How do I find the root of a quadratic equation?

Usually the easiest way to find the root of a quadratic is to factorise it so you have something a form similar to - (x+2)(x-1)=0.

From here you need to find a value for x that makes each bracket equal to zero. Here we can see our answers are x = 1 and x = -2.

If the equation cannot be factorised our backup method that is slightly more complicated but always correct is to use the quadratic equation. 

This is given as x = (-b ± (b2-4ac)1/2)/2a,

Where a, b and c come from your original quadratic as ax2+bx+c. 

NF
Answered by Nicky F. Maths tutor

5378 Views

See similar Maths A Level tutors

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

How would you integrate ln(x) with respect to x?


How do I find the equation of the tangent to y = e^(x^2) at the point x = 4?


Find dy/dx when x+2y+3y^2= 2x^2+1


integrate by parts the equation dy/dx = (3x-4)(2x^2+5).


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning