Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Your notes

Maths: Extended
Quadratic Equations
Contents
Solving Quadratics by Factorising
The Quadratic Formula
Completing the Square
Deciding the Quadratic Method

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 Solving Quadratics by Factorising
Your notes
Solving Quadratics by Factorising
How do I solve a quadratic equation using
factorisation?
Rearrange it into the form ax2 + bx + c = 0
Zero must be on one side
It is easier if you rearrange so that a is positive
Factorise the quadratic and solve each bracket equal to zero
If (x + 4)(x - 1) = 0, then either x + 4 = 0 or x - 1 = 0
Because if two things multiply together to give zero,
then one or the other of them must be equal to zero

To solve ( x −3 x +7
) ( ) =0
…solve first bracket = 0:
x–3=0
add 3 to both sides: x = 3
…and solve second bracket = 0
x+7=0
subtract 7 from both sides: x = -7
The two solutions are x = 3 or x = -7
The solutions in this example are the numbers in the brackets, but with opposite
signs

What if there are numbers in front of the x's in the

brackets?
The process is the same
There's a bit more work to find the solutions
You can't just write down the answers by changing the signs

To solve 2x( −3 ) ( 3x + 5 ) =0
…solve first bracket = 0
2x – 3 = 0
add 3 to both sides: 2x = 3

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 3
divide both sides by 2: x =
2 Your notes
…solve second bracket = 0
3x + 5 = 0
subtract 5 from both sides: 3x = -5

5
divide both sides by 3: x = −3
3 5
The two solutions are x = or x = −
2 3
What if x is a factor?
The process is the same
Just be sure to handle the x correctly
That 'x as a factor' gives one of the solutions

To solve x ( x −4 ) =0
it may help to think of x as (x – 0) or (x)
…solve first bracket = 0
(x) = 0, so x = 0
…solve second bracket = 0
x–4=0
add 4 to both sides: x = 4
The two solutions are x = 0 or x = 4
It is a common mistake to divide (cancel) both sides by x at the beginning
If you do this you will lose a solution (the x = 0 solution)

How can I use my calculator to help with solving

quadratics by factorising?
You can use your calculator to help you to factorise

2 1
A calculator gives solutions to 6x 2 + x − 2 = 0 as x = − 3 and x =
2
Reverse the method above to factorise!

6x 2 + x − 2 = 3x ( +2 ) ( 2x −1 )

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 2 1
Be careful: a calculator also gives solutions to 12x2 + 2x – 4 = 0 as x = − 3 and x = 2
Your notes
But 12x2 + 2x – 4 ≠ 3x ( +2 ) ( 2x − 1 )

The right-hand side expands to 6x2 + ... not 12x2 + ...

Multiply outside the brackets by 2 to correct this

12x2 + 2x – 4 = 2 3x( +2 ) ( 2x − 1 )

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Remember that you can check your solutions by either
substituting them back into the original equation
using a different quadratic method
or using a calculator

Worked Example
(a) Solve ( x −2 x +5
) ( ) =0
Set the first bracket equal to zero
x–2=0
Add 2 to both sides
x=2
Set the second bracket equal to zero
x+5=0
Subtract 5 from both sides
x = -5
Write both solutions together using “or”
x = 2 or x = -5
(b) Solve 8x( +7 ) ( 2x − 3 ) =0
Set the first bracket equal to zero
8x + 7 = 0
Subtract 7 from both sides
8x = -7

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Divide both sides by 8

7 Your notes
x =−
8
Set the second bracket equal to zero
2x - 3 = 0
Add 3 to both sides
2x = 3
Divide both sides by 2

3
x=
2
Write both solutions together using “or”

7 3
x=− or x =
8 2
(c) Solve x 5x
( −1 =0)

Do not divide both sides by x (this will lose a solution at the end)
Set the first “bracket” equal to zero
(x) = 0
Solve this equation to find x
x=0
Set the second bracket equal to zero
5x - 1 = 0
Add 1 to both sides
5x = 1
Divide both sides by 5

1
x=
5
Write both solutions together using “or”

1
x = 0 or x =
5

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 The Quadratic Formula
Your notes
Quadratic Formula
What is the quadratic formula?
A quadratic equation has the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 (where a ≠ 0)
you need "= 0" on one side
The quadratic formula is a formula that gives both solutions to a quadratic equation:

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
x=
2a

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Make sure the quadratic equation has "= 0" on the right-hand side
Otherwise it needs rearranging first

How do I use the quadratic formula to solve a quadratic

equation?
Read off the values of a, b and c from the equation
Substitute these into the formula
Write this line of working in the exam
Put brackets around any negative numbers being substituted in
To solve 2x2 - 8x - 3 = 0 using the quadratic formula:
a = 2, b = -8 and c = -3

− −8 ± −8 2 − 4 × 2 × −3
x=
( ) ( ) ( )

2×2
Either type this into a calculator or simplify by hand
Type it once using + for ± then again using - for ±
The solutions are x = 4.3452078... or x = -0.34520787....
To 3 decimal places: x = 4.345 or x = -0.345
To 3 significant figures: x = 4.35 or x = -0.345

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 Examiner Tips and Tricks
Your notes
Always look for how the question wants you to leave your final answers
For example, correct to 2 decimal places

How do I write the solutions in an exact (surd) form?

You may be asked to give answers in an exact (surd) form
In the example above, work out the number under the square root sign
Be careful with negatives!

(−8 2 − 4 × 2 × −3 = 64 + 24 = 88
) ( )

Now square root this number and use surd rules to simplify

88 = 4 × 22 = 4 × 22 = 2 22
Substitute this back into the formula and simplify

8 ± 2 22 2 4 ± 22 4± 22
x= = =
( )

4 4 2

4+ 22 4− 22
The solutions in exact (surd) form are x = 2
or x = 2
Calculators that can solve quadratics will give solutions in exact (surd) form

What is the discriminant?

The part of the formula under the square root (b2 – 4ac) is called the discriminant
The sign of this value tells you if there are 0, 1 or 2 solutions
If b2 – 4ac > 0 (positive)
then there are 2 different solutions
If b2 – 4ac = 0
then there is only 1 solution
sometimes called "two repeated solutions"
If b2 – 4ac < 0 (negative)
then there are no solutions

If your calculator gives you solutions with i terms in, these are "complex" and are
not what we are looking for
Interestingly, if b2 – 4ac is a perfect square number ( 1, 4, 9, 16, …) then the quadratic
expression could have been factorised!

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Can I use my calculator to solve quadratic equations?
If your calculator solves quadratic equations, use it to check your final answers Your notes
But a correct method and working must still be shown

Worked Example
Use the quadratic formula to find the solutions of the equation 3x2 - 2x - 4 = 0.
Give each solution as an exact value in its simplest form.
Write down the values of a, b and c
a = 3, b = -2, c = -4

−b ± b 2 − 4ac
Substitute these values into the quadratic formula, x = 2a
Put brackets around any negative numbers

− −2 ± −2 2 − 4 × 3 × −4
x=
( ) ( ) ( )

2×3
Simplify the expressions

2 ± 4 + 48 2± 52
x= =
6 6
Simplify the surd

2 ± 4 × 13 2 ± 2 13
x== =
6 6
Simplify the fraction

1± 13
x=
3

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 Completing the Square
Your notes
Completing the Square
How can I rewrite the first two terms of a quadratic
expression as the difference of two squares?
Look at the quadratic expression x2 + bx + c
The first two terms can be written as the difference of two squares using the following
rule

x 2 + bx is the same as x + p ( )
2 − p 2 where p is half of b
Check this is true by expanding the right-hand side

Is x 2 + 2x the same as x + 1 2 − 12?

( )

Yes: (x + 1)(x + 1) - 12 = x2 + 2x + 1 - 1 = x2 + 2x
This works for negative values of b too

x 2 − 20x can be written as x − 10 ( )

2 − −10 2 which is x − 10 2 − 100
( ) ( )

A negative b does not change the sign at the end

How do I complete the square?

Completing the square is a way to rewrite a quadratic expression in a form containing a
squared bracket
To complete the square on x2 + 10x + 9
Use the rule above to replace the first two terms, x2 + 10x, with (x + 5)2 - 52
then add 9: (x + 5)2 - 52 + 9
simplify the numbers: (x + 5)2 - 25 + 9
answer: (x + 5)2 - 16

How do I complete the square when there is a

coefficient in front of the x2 term?
You first need to take a out as a factor of the x2 and x terms only

Factorise the first two terms

⎡
b ⎤⎥⎥
+ bx + c = a + x⎥+c
⎢

ax 2 ⎢
⎢ x2
⎢
⎢
⎣
a ⎥⎥⎦
Use square-shaped brackets here to avoid confusion with round brackets later

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 b
Then complete the square on the bit inside the brackets: x 2 + ax
Your notes
This gives a ⎢⎣
⎡
( x +p )
2 − p2 + c
⎤
⎥
⎦

b
where p is half of
a
Finally multiply this expression through by a (from outside the square brackets) and add
the c on to the end

a x +p
( )
2 − ap 2 + c
This looks far more complicated than it is in practice!

Usually you are asked to give your final answer in the form a ( x +p )
2 +q
For example, y = 4x2 + 16x + 5
Factorise out 'a' on the right-hand side (use square brackets)
y = 4[x2 + 4x] + 5
4
Replace x2 + 4x with (x + 2)2 - 22 (because p = = 2)
2
y = 4[(x + 2)2 - 22] + 5
Simplify the terms inside the square brackets
y = 4[(x + 2)2 - 4] + 5
Multiply everything inside the square brackets by 4
y = 4(x + 2)2 - 16 + 5
Simplify to get the final answer
y = 4(x + 2)2 - 11
For quadratics like −x 2 + bx + c , do the above but with a = -1
How do I find the turning point by completing the
square?
Completing the square helps us find the turning point on a quadratic graph

If y = x + p 2 + q then the turning point is at −p ,q

( ) ( )

Notice the negative sign in the x-coordinate

This links to transformations of graphs

A translation of y = x 2 by p to the left and q up

If y = a x + p 2 + q then the turning point is still at −p ,q
( ) ( )

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 The a does not change the coordinates
The turning point is a minimum point if a > 0 Your notes
or a maximum point if a < 0
This can also help you create the equation of a quadratic when given the turning point

It can also be used to prove or show results using the fact that any squared term, such as
the squared bracket (x ± p)2, will always be greater than or equal to 0
You cannot square a number and get a negative value
The smallest a squared term can be is 0

Examiner Tips and Tricks

To know if you have completed the square correctly, expand your answer to
check

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Worked Example
(a) By completing the square, find the coordinates of the turning point on the graph of
Your notes
= + −
y x 2 6x 11 .
Find half of +6 (call this p)

6
p= =3
2
Write x2 + 6x in the form (x + p)2 - p2

x 2 + 6x is the same as x + 3 ( )
2 − 32
Put this result into the equation of the curve

y = x +3
( )
2 − 32 − 11
Simplify the numbers

y = x +3− 20 ( )
2

Use the fact that the turning point of y = x + p 2 + q is at −p ,q

( ) ( )

Here p = 3 and q = -20

turning point at (-3, -20)

−
(b) Write 3x 2 + 12x + 24 in the form a x + p 2 + q . ( )

Factorise -3 out of the first two terms only

Use square-shaped brackets

−3 x 2 − 4x + 24
⎡
⎢
⎣
⎤
⎥
⎦

Complete the square on the x2 - 4x inside the brackets

Write in the form (x + p)2 - p2 where p is half of -4

−3 x − 2 2 − −2 2 + 24
⎡
⎢(
⎣
) ( )
⎤
⎥
⎦

Simplify the numbers inside the brackets

(-2)2 is 4

−3 x − 2 2 − 4 + 24
⎡
⎢(
⎣
)
⎤
⎥
⎦

Multiply -3 by all the terms inside the square brackets

(You do not multiply -3 by the 24)

−3 x − 2 2 + 12 + 24
( )

Simplify the numbers

−3 x − 2 2 + 36
( )

This is now in the form a(x + p)2 + q where a = -3, p = -2 and q = 36

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 −3 x − 2 2 + 36
( )

Your notes
Solving by Completing the Square
How do I solve a quadratic equation by completing the
square?
To solve x2 + bx + c = 0
replace the first two terms, x2 + bx, with (x + p)2 - p2 where p is half of b
This is completing the square
x2 + bx + c = 0 becomes (x + p)2 - p2 + c = 0
(where p is half of b)
rearrange this equation to make x the subject (using ±√)
For example, solve x2 + 10x + 9 = 0 by completing the square
x2 + 10x becomes (x + 5)2 - 52
so x2 + 10x + 9 = 0 becomes (x + 5)2 - 52 + 9 = 0
make x the subject (using ±√)
(x + 5)2 - 25 + 9 = 0
(x + 5)2 = 16
x + 5 = ±√16
x + 5 = ±4
x = -5 ±4
x = -1 or x = -9
It also works with numbers that lead to surds
The answers found will be in exact (surd) form

Examiner Tips and Tricks

When making x the subject to find the solutions, don't expand the squared
bracket back out again!
Remember to use ±√ to get two solutions

How do I solve by completing the square when there is

a coefficient in front of the x2 term?
If the equation is ax2 + bx + c = 0 with a number (other than 1) in front of x2

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 you can divide both sides by a first (before completing the square)
For example 3x2 + 12x + 9 = 0 Your notes
Divide both sides by 3
x2 + 4x + 3 = 0
Complete the square on this easier equation
This trick only works when completing the square to solve a quadratic equation
i.e. it has an "=0" on the right-hand side
Don't do this when using completing the square to rewrite a quadratic expression in a
new form
i.e. when there is no "=0"
For that, you must factorise out the a (but not divide by it)
⎡
b ⎤⎥⎥
ax 2 + bx + c = a ⎢⎢⎢⎢ x 2 + x ⎥ + c and so on
⎢

⎣
a ⎥⎥⎦
How does completing the square link to the quadratic
formula?
The quadratic formula actually comes from completing the square to solve
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a, b and c are left as letters when completing the square
This makes it as general as possible
You can see hints of this when you solve quadratics
For example, solving x2 + 10x + 9 = 0
by completing the square, (x + 5)2 = 16 so x = -5 ± 4 (as above)

−10 ± 64 8
by the quadratic formula, x = 2
= − 5 ± 2 = -5 ± 4 (the same
structure)

Worked Example
Solve 2x 2 − 8x − 24 = 0 by completing the square.
Divide both sides by 2 to make the quadratic start with x2

x 2 − 4x − 12 = 0
Halve the middle number, -4, to get -2
Replace the first two terms, x2 - 4x, with (x - 2)2 - (-2)2

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 ( x −2 )
2 − −2 2 − 12 = 0
( )

Simplify the numbers Your notes

( x − 2 2 − 4 − 12 = 0
)

x − 2 2 − 16 = 0
( )

Add 16 to both sides

( x −2 )
2 = 16
Take the square root of both sides
Include the ± sign to get two solutions

x − 2 = ± 16 = ± 4
Add 2 to both sides

x =2 ±4
Work out each solution separately
x = 6 or x = -2

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 Deciding the Quadratic Method
Your notes
Deciding the Quadratic Method
If you have to solve a quadratic equation but are not told which method to use, here is a
guide for what to do.

When should I solve by factorisation?

Use factorisation when the question asks to solve by factorisation
For example
part (a) Factorise 6x2 + 7x – 3
part (b) Solve 6x2 + 7x – 3 = 0
Use factorisation when solving two-term quadratic equations
For example, solve x2 – 4x = 0
Take out a common factor of x to get x(x – 4) = 0
So x = 0 and x = 4
For example, solve x2 – 9 = 0
Use the difference of two squares to factorise it as (x + 3)(x – 3) = 0
So x = -3 and x = 3
(Or rearrange to x2 = 9 and use ±√ to get x = ±3)
Factorising can often be the quickest way to solve a quadratic equation

When should I use the quadratic formula?

Use the quadratic formula when the question says to leave solutions correct to a given
accuracy (2 decimal places, 3 significant figures etc)
This is a hint that the equation will not factorise
Use the quadratic formula when it may be faster than factorising
It's quicker to solve 36x2 + 33x – 20 = 0 using the quadratic formula than by
factorisation
Use the quadratic formula if in doubt, as it always works

When should I solve by completing the square?

Use completing the square when part (a) of a question says to complete the square and
part (b) says to use part (a) to solve the equation
Use completing the square when making x the subject of harder formulae containing
both x2 and x terms

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 For example, make x the subject of the formula x2 + 6x = y
Complete the square: (x + 3)2 – 9 = y Your notes
Add 9 to both sides: (x + 3)2 = y + 9

+3= ±
Take square roots and use ±: x y +9

Subtract 3: x = − 3 ± y + 9
Completing the square always works
But it's not always quick or easy to do

Examiner Tips and Tricks

If your calculator solves quadratic equations, use it to check your solutions
If the solutions on your calculator are whole numbers or fractions (with no square
roots), this means the quadratic equation does factorise

Worked Example
(a) Solve x 2 − 7x + 2 = 0 , giving your answers correct to 2 decimal places.
“Correct to 2 decimal places” suggests using the quadratic formula
Substitute a = 1, b = -7 and c = 2 into the formula
Put brackets around any negative numbers

− −7 ± −7 2 − 4 × 1 × 2
x=
( ) ( )

2×1
Use a calculator to find each solution
x = 6.70156… or 0.2984...
Round your final answers to 2 decimal places
x = 6.70 or x = 0.30 (2 d.p.)
(b) Solve 16x 2 − 82x + 45 = 0 .
Method 1
If you cannot spot the factorisation, use the quadratic formula
Substitute a = 16, b = -82 and c = 45 into the formula
Put brackets around any negative numbers

− −82 ± −82 2 − 4 × 16 × 45
x=
( ) ( )

2 × 16

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Use a calculator to find each solution

9 5 Your notes
x= or x =
2 8
Method 2
If you do spot the factorisation, (2x – 9)(8x – 5), then use that method instead

( 2x − 9 8x − 5
) ( ) =0
Set the first bracket equal to zero

2x − 9 = 0
Add 9 to both sides then divide by 2

2x = 9
9
x=
2
Set the second bracket equal to zero

8x − 5 = 0
Add 5 to both sides then divide by 8

8x = 5
5
x=
8
9 5
x= or x =
2 8

(c) By writing x 2 + 6x + 5 in the form x + p 2 + q , solve x 2 + 6x + 5 = 0 .

( )

This question wants you to complete the square first

Find p (by halving the middle number)

6
p= =3
2
Write x2 + 6x as (x + p)2 - p2

x 2 + 6x = x + 3( )
2− 32
= x +3 ( )
2−9

Replace x2 + 6x with (x + 3)2 – 9 in the equation

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 ( x +3 2−9+5=0
)

(x +3 2−4=0)
Your notes
Now solve it
Make x the subject of the equation (start by adding 4 to both sides)

( x +3 )
2 =4
Take square roots of both sides (include a ± sign to get both solutions)

x +3= ± 4 = ±2
Subtract 3 from both sides

x = −3 ±2
Find each solution separately using + first, then - second
x = - 1 or x = - 5
Even though the quadratic factorises to (x + 5)(x + 1), this is not the method asked for in
the question

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