MFA F3 MATHS HOLIDAY ASSIGNMENT

QUADRATIC EXPRESSIONS AND EQUATIONS II.

This unit is about the solution of quadratic equations. These take the form ax2 + bx + c = 0. We will look
at four methods: solution by factorisation, solution by completing the square, solution using a
formula, and solution using graphs

Contents
1. Introduction

2. Solving quadratic equations by factorisation

3. Solving quadratic equations by completing square method

4. Solving quadratic equations using quadratic formula

5. Solving quadratic equations graphically.

1. Introduction
This unit is about how to solve quadratic equations. A quadratic equation is one which must
contain a term involving x2, e.g. 3x2, −5x2 or just x2 on its own. It may also contain terms
involving x, e.g. 5x or −7x, or 0.5x. It can also have constant terms - these are just numbers:6, −7,
In general 2 a quadratic equation will take the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

a, b and c can be any numbers including zero. If b or c is zero then these terms will not appear.

Key Point
A quadratic equation takes the form
 1. Solving quadratic equations by factorisation
In this section we will assume that you already know how to factorise a quadratic expression. If
this is not the case you can study other material in this series where factorisation is explained.
Example
Suppose we wish to solve 3x2 = 27.
We begin by writing this in the standard form of a quadratic equation by subtracting 27 from
each side to give 3x2 − 27 = 0.

We now look for common factors. By observation there is a common factor of 3 in both terms.
This factor is extracted and written outside a pair of brackets. The contents of the brackets are
adjusted accordingly:
3x2 − 27 = 3(x 2 − 9) = 0
Notice here the difference of two squares which can be factorised as
3(x2 − 9) = 3(x − 3)(x + 3) = 0
If two quantities are multiplied together and the result is zero then either or both of the quantities
must be zero. So either
x−3= 0 or x+3= 0

x=3 or x = −3
These are the two solutions of the equation.

Example
Suppose we wish to solve the equation 2x2 + 3x − 2 = 0.
To factorise this we seek two numbers which multiply to give − 4 (the coefficient of x2 multiplied
by the constant term) and which add together to give 3.

4 × −1 = −4 4 + −1 = 3

so the two numbers are 4 and —1. We use these two numbers to write 3x as 4x − x and then
factorise as follows:

2x2 + 3x − 2 = 0
2x2 + 4x − x − 2 = 0
2x(x + 2) − (x + 2) = 0
(x + 2)(2x − 1) = 0

from which
x+2= 0 or 2x − 1 = 0
so that
1
x = −2 or x =
2
These are the two solutions.

Perfect Square
Expressions which can be factorized into two equal factors are called perfect squares.

Completing the Square

Any quadratic expression can be simplified and written in the form ax2 x bx + c where a, b and c are
constant and a is not equal to zero. We use the expression (b/2)2 = C to make a perfect square
We are first going to look for expression where coefficient of x = 1
Example

What must be added to x2 + 10x to make it a perfect square?

Solution

Let the number to be added be a constant c.

Then x2+ 10x + c is a perfect square.
Using (b/2)2
(10/2)2= c
c = 25 (25 must be added)

Example

What must be added to x2 + _ + 36 to make it a perfect square

Solution

Let the term to be added be bx where b is a constant

Then x2+ bx +36 is a perfect square.
Using ((b/2)2= 36
b/ =√36
2
b/2 = ±6 b =1 2 x or -1 2 x

We will now consider the situations where a≠ 1 and not equal to zero eg

4x2 - 12x + 9 = (2x - 6)2

9x2 - 6x + 1 = (3x + 1)2
In the example above you will notice that (b/2)2 = ac . We use this expression to make perfect squares where a is not
one and its not zero.

Example

What must be added to 25x2 + _ + 9 to make it a perfect square?

Solution

Let the term to be added be bx.

Then, 25x2 + bx + 9 is a perfect square.
Therefore (b/2)2= 25 x 9.
(b/2)2 = 225
b/ = ±15
2
so b = 30 or - 30 The term to be added is thus30 or - 30.

Example

What must be added to _ - 40x + 25 to make it a perfect square?

Solution

Let the term to be added be ax2

Then ax2- 40x + 25 is a perfect square.
Using (b/2)2= ac
(-40/2)2 = 25a
400 = 25a
a = 16 the term to be added is 16x2

Solutions of Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square Method

Example

Solve x2 + 5x+ 1 = 0 by completing the square.

solution

x2 + 5x+ 1 = 0 Write original equation.

X2 + 5x = -1 Write the left side in the form x2 + bx.

X2+ 1 0x + (5/2)2= (5/2)2 - 1 Add (5/2)2 to both sides

x2+ 10x + 25/4 = 21/4

(x + 5/2) = 21/4 Take square roots of each side and factorize the left side

x + 5/2 =± √(21/4) Solve for x.

= -5/2 ± 4.583/2 Simplify

= 0.417/ 2 or 9.583/ 2 Therefore x = - 0.2085 or 4.792

The method of completing the square enables us to solve quadratic equations which cannot be solved by
factorization.

Example

Solve 2x2 + 4x+ 1 = 0 by completing the square

Solution

2x2 + 4x =-1 make coeffiecient of x2 one by dividing both sides by 2

x2 + 2x = -1/2

X2 + 2x + 1 = -1/2 + 1

Adding 1 to complete the square on the LHS

( x + 1)2 =
1
2

x + 1 = ±√1/2
x = -1 ± √0.5
= -1 ± 0.7071
x = 0.2929 or - 1.7071

The Quadratic Formula

X = -b± √[b2-4ac]
2a

Example

Using quadratic formula solve 2x2 - 5x - 3 = 0

Solution

Comparing this equation to the general equation ,ax 2 + bx + c = 0 we get;a =2 b =-5 c =-5

Substituting in the quadratic formulae

X = -b± √[b2-4ac]
2a
= -5± √[25 - 4(2)(-3)]
2(2)
= 5 ± √49
4
= 5 ±7
4
= 12/4 or -2/4
X = 3 or -1/2

Formation of Quadratic Equations

Peter travels to his uncle’s home, 30 km away from his place. He travels for two thirds of the journey before the
bicycle developed mechanical problems an he had to push it for the rest of the journey. If his cycling speed is 10
km\h faster than his walking speed and he completes the journey in 3 hours 30 minutes, determine his cycling
speed .

Solution

Let Peters cycling speed be x km/h , then his walking speed is (x - 10) km/h.
Time taken in cycling = (2/3 of 30) ÷ x
= 20/x h
Time taken in walking = (30 – 20)÷( x -1 0 )
= 10/ h
x-10
Total time = (20/x + 10/x-10)h
Therefore (20/x + 10/x-10)) = 31/3
(20/x + 10/x-10)) = 10/3
60(x - 10) + 30 (x) = 10(x)(x -10)
10x2 – 190x + 600 = 0
x2 - 19x + 60 = 0
x =19 ± √(361-240)
2
x = 15 or 4
If his cycling speed is 4 km/h , then his walking speed is (4 -1 0 ) km/h, which gives – 6 km/h. Thus, 4 is not a
realistic answer to this situation.therefore his cycling speed is 1 5 km/h.

Example

A posite two digit number is such that the product of the digit is 24.When the digits are reversed , the number
formed is greater than than the original number by 1 8. Find the number

Solution

Let the ones digit of the number be y and the tens digit be x,
Then , xy = 24… ....... 1
When the number is reversed, the ones digit is x and the tens digit is y.
Therefore;
(10y + x) – (10x +y) = 1 8
9y- 9x = 1 8
y - x = 2y = x + 2… ......... 2
Substituting 2 in equation 1 gives;
x(x+2) = 24
x2 + 2x - 24 = 0
x =-2 ± √(42-96)
2
x = 4 or - 6
Since the required number is positive x =4 and y = 4 + 2 =6
Therefore the number is 46

Graphs of Quadratic Functions

A quadratic function has the form y = ax2 + bx + c where a ≠ 0. The graph of a quadratic function isUshaped and is
called a parabola.

For instance, the graphs of y = x2 and y = -x2 are shown below. The origin (0, 0) is the lowest point on the graph of y
= x2 and the highest point on the graph of y =-x2 .

The lowest or highest point on the graph of a quadratic function is called the vertex.

The graphs of y = x2 and y =-x2 are symmetric about the y-axis, called the axis of symmetry.

In general, the axis of symmetry for the graph of a quadratic function is the vertical line through the vertex.

Notes;
The graph of y =x2 faces downwards or open upwards and y =-x2 faces upwards or open downwards.

Example

Draw the graph of y =-2x2 + 5x - 1

Solution

Make a table showing corresponding value of x and y.

X -1 0 1 2 3
Y - 8 -1 2 1 -4

Note ; To get the values replace the value of x in the equation to get the corresponding value of y

E.g y = -2(-1)2 + 5(-1) - 1 = -8

y = -2(0)2 + 5(0) - 1 = -1

Example
Draw the graph of y = x2 - 7x + 2

x 01 2 3 5 7
y 2 -4 -8 -1 0 -8 2

Graphical Solutions of Simultaneous Equations

We should consider simultaneous equation one of which is linear and the other one is quadratic.

Example

Solve the following simultaneous equations graphically:

y = x2 - 2x + 1
y = x2 - 2x

Solution

Corresponding values of x and y

 x -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
y 9 4 1 0 1 4 9

x -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
y 8 3 0 -1 0 3 8

Use the table to draw the graphs, on the same axis the line y = 5-2x is drawn. Points where the line y =5 - 2x and
the curve y = x2 - 2x + 1 intersect give the solution.

The points are (- 2, 9) and (2,1 ).Therefore , when x = -2, y = 9 and when x = 2, y= 1

REVISION QUESTIONS
(Do ALL the questions on a graph book)
1. Complete the table below for the function y = 2x3 + 5x 2 − x − 6 (2 mks)

x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2

2x3 -128 -54 0 2 16

5x2 80 45 20 5 0 5 20

-x 4 3 0 -1

-6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6

y -50 -6 0
(b) On the
grid provided draw the graph y = 2x3 + 5x 2 − x − 6 for − 4  x  2 . Use 2cm to represent 1 unit on
the x-axis and 1 cm to represent 5 units on the y – axis (4 mks)
(c) By drawing a suitable line, use the graph in (b) to solve the
i. equation 2x3 + 5x 2 + x − 4 = 0 (2 mks)
ii. equation 2x 3 + 5x 2 − x + 2 = 0 (2 mks)

2. Draw the graph of y = 2x2 + x – 2 and use it to solve the equations (10 marks)
a) 2x2 + x – 2 = 5
b) 2x2 + x – 5 = 0
c) 2x2 +2x – 3 = 0
3. a) Fill the table below for the function y=2x2+3x-5

x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
2x2 -18 0
3x -12 -3 6
-5
y -3 0

b) Use your graph to solve

(i) 2x2 + 3x – 5 = 0
(ii) 2x2 + 6x – 2 = 0

4. If a2 + b2 = 89 and a + b = 13
(a) Find the values of;
(i) a2 + 2ab + b2
(ii) 2ab
(iii) a2 – 2ab + b2
(iv) a - b

5. Find a quadratic equation whose roots are 1.5 + 2 and 1.5 – 2 expressing it in the form ax2 + bx +
c = 0, where a, b, and c are integers
 6. Given the equation of a quadratic curve y = x2 + 5x – 3
(a) (i) Complete the table below for the function y = x2 + 5x – 3 for -6  x  1

x -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1
y -3 -7 -9 -3 3
(2mks)
(ii) Draw the graph of y = x + 5x – 3 for -6  x  1
2
(3mks)
(b) (i) State the equation of the line of symmetry for the graph (1mk)
(ii) Use the graph you have drawn to solve the equations;
x2 + 5x – 3 = 0 (1mk)
x2 + 4x – 2 = 0 (2mks)
x2 + 5x – 3 = -3 (2mks)
7. (a) Draw the graph of
y = 2x2 – x – 3 for -3  x  3 (5 marks)
(b) Using a suitable line solve
2x2 – 3x – 50 = 0 (5 marks)
8. (a) Draw the graph of y = + 4x + 1 for -4 ≤ x ≤ 2. (Show the table of values)
x2
(b) On the same axis, draw line y = 3x + 2.
(c) Use the graph to solve the equations
(i) x2 + 4x +1 = 0
(ii) x2 + x -1=0
9. a) Draw the graph of the equation
y = x3 – 9x for – 4 ≤ x ≤ 4
a) Use your graph to solve the following equations
i) x3 = 9x
ii) y–5=0
iii) 0 = x3 – 13x – 12 (10 Mks)
10. (a) Use a convenient scale to draw the graph of y = -x + 5x – 3 for the range - 2  x  6
2

(b) Use your graph to determine the roots of the equation 5x – x2 – 3 = 0

© Use your graph to solve the equation 2x – x2 + 3 = 0 by drawing a suitable straight line

11. a) Complete the table below for the equation :- y = x2 + 3x – 6 for -6  x  4

x -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3 4
y 12 -6 -6 22

b) Using a scale 1cm to represent 2 units in both axes. Draw the graph of y = x2 + 3x – 6
c)Use your graph to solve:-
(i) X2 + 3X = 6
(ii) X2 + 3X – 2 = 0
12. (a) Complete the table for the function: y = 2x2 + 3x + 1

x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
2x2 18 0 18
3x + 1 -7 0 10
y 11 1 6

(b) Use the table in (a) above to draw the graph : - y = 2x2 + 3x + 1 for -4  x  3
(c) Use the graph in (b) to solve the equation :-
(i) 2x2 + 4x – 3 = 0
(ii) x2 + 3x + 2 = 3
2
13. A youth group decided to raise Ksh 480,000 to buy a piece of land costing Ksh. 80,000 per
hectare. Before the actual payment was made, four of the members pulled out and each of those
remaining had to pay an additional Kshs. 20,000.
(a) If the original number of the group members was x, write down;
(i) An expression of how much each was to contribute originally.
(ii) An expression of how the remaining members were to contribute after the four pulled out.
(b) Determine the number of members who actually contributed towards the purchase of the
land.
(c) Calculate the ratio of the supposed original contribution to the new contribution.
(d) If the land was sub-divided equally, find the size of land each member got. (2 mk)

14. a) Draw the graph of y = 2x2 + x – 2 given the range -3 ≤ x ≤ 2

a) Use your graph above to solve
i) 2x2 + x – 2 =0
ii) 2x2 + x – 3 =0
iii) 2x2 + x-5 =0

15. Draw the graph of y = 2x2 – 4x - 5 for x between -3 and 5 on the grid provided
(a) State the line of symmetry for the graph
(b) State the range of values for which 2x2 – 4x – 5 0
(c) On the same set of axes, draw the graph of y=2x +3
(d) Determine the solutions to the equation: 2x2 – 4x – 5 = 2x +3
 16. Complete the table below for the equation y = 5 + 3x -2x2 by filling in the blank space
X -2 -1.5 -1 -0.5 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5
Y -9 3 6 6 -4

(i) Use the values from the table above to draw the graph of y = 5 + 3x -2x2 (3mks
(ii) Use the graph to:-
(a) Find the maximum point of the function 5 + 3x -2x2
(b) Determine the range of values and give the integral values which satisfy
the inequality 5 + 3x -2x2  -2
17. (a) Complete the table below for the function y = 2x2 + 4x – 3
x -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2
2x2 32 8 2 0
4x – 3 -11 -3 5
y -3 3 13

(b) Draw the graph of the function y = 2x2 + 4x – 3 and use your graph to estimate the roots of
the equation 2x2 + 4x – 3 = 0.
(c) In order to solve graphically the equation 2x2 + x – 5 = 0, a straight line must be drawn to
intersect the curve y = 2x2 + 4x – 3. Determine the equation of this line, draw it and hence
obtain the roots of the equation 2x2 + x – 5 = 0 to 1 decimal place.

18. a) Complete the table for the function y = 1 – 2x – 3x2 - 3 ≤ x ≤ 3.

x -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3
-3x2 -27 -3 0 -12
-2x 4 0 -6
1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
y -20 1 -15

b) Using the table above, draw the graph of y = 1 – 2x – 3x2 (Scale 1 cm represent 0.5 units on

x-axis and 1 cm rep 2 units on the y – axis on the grid provided.

c) Use the graph in (b) above to solve.
(i) 1 – 2x – 3x2 = 0
(ii) 2 – 5x – 3x2 = 0

19. A quadratic equation x2 + ax – b = 0 has roots 1 and -5 , determine the values of a and b