The Quadratic Formula Explained (page 1 of 3)

Often, the simplest way to solve "ax2 + bx + c = 0" for the value of x is to factor the
quadratic, set each factor equal to zero, and then solve each factor. But sometimes the
quadratic is too messy, or it doesn't factor at all, or you just don't feel like factoring. So, while
factoring may not always be successful, the Quadratic Formula can always find the solution.

The Quadratic Formula uses the "a", "b", and "c" from "ax2 + bx + c", where "a", "b", and "c"
are just numbers. The Formula is derived from the process of completing the square, and is
formally stated as:

For ax2 + bx + c = 0, the value of x is given by:

Note that, for the Formula to work, you must have "(quadratic) = 0". Note also that the "2a" at
the bottom of the Formula is underneath everything above, not just the square root. And don't
forget that it's a "2a" under there, not just a "2"! And make sure that you are careful not to
drop the square root or the "plus/minus" in the middle of your calculations, or I can guarantee
that you will forget to "put them back" on your test, and you'll mess yourself up. And
remember that "b2" means "the square of ALL of b, including the sign", so don't leave b2 being
negative, even if b is negative, because the square of a negative is a positive. In other words,
don't be sloppy and don't try to take shortcuts, because it will only hurt you in the long
run. Trust me on this!

Here are some examples of how the Quadratic Formula works:

• Solve x2 + 3x – 4 = 0

Note first that this quadratic happens to factor:

x2 + 3x – 4 = (x + 4)(x – 1) = 0

...so x = –4 and x = 1. How would this look in the Quadratic Formula? Using a = 1, b
= 3, and c = –4, it looks like this:

Then, as expected, the solution is x = –4, x = 1.

Recall that, when y = 0, you are finding the x-intercepts of the graph. So solving ax2 + bx + c
= 0 for x means that, among other things, you are trying to find the x-intercepts. Since you
came up with two solutions for this equation, there must be two x-intercepts on the graph.
Graphing, you get the curve below:

As you can see, the x-intercepts match the solutions, falling at x = –4 and x = 1. This shows
the connection between graphing and solving: When you are solving "(quadratic) = 0", you
are finding the x-intercepts of the graph. This can be useful if you have a graphing calculator,
because you can use the Quadratic Formula (when necessary) to solve a quadratic, and then
use your graphing calculator to make sure that the displayed x-intercepts have the same
decimal values as the solutions that the Quadratic Formula gives you. (Note that the
calculator display on the graph will probably have some pixel-related round-off error, so you'd
be checking to see that the values were close; don't expect them to be exact on the screen.)
Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved

• Solve 2x2 – 4x – 3 = 0. Round your answer to two decimal places, if

necessary.

Since there are no factors of (2)(–3) = –6 that add up to –4, then this quadratic
cannot be factored. But I can always use the Quadratic Formula. In this case, a = 2,
b = –4, and c = –3:

Then the answer is x = –0.58, x = 2.58, rounded to two decimal places.

 You would never get this solution by factoring! Note that the "solution" or "roots" or "zeroes"
are usually required to be in the "exact" form of the answer (the one with the square roots of
ten in it), but you'll need to get a calculator approximation in order to graph the x-intercepts or
to simplify the final answer in a word problem. Unless you have a good reason to think that
the answer is supposed to be a rounded answer, go with the exact form.

Compare the solution of the equation with the x-intercepts of

the graph:

Remember: "solutions" of equations are also x-intercepts of

the graph.

The Quadratic Formula:

Solutions and the Discriminant (page 2 of 3)
• Solve x(x – 2) = 4. Round your answer to two decimal places.

I not only cannot apply the Quadratic Formula at this point, I cannot factor either.

Do not try to say "x = 4, x – 2 = 4". This is not how it works! You must have "(quadratic) = 0" first, whether you're
factoring or using the Quadratic Formula. The first thing I have to do here is multiply through on the left-hand side, and
then I'll move the 4 over:

x(x – 2) = 4
x2 – 2x = 4
x2 – 2x – 4 = 0

Since there are no factors of (1)(–4) = –4 that add up to –2, then this quadratic does not factor. (In other words, there
is no possible way that the faux-factoring solution of "x = 4, x – 2 = 4" could ever be even slightly correct.) I can use
the Quadratic Formula; in this case, a = 1,
b = –2, and c = –4: Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2006-2008 All Rights Reserved
 Then the answer is: x = –1.24, x = 3.24, rounded to two places.

For reference, here's what the graph looks like:

There is a connection between the solutions from the Quadratic Formula and the graph of the parabola. In particular, you can
tell how many x-intercepts you're going to have from the value inside the square root.

• Solve 9x2 + 12x + 4 = 0.

Using a = 9, b = 12, and c = 4, the Quadratic Formula gives:

Then the answer is x = –2/3.

In the previous cases, I got two solutions because of the "plus-minus" part. In this case, though, the square root reduced to
zero, so the plus-minus didn't count for anything. (This solution is called a "repeated" root, because x is equal to –2/3, but it's
equal kind of twice: –2/3 + 0 and –2/3 – 0. You can also see this if you factor: 9x2 + 12x + 4 = (3x + 2)(3x + 2) = 0, so x = –2/3
 –2
and x = /3.) Any time you get zero in the square root of the Quadratic Formula, you'll only get one solution.

The square-root part of the Quadratic Formula is called "the discriminant", I suppose because you can use it to discriminate
between whether the given quadratic has two solutions, one solution, or no solutions.

This is what the graph looks like:

Note that the parabola just touches the x-axis

at x = –2/3; it doesn't actually cross. This is always true: if you have a root that appears exactly twice, then the graph will "kiss"
the axis there, but not pass through.

• Solve 3x2 + 4x + 2 = 0.

Since there are no factors of (3)(2) = 6 that add up to 4, this quadratic does not factor. But the Quadratic Formula
always works; in this case, a = 3, b = 4, and c = 2:

At this point, I have a negative number inside the square root. If you haven't learned about complex numbers yet, then
you would have to stop here, and the answer would be "no solution"; if you do know about complex numbers, then you
can continue the calculations:

If you do not know about complexes, then your answer would be "no solution". If you do know about complexes, then you
would say there there is a "complex solution". But whether or not you know about complexes, you know that you cannot graph
your answer, because you cannot graph the square root of a negative number. Since you can't find a graphable solution, then
reasonably there should not be any x-intercept (because you can graph an x-intercept).
Here's the graph:

This relationship is always true: If you get a negative inside the square
root, then there will be no real number solution, and therefore no x-intercepts.

The Quadratic Formula:

The Discriminant and Graphs (page 3 of 3)
• Solve x2 + 2x = 1. Round to two decimal places.

I cannot apply the Quadratic Formula yet! The Formula only applies once I have
"(quadratic) = 0", and I don't have that yet here. The first thing I have to do is move
the 1 over, so I'll have "= 0" on the right-hand side: Copyright © Elizabeth Stapel 2006-2008 All
Rights Reserved

x2 + 2x – 1 = 0

Letting a = 1, b = 2, and c = –1, the Quadratic Formula gives me:

Then the answer is x = –2.41, x = 0.41, rounded to two decimal places.

Here's the graph:

The intercepts (that is, the solutions from above) are marked in red.

This relationship between the value in the square root ("the discriminant") and the number of
real-number solutions (x-intercepts) for the quadratic is summarized in this table:

x2 – 2x – 3 x2 – 6x + 9 x2 + 3x + 3

a positive number zero a negative number

inside the square root inside the square root inside the square root

one (repeated) real

two real solutions two complex solutions
solution
 one (repeated) x-
two distinct x-intercepts no x-intercepts
intercept

Probably the most important thing to remember when using the Quadratic Formula (other
than the Formula itself, which you should memorize) is that you must do each step clearly and
completely, so you don't lose your denominators or plus-minuses or square roots. Don't skip
stuff, and you should do fine.

But if you get in the habit of "forgetting" the square root sign until the end when the back of
the book "reminds" you that you "meant" to put it in, I'll bet good money that you'll mess up on
your test. If you get in the habit of "forgetting" the plus/minus sign until the answer in the back
"reminds" you that it belongs in there, then you will almost certainly miss every single problem
where the answer doesn't have a square root symbol in it to "remind" you to put the
plus/minus sign back in. That is, any time your answer is supposed to be something like "x =
5 ± 10", you will put down "x = 5 + 10 = 15", and will have no idea how the book (or test) got
the second answer of "x = –5".

I've been grading homework and tests for too many years to be kidding about this. Really,
truly; you want to do your work neatly and completely every single time!