Quadratic Equations Solved by Quadratic Formula

For quadratic equations in one variable where any type of factoring is not
applicable, use the quadratic formula in solving the values of that variable. From the
general equation of quadratic equations, 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0, where 𝑥 is the variable
and 𝑎, 𝑏, 𝑐 are constants.

The quadratic formula to be used:

−𝑏−+ √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐

𝑥=
2𝑎

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠:
1. 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 + 3 = 0
−5+ 2
− √(5) − 4(2)(3)
𝑥 =
2(2)
𝑥1 = −1 𝑥2 = −3/2

2. 2(𝑤 2 – 2𝑤 ) = 5 2𝑤 2 – 4𝑤 – 5 = 0
−(−4)+ 2
− √(−4) − 4(2)(−5)
𝑥 =
2(2)
2 + √14 2 − √14
𝑥1 = 𝑥2 =
2 2

Using the formula of quadratic formula:

1. 𝐹𝑖𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑥 𝑖𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 12𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 – 1 = 0

2. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥: 6𝑥 2 + 6𝑥 + 3 = 0
3. 𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑜𝑜𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛, 36𝑥 2 + 64𝑥 + 30 = 0
Linear Equations
A linear equation is an equation of terms in the first degree. A linear equation in
𝒙 is one that can be written in the standard form of 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0, where 𝒂 and 𝒃 are
constants and 𝑎 ≠ 0.

A root of an equation is x is a number which, when substituted for such a variable

in equation, that equation is satisfied, making that equation a true statement.

Note: An important law to be used in problems that involve the equality sign (=
), is the “Law of Transposition” which states that, “When a number, variable or
term is transferred to the other side of the equality sign (=), the sign should be
changed.”

To solve the value of the unknown in an equation of one unknown, combine

similar terms on one side of the equality sign and all the other terms on the other side
of the equality sign.

To check if the value of the unknown is correct, substitute the solved value in
the original equation, thus satisfying the equation.

LINEAR EQUATION IN ONE VARIABLE

A linear equation in one variable has the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 − 0, where 𝑎 ≠ 0 and b are
constants. The solution of this equation is given by 𝑥 = −𝑏/𝑎.
When a linear equation is not in the form 𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏 = 0, we simplify the equation by
multiplying each term by the LCD for all fractions in the equation, removing any
parentheses, or combining like terms. In some equations we do more than one of the
procedures.

𝑆𝑜𝑙𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑥 + 8 – 2(𝑥 + 1) = 3𝑥 – 6 𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑥.

𝑥 + 8 – 2(𝑥 + 1) = 3𝑥 – 6 First we remove the parentheses
𝑥 + 8 – 2𝑥 − 2 = 3𝑥 – 6 We now combine like terms.
 −𝑥 + 6 = 3𝑥 – 6 Now get the variable terms on one side
of the equation by
−𝑥 + 6 – 3𝑥 = 3𝑥 – 6 – 3𝑥 Subtracting 3𝑥 from each side of the
equation.
−4𝑥 + 6 = −6 Now we subtract 6 from each side of the
equation to get the
−4𝑥 + 6 – 6 = −6 – 6 Variable term on one side of the
equation by itself
−4𝑥 = −12 Finally we divide each side of the
equation by the coefficient of
−4𝑥
=
−12 The variable, which is −4.
−4 −4

𝑥 = 3 Now we check this solution in the

original equation.
𝐶ℎ𝑒𝑐𝑘:
3 + 8 – 2(3 + 1) ? 3(3) – 6 The question mark indicates that we dont
know for sure that
11 – 2(4) ? 9 – 6 the two quantities are equal.
11 – 8 = 3 The solution checks.
3 = 3

WORD PROBLEMS:
In solving a word problem, the first step is to decide what is to be found. The
next step is to translate the conditions stated in the problem into an equation or to
state a formula that expresses the conditions of the problem. The solution of the
equation is the next step.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (1)
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑚 𝑜𝑓 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑖𝑠 4 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑖𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑠 6. 𝑊ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠?
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑛 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑚𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑛 + 6 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟.
𝑛 + (𝑛 + 6) = −4
𝑛 + 𝑛 + 6 = −4
2𝑛 + 6 = −4
2𝑛 = −10
𝑛 = −5
𝑛+6 = 1
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑡𝑤𝑜 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑟𝑒 − 5 𝑎𝑛𝑑 1.
𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (2) If the perimeter of a rectangle is 68 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 and the length is 14 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠
more than the width, what are the dimension of the rectangle?
Let 𝑤 = the number of meters in the width and 𝑤 + 14 = the number of meters in
the length.
2[(𝑤 + 14) + 𝑤] = 68
2𝑤 + 28 + 2𝑤 = 68
4𝑤 + 28 = 68
4𝑤 = 40
𝑤 = 10
𝑤 + 14 = 24
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝑖𝑠 24 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑏𝑦 10 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑤𝑖𝑑𝑒.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (3) If one pump can fill a pool in 16 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 and if two pumps can fill the pool
in 6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠, how fast can the second pump fill the pool?
Let ℎ = the number of hours for the second pump to fill the pool.
1 1 1
+ =
ℎ 16 6
1 1 1
48ℎ ( + ) = 48ℎ ( )
ℎ 16 6
48 + 3ℎ = 8ℎ
48 = 5ℎ
ℎ = 9.6
𝑇ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑢𝑚𝑝 𝑡𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 9.6 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 (𝑜𝑟 9 ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑟𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 36 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠) 𝑡𝑜 𝑓𝑖𝑙𝑙 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑝𝑜𝑜𝑙.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒 (4) How many liters of pure alcohol must be added to 15 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 60 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡
alcohol solution to obtain an 80 𝑝𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑛𝑡 alcohol solution?
𝐿𝑒𝑡 𝑛 = 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑏𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑜ℎ𝑜𝑙 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑.
𝑛 + 0.60(15) = 0.80(𝑛 + 15) (The sum of the amount of alcohol in each quantity is
equal to the amount of alcohol in the mixture.)
𝑛 + 9 = 0.8𝑛 + 12
0.2𝑛 = 3
𝑛 = 15

𝐹𝑖𝑓𝑡𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑠 𝑜𝑓 𝑝𝑢𝑟𝑒 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑜ℎ𝑜𝑙 𝑚𝑢𝑠𝑡 𝑏𝑒 𝑎𝑑𝑑𝑒𝑑.

Solving an equation in one variable:

1. 2𝑥 + 1 = −9
2𝑥 = −9 – 1
2𝑥 = −10
 2𝑥 −10
=
2 2
𝒙 = −𝟓

2. −2(3𝑥 − 1) + 𝑥 = 14 − 𝑥
−6𝑥 + 2 + 𝑥 = 14 – 𝑥
−4𝑥 = 12
−4𝑥 12
=
−4 −4
𝒙 = −𝟑

Systems of Two Linear Equation in Two Unknowns

I. Method of elimination by substitution

In this method, the value of one unknown is substituted to find the value of
the other unknown.
Steps:
1. Find the value of one unknown in terms of the other in one equation.
2. Substitute the resulting expression in step 1 to the other equation to come out
with an equation in one unknown only.
3. Solve the value of the unknown in the resulting expression in step 2.
4. Substitute the value of the unknown found in step 3 to solve for the value of the
other unknown in any of the given equations.
5. Check by substituting the solved values of the unknowns to find out if both the
given equations are satisfied by such values.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:

(𝑖)
3𝑥 – 𝑦 = 7
{
2𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 1

𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:

3𝑥 – 7 = 𝑦

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑:

2𝑥 + 3(3𝑥 – 7) = 1
2𝑥 + 9𝑥 – 21 = 1
11𝑥 = 22
 11𝑥 22
=
11 11
𝒙 = 𝟐

𝑦 = 3𝑥 – 7
𝑦 = 3(2) – 7
𝒚 = −𝟏
𝑺𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒙 = 𝟐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 = −𝟏.
(𝑖𝑖)
5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1
{
3𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 2
𝑈𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑒𝑝𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑣𝑒 𝑏𝑦 𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒉𝒐𝒅 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒖𝒃𝒔𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏:
3𝑥 = 6𝑦 + 2
2
𝑥 = 2𝑦 +
3

𝑆𝑢𝑏𝑠𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑢𝑡𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑖𝑠 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑒𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑑:

5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1
2
5(2𝑦 + ) + 4𝑦 = 1
3
10
10𝑦 + + 4𝑦 = 1
3
7
14𝑦 = −
3

7
14𝑦 −3
=
14 14

−𝟏
𝒚 =
𝟔

−1 2
𝑥 = 2( 6 ) + 3
𝟏
𝒙 = 𝟑
𝟏 −𝟏
𝑺𝒐 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒊𝒔 𝒙 = 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒚 = .
𝟑 𝟔

II. Method of elimination by multiplication and addition

 In this method, the unknowns are eliminated by multiplication and addition
such that the coefficient of the unknown to be eliminated will be the same
but of different signs.
Steps:
1. Multiply both equations by a chosen constant to make the coefficient of one
unknown the same but opposite in signs.
2. Add the resulting equation, thus eliminating one unknown in step 1.
3. Solve the value of the unknown in the resulting equation in step 2.
4. Repeat steps 1,2 and 3 with the roles of the unknown interchanged to solved for
the other unknown or substitute the value of the unknown found in step 3 in any
of the given equations.
5. Check by substituting the solved values of the unknowns in both equations, thus
satisfying the equations for the solved values.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:
(𝑖)
5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1
{
3𝑥 − 6𝑦 = 2
Using the steps above by method of elimination:
5𝑥 + 4𝑦 = 1 𝑥3
15𝑥 + 12𝑦 = 3
3𝑥 – 6𝑦 = 2 𝑥2
6𝑥 – 12𝑦 = 4
21𝑥 = 7
Therefore 𝑥 = 1/3 which is exactly the same as the previous example.
Find 𝑦: 3𝑥 – 6𝑦 = 2
1
3 ( ) – 6𝑦 = 2
3
1 – 6𝑦 = 2
−6𝑦 = 1
Therefore 𝑦 = −1/6 and again this is the same value we found in the previous
example.

Using the steps above, try to evaluate the following:

Solved for 𝑥 and 𝑦

 1. 2𝑥 + 4𝑦 = −10, 6𝑥 + 3𝑦 = 6 𝑎𝑛𝑠. 𝑥 = 3 , 𝑦 = −4

2. 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 = 1, 10𝑥 – 25𝑦 = 5 𝑎𝑛𝑠. 𝑥 = ½ , 𝑦 = 0

Systems of Three Linear Equation in Three Unknowns

Steps:
1. Between any two of a given three equations, one unknown may be eliminated
resulting in an equation in the other two unknowns.
2. Between any other pair of the given three equations, eliminate the same
unknown eliminated in step 1 resulting in a second equation in the other two
unknowns obtained in step.
3. Use the two equations of those other two unknowns obtained in step 1s 1 and 2,
results of which consist of a system of two linear equations in two unknowns,
then follow the steps of solving the two unknowns in a system of two linear
equations using any of the methods. (by substitution, by multiplication and
addition).
4. To solve for the third unknown, substitute the values of the unknowns found in
step 3 in any given three equations.
5. Check by substituting the solved values of the three unknowns in all the given
equations, thus satisfying all the equations for the solved values.

𝐸𝑥𝑎𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒:
(i) 𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 (1)
−𝑥 + 3𝑦 – 𝑧 = −6 (2)
2𝑥 – 5𝑦 + 5𝑧 = 17 (3)
There will always be several choices as to where to begin, but the most obvious first
step here is to eliminate 𝑥 by adding equations (1) and (2).
𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 (1)
−𝑥 + 3𝑦 – 𝑧 = −6 (2)
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 3 (4)
The second step is multiplying equation (1) by −2 and adding the result to equation
(3). These two steps will eliminate the variable 𝑥.
 −2𝑥 + 4𝑦 – 6𝑧 = −18 (2) 𝑚𝑢𝑙𝑡𝑖𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 − 2
2𝑥 – 5𝑦 + 5𝑧 = 17 (3)
−𝑦 − 𝑧 = −1 (5)
In equation (4) and (5), we have created a new two-by-two system.We can solve for 𝑧
by adding the two equations.
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 3 (4)
−𝑦 − 𝑧 = −1 (5)
𝒛 = 𝟐 (6)
Next, we back-substitute 𝑧 = 2 into equation (4) and solve for 𝑦.
𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 3
𝑦 + 2(2) = 3
𝑦 + 4 = 3
𝑦 = 3– 4
𝒚 = −𝟏
Finally, we can back substitute 𝑧 = 2 and 𝑦 = −1 into equation (1). This will yield the
solution for 𝑥.
𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 9 (1)
𝑥 – 2(−1) + 3(2) = 9
𝑥 + 2 + 6 = 9
𝑥 = 9– 6– 2
𝒙 = 𝟏

A. Using the steps above, try to solve the following:

Solve for the values of 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧
1. 𝑥 – 5𝑦 + 2𝑧 = −25, 2𝑥 – 3𝑦 = −10, − 4𝑥 + 6𝑦 – 2𝑧 = 21
2. 2𝑥 – 𝑦 + 7𝑧 = 3, 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4, − 2𝑥 + 3 𝑦 − 3𝑧 = −12
3. 𝑥 + 𝑦 + 𝑧 = 4, 3𝑥 – 2𝑦 + 6𝑧 = 36, 2𝑥 + 5𝑦 + 2𝑧 = 12
4. −5𝑥 – 6𝑦 + 3𝑧 = 26, −10𝑥 + 6𝑦 – 4𝑧 = 36, 20𝑥 + 6𝑦 + 5𝑧 + 102 = 0