independent number

what is the value of c c in this quadratic equation:

y=5x2+4x3 y=-5x^2+4x-3

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we'll follow these steps:

  • Identify the given quadratic equation.
  • Compare the given equation with the standard quadratic form ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c .
  • Determine the value of c c by direct comparison.

Now, let's work through each step:
Step 1: The given quadratic equation is y=5x2+4x3 y = -5x^2 + 4x - 3 .
Step 2: The standard form of a quadratic equation is ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c . We need to match the coefficients accordingly.
Step 3: By comparing the terms from the equation with the standard form, a a is the coefficient of x2 x^2 , b b is the coefficient of x x , and c c is the constant term or the independent number.

Therefore, from the equation y=5x2+4x3 y = -5x^2 + 4x - 3 :

  • a=5 a = -5
  • b=4 b = 4
  • c=3 c = -3

Thus, the value of c c in the quadratic equation is c=3 c = -3 .

Answer

c=3 c=-3

Exercise #7

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the independent number


what is the value of b b in the equation

y=2x3x2+1 y=2x-3x^2+1

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this problem, we need to identify the coefficients in the given quadratic equation:

  • The equation provided is y=2x3x2+1 y = 2x - 3x^2 + 1 .
  • The standard form of a quadratic equation is ax2+bx+c ax^2 + bx + c .
  • From the equation, identify:
    • The ax2 ax^2 term is 3x2 -3x^2 , indicating a=3 a = -3 .
    • The bx bx term is 2x 2x , indicating b=2 b = 2 .
    • The constant term c c is 1 1 .

Thus, the coefficient b b in the equation y=2x3x2+1 y = 2x - 3x^2 + 1 is b=2 b = 2 , which corresponds to choice 1.

Answer

b=2 b=2

Exercise #8

a = coefficient of x²

b = coefficient of x

c = coefficient of the independent number


what is the value of a a in the equation

y=x23x+1 y=-x^2-3x+1

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To determine the coefficient a a in the given quadratic equation y=x23x+1 y = -x^2 - 3x + 1 , follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Recognize the form of the quadratic equation as y=ax2+bx+c y = ax^2 + bx + c .
  • Step 2: Identify the x2 x^2 term in the equation y=x23x+1 y = -x^2 - 3x + 1 .
  • Step 3: Determine the coefficient of the x2 x^2 term, which is in front of x2 x^2 .

In the equation y=x23x+1 y = -x^2 - 3x + 1 , the term involving x2 x^2 is x2-x^2, where the coefficient a a is clearly 1-1.

Hence, the value of a a is a=1 a = -1 .

Answer

a=1 a=-1

Exercise #9

Solve the following problem:

x2+5x+4=0 x^2+5x+4=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

This is a quadratic equation:

x2+5x+4=0=0 x^2+5x+4=0 =0

due to the fact that there is a quadratic term (meaning raised to the second power),

The first step in solving a quadratic equation is always arranging it in to a form where all terms on one side are ordered from the highest to the lowest power (in descending order from left to right) and 0 on the other side,

Then we can choose whether to solve it using the quadratic formula or by factoring/completing the square.

The equation in the problem is already arranged, so let's proceed to solve it using the quadratic formula.

Remember:

The rule states that the roots of an equation of the form:

ax2+bx+c=0 ax^2+bx+c=0

are:

x1,2=b±b24ac2a x_{1,2}=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}

(meaning its solutions, the two possible values of the unknown for which we obtain a true statement when inserted into the equation)

This formula is called: "The Quadratic Formula"

Let's return to the problem:

x2+5x+4=0=0 x^2+5x+4=0 =0

And solve it:

First, let's identify the coefficients of the terms:

{a=1b=5c=4 \begin{cases}a=1 \\ b=5 \\ c=4\end{cases}

where we noted that the coefficient of the quadratic term is 1,

We obtain the solutions of the equation (its roots) by insertion we just identified into the quadratic formula:

x1,2=b±b24ac2a=5±5241421 x_{1,2}=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=\frac{-5\pm\sqrt{5^2-4\cdot1\cdot4}}{2\cdot1}

Let's continue to calculate the expression inside of the square root and simplify the expression:

x1,2=5±92=5±32 x_{1,2}=\frac{-5\pm\sqrt{9}}{2}=\frac{-5\pm3}{2}

Therefore the solutions of the equation are:

{x1=5+32=1x2=532=4 \begin{cases}x_1=\frac{-5+3}{2}=-1 \\ x_2=\frac{-5-3}{2}=-4\end{cases}

Therefore the correct answer is answer C.

Answer

x1=1,x2=4 x_1=-1,x_2=-4

Exercise #10

Solve the following equation:

x2+5x+6=0 x^2+5x+6=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

This is a quadratic equation:

x2+5x+6=0 x^2+5x+6=0

due to the fact that there is a quadratic term (meaning raised to the second power),

The first step in solving a quadratic equation is always arranging it to a form where all the terms on one side are ordered from the highest to the lowest power (in descending order from left to right) and 0 on the other side,

Then we can choose whether to solve it using the quadratic formula or by factoring/completing the square.

The equation in the problem is already arranged, so let's proceed to solve it using the quadratic formula,

Remember:

The rule states that the roots of an equation of the form:

ax2+bx+c=0 ax^2+bx+c=0

are:

x1,2=b±b24ac2a x_{1,2}=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}

(meaning its solutions, the two possible values of the unknown for which we obtain a true statement when inserted into the equation)

This formula is called: "The Quadratic Formula"

Let's return to the problem:

x2+5x+6=0 x^2+5x+6=0 and solve it:

First, let's identify the coefficients of the terms:

{a=1b=5c=6 \begin{cases}a=1 \\ b=5 \\ c=6\end{cases}

where we noted that the coefficient of the quadratic term is 1,

We obtain the equation's solutions (roots) by inserting the coefficients we just noted into the quadratic formula:

x1,2=b±b24ac2a=5±5241621 x_{1,2}=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=\frac{-5\pm\sqrt{5^2-4\cdot1\cdot6}}{2\cdot1}

Let's continue to calculate the expression inside of the square root and proceed to simplify the expression:

x1,2=5±12=5±12 x_{1,2}=\frac{-5\pm\sqrt{1}}{2}=\frac{-5\pm1}{2}

The solutions to the equation are:

{x1=5+12=2x2=512=3 \begin{cases}x_1=\frac{-5+1}{2}=-2 \\ x_2=\frac{-5-1}{2}=-3\end{cases}

Therefore the correct answer is answer D.

Answer

x1=3,x2=2 x_1=-3,x_2=-2

Exercise #11

Solve the following equation:

x23x+2=0 x^2-3x+2=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the quadratic equation x23x+2=0 x^2 - 3x + 2 = 0 , we'll follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Check for factorization. Assuming the quadratic can be factored, we look for two numbers that multiply to c=2 c = 2 and add to b=3 b = -3 . These numbers are 1-1 and 2-2.
  • Step 2: Factor the quadratic as (x1)(x2)=0(x - 1)(x - 2) = 0.
  • Step 3: Solve each factor for x x .

Now, let's solve the factors:
From (x1)=0(x - 1) = 0, we have x=1 x = 1 .
From (x2)=0(x - 2) = 0, we have x=2 x = 2 .

Thus, the solutions to the equation are x1=1 x_1 = 1 and x2=2 x_2 = 2 .

Therefore, the solution to the problem is x1=1,x2=2 x_1 = 1, x_2 = 2 .

Answer

x1=1,x2=2 x_1=1,x_2=2

Exercise #12

Solve the following equation:


x2x20=0 x^2-x-20=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the quadratic equation x2x20=0 x^2 - x - 20 = 0 using the quadratic formula, follow these steps:

  • Step 1: Identify the coefficients a a , b b , and c c in the equation. For our equation x2x20=0 x^2 - x - 20 = 0 , we have a=1 a = 1 , b=1 b = -1 , and c=20 c = -20 .
  • Step 2: Substitute these values into the quadratic formula: x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} .
  • Step 3: Calculate the discriminant Δ=b24ac\Delta = b^2 - 4ac:
    Δ=(1)241(20)=1+80=81 \Delta = (-1)^2 - 4 \cdot 1 \cdot (-20) = 1 + 80 = 81
  • Step 4: Since the discriminant is positive, there are two distinct real roots. Substitute back into the quadratic formula:
    x=(1)±8121=1±92 x = \frac{-(-1) \pm \sqrt{81}}{2 \cdot 1} = \frac{1 \pm 9}{2}
  • Step 5: Solve for the two possible values of x x :
    x1=1+92=5 x_1 = \frac{1 + 9}{2} = 5 x2=192=4 x_2 = \frac{1 - 9}{2} = -4

Therefore, the solutions to the equation x2x20=0 x^2 - x - 20 = 0 are x1=5 x_1 = 5 and x2=4 x_2 = -4 .

Accordingly, the correct choice matches with x1=4,x2=5 x_1 = -4, x_2 = 5 , which is option 3.

Answer

x1=4,x2=5 x_1=-4,x_2=5

Exercise #13

Solve the following equation:

x24x+4=0 x^2-4x+4=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

The given equation is:

x24x+4=0 x^2 - 4x + 4 = 0

This resembles a perfect square trinomial. The expression x24x+4 x^2 - 4x + 4 can be rewritten as (x2)2 (x-2)^2 . This can be verified by expanding (x2)(x2) (x-2)(x-2) to confirm it equals x24x+4 x^2 - 4x + 4 .

Therefore, the equation becomes:

(x2)2=0 (x-2)^2 = 0

To solve for x x , take the square root of both sides:

x2=0 x - 2 = 0

Adding 2 to both sides gives:

x=2 x = 2

Thus, the solution to the equation x24x+4=0 x^2 - 4x + 4 = 0 is x=2 x = 2 , which corresponds to the unique real root of the equation.

Answer

x=2 x=2

Exercise #14

Solve the following equation:

x22x3=0 x^2-2x-3=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve this quadratic equation x22x3=0 x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0 , we will employ the quadratic formula.

  • Step 1: Identify the coefficients: a=1 a = 1 , b=2 b = -2 , and c=3 c = -3 .
  • Step 2: Calculate the discriminant Δ=b24ac\Delta = b^2 - 4ac.
  • Step 3: Substitute into the quadratic formula to find the roots.

Now, let's work through each step:

Step 1: The coefficients are a=1 a = 1 , b=2 b = -2 , c=3 c = -3 .

Step 2: Calculate the discriminant:
Δ=(2)24×1×(3)=4+12=16\Delta = (-2)^2 - 4 \times 1 \times (-3) = 4 + 12 = 16.

Step 3: Substitute into the quadratic formula:
x=(2)±162×1=2±42 x = \frac{-(-2) \pm \sqrt{16}}{2 \times 1} = \frac{2 \pm 4}{2}.

This gives us two solutions:

  • For the '+' sign: x1=2+42=62=3 x_1 = \frac{2 + 4}{2} = \frac{6}{2} = 3 .
  • For the '-' sign: x2=242=22=1 x_2 = \frac{2 - 4}{2} = \frac{-2}{2} = -1 .

Therefore, the solutions to the equation x22x3=0 x^2 - 2x - 3 = 0 are x1=3 x_1 = 3 and x2=1 x_2 = -1 , which corresponds to choice 2.

Answer

x1=3,x2=1 x_1=3,x_2=-1

Exercise #15

Solve the following equation:

4x24x+1=0 4x^2-4x+1=0

Video Solution

Step-by-Step Solution

To solve the equation 4x24x+1=04x^2 - 4x + 1 = 0, we will use the quadratic formula:

x=b±b24ac2a x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}

First, we identify a=4a = 4, b=4b = -4, and c=1c = 1.

Calculate the discriminant:

b24ac=(4)24×4×1=1616=0 b^2 - 4ac = (-4)^2 - 4 \times 4 \times 1 = 16 - 16 = 0

Since the discriminant is 0, there is one real repeated root.

Substitute into the quadratic formula:

x=(4)±02×4=48=12 x = \frac{-(-4) \pm \sqrt{0}}{2 \times 4} = \frac{4}{8} = \frac{1}{2}

Therefore, the solution to the equation is x=12 x = \frac{1}{2} .

Answer

x=12 x=\frac{1}{2}