3.

1 Solving Quadratic Equations

Essential Question How can you use the graph of a quadratic
COMMON equation to determine the number of real solutions of the equation?
CORE
Learning Standards Matching a Quadratic Function with Its Graph
HSA-SSE.A.2
HSA-REI.B.4b Work with a partner. Match each quadratic function with its graph. Explain your
HSF-IF.C.8a
reasoning. Determine the number of x-intercepts of the graph.
a. f (x) = x2 − 2x b. f (x) = x2 − 2x + 1 c. f (x) = x2 − 2x + 2
d. f (x) = −x2 + 2x e. f (x) = −x2 + 2x − 1 f. f (x) = −x2 + 2x − 2

A. 4 B. 4

−6 6 −6 6

−4 −4

C. 4 D. 4

−6 6 −6 6

−4 −4

E. 4 F. 4

−6 6 −6 6

−4 −4

Solving Quadratic Equations

Work with a partner. Use the results of Exploration 1 to find the real solutions
MAKING SENSE (if any) of each quadratic equation.
OF PROBLEMS a. x2 − 2x = 0 b. x2 − 2x + 1 = 0 c. x2 − 2x + 2 = 0
To be proficient in math, d. −x2 + 2x = 0 e. −x2 + 2x − 1 = 0 f. −x2 + 2x − 2 = 0
you need to make
conjectures about the
form and meaning of
solutions.
Communicate Your Answer
3. How can you use the graph of a quadratic equation to determine the number of
real solutions of the equation?
4. How many real solutions does the quadratic equation x2 + 3x + 2 = 0 have?
How do you know? What are the solutions?

Section 3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations 93

3.1 Lesson What You Will Learn
Solve quadratic equations by graphing.
Solve quadratic equations algebraically.
Core Vocabul
Vocabulary
larry Solve real-life problems.
quadratic equation in
one variable, p. 94
Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing
root of an equation, p. 94
zero of a function, p. 96 A quadratic equation in one variable is an equation that can be written in the
standard form ax 2 + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0.
Previous A root of an equation is a solution of the equation. You can use various methods
properties of square roots to solve quadratic equations.
factoring
rationalizing the denominator
Core Concept
Solving Quadratic Equations
STUDY TIP By graphing Find the x-intercepts of the related function
Quadratic equations y = ax2 + bx + c.
can have zero, one, or Using square roots Write the equation in the form u2 = d, where u is an
two real solutions. algebraic expression, and solve by taking the square root
of each side.
By factoring Write the polynomial equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 in
factored form and solve using the Zero-Product Property.

Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing

Solve each equation by graphing.

a. x 2 − x − 6 = 0 b. −2x 2 − 2 = 4x

SOLUTION
a. The equation is in standard form. b. Add −4x to each side to obtain
Graph the related function −2x 2 − 4x − 2 = 0. Graph the
Check
y = x 2 − x − 6. related function y = −2x 2 − 4x − 2.
x2 − x − 6 = 0
? y (−1, 0) y
(−2)2 − (−2) − 6 = 0 8
−4 2 x
?
4+2−6= 0 4 −4

0=0 ✓ (3, 0)
−8
−4 2 4x
x2 − x − 6 = 0 −12
? (−2, 0)
32 − 3 − 6 = 0
?
9−3−6= 0 The x-intercepts are −2 and 3. The x-intercept is −1.
0=0 ✓ The solutions, or roots, The solution, or root, is
are x = −2 and x = 3. x = −1.

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Solve the equation by graphing.

1. x 2 − 8x + 12 = 0 2. 4x 2 − 12x + 9 = 0 3. —12 x 2 = 6x − 20

94 Chapter 3 Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers

 Solving Quadratic Equations Algebraically
When solving quadratic equations using square roots, you can use properties of square
roots to write your solutions in different forms.
When a radicand in the denominator of a fraction is not a perfect square, you can
multiply the fraction by an appropriate form of 1 to eliminate the radical from the
denominator. This process is called rationalizing the denominator.

Solving Quadratic Equations Using Square Roots

Solve each equation using square roots.

2
a. 4x2 − 31 = 49 b. 3x2 + 9 = 0 c. — (x + 3)2 = 5
5
SOLUTION
a. 4x2 − 31 = 49 Write the equation.
4x2 = 80 Add 31 to each side.
x2 = 20 Divide each side by 4.
—
x = ±√20 Take square root of each side.

⋅
— —
x = ±√ 4 √ 5 Product Property of Square Roots
—
x = ±2√5 Simplify.
— —
The solutions are x = 2√5 and x = −2√5 .
b. 3x2 + 9 = 0 Write the equation.
3x2 = −9 Subtract 9 from each side.
x2 = −3 Divide each side by 3.
LOOKING FOR
STRUCTURE The square of a real number cannot be negative. So, the equation has no
25 real solution.
Notice that (x +3)2 = — is
2 2
of the form u2 = d, where c. — (x + 3)2 = 5 Write the equation.
5
u = x + 3. 25 5
(x + 3)2 = — Multiply each side by —.
2 2

√
—
STUDY TIP 25
x+3=± — Take square root of each side.
— 2
√2
√
—
Because —— = 1, the value 25
√2 x = −3 ± — Subtract 3 from each side.
— 2
√25
of —— does not change
—
√2 √25
— x = −3 ± —— Quotient Property of Square Roots
√2 √2
when you multiply by — —.
—
√2 √25 √2
— —
√2
x = −3 ± —— —
√2 √2
— ⋅ Multiply by ——.
√2
—
5√ 2
x = −3 ± — Simplify.
2
— —
5√ 2 5√ 2
The solutions are x = −3 + — and x = −3 − —.
2 2

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Solve the equation using square roots.

4. —23 x 2 + 14 = 20 5. −2x 2 + 1 = −6 6. 2(x − 4)2 = −5

Section 3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations 95

 When the left side of ax2 + bx + c = 0 is factorable, you can solve the equation using
the Zero-Product Property.

Core Concept
Zero-Product Property
Words If the product of two expressions is zero, then one or both of the
expressions equal zero.
Algebra If A and B are expressions and AB = 0, then A = 0 or B = 0.

Solving a Quadratic Equation by Factoring

Solve x2 − 4x = 45 by factoring.

SOLUTION
UNDERSTANDING x2 − 4x = 45 Write the equation.
MATHEMATICAL
x2 − 4x − 45 = 0 Write in standard form.
TERMS
(x − 9)(x + 5) = 0 Factor the polynomial.
If a real number k is a zero
of the function x−9=0 or x+5=0 Zero-Product Property
f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, then x=9 or x = −5 Solve for x.
k is an x-intercept of the
graph of the function, The solutions are x = −5 and x = 9.
and k is also a root of the You know the x-intercepts of the graph of f (x) = a(x − p)(x − q) are p and q.
equation ax2 + bx + c = 0. Because the value of the function is zero when x = p and when x = q, the numbers
p and q are also called zeros of the function. A zero of a function f is an x-value for
which f (x) = 0.

Finding the Zeros of a Quadratic Function

Find the zeros of f (x) = 2x2 − 11x + 12.

SOLUTION
Check To find the zeros of the function, find the x-values for which f (x) = 0.
6
2x2 − 11x + 12 = 0 Set f (x) equal to 0.
(2x − 3)(x − 4) = 0 Factor the polynomial.

−2 8 2x − 3 = 0 or x−4=0 Zero-Product Property

Zero x = 1.5 or x=4 Solve for x.
X=1.5 Y=0
−4 The zeros of the function are x = 1.5 and x = 4. You can check this by graphing
the function. The x-intercepts are 1.5 and 4.

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Solve the equation by factoring.

7. x2 + 12x + 35 = 0 8. 3x2 − 5x = 2

Find the zero(s) of the function.

9. f (x) = x2 − 8x 10. f (x) = 4x2 + 28x + 49

96 Chapter 3 Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers

Solving Real-Life Problems
To find the maximum value or minimum value of a quadratic function, you can first
use factoring to write the function in intercept form f (x) = a(x − p)(x − q). Because
p+q
the vertex of the function lies on the axis of symmetry, x = —, the maximum value
2
or minimum value occurs at the average of the zeros p and q.

Solving a Multi-Step Problem

A monthly teen magazine has 48,000 subscribers

when it charges $20 per annual subscription.
For each $1 increase in price, the magazine
loses about 2000 subscribers. How much
should the magazine charge to maximize
annual revenue? What is the maximum
annual revenue?

SOLUTION
Step 1 Define the variables. Let x represent the price
increase and R(x) represent the annual revenue.
Step 2 Write a verbal model. Then write and simplify a quadratic function.

Annual Number of Subscription

revenue
(dollars)
= subscribers
(people)
⋅ price
(dollars/person)

R(x) = (48,000 − 2000x) ⋅ (20 + x)

R(x) = (−2000x + 48,000)(x + 20)
R(x) = −2000(x − 24)(x + 20)
Step 3 Identify the zeros and find their average. Then find how much each
subscription should cost to maximize annual revenue.
The zeros of the revenue function are 24 and −20. The average of the zeros
24 + (−20)
is — = 2.
2
To maximize revenue, each subscription should cost $20 + $2 = $22.
Step 4 Find the maximum annual revenue.
R(2) = −2000(2 − 24)(2 + 20) = $968,000

So, the magazine should charge $22 per subscription to maximize annual
revenue. The maximum annual revenue is $968,000.

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11. WHAT IF? The magazine initially charges $21 per annual subscription. How much
should the magazine charge to maximize annual revenue? What is the maximum
annual revenue?

Section 3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations 97

 When an object is dropped, its height h (in feet) above the ground after t seconds can
be modeled by the function h = −16t 2 + h0, where h0 is the initial height (in feet)
Height of Dropped Object of the object. The graph of h = −16t 2 + 200, representing the height of an object
h dropped from an initial height of 200 feet, is shown at the left.
0 sec, 200 ft
200
1 sec, 184 ft The model h = −16t 2 + h0 assumes that the force of air resistance on the object is
negligible. Also, this model applies only to objects dropped on Earth. For planets with
150 stronger or weaker gravitational forces, different models are used.
Height (feet)

2 sec, 136 ft

100 Modeling a Dropped Object

3 sec, 56 ft
50 For a science competition, students must design a container that prevents an egg from
breaking when dropped from a height of 50 feet.
3.54 sec, 0 ft a. Write a function that gives the height h (in feet) of the container after t seconds.
1 2 3 4t How long does the container take to hit the ground?
Time (seconds)
b. Find and interpret h(1) − h(1.5).

SOLUTION
a. The initial height is 50, so the model is h = −16t2 + 50. Find the zeros of
the function.
h = −16t2 + 50 Write the function.
0= −16t2 + 50 Substitute 0 for h.
−50 = −16t2 Subtract 50 from each side.
−50
— = t2 Divide each side by −16.
−16
INTERPRETING
√
—
50
EXPRESSIONS ± —=t Take square root of each side.
16
In the model for the
±1.8 ≈ t Use a calculator.
height of a dropped
object, the term −16t 2 Reject the negative solution, −1.8, because time must be positive. The
indicates that an object container will fall for about 1.8 seconds before it hits the ground.
has fallen 16t 2 feet after
t seconds.
b. Find h(1) and h(1.5). These represent the heights after 1 and 1.5 seconds.
h(1) = −16(1)2 + 50 = −16 + 50 = 34
h(1.5) = −16(1.5)2 + 50 = −16(2.25) + 50 = −36 + 50 = 14
h(1) − h(1.5) = 34 − 14 = 20
Check
So, the container fell 20 feet
h
between 1 and 1.5 seconds. You 50
can check this by graphing the
function. The points appear to 40

be about 20 feet apart. So, the 30

(1, h(1))
answer is reasonable. 20 ft
20

(1.5, h(1.5))
10

0
0 0.5 1.0 1.5 t

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12. WHAT IF? The egg container is dropped from a height of 80 feet. How does this
change your answers in parts (a) and (b)?

98 Chapter 3 Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers

 3.1 Exercises Dynamic Solutions available at BigIdeasMath.com

Vocabulary and Core Concept Check

1. WRITING Explain how to use graphing to find the roots of the equation ax2 + bx + c = 0.

2. DIFFERENT WORDS, SAME QUESTION Which is different? Find “both” answers.

What are the zeros of f (x) = x2 + 3x − 10? What are the solutions of x2 + 3x − 10 = 0?

What are the roots of 10 − x2 = 3x? What is the y-intercept of the graph of y = (x + 5)(x − 2)?

Monitoring Progress and Modeling with Mathematics

In Exercises 3 –12, solve the equation by graphing. 22. ANALYZING RELATIONSHIPS Which graph has
(See Example 1.) x-intercepts that are equivalent to the roots of the
3. x 2 + 3x + 2 = 0 4. −x 2 + 2x + 3 = 0 ( 2
)
equation x − —32 = — 25
4
? Explain your reasoning.

y
5. 0 = x 2 − 9 6. −8 = −x 2 − 4 A
○ (−4, 0) y B
○ 6
−2 2x
(1, 0) (−1, 0)
−2
7. 8x = −4 − 4x 2 8. 3x 2 = 6x − 3
−4
9. 7 = −x 2 − 4x 10. 2x = x 2 + 2
(4, 0)
1 1 −2 2 x
11. —5 x 2 + 6 = 2x 12. 3x = —4 x 2 +5

In Exercises 13 –20, solve the equation using square C

○ 1
y D
○ 6
y

roots. (See Example 2.) −3 1 3x

−1 4
13. s2 = 144 14. a2 = 81 (2, 0)
2
(−2, 0)
15. (z − 6)2 = 25 16. (p − 4)2 = 49 −5
(−4, 0)
−6 −4 −2 x
17. 4(x − 1)2 + 2 = 10 18. 2(x + 2)2 − 5 = 8

3 3 ERROR ANALYSIS In Exercises 23 and 24, describe and

19. —12 r 2 − 10 = —2 r 2 20. —15 x 2 + 2 = —5 x 2
correct the error in solving the equation.

✗
21. ANALYZING RELATIONSHIPS Which equations have 23.
roots that are equivalent to the x-intercepts of the 2(x + 1)2 + 3 = 21
graph shown? 2(x + 1)2 = 18
(x + 1)2 = 9
A −x2 − 6x − 8 = 0
○ y
x+1=3
B 0 = (x + 2)(x + 4)
○ −6 x
x=2
−2
C 0 = −(x + 2)2 + 4
○

✗
24.
−2x2 − 8 = 0
D 2x2 − 4x − 6 = 0
○
−2x2 = 8
E 4(x +
○ 3)2 −4=0 x2 = −4
x = ±2

Section 3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations 99

HSCC_Alg2_PE_03.01.indd 99 5/28/14 11:53 AM

25. OPEN-ENDED Write an equation of the form x 2 = d In Exercises 47– 54, find the zero(s) of the function.
that has (a) two real solutions, (b) one real solution, (See Example 4.)
and (c) no real solution. 47. g(x) = x2 + 6x + 8 48. f (x) = x2 − 8x + 16

26. ANALYZING EQUATIONS Which equation has one real 49. h(x) = x2 + 7x − 30 50. g(x) = x2 + 11x
solution? Explain.
A 3x 2 + 4 = −2(x 2 + 8)
○ 51. f (x) = 2x2 − 2x − 12 52. f (x) = 4x2 − 12x + 9

B 5x 2 − 4 = x 2 − 4
○ 53. g(x) = x2 + 22x + 121

C 2(x + 3)2 = 18
○ 54. h(x) = x2 + 19x + 84

D
○
3
—2 x 2 − 5 = 19 55. REASONING Write a quadratic function in the form
f (x) = x2 + bx + c that has zeros 8 and 11.
In Exercises 27–34, solve the equation by factoring. 56. NUMBER SENSE Write a quadratic equation in
(See Example 3.) standard form that has roots equidistant from 10 on
27. 0 = x2 + 6x + 9 28. 0 = z2 − 10z + 25 the number line.

29. x 2 − 8x = −12 30. x2 − 11x = −30 57. PROBLEM SOLVING A restaurant sells 330 sandwiches
each day. For each $0.25 decrease in price, the
31. n2 − 6n = 0 32. a2 − 49 = 0 restaurant sells about 15 more sandwiches. How
much should the restaurant charge to maximize daily
33. 2w2 − 16w = 12w − 48 revenue? What is the maximum daily revenue?
(See Example 5.)
34. −y + 28 + y2 = 2y + 2y2

MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS In Exercises 35–38, find

the value of x.
35. Area of rectangle = 36 36. Area of circle = 25π

x
x+3
x+5

37. Area of triangle = 42 38. Area of trapezoid = 32

x+6
58. PROBLEM SOLVING An athletic store sells about
x 200 pairs of basketball shoes per month when it
x+3
charges $120 per pair. For each $2 increase in
x+2
price, the store sells two fewer pairs of shoes. How
2x + 8
much should the store charge to maximize monthly
In Exercises 39–46, solve the equation using any revenue? What is the maximum monthly revenue?
method. Explain your reasoning.
59. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS Niagara Falls
t2 is made up of three waterfalls. The height of the
39. u2 = −9u 40. — + 8 = 15
20 Canadian Horseshoe Falls is about 188 feet above
the lower Niagara River. A log falls from the top of
41. −(x + 9)2 = 64 42. −2(x + 2)2 = 5 Horseshoe Falls. (See Example 6.)

43. 7(x − 4)2 − 18 = 10 44. t 2 + 8t + 16 = 0

a. Write a function that gives the height h (in feet) of
the log after t seconds. How long does the log take
5 to reach the river?
45. x2 + 3x + — = 0 46. x 2 − 1.75 = 0.5
4 b. Find and interpret h(2) − h(3).

100 Chapter 3 Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers

60. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS According to 64. CRITICAL THINKING Write and solve an equation
legend, in 1589, the Italian scientist Galileo Galilei to find two consecutive odd integers whose product
dropped rocks of different weights from the top of is 143.
the Leaning Tower of Pisa to prove his conjecture
that the rocks would hit the ground at the same time. 65. MATHEMATICAL CONNECTIONS A quadrilateral is
The height h (in feet) of a rock after t seconds can be divided into two right triangles as shown in the figure.
modeled by h(t) = 196 − 16t2. What is the length of each side of the quadrilateral?

6x 8x

5x
300 ft

66. ABSTRACT REASONING Suppose the equation

ax2 + bx + c = 0 has no real solution and a graph
of the related function has a vertex that lies in the
second quadrant.
a. Find and interpret the zeros of the function. Then
use the zeros to sketch the graph. a. Is the value of a positive or negative? Explain
your reasoning.
b. What do the domain and range of the function
represent in this situation? b. Suppose the graph is translated so the vertex is
in the fourth quadrant. Does the graph have any
61. PROBLEM SOLVING You make a rectangular quilt that x-intercepts? Explain.
is 5 feet by 4 feet. You use the remaining 10 square
feet of fabric to add a border of uniform width to the 67. REASONING When an object is dropped on any
quilt. What is the width of the border? planet, its height h (in feet) after t seconds can be
g
modeled by the function h = −— t 2 + h0, where h0
x 2
x
is the object’s initial height and g is the planet’s
acceleration due to gravity. Suppose a rock is dropped
from the same initial height on the three planets
shown. Make a conjecture about which rock will hit
4 + 2x the ground first. Justify your answer.

x
x
5 + 2x

62. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS You drop a seashell Earth: Mars: Jupiter:
g = 32 ft/sec2 g = 12 ft/sec2 g = 76 ft/sec2
into the ocean from a height of 40 feet. Write an
equation that models the height h (in feet) of the
68. PROBLEM SOLVING A café has an outdoor,
seashell above the water after t seconds. How long is
rectangular patio. The owner wants to add 329 square
the seashell in the air?
feet to the area of the patio by expanding the existing
patio as shown. Write and solve an equation to find
63. WRITING The equation h = 0.019s2 models the
the value of x. By what distance should the patio
height h (in feet) of the largest ocean waves when
be extended?
the wind speed is s knots. Compare the wind speeds
required to generate 5-foot waves and 20-foot waves. x After
Af
Afte
ter
er
Before

25 ft
ft 25 ft
ft

15 ft
1 15
5 ftt x

Section 3.1 Solving Quadratic Equations 101

69. PROBLEM SOLVING A flea can jump very long 73. DRAWING CONCLUSIONS Is there a formula for
distances. The path of the jump of a flea can factoring the sum of two squares? You will investigate
be modeled by the graph of the function this question in parts (a) and (b).
y = −0.189x2 + 2.462x, where x is the horizontal
a. Consider the sum of squares x2 + 9. If this sum
distance (in inches) and y is the vertical distance
can be factored, then there are integers m and n
(in inches). Graph the function. Identify the
such that x2 + 9 = (x + m)(x + n). Write two
vertex and zeros and interpret their meanings in
equations that m and n must satisfy.
this situation.
b. Show that there are no integers m and n that satisfy
both equations you wrote in part (a). What can
70. HOW DO YOU SEE IT? An artist is painting a mural
you conclude?
and drops a paintbrush. The graph represents the
height h (in feet) of the paintbrush after t seconds.
74. THOUGHT PROVOKING You are redesigning a
rectangular raft. The raft is 6 feet long and 4 feet
Height of Dropped
wide. You want to double the area of the raft by
Paintbrush adding to the existing design. Draw a diagram of the
y new raft. Write and solve an equation you can use to
50 find the dimensions of the new raft.
Height (feet)

40
30
20
10
4 ft
1 2 x
Time (seconds)

6 ft
a. What is the initial height of the paintbrush?
b. How long does it take the paintbrush to reach the
75. MODELING WITH MATHEMATICS A high school
ground? Explain.
wants to double the size of its parking lot by
expanding the existing lot as shown. By what
distance x should the lot be expanded?
71. MAKING AN ARGUMENT Your friend claims the
equation x2 + 7x = −49 can be solved by factoring
and has a solution of x = 7. You solve the equation
x expanded part of lot
by graphing the related function and claim there is no
solution. Who is correct? Explain. 75 ft old lot

72. ABSTRACT REASONING Factor the expressions 165 ft school

x2 − 4 and x2 − 9. Recall that an expression in this
form is called a difference of two squares. Use your
300 ft x
answers to factor the expression x2 − a2. Graph 75 ft
the related function y = x2 − a2. Label the vertex,
x-intercepts, and axis of symmetry.

Maintaining Mathematical Proficiency Reviewing what you learned in previous grades and lessons

Find the sum or difference. (Skills Review Handbook)

76. (x2 + 2) + (2x2 − x) 77. (x3 + x2 − 4) + (3x2 + 10)

78. (−2x + 1) − (−3x2 + x) 79. (−3x 3 + x 2 − 12x) − (−6x 2 + 3x − 9)

Find the product. (Skills Review Handbook)

80. (x + 2)(x − 2) 81. 2x(3 − x + 5x2)

82. (7 − x)(x − 1) 83. 11x(−4x 2 + 3x + 8)

102 Chapter 3 Quadratic Equations and Complex Numbers