Algebra Honors ( Period 4)

Solving Quadratic Equations By Using the Quadratic Formula 9-5

Let's all sing it to "Pop Goes the Weasel!"

x = -b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac all over 2a
 

Notice how the first part is the x value of the vertex -b/2a

The plus or minus square root of b squared minus 4ac represents

how far away the two x intercepts (or roots) are from the vertex!!!!

Very few real world quadratics can be solved by factoring or square rooting each side.

And completing the square always works, but it long and cumbersome!

All quadratics can be solved by using the QUADRATIC FORMULA.

(you will find out that some quadratics have NO REAL solutions, which means that there are no x intercepts - the parabola does not cross the x axis! Think about what kinds of parabolas would do this....ones that are smiles that have a vertex above the x or ones that are frowns that have a vertex below the x axis. You will find out in Algebra II that these parabolas have IMAGINARY roots)

So now you know 5 ways that you know to find the roots:

1. graph

2. factor if possible

3. square root each side

4. complete the square - that's what the quadratic formula is based on!

5. plug and chug in the Quadratic Formula -

This method always works if there's a REAL solution!

EXAMPLE: x² + 8x = 48 

FIRST DETERMINE BY USING THE DISCRIMINANT THE NUMBER OF ROOTS WE'LL FIND:

b2 - 4ac
= 64 - 4(1)(-48)
= 64 + 192
= +256

so 2 REAL ROOTS

DISCRIMINANTS

a part of the Quadratic Formula that helps you to understand the graph of the parabola even before you graph it!

the discriminant is b² - 4ac

(the radicand in the Quadratic Formula, but without the SQRT)

Depending on the value of the radicand, you will know

HOW MANY REAL ROOTS IT HAS!

1) Some quadratics have 2 real roots (x intercepts or solutions) -Graph crosses x axis twice

2) Some have 1 real root (x intercept or solution) - Vertex is sitting on the x axis

3) Some have NO real roots (x intercepts or solutions) -

vertex either is above the x axis and is a smiley face (a coefficient is positive) or

the vertex is below the x axis and is a frown face (a coefficient is negative)

In both of these cases, the parabola will NEVER CROSS (intercept) the x axis!

if it's positive, 2 roots

if it's zero - 1 root

if it's negative - no real roots

DON'T FORGET TO PUT THE QUADRATIC IN STANDARD FORM BEFORE PLUGGING THE VALUES INTO THE QUADRATIC FORMULA!

You should know that for the quadratic formula, you don't need the "a" coefficient to be positive!

That's important if you use factoring, SQRTing each side, and completing the square.

But for the quadratic formula, either way, you'll get the same roots!

You can move the 48 over or move the x² + 8x over and you'll get the same answers!

"a" coefficient positive vs "a" coefficient negative

x² + 8x - 48 = 0
VS
-x² - 8x + 48 = 0

So all the signs are simply the opposite of each other and therefore the answers are the same