2.
2 Quadratics
Quadratic Graphs
The general equation of a quadratic graph is
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
Their shape is called a parabola ("U" shape)
▪ Positive quadratics have a > 0 so the parabola is ∪
▪ Negative quadratics have a < 0 so the parabola is ∩
𝑦 = 𝒂𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
You need to be able to:
▪ Sketch a quadratic graph given an equation or information
about the graph.
▪ Determine, from the equation, the axes intercepts.
▪ Factorise, if possible, to find the roots of the quadratic
function.
▪ Find the coordinates of the turning point (maximum or
minimum).
You may have to rearrange the equation.
Exam Tip
Your calculator may tell you the roots of a quadratic
function and the coordinates of the turning point.
But don't rely on it – think about how many marks the
question is worth and how much method / working you
should show.
Remember sometimes you'll need to rearrange an equation
into the form 𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
𝑦 = 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐
Determine the coordinates of the axes intercepts and the turning
points of 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 6 and sketch the graph.
Determine the coordinates of the axes intercepts and the turning
points of 𝑦 = −2𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 6 and sketch the graph.
y intercept: x=0 −𝑏 turning point: y = x substituted
turning point: x =
y = -2(0)² -4(0) + 6 2𝑎
y = -2(-1)² -4(-1) + 6
−(−4)
y=6 x= y = -2(1) + 4 + 6
2(−2)
Y = -2 + 10
4
x intercept: y=0 x = −4 y=8
-2x² - 4x + 6 = 0
(2x + 6)(-x + 1) = 0 x = -1 Therefore turning point is (-1, 8)
therefore:
2x = -6 and -x = -1
x = -3 x=1
Write down the roots and y-axis intercept on the graph
𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 and sketch the graph.
Write down the roots and y-axis intercept on the graph
𝑦 = 2𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 3 and sketch the graph.
y intercept: x=0
y = 2(0)² +5(0) -3
y = -3
x intercept: y=0
2x² +5x - 3 = 0
(2x - 1)(x + 3) = 0
therefore:
2x = 1 and x = -3
x=½
a is +ve therefore
Discriminants
The discriminant is the part of the quadratic formula that is under
the square root sign: b² + 4ac
It is sometimes denoted by the Greek letter capital delta (Δ)
−𝑏 ± 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 Discriminant
𝑥=
2𝑎 (capital delta )
There are three options for the outcome of the discriminant:
If b² -4ac > 0 the quadratic crosses the x-axis twice meaning there
are two distinct real roots.
If b² - 4ac = 0 the quadratic touches the x-axis once meaning
there is one real root (also called repeated roots).
If b² - 4ac < 0 the quadratic does not cross the x-axis meaning
there are no real roots.
Discriminants & Inequalities
You need to be able to set up and solve equations and
inequalities (often quadratic) arising from the discriminant.
Sketch the quadratic and decide whether you're looking
above or below zero to write your solutions correctly.
Exam Tip
When questions just mention “real roots”, the roots could be distinct or
repeated (i.e. they aren’t talking about complex numbers!)
In these cases, you only need to worry about solving
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ≥ 0
When solving using inequalities always sketch the quadratic and decide
whether you're looking above or below zero to help write your solutions
correctly.
Find the values of k for which the quadratic function
𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑘𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 − 𝑘 + 2 has real roots.
Find the values of k for which the quadratic function
𝑓 𝑥 = 2𝑘𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 − 𝑘 + 2 has real roots.
Completing the Square
Completing the square is another method used to solve
quadratic equations.
It simply means writing y = ax² + bx + c in the form of
y = a(x + p)² + q.
It can be used to help find other information about the
quadratic like coordinates of the turning point.
The method used will depend on the value of the coefficient of
the x2 term in y = ax² + bx + c.
When a = 1
▪ p is half of the coefficient of b
▪ q is c – p²
When a ≠ 1
▪ Remove a as a factor of the x² and x terms.
▪ Continue as normal:
• p is half of the coefficient of b
• q is c – p²
Completing the square helps us find the turning point on a quadratic
graph.
It can also help you create the equation of a quadratic when given the
turning point.
It can also be used to prove and/or show results using the fact
that a squared term will always be greater than or equal to 0.
Exam Tip
Sometimes the question will explicitly ask you to complete the
square.
Sometimes it will even remind you of the form to write it in.
But sometimes it will expect you to spot that completing the
square is what you need to do to help with other parts of the
question... like finding turning points!
Solving Quadratic Equations
We can solve quadratic equations when they are written in the form
ax² + bx + c =0
If given an unusual looking equation, try to rearrange it into this form
first.
The three ways to solve a quadratic you must know are
• Factorising
• Completing the square
• Quadratic formula
Factorising
Factorising is a great way to solve a quadratic quickly but won't
work for all quadratics.
If the numbers are simple, try factorising first.
Once factorised, set each bracket to = 0 and solve
Completing the Square
Completing the square will work for any quadratic.
Make sure you know how to complete the square.
Remember this will help with questions involving turning points too.
Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula might look complicated, but it just uses the
coefficients a, b and c from the quadratic equation.
The quadratic formula will work for
any quadratic,
Exam Tip
A calculator can be super-efficient but be aware some marks are
for method.
There will never be many marks for solving a quadratic at AS/A
level.
Use your judgement:
▪ is it a “show that” or “prove” question?
▪ how many marks?
▪ how long is the question?
Solve the equation 𝑥 + 5 =
12
𝑥
Solve the equation 𝑥 + 5 =
12
𝑥
Hidden Quadratics
Hidden quadratic equations are quadratics written in terms of a
function 𝑓 𝑥 .
A normal quadratic appears in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.
Whereas a hidden quadratic appears in the form
𝑎 𝑓 𝑥 2+𝑏 𝑓 𝑥 +𝑐 =0
This might look complicated, but it simply means x has been replaced
by 𝑓 𝑥 .
e.g. sin2 𝑥 + 2 sin 𝑥 − 3 = 0 is just the hidden quadratic of
𝑥 2 + 2𝑥 − 3 = 𝑂 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑓 𝑥 = sin 𝑥
To solve a hidden quadratic, first arrange the function into the form
𝑎 𝑓 𝑥 2 + 𝑏 𝑓 𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.
Replacing the function and solving the 'normal' quadratic first.
Then substitute the function back into the solutions to solve the
original quadratic.
Eg: 2 cos 𝑥 = 3 − cos 2 𝑥 0° ≤ 𝑥 ≤ 3600
Solve the equation 32𝑥+1 = 82 × 3𝑥 − 27
Solve the equation 32𝑥+1 = 82 × 3𝑥 − 27
