# Quadratic Equations

## Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

When we solved quadratic equations in the last section by completing the square, we took the same steps every time. By the end of the exercise set, you may have been wondering ‘isn’t there an easier way to do this?’ The answer is ‘yes.’ In this section, we will derive and use a formula to find the solution of a quadratic equation.
We have already seen how to solve a formula for a specific variable ‘in general’ so that we would do the algebraic steps only once and then use the new formula to find the value of the specific variable. Now, we will go through the steps of completing the square in general to solve a quadratic equation for x. It may be helpful to look at one of the examples at the end of the last section where we solved an equation of the form  as you read through the algebraic steps below, so you see them with numbers as well as ‘in general.’



This last equation is the Quadratic Formula.
To use the Quadratic Formula, we substitute the values of  into the expression on the right side of the formula. Then, we do all the math to simplify the expression. The result gives the solution(s) to the quadratic equation.
If you say the formula as you write it in each problem, you’ll have it memorized in no time. And remember, the Quadratic Formula is an equation. Be sure you start with ‘’.
When we solved quadratic equations by using the Square Root Property, we sometimes got answers that had radicals. That can happen, too, when using the Quadratic Formula. If we get a radical as a solution, the final answer must have the radical in its simplified form.
We cannot take the square root of a negative number. So, when we substitute , , and  into the Quadratic Formula, if the quantity inside the radical is negative, the quadratic equation has no real solution. We will see this in the next example.
The quadratic equations we have solved so far in this section were all written in standard form, . Sometimes, we will need to do some algebra to get the equation into standard form before we can use the Quadratic Formula.
When we solved linear equations, if an equation had too many fractions we ‘cleared the fractions’ by multiplying both sides of the equation by the LCD. This gave us an equivalent equation—without fractions—to solve. We can use the same strategy with quadratic equations.
Think about the equation . We know from the Zero Products Principle that this equation has only one solution: .
We will see in the next example how using the Quadratic Formula to solve an equation with a perfect square also gives just one solution.

### Use the Discriminant to Predict the Number of Solutions of a Quadratic Equation

When we solved the quadratic equations in the previous examples, sometimes we got two solutions, sometimes one solution, sometimes no real solutions. Is there a way to predict the number of solutions to a quadratic equation without actually solving the equation?
Yes, the quantity inside the radical of the Quadratic Formula makes it easy for us to determine the number of solutions. This quantity is called the discriminant.
Let’s look at the discriminant of the equations in , , and , and the number of solutions to those quadratic equations.
When the discriminant is positive  the quadratic equation has two solutions.
When the discriminant is zero  the quadratic equation has one solution.
When the discriminant is negative  the quadratic equation has no real solutions.

### Identify the Most Appropriate Method to Use to Solve a Quadratic Equation

We have used four methods to solve quadratic equations:
1. Factoring
2. Square Root Property
3. Completing the Square
4. Quadratic Formula
You can solve any quadratic equation by using the Quadratic Formula, but that is not always the easiest method to use.
What about the method of completing the square? Most people find that method cumbersome and prefer not to use it. We needed to include it in this chapter because we completed the square in general to derive the Quadratic Formula. You will also use the process of completing the square in other areas of algebra.

### Key Concepts

1. Quadratic Formula The solutions to a quadratic equation of the form   are given by the formula:

2. Solve a Quadratic Equation Using the Quadratic Formula
To solve a quadratic equation using the Quadratic Formula.


3. Using the Discriminant, 
For a quadratic equation of the form  


4. To identify the most appropriate method to solve a quadratic equation:



### Practice Makes Perfect

Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula
In the following exercises, solve by using the Quadratic Formula.
Use the Discriminant to Predict the Number of Solutions of a Quadratic Equation
In the following exercises, determine the number of solutions to each quadratic equation.
Identify the Most Appropriate Method to Use to Solve a Quadratic Equation
In the following exercises, identify the most appropriate method (Factoring, Square Root, or Quadratic Formula) to use to solve each quadratic equation. Do not solve.

### Everyday Math


### Writing Exercises


### Self Check

ⓐ After completing the exercises, use this checklist to evaluate your mastery of the objectives of this section.
ⓑ What does this checklist tell you about your mastery of this section? What steps will you take to improve?