Derive the quadratic formula (Hint: complete the square)

Firstly, the quadratic formula finds the roots of a quadratic equation. 
So this means f(x) = 0. A general polynomial with highest power 2 looks like: ax+ bx +c.
Usings the two facts we just stated, we solve for the roots of ax+ bx +c = 0. ax+ bx +c = 0
x+ (b/a)x + (c/a) = 0
USINGING THE HINT
(x + (b/2a))- (b/2a)2 + (c/a) = 0
(x + (b/2a))2 = (b/2a)2 -(c/a)  
Make the right hand side all one fraction
(x + (b/2a))2 = (b2/4a2) - (4ac/4a2)
(x + (b/2a))2 = (b2-4ac) / 4a2
Squareroot both sides
x + (b/2a) = (+/-) (b2-4ac)1/2 / 2a          (The (+/-) comes from the squareroot having 2 sol's. e.g 41/2 = 2 or -2)
x = (-b (+/-) (b2-4ac)1/2) / 2a

RK
Answered by Riu K. Maths tutor

3857 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

A general function f(x) has the property f(-x)=-f(x). State a trigonometric function with this property and explain using the Maclaurin series expansion for this function why this property holds. Write down the integral in the limits -q to q of f(x) wrt x


What is the gradient of this curve y=5x^3+6x^2+7x+8 at point x=3?


Let w, z be complex numbers. Show that |wz|=|w||z|, and using the fact that x=|x|e^{arg(x)i}, show further that arg(wz)=arg(w)+arg(z) where |.| is the absolute value and arg(.) is the angle (in polar coordinates). Hence, find all solutions to x^n=1 .


Simplify √32+√18 to a*√2 where a is an integer


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning