Quadratic Equation Formula
Mathematical equations are significantly helpful when it comes to solving real-world problems. Typically, such equations are of higher orders. One such equation is the quadratic equation, having an order of two. You can call the quadratic equation as a polynomial equation, where the variable is of the second degree. It means that the equation has at least one squared term. Typically, it gets expressed as ax² + bx + c = 0. In the equation, x is an unknown variable, and a, b, c are numerical coefficients. The solution to the quadratic equation is the value of an unknown variable x, which completes the equation. You can easily solve the quadratic equation with a quadratic equation formula.
The solutions of a quadratic equation get called as ‘roots of zeros.’ It simply means that, when you put the value of roots in the given quadratics, L.H.S. of the equation becomes equal to the R.H.S. of the equation. The roots of any polynomial are the solution to that particular equation.
Quadratic Equation: Definition
The simple definition of a quadratic equation is the polynomial equation whose highest order is two. It commonly gets expressed as ax² + bx + c = 0. In which, x is the unknown variable, and a, b, c are the constant terms. Also, note that ‘a’ is never equal to 0; otherwise, the equation becomes a linear one.
Since the quadratic has a single unknown term or variable, it also gets referred to as a univariate. The power of the variable x always has to be a non-negative integer. Thus, it becomes a polynomial equation with the highest degree as two.
The solution for the equation is the values of x, and they get called as zeros. They are the final solutions which satisfy the equation. When it comes to quadratics, there are two zeros or roots of the equation. When you insert the value of x in the L.H.S. of the equation, then you get a zero. That’s why they get called as zero.
There are two fundamental concepts to solve a quadratic equation: 1. Formula method, and 2. Factorization method. These are the quickest methods to solve any quadratic equation example. You can learn both of these methods, as follows.
Solving Quadratics by Formula
By learning the quadratic equation formula, you can solve any quadratic equation quickly. If the quadratic equation looks like ax² + bx + c = 0, then below is the formula you need to apply.
The signs (+/–) in the formula indicate that you obtain two values/solutions for the x.
Examples of the Quadratic Equations :
Below are the examples for quadratic equations of the form: ax² + bx + c = 0.
x² –x – 7 = 0
4x² – 2x – 9 = 0
–x² + 2x + = 0
Below are the examples for quadratic equations where ‘c’ or a constant term is absent.
-x² – 6x = 0
x² + 4x = 0
-14x² + 9x = 0
Below are the examples for quadratic equations where ‘bx’ or a linear coefficient is absent.
x² – 14 = 0
5x² + 54 = 0
-x² – 7 = 0
Below are the examples for quadratic equations in factored form.
(x – 6)(x + 1) = 0 (after solving, you get x² – 5x – 6 = 0)
(2x+3)(3x – 2) = 0 (after solving, you get 6x² + 5x – 60)
(x – 4)(x + 2) = 0 (after solving, you get x² – 2x – 8 = 0)
Solving Quadratics by Factoring
Apart from the quadratic equation formula, factorization is another method of obtaining solutions for quadratic equations. Below are steps to find the solution of the quadratics by factoring.
You begin with an equation in the form of ax² + bx + c = 0.
Then, you factor the L.H.S. of the equation while assuming zero on the R.H.S. of the equation.
By assigning each factor to zero, you can solve the equation to obtain the values of x.
When the main coefficient is not equal to zero, then have to arrange the factors in a way as below.
Consider an equation: 2x² – x – 6 = 0
(2x + 3) (x - 2) = 0
2x + 3 = 0
X = -\[\frac{3}{2}\]
In the end, you get: X = 2.
Solved Examples
Using quadratic equations, you can solve word problems, typical equations, which involve determining the speed, area, etc. Below you can find solved quadratic equation example to help you understand the topic even better.
Question 1: Find the value of x: 27x2 − 12 = 0
A) 2/3 B) ± 2/3 C) Ambiguous
Answer : Here, a = 27, b = 0 and c = -12.
Now, by putting the values in the quadratic equation formula, you get:
x = \[\frac{-0 \pm \sqrt{0^{2} - 4(27)(-12)}}{2(27)}\]
x = ± \[\sqrt{\frac{4}{9}}\]
Finally, x = ± \[\frac{2}{3}\]. So, the correct option is B.
Question 2: The area of a rectangle is 336 cm². Its length is four more than twice its width. Find its actual width.
Answer: Consider the width of a rectangle as ‘x.’
From the given data, length = (2x + 4) cm
As you know, Area of rectangle = Length x Width
Now, we get the equation as x(2x + 4) = 336
By further solving, 2x² + 4x – 336 = 0
x² + 2x – 168 = 0
x² + 14x – 12x – 168 = 0
x (x + 14) – 12 (x + 14) = 0
(x + 14) (x – 12) = 0
x = -14, x = 12
Since a measurement cannot be negative; the width of the rectangle is, x = 12 cm.
FAQs on Quadratics
1 – Explain the Quadratic Equation.
In math, quadratic relationship refers to a relation between two variables that are present in the form of a quadratic equation. To put it simply, it’s nothing but an equation that looks like y = ax² + bx + c. The quadratic equation is a second degree equation. It means that the highest exponent of a function is two. In a standard quadratic equation, which is ax² + bx + c, a, b, & c are numbers. Keep in mind that ‘a’ can never be a zero. Here’s an example of a quadratic equation: 7x² + 4x + 1.
2 – What are the Roots of an Equation?
The roots of any quadratic functions are x-intercepts of that quadratic equation. Also, zero is the y-coordinate point that sits on the x-axis is zero. Hence, to determine the roots of a quadratic function, we consider f (x) = 0 and further, solve the equation, ax² + bx + c = 0. Finally, the root is nothing but a value that you substitute for the variable so that the equation holds. All in all, it is a solution to the equation. And it gets called as a real root if it’s a real number.