Derive from the standard quadratic equation, the form of the quadratic solution

ax2+bx+c=0 : basic quadratic equation

a(x+ bx/a) + c=0  

a((x+b/2a)- b2/4a2) + c=0 (retain equation with only one x variable; compensate for b term squared out with term - b2/4a2, )

a(x+b/2a)2 - b2/4a + c= 0 (a cancels 4ato make 4a)

a(x+b/2a)2 = (b2-4ac)/4a  (rewrite b2/4a - c)

(x+b/2a)2 = (b2-4ac)/4a2

(x+b/2a) = +/-(rootof(b2-4ac))/2a  (square root gives +/- answers

x= (-b +/- (rootof(b2-4ac)))/2a  (x term singled out and the quadratic soln is written)

 

JD

Related Maths A Level answers

All answers ▸

A rollercoaster stops at a point with GPE of 10kJ and then travels down a frictionless slope reaching a speed of 10 m/s at ground level. After this, what length of horizontal track (friction coefficient = 0.5) is needed to bring the rollercoaster to rest?


Find the x coordinate of the stationary points of the curve with equation y = 2x^3 - 0.5x^2 - 2x + 4


Find the area enclosed by the curve y = 3x - x^2 and the x-axis


Prove that 2 cot (2x) + tan(x) == cot (x)