76 MATHEMATICS

Example 6 : Find the dimensions of the prayer hall discussed in Section 4.1.
Solution : In Section 4.1, we found that if the breadth of the hall is x m, then x
satisfies the equation 2x2 + x – 300 = 0. Applying the factorisation method, we write
this equation as
2x2 – 24x + 25x – 300 = 0
2x (x – 12) + 25 (x – 12) = 0
i.e., (x – 12)(2x + 25) = 0
So, the roots of the given equation are x = 12 or x = – 12.5. Since x is the breadth
of the hall, it cannot be negative.
Thus, the breadth of the hall is 12 m. Its length = 2x + 1 = 25 m.

EXERCISE 4.2
1. Find the roots of the following quadratic equations by factorisation:

(i) x2 – 3x – 10 = 0 (ii) 2x2 + x – 6 = 0

1
(iii) 2 x2 + 7 x + 5 2 = 0 (iv) 2x2 – x + = 0
8
(v) 100 x2 – 20x + 1 = 0
2. Solve the problems given in Example 1.
3. Find two numbers whose sum is 27 and product is 182.
4. Find two consecutive positive integers, sum of whose squares is 365.
5. The altitude of a right triangle is 7 cm less than its base. If the hypotenuse is 13 cm, find
the other two sides.
6. A cottage industry produces a certain number of pottery articles in a day. It was observed
on a particular day that the cost of production of each article (in rupees) was 3 more than
twice the number of articles produced on that day. If the total cost of production on that
day was ` 90, find the number of articles produced and the cost of each article.

4.4 Solution of a Quadratic Equation by Completing the Square

In the previous section, you have learnt one method of obtaining the roots of a quadratic
equation. In this section, we shall study another method.
Consider the following situation:
The product of Sunita’s age (in years) two years ago and her age four years
from now is one more than twice her present age. What is her present age?
To answer this, let her present age (in years) be x. Then the product of her ages
two years ago and four years from now is (x – 2)(x + 4).

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 77

Therefore, (x – 2)(x + 4) = 2x + 1
i.e., x2 + 2x – 8 = 2x + 1
i.e., x2 – 9 = 0
So, Sunita’s present age satisfies the quadratic equation x2 – 9 = 0.
We can write this as x2 = 9. Taking square roots, we get x = 3 or x = – 3. Since
the age is a positive number, x = 3.
So, Sunita’s present age is 3 years.
Now consider the quadratic equation (x + 2)2 – 9 = 0. To solve it, we can write
it as (x + 2)2 = 9. Taking square roots, we get x + 2 = 3 or x + 2 = – 3.
Therefore, x=1 or x = –5
So, the roots of the equation (x + 2)2 – 9 = 0 are 1 and – 5.
In both the examples above, the term containing x is completely inside a square,
and we found the roots easily by taking the square roots. But, what happens if we are
asked to solve the equation x2 + 4x – 5 = 0? We would probably apply factorisation to
do so, unless we realise (somehow!) that x2 + 4x – 5 = (x + 2)2 – 9.
So, solving x2 + 4x – 5 = 0 is equivalent to solving (x + 2)2 – 9 = 0, which we have
seen is very quick to do. In fact, we can convert any quadratic equation to the form
(x + a)2 – b2 = 0 and then we can easily find its roots. Let us see if this is possible.
Look at Fig. 4.2.
In this figure, we can see how x2 + 4x is being converted to (x + 2)2 – 4.

Fig. 4.2

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78 MATHEMATICS

The process is as follows:

4 4
x2 + 4x = (x2 + x) + x
2 2
= x2 + 2x + 2x
= (x + 2) x + 2 × x
= (x + 2) x + 2 × x + 2 × 2 – 2 × 2
= (x + 2) x + (x + 2) × 2 – 2 × 2
= (x + 2) (x + 2) – 22
= (x + 2)2 – 4
So, x2 + 4x – 5 = (x + 2)2 – 4 – 5 = (x + 2)2 – 9
So, x2 + 4x – 5 = 0 can be written as (x + 2)2 – 9 = 0 by this process of completing
the square. This is known as the method of completing the square.
In brief, this can be shown as follows:
2 2 2
 4 4  4
x + 4x =  x +  −   =  x +  − 4
2
 2 2  2
So, x2 + 4x – 5 = 0 can be rewritten as
2
 4
x +  −4−5 = 0
 2
i.e., (x + 2)2 – 9 = 0
Consider now the equation 3x2 – 5x + 2 = 0. Note that the coefficient of x2 is not
a perfect square. So, we multiply the equation throughout by 3 to get

9x2 – 15x + 6 = 0

5
Now, 9x2 – 15x + 6 = (3 x) 2 − 2 × 3 x × +6
2
2 2
2 5 5 5
= (3x ) − 2 × 3x × +  −  +6
2 2 2
2 2
 5  25  5 1
=  3x −  − + 6 =  3x −  −
 2 4  2 4

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 79

So, 9x2 – 15x + 6 = 0 can be written as

2
 5 1
 3x −  − = 0
 2 4
2
 5 1
i.e.,  3x −  =
 2  4
2
 5 1
So, the solutions of 9x – 15x + 6 = 0 are the same as those of  3 x −  = .
2
 2 4

5 1 5 1
i.e., 3x – = or 3 x − = −
2 2 2 2

5 1
(We can also write this as 3 x − = ± , where ‘±’ denotes ‘plus minus’.)
2 2

5 1 5 1
Thus, 3x = + or 3x = −
2 2 2 2
5 1 5 1
So, x= + or x = −
6 6 6 6
4
Therefore, x = 1 or x =
6
2
i.e., x = 1 or x =
3
2.
Therefore, the roots of the given equation are 1 and
3
Remark : Another way of showing this process is as follows :

The equation 3x2 – 5x + 2 = 0

is the same as
5 2
x2 − x+ = 0
3 3
2 2
5 2  1  5    1  5  2
Now, x – x + =  x −    −    +
2
3 3  2  3    2  3  3

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80 MATHEMATICS

2
 5  2 25
= x−  + −
 6  3 36
2 2 2
 5 1  5 1
= x−  − = x −  −  
 6  36  6 6
2 2
So, the solutions of 3x2 – 5x + 2 = 0 are the same as those of  x −  −   = 0 ,
5 1
 6 6
5 1 5 1 5 1 2
which are x – = ± , i.e., x = + = 1 and x = − = .
6 6 6 6 6 6 3
Let us consider some examples to illustrate the above process.

Example 7 : Solve the equation given in Example 3 by the method of completing the
square.
5 3
Solution : The equation 2x2 – 5x + 3 = 0 is the same as x 2 − x + = 0.
2 2
2 2 2
5 3  5 5 3  5 1
Now, x2 − x + =  x −  −   + =  x −  −
2 2  4  4 2  4  16
2
 5 1
Therefore, 2x2 – 5x + 3 = 0 can be written as  x −  − = 0 .
 4  16
So, the roots of the equation 2x2 – 5x + 3 = 0 are exactly the same as those of
2 2 2
 5 1  5 1  5 1
 x −  − = 0 . Now, x−  − =0 is the same as x−  =
 4  16  4  16  4  16
5 1
Therefore, x− = ±
4 4
5 1
i.e., x= ±
4 4
5 1 5 1
i.e., x= + or x = −
4 4 4 4
3
i.e., x= or x = 1
2

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 81

3
Therefore, the solutions of the equations are x = and 1.
2
Let us verify our solutions.
2
3 3  3
Putting x = in 2x2 – 5x + 3 = 0, we get 2   – 5   + 3 = 0 , which is
2 2  2
correct. Similarly, you can verify that x = 1 also satisfies the given equation.
In Example 7, we divided the equation 2x2 – 5x + 3 = 0 throughout by 2 to get
5 3
x2 – x+ = 0 to make the first term a perfect square and then completed the
2 2
square. Instead, we can multiply throughout by 2 to make the first term as 4x2 = (2x)2
and then complete the square.
This method is illustrated in the next example.

Example 8 : Find the roots of the equation 5x2 – 6x – 2 = 0 by the method of completing
the square.
Solution : Multiplying the equation throughout by 5, we get
25x2 – 30x – 10 = 0
This is the same as
(5x)2 – 2 × (5x) × 3 + 32 – 32 – 10 = 0
i.e., (5x – 3)2 – 9 – 10 = 0
i.e., (5x – 3)2 – 19 = 0
i.e., (5x – 3)2 = 19

i.e., 5x – 3 = ± 19

i.e., 5x = 3 ± 19

3 ± 19
So, x=
5

3 + 19 3 − 19
Therefore, the roots are and .
5 5

3 + 19 3 − 19
Verify that the roots are and .
5 5

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Example 9 : Find the roots of 4x2 + 3x + 5 = 0 by the method of completing the

square.

Solution : Note that 4x2 + 3x + 5 = 0 is the same as

2 2
3 3 3
(2x) + 2 × (2x) × +   −   + 5 = 0
2
4 4 4

2
 3 9
i.e.,  2x +  − +5 = 0
 4  16

2
 3 71
i.e.,  2x +  + = 0
 4 16

2
 3 −71
i.e.,  2x +  = <0
 4 6
2
 3
But  2 x +  cannot be negative for any real value of x (Why?). So, there is
 4
no real value of x satisfying the given equation. Therefore, the given equation has no
real roots.
Now, you have seen several examples of the use of the method of completing
the square. So, let us give this method in general.
Consider the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 (a ≠ 0). Dividing throughout by
b c
a, we get x2 + x + = 0
a a
2 2
 b   b  c
This is the same as x+  −  + =0
 2a   2a  a
2
 b  b 2 − 4ac
i.e., x+  − =0
 2a  4a 2
So, the roots of the given equation are the same as those of
2 2
 b  b 2 − 4ac  b  b2 − 4ac
x+  − = 0, i.e., those of  x +  = (1)
 2a  4a 2  2a  4a 2

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 83

If b2 – 4ac ≥ 0, then by taking the square roots in (1), we get

b ± b 2 − 4ac
x+ =
2a 2a

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
Therefore, x=
2a

−b + b 2 − 4ac −b − b2 − 4ac
So, the roots of ax2 + bx + c = 0 are and , if
2a 2a
b2 – 4ac ≥ 0. If b2 – 4ac < 0, the equation will have no real roots. (Why?)

Thus, if b 2 – 4ac ≥ 0, then the roots of the quadratic equation

– b ± b 2 – 4ac
ax2 + bx + c = 0 are given by
2a
This formula for finding the roots of a quadratic equation is known as the
quadratic formula.
Let us consider some examples for illustrating the use of the quadratic formula.

Example 10 : Solve Q. 2(i) of Exercise 4.1 by using the quadratic formula.

Solution : Let the breadth of the plot be x metres. Then the length is (2x + 1) metres.
Then we are given that x(2x + 1) = 528, i.e., 2x2 + x – 528 = 0.
This is of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a = 2, b = 1, c = – 528.
So, the quadratic formula gives us the solution as

−1 ± 1 + 4(2)(528) −1 ± 4225 −1 ± 65
x= = =
4 4 4
64 – 66
i.e., x= or x =
4 4
33
i.e., x = 16 or x= −
2
Since x cannot be negative, being a dimension, the breadth of the plot is
16 metres and hence, the length of the plot is 33m.
You should verify that these values satisfy the conditions of the problem.

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Example 11 : Find two consecutive odd positive integers, sum of whose squares
is 290.
Solution : Let the smaller of the two consecutive odd positive integers be x. Then, the
second integer will be x + 2. According to the question,

x2 + (x + 2)2 = 290
i.e., x2 + x2 + 4x + 4 = 290
i.e., 2x2 + 4x – 286 = 0
i.e., x2 + 2x – 143 = 0
which is a quadratic equation in x.
Using the quadratic formula, we get

−2 ± 4 + 572 −2 ± 576 −2 ± 24
x= = =
2 2 2
i.e., x = 11 or x = – 13
But x is given to be an odd positive integer. Therefore, x ≠ – 13, x = 11.
Thus, the two consecutive odd integers are 11 and 13.
Check : 112 + 132 = 121 + 169 = 290.

Example 12 : A rectangular park is to be designed whose breadth is 3 m less than its

length. Its area is to be 4 square metres more than the area of a park that has already
been made in the shape of an isosceles triangle with its base as the breadth of the
rectangular park and of altitude 12 m (see Fig. 4.3). Find its length and breadth.
Solution : Let the breadth of the rectangular park be x m.
So, its length = (x + 3) m.
Therefore, the area of the rectangular park = x(x + 3) m2 = (x2 + 3x) m2.
Now, base of the isosceles triangle = x m.
1
Therefore, its area = × x × 12 = 6 x m2.
2
According to our requirements,
x2 + 3x = 6x + 4
i.e., x2 – 3x – 4 = 0
Using the quadratic formula, we get
Fig. 4.3

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QUADRATIC EQUATIONS 85

3 ± 25 3±5
x= = = 4 or – 1
2 2
But x ≠ – 1 (Why?). Therefore, x = 4.
So, the breadth of the park = 4m and its length will be 7m.
Verification : Area of rectangular park = 28 m2,
area of triangular park = 24 m2 = (28 – 4) m2

Example 13 : Find the roots of the following quadratic equations, if they exist, using
the quadratic formula:

(i) 3x2 – 5x + 2 = 0 (ii) x2 + 4x + 5 = 0 (iii) 2x2 – 2 2 x + 1 = 0

Solution :
(i) 3x2 – 5x + 2 = 0. Here, a = 3, b = – 5, c = 2. So, b2 – 4ac = 25 – 24 = 1 > 0.

5 ± 1 5 ±1 2
Therefore, x = = , i.e., x = 1 or x =
6 6 3
2
So, the roots are and 1.
3

(ii) x2 + 4x + 5 = 0. Here, a = 1, b = 4, c = 5. So, b2 – 4ac = 16 – 20 = – 4 < 0.

Since the square of a real number cannot be negative, therefore b 2 − 4ac will
not have any real value.

So, there are no real roots for the given equation.

(iii) 2x2 – 2 2 x + 1 = 0. Here, a = 2, b = −2 2 , c = 1.

So, b2 – 4ac = 8 – 8 = 0

22 22± 00 22 11 .
Therefore, x = == ±±00,i.e.,
i.e., x==
4 2 2

1 1 .
So, the roots are ,
2 2

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Example 14 : Find the roots of the following equations:

1 1 1
(i) x + = 3, x ≠ 0 (ii) − = 3, x ≠ 0,2
x x x−2
Solution :

1
(i) x + = 3 . Multiplying throughout by x, we get
x
x2 + 1 = 3x
i.e., x2 – 3x + 1 = 0, which is a quadratic equation.
Here, a = 1, b = – 3, c = 1
So, b2 – 4ac = 9 – 4 = 5 > 0

3± 5
Therefore, x= (Why?)
2

3+ 5 3− 5
So, the roots are and .
2 2

1 1
(ii) − = 3, x ≠ 0, 2 .
x x −2

As x ≠ 0, 2, multiplying the equation by x (x – 2), we get

(x – 2) – x = 3x (x – 2)

= 3x2 – 6x

So, the given equation reduces to 3x2 – 6x + 2 = 0, which is a quadratic equation.

Here, a = 3, b = – 6, c = 2. So, b2 – 4ac = 36 – 24 = 12 > 0

6 ± 12 6 ± 2 3 3 ± 3
Therefore, x= = = .
6 6 3

3+ 3 3− 3
So, the roots are and .
3 3

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Example 15 : A motor boat whose speed is 18 km/h in still water takes 1 hour more
to go 24 km upstream than to return downstream to the same spot. Find the speed of
the stream.
Solution : Let the speed of the stream be x km/h.
Therefore, the speed of the boat upstream = (18 – x) km/h and the speed of the boat
downstream = (18 + x) km/h.

distance 24
The time taken to go upstream = = hours.
speed 18 − x

24
Similarly, the time taken to go downstream = hours.
18 + x
According to the question,

24 24
− = 1
18 − x 18 + x

i.e., 24(18 + x) – 24(18 – x) = (18 – x) (18 + x)

i.e., x2 + 48x – 324 = 0

Using the quadratic formula, we get

− 48 ± 482 + 1296 − 48 ± 3600

x= =
2 2
− 48 ± 60
= = 6 or – 54
2
Since x is the speed of the stream, it cannot be negative. So, we ignore the root
x = – 54. Therefore, x = 6 gives the speed of the stream as 6 km/h.

EXERCISE 4.3
1. Find the roots of the following quadratic equations, if they exist, by the method of
completing the square:
(i) 2x2 – 7x + 3 = 0 (ii) 2x2 + x – 4 = 0
(iii) 4 x 2 + 4 3x + 3 = 0 (iv) 2x2 + x + 4 = 0
2. Find the roots of the quadratic equations given in Q.1 above by applying the quadratic
formula.

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