Chapter

1
Quadratic Equation

In a Snapshot
l
Roots of a Quadratic Equation l
Sign of a Quadratic Polynomial
l
Sum and Product of Roots l
How to Find the Roots of a Quadratic
l
Quadratic Polynomial Equation

An equation of the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0 (i)
where a, b, c R (set of real numbers) and a 0 is called a quadratic equation.

Roots of a Quadratic Equation

The values of x for which Eq. (i) is satisfied are called the roots of the
equation.
ax2 + bx + c = 0
Dividing both sides by a,
bx c
x2 + + =0
a a
2
b c b2
or x + + =0
2a a 4 a2
b
2
b2 4 ac
or x + =
2a 4 a2
b b2 4 ac
or x+ =
2a 2a
b b2 4 ac
x=
2a
Thus, Eq. (i) has two roots and , given by
b + b2 4 ac b b2 4 ac
= and =
2a 2a
2 | Mathematics For Learning Physics

Note that the value of x2 is defined to be equal to|x|.

Hence, 16 = 4 (and not 4).
Thus, x2 = 16 x = 16 = 4

Nature of Roots
( b2 4 ac) is called the discriminant of Eq. (i). It is denoted by D. Now,
three cases arise here.
Case I. D> 0
In this case, b2 4 ac is a positive real number.
Hence, roots are real and distinct.
Case II. D=0
i.e., b2 4 ac = 0
Hence, roots are real and equal.
b
x= is the repeated root in this case.
2a
Case III. D< 0
In this case, b2 4 ac is not defined (in R).
Hence, real roots dont exist in this case.

Sum and Product of Roots

As discussed earlier, roots of Eq. (i) are given by,
b + b2 4 ac
= ,
2a
b b2 4 ac
and =
2a
b + b2 4 ac b b2 4 ac
Now, += +
2a 2a
b
=
a
b + b2 4 ac b b2 4 ac
=
2a 2 a

b2 ( b2 4 ac) c
= 2
=
4a a
b
Hence, sum of roots of Eq. (i) = ,
a
c
and product of roots of Eq. (i) = .
a
 Quadratic Equation |3
Quadratic Polynomial
A polynomial of the form ax2 + bx + c where a, b, c R, and a 0 is called
a quadratic polynomial.
Let and be the roots of the corresponding quadratic equation
ax2 + bx + c = 0.
bx c
Now, ax2 + bx + c = a x2 + +
a a
b c
= a [ x2 ( + ) x + ] Q + = and =
a a
= a [ x ( x ) ( x )]
= a ( x ) ( x )

Sign of a Quadratic Polynomial

Let ax2 + bx + c be a quadratic polynomial.
Also assume and to be the roots of corresponding quadratic equation
ax2 + bx + c = 0.
Now, ax2 + bx + c = a ( x ) ( x )
Without loss of generality, we can assume that < . (We are excluding
the case of equal roots.)
Sign of ax2 + bx + c
(i) For x < ,
x<0
x<0 (Q < )
( x ) ( x ) > 0
ax + bx + c = a( x ) ( x ) has the same sign as that of a.
2

(ii) For < x < ,

x>0 (Q < )
x<0
( x ) ( x ) < 0
ax2 + bx + c = a( x ) ( x ) has opposite sign as that of a.
(iii) For x > ,
x>0 (Q < )
x>0
( x ) ( x ) > 0
ax2 + bx + c = a ( x ) ( x )
has same sign as that of a.
4 | Mathematics For Learning Physics

How to Find the Roots of a Quadratic Equation

Generally, we use two following methods to find the roots of a quadratic equation :
1. Directly use the formula derived earlier.
2. Factorize the corresponding quadratic polynomial.
The first method is a general method to solve a quadratic equation. The second
method is used when factorization is simple.

Example. Find roots of following equations :

(i) x 2 3 x + 2 = 0 (ii) x 2 2x 5 = 0
Solution. (i) x 2 3 x + 2 = x 2 x 2x + 2 = x ( x 1) 2 ( x 1) = ( x 1) ( x 2)
Roots of x 2 3 x + 2 = 0 are 1 and 2.
(ii) Factorization of x 2 2x 5 = 0 is not simple. Hence, we use the formula.
2 ( 2)2 4(1) ( 5)
x=
2
2 4 + 20 2 2 6
= = =1 6
2 2
The choice of method for finding the roots of a quadratic equation is,
however, just a matter of convenience.

Chapter Crux
1. Roots of a quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 ( a, b, c R, a 0) are given
by
b + b2 4ac b b2 4ac
= and =
2a 2a
( b2 4ac ) is called discriminant of the equation and is denoted by D.
2. Roots of equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 are
(i) real and distinct, if D > 0
(ii) real and equal (repeated root), if D = 0
(iii) non-real (imaginary), if D < 0
b
3. Sum of roots of equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 equals to and their product
a
c
equals to .
a
4. Let ax + bx + c be a quadratic polynomial and , be the roots of
2

corresponding quadratic equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0. Also, assume that < .

Now, ax 2 + bx + c has
(i) same sign as that of a, if x < or x >
(ii) opposite sign as that of a, if < x <
5. We can find the roots of equation ax 2 + bx + c = 0 either by using formula
or by factorizing the corresponding quadratic polynomial ax 2 + bx + c.