Solving Quadratic Equations
You should be familiar with solving quadratic equations from your IGCSE Mathematics course.
This is a quick revision guide about the different methods and when to use them.
When should I solve by factorisation?
- When the question asks to solve by factorisation
- For example, part (a) Factorise , part (b) Solve
- Factorises as
- Solutions are and
- For example, part (a) Factorise , part (b) Solve
- When solving two-term quadratic equations
- For example, solve
- Take out a common factor of to get
- Solutions are and
- For example, solve
- Use difference of two squares to factorise it as
- Solutions are and
- (Could also rearrange to and use ±√ to get )
- For example, solve
When should I use the quadratic formula?
- When the question says to leave solutions correct to a given accuracy (2 decimal places, 3 significant figures etc)
- When the quadratic formula may be faster than factorising
- It's quicker to solve using the quadratic formula than by factorisation
- If in doubt, use the quadratic formula - it always works
- You must remember the formula however - it isn't on the exam formula sheet
- If , the solutions are
When should I solve by completing the square?
- When part (a) of a question says to complete the square and part (b) says to use part (a) to solve the equation
- When making the subject of harder formulae containing and terms
- For example, make the subject of the formula
- Complete the square:
- Add 9 to both sides:
- Take square roots and use ±:
- Subtract 3:
- For example, make the subject of the formula
- Like the quadratic formula, completing the square will always work
- But it is not always quick or easy to use the method
Exam Tip
- Some calculators can solve quadratic equations
- Even if you need to show working you can use a calculator to check your solutions
- If the calculator solutions are whole numbers or fractions (with no square roots), this means the quadratic can be factorised
Worked example
“Correct to 2 decimal places” suggests using the quadratic formula
Substitute , and into the formula, putting brackets around any negative numbers
Use a calculator to find each solution
Round your final answers to 2 decimal places
(2 d.p.)
Method 1
If you cannot spot the factorisation, use the quadratic formula
Substitute , and into the formula, putting brackets around any negative numbers
Use a calculator to find each solution
or
Method 2
If you do spot the factorisation, (2x – 9)(8x – 5), then use that method instead
Set the first bracket equal to zero
Add 9 to both sides then divide by 2
Set the second bracket equal to zero
Add 5 to both sides then divide by 8
This question wants you to complete the square first
Find (by halving the middle number)
Write as
Replace with in the equation
Make the subject of the equation
Start by adding 4 to both sides
Take square roots of both sides (include a ± sign to get both solutions)
Subtract 3 from both sides
Find each solution separately using + first, then - second
Even though the quadratic factorises to , this is not the method asked for in the question