10A Quadratic Expressions and Equations Notes

CAT: Term 3, Week 3, Tuesday 30/7/24 or Thursday 1/8/24 ( Friday 2/8/24 is a student-free day)

Term 2
Week Classwork Homework(Textbook exercises)
11 Pages 1 - 7 of Notes 5A,5B,5C,5D

Term 3
Week Classwork Homework(Textbook exercises)
1 Pages 8 - 19 of Notes 5E,5F,5G,5H,5I
2 Additional practice questions Complete exercises & Chapter review
3 CAT

How to study and become an independent learner

1) Read the Notes and Textbook before class.

2) Reading mathematics is not like reading a novel - you don’t read mathematics cover to cover. In-
stead, read the material of a section quickly in order to get the gist of it; then go back for more careful
readings until the details fall into place. Study the examples given and ensure you understand all of
the steps.

3) Complete the Textbook exercises. Use a pencil or erasable pen. If you get stuck review the
examples in the Notes/Textbook. If you still don’t know how to do a question, mark it and come
back to it later. If you then still can’t work it out, look at the answer and try working backwards. If this
doesn’t help ask a friend or the teacher. Asking someone for help should be your last resort, not
your first! If you are falling behind complete every second question, but aim to do as many questions
as possible.

4) Check your answers after completing an exercise. Copying answers is a complete waste of time
and will result in low grades. If your answer is incorrect review the examples in the Notes/Text-
book. If you can’t find where you made a mistake, mark the question and come back to it later. If
you then still can’t work it out, look at the answer and try working backwards. If this doesn’t help ask
a friend or the teacher. Again, asking someone for help should be your last resort, not your first!

5) Learn how to use your calculator to solve problems and check answers.

6) Write a summary of what you have learnt in your Bound Reference, including examples of chal-
lenging questions. The true value in having a Bound Reference is the learning that occurs when you
write in it. Before a test, review the material covered in the unit to refresh your memory.

7) Mathematics is not a spectator sport. To learn Mathematics you must do Mathematics!

8) Students intending to study Mathematical Methods should complete the Challenge Questions on
page 402 of the Textbook.

9) Be disciplined, curious and have a courageous mind.

Recall the distributive law for multiplication over addition:
a(b + c) = ab + ac, ∀a, b, c ∈ R
(the symbol “∀” means “for all”)
The distributive law is used to derive the six identities below. An identity is an equation that is true for
all values of the variables for which the identity is defined.
Identities

1. (a + b)(c + d) = a(c + d) + b(c + d)

= ac + ad + bc + bd, ∀a, b, c, d ∈ R

2. (a + b)(c + d + e) = a(c + d + e) + b(c + d + e)

= ac + ad + ae + bc + bd + be, ∀a, b, c, d, e ∈ R

3. (a + b + c)(d + e + f ) = a(d + e + f ) + b(d + e + f ) + c(d + e + f )

= ad + ae + af + bd + be + bf + cd + ce + cf, ∀a, b, c, d, e, f ∈ R

4. (a + b)2 = (a + b)(a + b)
= a(a + b) + b(a + b)
= a2 + ab + ba + b2
= a2 + 2ab + b2 , ∀a, b ∈ R

5. (a − b)2 = (a − b)(a − b)
= a(a − b) − b(a − b)
= a2 − ab − ba + b2
= a2 − 2ab + b2 , ∀a, b ∈ R

6. (a − b)(a + b) = a(a + b) − b(a + b)

= a2 + ab − ba − b2
= a2 − b2 , ∀a, b ∈ R

Expressions of the form (a + b)2 or (a − b)2 are called “perfect squares”. The 6th identity is called “the
difference of perfect squares” and is abbreviated “DOPS”.

e.g. 1 Expand (3x − 5y)(2x − 3y).

(3x − 5y)(2x − 3y) = 3x(2x − 3y) − 5y(2x − 3y)
= 6x2 − 9xy − 10xy + 15y 2
= 6x2 − 19xy + 15y 2
e.g. 2 Expand (3x − 5)(2x2 − 3x − 4).
(3x − 5)(2x2 − 3x − 4) = 3x(2x2 − 3x − 4) − 5(2x2 − 3x − 4)
= 6x3 − 9x2 − 12x − 10x2 + 15x + 20
= 6x3 − 19x2 + 3x + 20

1
e.g. 3 Write down the square of 3x − 5y.

(3x − 5y)2 = (3x)2 − 2 × 3x × 5y + (5y)2

= 9x2 − 30xy + 25y 2

It is important to recognise a perfect square when it occurs. For example, consider the expression
4x2 + 28xy + 49y 2 . The first term is the square of 2x, the third term is the square of 7y and the second
term is equal to the product 2 × 2x × 7y. Hence the expression is the square of 2x + 7y, i.e.

4x2 + 28xy + 49y 2 = (2x)2 + 2 × 2x × 7y + (7y)2

= (2x + 7y)2

This means the square root of 4x2 + 28xy + 49y 2 is 2x + 7y, i.e.
p
4x2 + 28xy + 49y 2 = 2x + 7y

e.g. 4 Write down the square root of a2 + 8a + 16.

a2 + 8a + 16 = a2 + 2 × a × 4 + 42
= (a + 4)2
√
⇒ a2 + 8a + 16 = a + 4

e.g. 5 Is 36a2 + 50ab + 25b2 a perfect square?

Now 36a2 = (6a)2 and 25b2 = (5b)2 . But 2 × 6a × 5b = 60ab ̸= 50ab.

√
Thus 36a2 + 50ab + 25b2 is not a perfect square and we cannot simplify 36a2 + 50ab + 25b2 .

e.g. 6 Use DOPS, i.e. (a − b)(a + b) = a2 − b2 , to expand (8a + 5b)(8a − 5b).

(8a + 5b)(8a − 5b) = (8a)2 − (5b)2

= 64a2 − 25b2

e.g. 7 Use DOPS to find the product of 103 and 97.

103 × 97 = (100 + 3)(100 − 3)

= 1002 − 32
= 10, 000 − 9
= 9, 991

2
e.g. 8 Factorise 4x2 − 10xy + 6x.

4x2 − 10xy + 6x = 2x(2x − 5y + 3)

e.g. 9 Factorise p3 q − p2 q 2 r.
p3 q − p2 q 2 r = p2 q(p − qr)

e.g. 10 Factorise 25x2 − 49y 2 using DOPS.

25x2 is the square of 5x and 49y 2 is the square of 7y. Hence

25x2 − 49y 2 = (5x)2 − (7y)2

= (5x − 7y)(5x + 7y)

e.g. 11 Factorise 3ax2 − 48a using DOPS.

The two terms have the common factor 3a. Hence

3ax2 − 48a = 3a(x2 − 16)
= 3a(x2 − 42 )
= 3a(x − 4)(x + 4)

e.g. 12 Factorise 9 − (x + 2y)2 using DOPS.

9 is the square of 3 and (x + 2y)2 is the square of x + 2y. Hence

9 − (x + 2y)2 = 32 − (x + 2y)2
= [3 − (x + 2y)][3 + (x + 2y)]
= (3 − x − 2y)(3 + x + 2y)

e.g. 13 Factorise a2 − 4ab + 4b2 − 4c2 .

You should recognise that the first three terms, a2 − 4ab + 4b2 , form a perfect square. Hence

a2 − 4ab + 4b2 − 4c2 = (a − 2b)2 − (2c)2

= (a − 2b − 2c)(a − 2b + 2c)

e.g. 14 Factorise x2 − xy + 3x − 3y by the method of grouping.

There is no common factor of all four terms, but the first two terms have the common factor x, i.e.
x2 − xy = x(x − y), and the last two terms have the common factor 3, i.e. 3x − 3y = 3(x − y). Hence,
grouping the first two terms and the last two terms we get

x2 − xy + 3x − 3y = x(x − y) + 3(x − y)

The common factor of these two terms is x − y, and, on dividing by x − y, the other factor is x + 3.
Hence
x2 − xy + 3x − 3y = (x − y)(x + 3)

3
e.g. 15 Factorise a(b − 2c) + 4(2c − b) by the method of grouping.

The two terms do not appear to have a common factor since (2c − b) is not the same as (b − 2c).
If, however, the sign of (2c − b) is changed it becomes (b − 2c). Remembering that the signs of all
terms within a bracket may be changed providing that the sign before the bracket is changed also,
the expression can be written
a(b − 2c) − 4(b − 2c)
which, since the common factor is (b − 2c), is equal to (b − 2c)(a − 4), i.e.

a(b − 2c) + 4(2c − b) = (b − 2c)(a − 4)

e.g. 16 Factorise x3 + 2x2 + 2x + 4 by the method of grouping.

The first two terms have the common factor x2 , and may be written x2 (x + 2). The last two terms have
the common factor 2, and may be written 2(x + 2). Hence

x3 + 2x2 + 2x + 4 = x2 (x + 2) + 2(x + 2)
= (x + 2)(x2 + 2)

e.g. 17 Factorise y 3 + 4y 2 − 9y − 36 by the method of grouping.

The first two terms have the common factor y 2 , and may be written y 2 (y + 4). The last two terms have
the common factor −9, and may be written −9(y + 4). Hence

y 3 + 4y 2 − 9y − 36 = y 2 (y + 4) − 9(y + 4)
= (y + 4)(y 2 − 9)
= (y + 4)(y 2 − 32 )
= (y + 4)(y − 3)(y + 3)

e.g. 18 Factorise x3 − 3x2 − 5x + 15 by the method of grouping.

The first two terms have the common factor x2 , and may be written x2 (x − 3). The last two terms
have the common factor −5, and may be written −5(x − 3). Hence

x3 − 3x2 − 5x + 15 = x2 (x − 3) − 5(x − 3)
= (x − 3)(x2 − 5)
√
= (x − 3)(x2 − ( 5)2 )
√ √
= (x − 3)(x − 5)(x + 5)

4
An expression of the form ax2 + bx + c, where a, b, c ∈ R and a ̸= 0, is called a quadratic trinomial, or
just a quadratic (it is also called a polynomial of degree 2).

If a = 1 the quadratic is called monic. Otherwise it is called non-monic.

To factorise a quadratic ax2 + bx + c, where a, b, c ∈ Z and a ̸= 0, first find two integers m and n such
that
mn = ac
m+n=b

i.e. find two integers whose product is equal to the product of a (the coefficient of x2 ) and the constant
term c, and whose sum is equal to b (the coefficient of x).

Then write bx = mx + nx and use the method of grouping to factorise.

e.g. 19 Factorise x2 + 5x + 6.

Here a = 1, b = 5, c = 6. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = 6
m+n=b=5

Now
2×3=6
2+3=5

Hence m = 2 and n = 3.

Then
x2 + 5x + 6 = x2 + 2x + 3x + 6
= x(x + 2) + 3(x + 2)
= (x + 2)(x + 3)

Hence x2 + 5x + 6 = (x + 2)(x + 3).

e.g. 20 Factorise x2 − 8x + 12.

Here a = 1, b = −8, c = 12. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = 12
m + n = b = −8

Now
−2 × −6 = 12
−2 + −6 = −8

Hence m = −2 and n = −6.

5
Then
x2 − 8x + 12 = x2 − 2x − 6x + 12
= x(x − 2) − 6(x − 2)
= (x − 2)(x − 6)

Hence x2 − 8x + 12 = (x − 2)(x − 6).

e.g. 21 Factorise x2 − 4x − 45.

Here a = 1, b = −4, c = −45. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = −45
m + n = b = −4

Now
5 × −9 = −45
5 + −9 = −4

Hence m = 5 and n = −9.

Then
x2 − 4x − 45 = x2 + 5x − 9x − 45
= x(x + 5) − 9(x + 5)
= (x + 5)(x − 9)

Hence x2 − 4x − 45 = (x + 5)(x − 9).

e.g. 22 Factorise 3x2 + 11x + 6.

Here a = 3, b = 11, c = 6. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = 18
m + n = b = 11

Now
2 × 9 = 18
2 + 9 = 11

Hence m = 2 and n = 9.

Then
3x2 + 11x + 6 = 3x2 + 2x + 9x + 6
= x(3x + 2) + 3(3x + 2)
= (3x + 2)(x + 3)

Hence 3x2 + 11x + 6 = (3x + 2)(x + 3).

6
e.g. 23 Factorise 2x2 − 13x + 15.

Here a = 2, b = −13, c = 15. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = 30
m + n = b = −13

Now
−3 × −10 = 30
−3 + −10 = −13

Hence m = −3 and n = −10.

Then
2x2 − 13x + 15 = 2x2 − 3x − 10x + 15
= x(2x − 3) − 5(2x − 3)
= (2x − 3)(x − 5)

Hence 2x2 − 13x + 15 = (2x − 3)(x − 5).

e.g. 24 Factorise 30p2 + 5pq − 5q 2 .

On taking out the common factor the expression becomes 5(6p2 + pq − q 2 ).

For the quadratic inside the brackets a = 6, b = q, c = −q 2 . So we need to find m and n such that

mn = ac = −6q 2
m+n=b=q

Now
−2q × 3q = −6q 2
−2q + 3q = q

Hence m = −2q and n = 3q.

Then
6p2 + pq − q 2 = 6p2 − 2pq + 3pq − q 2
= 2p(3p − q) + q(3p − q)
= (3p − q)(2p + q)

Hence
30p2 + 5pq − 5q 2 = 5(6p2 + pq − q 2 )
= 5(3p − q)(2p + q)

7
Recall that ax2 + bx + c is a quadratic expression. However

ax2 + bx + c = 0

is a quadratic equation.

The following gives a summary of the steps to solve a quadratic equation

Solving quadratic equations

1. Simplify, if necessary, and write the equation with all the terms on the left side, the
right side being zero (this is called standard form).

2. Factorise the left side.

3. Since the product of the two factors on the left side is zero, one factor or the
other must be zero (this is called the Null Factor Law).

e.g. 25 Solve x2 − 2x − 8 = 0.

Here a = 1, b = −2, c = −8, so m = −4, n = 2. Thus

(x − 4)(x + 2) = 0
⇒ x − 4 = 0 or x + 2 = 0
⇒ x = 4 or x = −2

Verification:

i) When x = 4, left side of equation = 42 − 2 × 4 − 8 = 0 = right side of equation

ii) When x = −2, left side of equation = (−2)2 − 2 × −2 − 8 = 0 = right side of equation

e.g. 26 Solve x2 + 12 = 7x.

Subtract 7x from each side of the equation to turn it into standard form and write the terms in de-
scending powers of x.

This gives x2 − 7x + 12 = 0.

So a = 1, b = −7, c = 12 and therefore m = −3, n = −4. Thus

(x − 3)(x − 4) = 0
⇒ x − 3 = 0 or x − 4 = 0
⇒ x = 3 or x = 4

Verification:

i) When x = 3, left side of equation = 32 + 12 = 21, right side of equation = 7 × 3 = 21

ii) When x = 4, left side of equation = 42 + 12 = 28, right side of equation = 7 × 4 = 28

8
e.g. 27 Solve 3p2 = 48.

Dividing each side by 3 gives

p2 = 16
⇒ p2 − 16 = 0
⇒ p2 − 42 = 0
⇒ (p − 4)(p + 4) = 0 (DOPS)
⇒ p − 4 = 0 or p + 4 = 0
⇒ p = 4 or p = −4

The solutions are generally written more briefly as p = ±4.

Note: e.g. 27 can also be solved using the method of grouping.

e.g. 28 Use your calculator to sketch the graph of y = x2 + 2x − 15. Then find the coordinates of the
x−intercepts by hand.

The CAS gives

Note: the graph of a quadratic function is called a parabola.

The x−intercepts occur when y = 0

x2 + 2x − 15 = 0
⇒ (x − 3)(x + 5) = 0
⇒ x − 3 = 0 or x + 5 = 0
⇒ x = 3 or x = −5

The coordinates of the x−intercepts of the parabola are therefore (−5, 0) and (3, 0).

9
e.g. 29 Use your calculator to sketch the graph of y = −x2 + 10x − 25. Then find the coordinates of
the x−intercepts by hand.

The x−intercepts occur when y = 0, so we need to

solve the equation −x2 + 10x − 25 = 0.

Here a = −1, b = 10, c = −25, so m = 5, n = 5. Thus

(x − 5)(5 − x) = 0
⇒ x − 5 = 0 or 5 − x = 0
⇒ x = 5 or x = 5

There is therefore only one x−intercept of the

parabola, as can be seen from the graph.

Its coordinates are (5,0).

e.g. 30 Use your calculator to sketch the graph of y = x2 − 10x + 12. Then find the coordinates of the
x−intercepts by hand.

The CAS gives

The x−intercepts occur when y = 0

x2 − 10x + 12 = 0

Here a = 1, b = −10, c = 12. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = 12
m + n = b = −10

There are no integers m, n which satisfy these two equations so we cannot use the method of group-
ing to factorise x2 − 10x + 12.

10
However we can see that the parabola intersects the x−axis at two points and therefore the equation
x2 − 10x + 12 = 0 has two solutions. To find them we use the completing the square method to
factorise x2 − 10x + 12.

The following gives a summary of the steps to factorise a quadratic expression using the completing
the square method.

Factorising quadratic expressions by completing the square

1. If a ̸= 1, factor it out to obtain a monic quadratic.
 2
b
2. Add the value of after the first two terms and then subtract it in order
2
to maintain equality.

3. The first three terms will now be perfect squares. Use the identities
(a + b)2 = a2 + 2ab + b2 or (a − b)2 = a2 − 2ab + b2 to factorise these first three
terms.

4. Calculate the value of the constant and write it as a square.

5. Factorise using DOPS.

Applying these steps to x2 − 10x + 12 gives

x2 − 10x + 12 = x2 − 10x + 25 − 25 + 12
= (x − 5)2 − 13
√
= (x − 5)2 − ( 13)2
√ √
= (x − 5 − 13)(x − 5 + 13)

We now solve the equation x2 − 10x + 12 = 0

x2 − 10x + 12 = 0
√ √
⇒ (x − 5 − 13)(x − 5 + 13) = 0
√ √
⇒ x − 5 − 13 = 0 or x − 5 + 13 = 0
√ √
⇒ x = 5 + 13 or x = 5 − 13
√ √
The coordinates of the x−intercepts of the parabola are therefore (5 − 13, 0) and (5 + 13, 0).

e.g. 31 Solve x2 + 6x + 13 = 0.

Here a = 1, b = 6, c = 13. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = 13
m+n=b=6

There are no integers m, n which satisfy these two equations so we cannot use the method of group-
ing to factorise x2 + 6x + 13.

11
We therefore complete the square to factorise x2 + 6x + 13

x2 + 6x + 13 = x2 + 6x + 9 − 9 + 13
= (x + 3)2 + 22

We cannot go any further as this is a sum of perfect squares, not a difference. We therefore cannot
use DOPS to factorise.

If we now try to solve the equation x2 + 6x + 13 = 0 we get

x2 + 6x + 13 = 0
⇒ (x + 3)2 + 4 = 0

Now (x + 3)2 ≥ 0 and so (x + 3)2 + 4 ≥ 4, i.e. (x + 3)2 + 4 will never equal zero.

Thus there are no (real) solutions to the equation x2 + 6x + 13 = 0.

This is confirmed by the graph of y = x2 + 6x + 13, which has no x−intercepts.

e.g. 32 Solve 2x2 − 5x − 9 = 0.

Here a = 2, b = −5, c = −9. So we need to find integers m and n such that

mn = ac = −18
m + n = b = −5

There are no integers m, n which satisfy these two equations so we cannot use the method of group-
ing to factorise 2x2 − 5x − 9.

12
We therefore complete the square to factorise 2x2 − 5x − 9
 
2 2 5 9
2x − 5x − 9 = 2 x − x −
2 2
 2  2 !
5 5 5 9
= 2 x2 − x + − −
2 4 4 2
 2 !
5 25 72
=2 x− − −
4 16 16
 2 !
5 97
=2 x− −
4 16
 r !2 
 2
5 97 
= 2 x − −
4 16
√ !2
 
 2
5 97 
= 2 x − −
4 4
√ ! √ !
5 97 5 97
=2 x− − x− +
4 4 4 4

We now solve the equation 2x2 − 5x − 9 = 0

2x2 − 5x − 9 = 0
√ ! √ !
5 97 5 97
⇒2 x− − x− + =0
4 4 4 4
√ ! √ !
5 97 5 97
⇒ x− − x− + =0
4 4 4 4
√ √
5 97 5 97
⇒x− − = 0 or x − + =0
4 4 4
√ 4 √
5 97 5 97
⇒x= + or x = −
4 4 4 4
√
5 97
The solutions are generally written more briefly as x = ± .
4 4
Quadratic equations can also be solved using the quadratic formula
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
2a

13
Using the quadratic formula to solve the equation in the previous example, i.e. 2x2 − 5x − 9 = 0, gives
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
p 2a
5 ± (−5)2 − 4 × 2 × −9
=
√ 2×2
5 ± 25 + 72
=
√4
5 ± 97
=
4
as before.

The discriminant tells us how many solutions a quadratic equation has and if we should use group-
ing, completing the square or the quadratic formula to find the solutions.

The discriminant is equal to b2 − 4ac and is denoted by ∆ (the Greek letter Delta)
∆ = b2 − 4ac

∆ Number of solutions Method

<0 None -
=0 One Any
> 0 and a perfect square Two Any
> 0 and not a perfect square Two Completing the square or the quadratic formula
e.g. 33 Solve x2 + 2x − 8 = 0.

Here a = 1, b = 2, c = −8. So
∆ = b2 − 4ac
= 22 − 4 × 1 × −8
= 4 + 32
= 36
∆ is positive and is a perfect square. Therefore there are two solutions and we can use any method
to find them.

1) Grouping
mn = ac = −8
m+n=b=2
Hence m = 4 and n = −2. So

x2 + 2x − 8 = 0
⇒ x2 + 4x − 2x − 8 = 0
⇒ x(x + 4) − 2(x + 4) = 0
⇒ (x + 4)(x − 2) = 0
⇒ x + 4 = 0 or x − 2 = 0
⇒ x = −4 or x = 2

14
2) Completing the square
x2 + 2x − 8 = 0
⇒ x2 + 2x + 1 − 1 − 8 = 0
⇒ (x + 1)2 − 9 = 0
⇒ (x + 1)2 − 32 = 0
⇒ (x + 1 − 3)(x + 1 + 3) = 0
⇒ (x − 2)(x + 4) = 0 ⇒ x − 2 = 0 or x + 4 = 0
⇒ x = 2 or x = −4
3) Quadratic formula
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
√2a
−2 ± 22 − 4 × 1 × −8
=
√ 2×1
−2 ± 4 + 32
=
√2
−2 ± 36
=
2
−2 ± 6
=
2
So x = 2 or x = −4.

e.g. 34 Solve −x2 − 6x + 5 = 0.

Here a = −1, b = −6, c = 5. So

∆ = b2 − 4ac
= (−6)2 − 4 × −1 × 5
= 36 + 20
= 56
∆ is positive and not a perfect square. Therefore there are two solutions and we cannot use grouping
to find them; we use either completing the square or the quadratic formula.

1) Completing the square

−x2 − 6x + 5 = 0
⇒ −(x2 + 6x − 5) = 0
⇒ x2 + 6x − 5 = 0
⇒ x2 + 6x + 9 − 9 − 5 = 0
⇒ (x + 3)2 − 14 = 0
√
⇒ (x + 3)2 − ( 14)2 = 0
√ √
⇒ (x + 3 − 14)(x + 3 + 14) = 0
√ √
⇒ x + 3 − 14 = 0 or x + 3 + 14 = 0
√
⇒ x = −3 ± 14

15
2) Quadratic formula
√
−b ± b2 − 4ac
x=
p 2a
6 ± (−6)2 − 4 × −1 × 5
=
√ 2 × −1
6 ± 36 + 20
=
√−2
6 ± 56
=
−2√
6 ± 2 14
=
−2√
= −3 ± 14

3 2 2
e.g. 35 Solve − = .
2x − 1 3x + 1 5
3 2 2
− =
2x − 1 3x + 1 5
3(3x + 1) − 2(2x − 1) 2
⇒ =
(2x − 1)(3x + 1) 5
⇒ 15(3x + 1) − 10(2x − 1) = 2(2x − 1)(3x + 1)
⇒ 45x + 15 − 20x + 10 = 2(6x2 − x − 1)
⇒ 25x + 25 = 12x2 − 2x − 2
⇒ 12x2 − 27x − 27 = 0
⇒ 4x2 − 9x − 9 = 0
⇒ (x − 3)(4x + 3) = 0
3
⇒ x = 3 or x = −
4
We can also use the CAS calculator to solve quadratic equations

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e.g. 36 The difference between two numbers is 5 and their product is 84. Find the numbers.

Let the smaller number be x. Then the other number is x + 5.

Since their product is 84, we have

x(x + 5) = 84
2
⇒ x + 5x − 84 = 0

Here a = 1, b = 5, c = −84, so m = −7, n = 12. Thus

(x − 7)(x + 12) = 0
⇒ x − 7 = 0 or x + 12 = 0
x = 7 or x = −12

So, when the smaller number is 7, the larger number is 7 + 5, i.e. 12.

When the smaller number is −12, the larger number −12 + 5, i.e. −7.

Therefore the two numbers are 7 and 12 or −12 and −7.

e.g. 37 The length of a rectangular lawn exceeds its width by 10 meters, and the area of the lawn is
750 square meters. Find the perimeter of the lawn, correct to one decimal place.

Let x m be the width of the lawn. Then (x + 10) m is the length.

xm

(x + 10) m

Now the area is 750 m2 .

∴ x(x + 10) = 750
⇒ x2 + 10x − 750 = 0

Here a = 1, b = 10, c = −750. So

∆ = 102 − 4 × 1 × −750
= 100 + 3000
= 3100
= 31 × 100
√ √
⇒ ∆ = 10 31

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Thus ∆ is not a square number and we must use completing the square or the quadratic formula to
solve the equation. Choosing completing the square gives

x2 + 10x − 750 = 0
⇒ x2 + 10x + 25 − 25 − 750 = 0
⇒ (x + 5)2 − 775 = 0
√
⇒ (x + 5)2 − ( 775)2 = 0
√
⇒ (x + 5)2 − ( 25 × 31)2 = 0
√
⇒ (x + 5)2 − (5 31)2 = 0
√ √
⇒ (x + 5 − 5 31)(x + 5 + 5 31) = 0
√ √
⇒ x + 5 − 5 31 = 0 or x + 5 + 5 31 = 0
√ √
⇒ x = 5 31 − 5 or x = −5 − 5 31
√
Therefore x = 5 31 − 5, since x > 0.
√ √ √
So the width is (5 31 − 5) m and the length is (5 31 − 5 + 10) m, i.e. (5 31 + 5) m.

√
(5 31 − 5) m

√
(5 31 + 5) m

The perimeter P is thus

√ √
P = 2(5 31 − 5) + 2(5 31 + 5)
√ √
= 10 31 − 10 + 10 31 + 10
√
= 20 31

So P = 111.4 m, to one decimal place.

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 Skills summary
1. Know how to apply the identities on page 1 to expand algebraic expressions.

2. Know how to apply the identities on page 1 to factorise algebraic expressions.

In particular, know how to factorise perfect squares (expressions of the form
a2 ± 2ab + b2 ) and difference of perfect squares (expressions of the form a2 − b2 ).

3. Know how to recognise a quadratic in polynomial form (i.e. ax2 + bx + c) and

how to determine the values of the coefficients a, b, c. Know the definition of a monic
quadratic and a non-monic quadratic.

4. Know how to factorise a quadratic using both the grouping and completing
the square methods.

5. Know how to turn a quadratic equation into standard form and how to solve it
using grouping or completing the square and the Null Factor Law.

6. Know how to solve a quadratic equation in standard form using the quadratic
formula.

7. Know how to verify the solutions of a quadratic equation.

8. Know how to calculate the discriminant ∆ and how to use it to determine the
number of solutions of a quadratic equation and the method (i.e. grouping, completing
the square or the quadratic formula) to use to find the solutions.

9. Know that the solutions of a quadratic equation in standard form are the x−intercepts
of the graph of the quadratic (i.e. the x−intercepts of the parabola).

10. Know how to use your CAS calculator to sketch the graphs of quadratic functions
and to solve quadratic equations.

11. Know how to derive a quadratic equation from the information given in a
worded problem, and how to interpret the solution of the equation.

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