<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Solving a quadratic equation using grouping

Use grouping to factor and solve the quadratic equation: 4 x 2 + 15 x + 9 = 0.

First, multiply a c : 4 ( 9 ) = 36. Then list the factors of 36.

1 36 2 18 3 12 4 9 6 6

The only pair of factors that sums to 15 is 3 + 12. Rewrite the equation replacing the b term, 15 x , with two terms using 3 and 12 as coefficients of x . Factor the first two terms, and then factor the last two terms.

4 x 2 + 3 x + 12 x + 9 = 0 x ( 4 x + 3 ) + 3 ( 4 x + 3 ) = 0 ( 4 x + 3 ) ( x + 3 ) = 0

Solve using the zero-product property.

( 4 x + 3 ) ( x + 3 ) = 0 ( 4 x + 3 ) = 0 x = 3 4 ( x + 3 ) = 0 x = 3

The solutions are 3 4 , and −3. See [link] .

Coordinate plane with the x-axis ranging from negative 6 to 2 with every other tick mark labeled and the y-axis ranging from negative 6 to 2 with each tick mark numbered. The equation: four x squared plus fifteen x plus nine is graphed with its x-intercepts: (-3/4,0) and (-3,0) plotted as well.
Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Solve using factoring by grouping: 12 x 2 + 11 x + 2 = 0.

( 3 x + 2 ) ( 4 x + 1 ) = 0 , x = 2 3 , x = 1 4

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Solving a polynomial of higher degree by factoring

Solve the equation by factoring: −3 x 3 5 x 2 2 x = 0.

This equation does not look like a quadratic, as the highest power is 3, not 2. Recall that the first thing we want to do when solving any equation is to factor out the GCF, if one exists. And it does here. We can factor out x from all of the terms and then proceed with grouping.

−3 x 3 5 x 2 2 x = 0 x ( 3 x 2 + 5 x + 2 ) = 0

Use grouping on the expression in parentheses.

x ( 3 x 2 + 3 x + 2 x + 2 ) = 0 x [ 3 x ( x + 1 ) + 2 ( x + 1 ) ] = 0 x ( 3 x + 2 ) ( x + 1 ) = 0

Now, we use the zero-product property. Notice that we have three factors.

x = 0 x = 0 3 x + 2 = 0 x = 2 3 x + 1 = 0 x = −1

The solutions are 0 , 2 3 , and −1.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Solve by factoring: x 3 + 11 x 2 + 10 x = 0.

x = 0 , x = −10 , x = −1

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Using the square root property

When there is no linear term in the equation, another method of solving a quadratic equation is by using the square root property    , in which we isolate the x 2 term and take the square root of the number on the other side of the equals sign. Keep in mind that sometimes we may have to manipulate the equation to isolate the x 2 term so that the square root property can be used.

The square root property

With the x 2 term isolated, the square root property states that:

if x 2 = k , then x = ± k

where k is a nonzero real number.

Given a quadratic equation with an x 2 term but no x term, use the square root property to solve it.

  1. Isolate the x 2 term on one side of the equal sign.
  2. Take the square root of both sides of the equation, putting a ± sign before the expression on the side opposite the squared term.
  3. Simplify the numbers on the side with the ± sign.

Solving a simple quadratic equation using the square root property

Solve the quadratic using the square root property: x 2 = 8.

Take the square root of both sides, and then simplify the radical. Remember to use a ± sign before the radical symbol.

x 2 = 8 x = ± 8 = ± 2 2

The solutions are 2 2 , −2 2 .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Solving a quadratic equation using the square root property

Solve the quadratic equation: 4 x 2 + 1 = 7.

First, isolate the x 2 term. Then take the square root of both sides.

4 x 2 + 1 = 7 4 x 2 = 6 x 2 = 6 4 x = ± 6 2

The solutions are 6 2 , and 6 2 .

Got questions? Get instant answers now!
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Solve the quadratic equation using the square root property: 3 ( x 4 ) 2 = 15.

x = 4 ± 5

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Completing the square

Not all quadratic equations can be factored or can be solved in their original form using the square root property. In these cases, we may use a method for solving a quadratic equation    known as completing the square    . Using this method, we add or subtract terms to both sides of the equation until we have a perfect square trinomial on one side of the equal sign. We then apply the square root property. To complete the square, the leading coefficient, a , must equal 1. If it does not, then divide the entire equation by a . Then, we can use the following procedures to solve a quadratic equation by completing the square.

Questions & Answers

how does Neisseria cause meningitis
Nyibol Reply
what is microbiologist
Muhammad Reply
what is errata
Muhammad
is the branch of biology that deals with the study of microorganisms.
Ntefuni Reply
What is microbiology
Mercy Reply
studies of microbes
Louisiaste
when we takee the specimen which lumbar,spin,
Ziyad Reply
How bacteria create energy to survive?
Muhamad Reply
Bacteria doesn't produce energy they are dependent upon their substrate in case of lack of nutrients they are able to make spores which helps them to sustain in harsh environments
_Adnan
But not all bacteria make spores, l mean Eukaryotic cells have Mitochondria which acts as powerhouse for them, since bacteria don't have it, what is the substitution for it?
Muhamad
they make spores
Louisiaste
what is sporadic nd endemic, epidemic
Aminu Reply
the significance of food webs for disease transmission
Abreham
food webs brings about an infection as an individual depends on number of diseased foods or carriers dully.
Mark
explain assimilatory nitrate reduction
Esinniobiwa Reply
Assimilatory nitrate reduction is a process that occurs in some microorganisms, such as bacteria and archaea, in which nitrate (NO3-) is reduced to nitrite (NO2-), and then further reduced to ammonia (NH3).
Elkana
This process is called assimilatory nitrate reduction because the nitrogen that is produced is incorporated in the cells of microorganisms where it can be used in the synthesis of amino acids and other nitrogen products
Elkana
Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu Reply
Give Examples of thermophilic organisms
Shu
advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal Reply
Prevent foreign microbes to the host
Abubakar
they provide healthier benefits to their hosts
ayesha
They are friends to host only when Host immune system is strong and become enemies when the host immune system is weakened . very bad relationship!
Mark
what is cell
faisal Reply
cell is the smallest unit of life
Fauziya
cell is the smallest unit of life
Akanni
ok
Innocent
cell is the structural and functional unit of life
Hasan
is the fundamental units of Life
Musa
what are emergency diseases
Micheal Reply
There are nothing like emergency disease but there are some common medical emergency which can occur simultaneously like Bleeding,heart attack,Breathing difficulties,severe pain heart stock.Hope you will get my point .Have a nice day ❣️
_Adnan
define infection ,prevention and control
Innocent
I think infection prevention and control is the avoidance of all things we do that gives out break of infections and promotion of health practices that promote life
Lubega
Heyy Lubega hussein where are u from?
_Adnan
en français
Adama
which site have a normal flora
ESTHER Reply
Many sites of the body have it Skin Nasal cavity Oral cavity Gastro intestinal tract
Safaa
skin
Asiina
skin,Oral,Nasal,GIt
Sadik
How can Commensal can Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
How can Commensal Bacteria change into pathogen?
Sadik
all
Tesfaye
by fussion
Asiina
what are the advantages of normal Flora to the host
Micheal
what are the ways of control and prevention of nosocomial infection in the hospital
Micheal
what is inflammation
Shelly Reply
part of a tissue or an organ being wounded or bruised.
Wilfred
what term is used to name and classify microorganisms?
Micheal Reply
Binomial nomenclature
adeolu
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 7

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, Algebra and trigonometry. OpenStax CNX. Nov 14, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11758/1.6
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'Algebra and trigonometry' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask