Quadratic Formula

The quadratic formula was derived from the standard form a x 2 +bx+ c=0 through completing the square as shown
below:
2
a x +bx+ c=0 Standard form of quadratic equation.
2 b c
x + x+ =0 Divide each term of the equation by a, the coefficient of x
2
.
a a
2 b −c
x + x= Place all the terms with x on the left side of the equation.
a a
2
b b −c b2 b2
x 2+ x+ 2 = + Complete the square by adding to both sides of the equation.
a 4a a 4 a2 4 a2

( )
x+
b 2 b2−4 ac
2a
=
4 a2
Factor the left side of the equation and simplify the right side.

(√ x + 2ba ) = √ b −4
2 2
ac Extract the square root of both sides.
2
4a
=± √
2
b b −4 ac
x+
2a 2a
−b √ b2−4 ac −b
x= ± Add to both sides of the equation .
2a 2a 2a
−b ± √ b −4 ac
2
x= This is the quadratic formula.
2a

QUADRATIC FORMULA

If a x 2 +bx+ c=0 and a ≠ 0, then x=

−b ± √ b2−4 ac .
2a

Steps in Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

 Transform the equation into the form a x 2 +bc+ c=0 .
 Substitute the values of a, b, and c in the quadratic formula to get the roots of the equation.
 Check each root.

EXAMPLES:
1. Let us solve the given equation using the quadratic formula x 2+ x−12=¿0 where a=1 , b=1 ,∧c=−12.
−b ± √ b −4 ac
2
Solution: x=
2a
−1 ± √ 12−4(1)(−12) −1+7 −1−7
x= x= x=
2(1) 2 2
−1 ± √ 1+48 x=
6
x=
−8
x=
2 2 2
−1 ± √ 49
x= x=3 x=−4
2
−1 ±7
x=
2

2. Find the roots of the equation x 2+ x−1=0 .

Solution: x 2+ x−1=0 a=1 , b=1 , c=−1

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x=
2a
−1 ± √ 1 −4(1)(−1)
2
x=
2(1)
−1 ± √ 1+4
x=
2
−1 ± √ 5
x=
2
 −1+ √ 5 −1−√ 5
x= x=
2 2
−1+ √ 5 −1−√ 5
Check: For x= ; : For x= ;
2 2
x 2+ x−1=0 x 2+ x−1=0

( ) ( )
2 2
−1+ √ 5 −1+ √ 5 −1− √5 −1− √ 5
+ −1=0 + −1=0
2 2 2 2
1−2 √ 5+5 −1+ √ 5 1+ 2 √ 5+5 −1−√ 5
+ −1=0 + −1=0
4 2 4 2
1−2 √5+5−2+2 √ 5−4 1+ 2 √ 5+5−2−2 √5−4
=0 =0
4 4
6−6 6−6
=0 =0
4 4
0=0, True 0=0, True

Discriminant

The radicand √ b2−4 ac is called the discriminant (D) of the quadratic equation a x 2 +bx+ c=0 . The value of the discriminant
helps us determine the nature of the roots of the quadratic equation.
The table below shows the possible values of the discriminant and the number and the nature of roots of a quadratic equation.

Nature of Roots and number of

Discriminant Example Graphs
Solutions

b 2−4 ac> 0 and a Two rational and unequal numbers

perfect square

2
b −4 ac> 0 and not a Two distinct irrational and unequal
perfect square numbers

b 2−4 ac=0 rational and equal or repeated

2
b −4 ac< 0 Two distinct imaginary numbers

Note: The value of the discriminant is used to describe the solutions or roots of a quadratic equation in standard form without
actually solving for the roots.

EXAMPLES: Determine the nature of the roots of the given equations.

 Coefficients
Equation Discriminant Nature of Roots
a b c
b 2−4 ac=( 12 )2−4 (1)(35)
¿ 144−140
2
1. x + 12 x +35=0 1 12 35 ¿4 two rational and unequal roots

4 >0
2 2
b −4 ac=(−4 ) −4(4)(6)
¿ 16−96
2. 4 x2 −4 x +6=0 4 -4 6 ¿−80 two imaginary roots

−80< 0
b −4 ac=( 30 )2−4(9)(25)
2

3. 9 x 2+ 30 x +25=0 9 30 25 ¿ 900−900 two equal roots, or a repeated root

¿0
2 2
b −4 ac=( 1 ) −4 (1)(−1)
¿ 1+4
4. x 2+ x−1=0 1 1 -1 ¿5 two irrational and unequal roots

5>0

EXAMPLES: Determine the nature of the roots of the given equations.

Coefficients
Equation Discriminant Nature of Roots
a b c
5. 2
x + 12 x +35=0 1 12 35 b 2−4 ac=( 12 )2−4 (1)(35) two rational and unequal roots
 ¿ 144−140
¿4

4 >0
2 2
b −4 ac=(−4 ) −4(4)(6)
¿ 16−96
2
6. 4 x −4 x +6=0 4 -4 6 ¿−80 two distinct imaginary roots

−80< 0
2 2
b −4 ac=( 30 ) −4(9)(25)
2
7. 9 x + 30 x +25=0 9 30 25 ¿ 900−900 two equal roots, or a repeated root
¿0
b −4 ac=( 1 )2−4 (1)(−1)
2

¿ 1+4 Two distinct irrational and unequal

2
8. x + x−1=0 1 1 -1 ¿5 roots

5>0