How was the quadratic formula obtained.

We want a solution to ax^2+bx+c=0. Complete the square to get a[(x+b/2a)^2 -(b^2)/(4a^2)]+c=0. Expalding brackets and rearanging gets a(x+b/2a)^2=(b^2)/4a -c. Divide by a to get (x+b/2a)^2= b^2/4a^2 -c/a=(b^2-4ac)/4a^2. Then root each side tot get (x+b/2a)=+-(root(b^2-4ac))/2a. Then simply move over the b/2a to get x=-b/2a+- (root(b^2-4ac))/2a=(-b+-(root(b^2-4ac)))/2a.

JH

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

What is differentation and how does it work?


A curve is defined by the parametric equations x = 3 - 4t, and y = 1 + 2/t. Find dy/dx in terms of t.


How do I work out (2+y)^4 using the binomial expansion?


Solve 8(4^x ) – 9(2^x ) + 1 = 0