S4 Overview of Ch 1 and Ch 2

Part A: Solve Quadratic Equations

a x 2 + bx + c = 0 where a, b and c are real numbers and a ≠ 0

Remarks:
1. To solve a quadratic equation a x 2 + bx + c = 0 is to find a value that satisfies the equation.
This value is called a root or solution.

Example:
For the equation (x + 1)(x − 3) = 0 , determine whether x = 3 is a root of the equation.

When x = 3,
L.H.S. = (3 + 1)(3 − 3) = 0
R.H.S. = 0
∵ L.H.S. = R.H.S.
∴ x = 3 is a root of the equation.

2. If p is a root of the quadratic equation a x 2 + bx + c = 0, then ap 2 + bp + c = 0.

Example:
If x = 2 is a root of the equation 2x 2 + k x − 10 = 0 where k is a constant, find the value of k.

∵ x = 2 is a root of the equation 2x 2 + k x − 10 = 0

∴ 2(2)2 + k (2) − 10 = 0
8 + 2k − 10 = 0
k=1

1. Factor Method [✎ Note on Ch 1.2 (4)]

Example:
Solve 3x 2 − 7x − 6 = 0 .

3x 2 − 7x − 6 = 0
(3x + 2)(x − 3) = 0
3x + 2 = 0 or x − 3 = 0
2
x = − or x = 3
3

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2. Taking Square Roots [✎ Note on Ch 1.3A (5)]

Example:
Solve (x − 3)2 = 16 .

(2x − 3)2 = 16
2x − 3 = ± 16
2x = 3 ± 4
3±4
x=
2
7 1
x = or x = −
2 2

★ Remember to add the ± sign when taking squares roots on both sides of a quadratic equation!

3. Quadratic Formula [✎ Note on Ch 1.3B (6)]

−b ± b 2 − 4a c
x=
2a

Example:
Solve 4x 2 − 8x + 1 = 0.

4x 2 − 8x + 1 = 0
−(−8) ± (−8)2 − 4(4)(1)
x=
2(4)
8± 2±
( )
48 3
x= or
8 2

Remarks:
We can use the “Formula 01” in the calculator to determine which method to be used.
1. If the calculator gives you rational roots, the factor method can be used.
2. If the calculator gives you irrational roots, the quadratic formula must be used.
3. If “MATH ERROR” is displayed, it means the quadratic equation has no real roots.
Then, we may use the quadratic formula or the discriminant Δ to show that it has no real
roots.

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4. Graphical Method [✎ Note on Ch 1.4 (7)]

The x-intercepts of the graph of y = a x 2 + bx + c (where a ≠ 0) are the roots of the equation
a x 2 + bx + c = 0

Examples:
1. Solve x 2 − 6x + 5 = 0 by using the given graph.

From the graph, x-intercepts of the graph y = 2x 2 + 6x are −3 and 0.

∴ The roots of the equation are x = − 3 and x = 0 .

2. Solve 2x 2 + 5x − 7 = 0 by using the given graph

From the graph, the graph y = 2x 2 + 5x − 7 has no x-intercept

∴ The equation has no real root.

3. Solve 2x 2 + 5x − 7 = 0 by using the given graph

From the graph, x-intercept of the graph y = x 2 − 2x + 1 is 1.

∴ The equation has one repeated root x = 1
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Part B: Nature of Roots [✎ Note on Ch 2.1 (1)]

Discriminant Δ = b 2 − 4a c

Discriminant Number of x-intercepts of

Nature of roots of a x 2 + bx + c = 0
Δ = b 2 − 4a c the graph of y = a x 2 + bx + c

two distinct real roots has two x-intercepts

Δ>0 two unequal real roots intersects the x-axis at two points
two real roots cuts the x-axis at two points
one doubled real root
has one x-intercept
Δ=0 two equal real roots
touches the x-axis at one point
one repeated root
no real roots has no x-intercept
Δ<0
no solution does not intersect the x-axis
Δ≥0 has real roots intersects the x-axis

Remarks:
Although we may determine the nature of roots of a quadratic equation by solving it, the process is
time consuming. Moreover, the coefficients of the quadratic equation, i.e. the values of a, b and c,
are sometimes not given and thus we cannot determine the nature of roots by solving it.
Therefore, the discriminant Δ allows us to (1) determine the nature of roots easily and (2) find the
value of an unknown coefficient.

Basic Type - Determine the nature of roots [✎ Note on Ch 2.1 (1)]

Example: Determine the nature of roots of the quadratic equation 3x 2 − 8x + 2 = 0

Δ = (−8)2 − 4(3)(2)
= 40 > 0
∴ The quadratic equation has two distinct real roots.

Remarks:
1. Without the calculator, discriminant Δ is a useful tool for us to determine which method to
use to solve the equation.
2. Instead of using the quadratic formula, we can use discriminant Δ to show that a quadratic
equation has no real solution easily.
Example: Solve 2x (x + 3) = 9x − 5 .
2x (x + 3) = 9x − 5
2x 2 − 3x + 5 = 0
Δ = (−3)2 − 4(2)(5) = − 31 < 0
∴ the equation has no real solution.
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Exam Type 1 - Given the nature of roots, find the value or range of values of an unknown
coefficient. [✎ Note on Ch 2.1 (1)]
Example: If the equation x 2 − 2x + k = 0 has no real roots, find the range of k .

∵ The equation x 2 − 2x + k = 0 has no real roots

∴ Δ<0
(−2)2 − 4(1)(k) < 0
4 − 4k < 0
−4k < 4
k>−1

Exam Type 2 - Prove the quadratic equation has specific nature of roots.
[✎ Note on Ch 2.1 (1)]
Example:
Prove that the equation x 2 + bx − 1 = 0, where b is a constant, has 2 distinct real roots.

Δ = b 2 − 4(1)(−1)
= b2 + 4
∵ b2 ≥ 0
b2 + 4 ≥ 4
b2 + 4 > 0
∴ the equation x 2 + bx − 1 = 0 has 2 distinct real roots.

Part C: Sum of Roots and Product of Roots [✎ Note on Ch 2.3 (3)]

If α and β are the roots of the quadratic equation a x 2 + bx + c = 0, where a ± 0, then

b
sum of roots = α + β = −
a
c
product of roots = αβ =
a

Remarks:
1. Sum of roots (α + β) and product of roots (αβ) are significant because they establish a simple
relation between the roots of a quadratic equation and its coefficients. Also, a quadratic equation
with roots α and β can be formed using the sum of roots (α + β) and product of roots (αβ).
2. Although α and β are commonly used to denote the roots of a quadratic equation, we can also
use other letters to represent the roots.

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Exam Type 1: Find the values of symmetric expressions of the roots [✎ Note on Ch 2.3 (3)]
Example: If p and q are the roots of the quadratic equation x 2 = − 4x + 5, find the value of the
following expressions.
(a) p 2 + q 2
(b) ( p − q)2
1 1
(c) +
p q

Step 1: Convert the equation into the general form.

x 2 = − 4x + 5
x 2 + 4x − 5 = 0

Step 2: Calculate the sum of roots (p + q) and product of roots (pq).

4 5
p + q = − = − 4 and pq = = 5
1 1

Step 3: Express the expression in terms of the sum of roots (p + q) and product of roots (pq)
and then substitute the corresponding values.
(a) p 2 + q 2
= p 2 + 2pq + q 2 − 2pq
= ( p + q)2 − 2pq
= (−4)2 − 2(5)
=6
(b) ( p − q)2
= p 2 − 2pq + q 2
= p 2 + 2pq + q 2 − 2pq − 2pq
= ( p + q)2 − 4pq
= (−4)2 − 4(5)
= − 36
★ Always compare the expression with α 2 + 2αβ + β 2 = (α + β )2.
(c) 1 1
+
p q
1 q 1 p
= × + ×
p q q p
q +p
=
pq
−4
=
5

★ If the expression is in the form of fractions, expand the fractions to get common denominator.
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Exam Type 2: Quadratic equation and its roots hidden in simultaneous equations.
[✎ Supp. Note on Ch 2.3 (5)]

{3β 2 + 6β − 1 = 0
3α 2 + 6α − 1 = 0 β α
±
Example: If α β and , find the value of + .
α β

{3β 2 + 6β − 1 = 0
3α 2 + 6α − 1 = 0
is just a complicated way to express “α and β are the roots of the quadratic

equation 3x 2 + 6x − 1 = 0”.

If you know the meaning of the simultaneous equations, then the question become the same as
questions in Exam Type 1.
−6 −1 1
α +β = = − 2 and αβ = =−
3 3 3
(−2)2 − 2 (− 3 )
1
β α β2 + α2 (α + β )2 − 2αβ
+ = = = = − 14
α β αβ αβ −3
1

Exam Type 3: Find the values of *asymmetric* expressions of the roots.

[✎ Supp. Note on Ch 2.3 (5)]
Example: If α and β are the roots of the equation x 2 + 3x − 8 = 0, then 6α − 2β 2 =

∵ β are the roots of the equation x 2 + 3x − 8 = 0.

∴ β 2 + 3β − 8 = 0
β 2 = − 3β + 8

6α − 2β 2 = 6α − 2(−3β + 8)
= 6α + 6β − 16
= 6(α + β ) − 16

( 1 )
−3
=6 − 16

= − 34

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Exam Type 4: Find the value of one of the roots and an unknown coefficient.
[✎ Supp. Exercise on Ch 2.3 (4)]
Examples:
1. It is given that α and α − 5 are two roots of the quadratic equation 4x 2 + 12x + m = 0. Find
the values of α and m.

Since the values of a and b are given, we consider the sum of roots.
−12
α +α−5=
4
2α − 5 = − 3
α=1
∵ α = 1 is a roots of the quadratic equation 4x 2 + 12x + m = 0
∴ 4(1)2 + 12(1) + m = 0
16 + m = 0
m = − 16

2. It is given that α and 4α are two roots of the quadratic equation 9x 2 − k x + 4 = 0, where
k > 0. Find the values of α and k.

Since the values of a and c are given, we consider the product of roots.
4
(α)(4α) =
9
4
4α 2 =
9
1
α2 =
9
1
α=±
3
1
∵α =± are roots of the quadratic equation 9x 2 − k x + 4 = 0
3
1
∴ When α = ,
3

(3) (3)
2
1 1
9 −k +4=0

k = 15
1
When α = − ,
3

( 3) ( 3)
2
1 1
9 − −k − +4=0
(k = − 15 is rejected because k > 0)
k = − 15 (rej.)
1
∴ α = and k = 15.
3

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Part D: Forming Quadratic Equations [✎ Note on Ch 2.2 (2)]

A quadratic equation with roots α and β is given by

x 2 − (α + β )x + αβ = 0

Basic Type - Form a quadratic equation with two given roots.

5
Example: Form a quadratic equation in x with the roots − and 2.
2

5 1
α +β =− +2=−
2 2

( 2)
5
αβ = − 2=−5

The required equation is:

( 2)
1
x2 − − x + (−5) = 0

1
x2 + x −5=0
2
2x 2 + x − 10 = 0
★ Always write the equation in its general form with integral coefficients.

Exam Type - Form a quadratic equation whose roots are related to the roots of another
quadratic equation.
Example: If α and β are roots of x 2 − 5x + 3 = 0, find the equation with roots α 2 and β 2.

Step 1: Calculate the sum of roots and product of roots of the original quadratic equation.
−(−5)
α +β = =5
1
3
αβ = = 3
1

Step 2: Calculate the sum of roots and product of roots of the quadratic equation to be formed.
α 2 + β 2 = (α + β )2 − 2αβ
= (5)2 − 2(3)
= 19
α 2 β 2 = (αβ )2 = (3)2 = 9

Step 3: Form the quadratic equation with x 2 − (α + β )x + αβ = 0.

The required quadratic equation is:
x 2 − 19x + 9 = 0

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Part E: Word Problems Related to Quadratic Equations [✎ Note on Ch 1.5 (8)]

1. Figure out the unknown (let x).

2. Express the information in terms of x.
3. Set up a quadratic equation.
4. Solve the equation.
5. If necessary, reject the one of the answers based on the given conditions.
6. Write down the conclusion.

Examples:
1. The product of two consecutive positive even numbers is greater than three times of their sum
by 90. Find the two numbers.

Let x be the smaller number. Then, the larger number is x + 2 .

The product of two consecutive positive
is greater than three times of their sum by 90
even numbers
x (x + 2) − 3(x + x + 2) = 90
x (x + 2) − 3(x + x + 2) = 90
x 2 + 2x − 6x − 6 = 90
x 2 − 4x − 96 = 0
(x − 12)(x + 8) = 0
x = 12 or x = − 8 (rej.)
∴ The two numbers are 12 and 14 .

2. [Textbook Ch.1 Ex 1E Q2] [Similar Question: Q11 in ✎ Note on Ch 1.5 (8)]

A ball is thrown vertically upwards. Its height (h m) above the ground after t seconds is given by
h = 1 + 4t − 5t 2. When will the ball reach the ground?
[Hint: When the ball reaches the ground, its height is 0 m above the ground.]

When h = 0,
1 + 4t − 5t 2 = 0
5t 2 − 4t − 1 = 0
(5t + 1)(t − 1) = 0
1
t = 1 or t = − (rej.)
5
∴ The ball will reach the ground after 1 second.

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3. [Textbook Ch.1 Ex 1E Q21]

The figure shows a dart board, where O is the common centre of three circles. The radius of the
smallest circles is 5 cm, and the radius of each outer circle is larger than its inner circle by x cm.
If the total area of the shaded regions is twice the area of the white region, find the radius of the
largest circle.

Area of the white region

= Area of the middle circle − Area of the smallest circle
= π (x + 5)2 − π x 2

Area of the shaded region

= Area of the largest circle − Area of the white region
= π (x + x + 5)2 − [π (x + 5)2 − π x 2]
= π (2x + 5)2 − π (x + 5)2 + π x 2

∵ The total area of the shaded regions is twice the area of the white region.
∴ π (2x + 5)2 − π (x + 5)2 + π x 2 = 2[π (x + 5)2 − π x 2]
(2x + 5)2 − (x + 5)2 + x 2 = 2(x + 5)2 − 2x 2
(2x + 5)2 − 3(x + 5)2 + 3x 2 = 0
4x 2 + 20x + 25 − 3(x 2 + 10x + 25) + 3x 2 = 0
4x 2 + 20x + 25 − 3x 2 − 30x − 75 + 3x 2 = 0
4x 2 − 10x − 50 = 0
2x 2 − 5x − 25 = 0
(2x + 5)(x − 5) = 0
5
x = 5 or x = − (rej.)
2

∴ The radius of the largest circle is 15 cm.

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