General Properties of Quadratic Equation

We will discuss here about some of the general properties of quadratic equation.

We know that the general form of quadratic equation is ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a is the co-efficient of x^2, b is the coefficient of x, c is the constant term and a ≠ 0, since, if a = 0, then the equation will no longer remain a quadratic

When we are expressing any quadratic equation in the form of ax^2 + bx + c =0, we have in the left side of the equation a quadratic expression.

For example, we can write the quadratic equation x^2 + 3x = 10 as x^2 + 3x – 10 = 0.

Now we will learn how to factorize the above quadratic expression.

x^2 + 3x - 10

= x^2 + 5x - 2x - 10

= x(x + 5) -2 (x + 5)

= (x + 5)(x – 2),

Therefore, x^2 + 3x – 10 = (x + 5)(x – 2) ............ (A)

Note: We know that mn = 0 implies that, either (i) m = 0 or n = 0 or (ii) m = 0 and n = 0. It is not possible that both of m and n are non-zero.

From (A) we get,

(x + 5)(x – 2) = 0, then any one of x + 5 and x - 2 must be zero.

So, factorizing the left side of the equation x^2 + 3x – 10 = 0 we get, (x + 5)(x – 2) = 0

Therefore, any one of (x + 5) and (x – 2) must be zero

i.e., x + 5 = 0 ................ (I)

or, x – 2 = 0 .................. (II)

Both of (I) and (II) represent linear equations, which we can solve to get the value of x.

From equation (I), we get x = -5 and from equation (II), we get x = 2.

Therefore the solutions of the equation are x = -5 and x = 2.

We will solve a quadratic equation in the following way:

(i) First we need to express the given equation in the general form of the quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0, then

(ii) We need to factorize the left side of the quadratic equation,

(iii) Now express each of the two factor equals to 0 and solve them

(iv)The two solutions are called the roots of the given quadratic equation.

Notes: (i) If b ≠ 0 and c = 0, one root of the quadratic equation is always zero.

For example, in the equation 2x^2 - 7x = 0, there is no constant term. Now factoring the left side of the equation, we get x(2x - 7).

Therefore, x(2x - 7) = 0.

Thus, either x = 0 or, 2x – 7 = 0

either x = 0 or, x = 7/2

Therefore, the two roots of the equation 2x^2 - 7x = 0 are 0, 7/2.

(ii) If b = 0, c = 0, both the roots of the quadratic equation will be zero. For example, if 11x^2 = 0, then dividing both sides by 11, we get x^2 = 0 or x = 0, 0.

Quadratic Equation

Introduction to Quadratic Equation

Formation of Quadratic Equation in One Variable

Solving Quadratic Equations

General Properties of Quadratic Equation

Methods of Solving Quadratic Equations

Roots of a Quadratic Equation

Examine the Roots of a Quadratic Equation

Problems on Quadratic Equations

Quadratic Equations by Factoring

Word Problems Using Quadratic Formula

Examples on Quadratic Equations