Section 8.

2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 485

8.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula

OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVES 1 Solving Quadratic Equations by Using the Quadratic Formula

Any quadratic equation can be solved by completing the square. Since the same
1 Solve Quadratic Equations sequence of steps is repeated each time we complete the square, let’s complete the
by Using the Quadratic square for a general quadratic equation, ax2 + bx + c = 0, a ⬆ 0. By doing so,
Formula. we find a pattern for the solutions of a quadratic equation known as the quadratic
2 Determine the Number formula.
and Type of Solutions of a Recall that to complete the square for an equation such as ax2 + bx + c = 0, we
Quadratic Equation by Using first divide both sides by the coefficient of x2 .
the Discriminant.
ax2 + bx + c = 0
3 Solve Problems Modeled by b c
Quadratic Equations. x2 + x + = 0 Divide both sides by a, the coefficient of x 2.
a a
b c c
x2 + x = - Subtract the constant from both sides.
a a a

b
Next, find the square of half , the coefficient of x.
a

b 2 b2
a b = a b =
1 b b
and
2 a 2a 2a 4a 2

Add this result to both sides of the equation.

b b2 c b2 b2
x2 + x + = - + Add to both sides.
a 4a 2 a 4a 2 4a 2
b b2 -c # 4a b2
x2 + x + = + Find a common denominator
a 4a 2 a # 4a 4a 2 on the right side.
b b2 b2 - 4ac
x2 + x + = Simplify the right side.
a 4a 2 4a 2
b 2 b2 - 4ac
ax + b = Factor the perfect square
2a 4a 2 trinomial on the left side.
b b2 - 4ac
x + = { Apply the square root property.
2a B 4a 2
b 2b2 - 4ac
x + = { Simplify the radical.
2a 2a
b 2b2 - 4ac b
x = - { Subtract from both sides.
2a 2a 2a
-b { 2b2 - 4ac
x = Simplify.
2a

This equation identifies the solutions of the general quadratic equation in standard
form and is called the quadratic formula. It can be used to solve any equation written
in standard form ax2 + bx + c = 0 as long as a is not 0.

Quadratic Formula
A quadratic equation written in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 has the solutions
-b { 2b2 - 4ac
x =
2a
486 CHAPTER 8 Quadratic Equations and Functions

EXAMPLE 1 Solve 3x2 + 16x + 5 = 0 for x.

Solution This equation is in standard form, so a = 3, b = 16, and c = 5. Substitute
these values into the quadratic formula.

-b { 2b2 - 4ac
x = Quadratic formula
2a
-16 { 2162 - 4132152
= Use a = 3, b = 16, and c = 5.
2#3
-16 { 2256 - 60
=
6
-16 { 2196 -16 { 14
= =
6 6
-16 + 14 1 -16 - 14 30
x = = - or x = = - = -5
6 3 6 6

and -5, or the solution set is e - , -5 f.

1 1
The solutions are -
3 3
PRACTICE

1 Solve 3x2 - 5x - 2 = 0 for x.

Helpful Hint EXAMPLE 2 Solve: 2x2 - 4x = 3.

To replace a, b, and c correctly in Solution First write the equation in standard form by subtracting 3 from both sides.
the quadratic formula, write the
quadratic equation in standard
2x2 - 4x - 3 = 0
form ax 2 + bx + c = 0 .
Now a = 2, b = -4, and c = -3. Substitute these values into the quadratic formula.

-b { 2b2 - 4ac
x =
2a
-1 -42 { 21 -42 2 - 41221 -32
=
2#2
4 { 216 + 24
=
4
4 { 240 4 { 2210
= =
4 4
2 12 { 2102 2 { 210
= # =
2 2 2

2 + 210 2 - 210 2 - 210 2 + 210

The solutions are and , or the solution set is e , f.
2 2 2 2

PRACTICE

2 Solve: 3x2 - 8x = 2.

Helpful Hint
4 { 2 210
To simplify the expression in the preceding example, note that 2 is factored out
4
of both terms of the numerator before simplifying.

4 { 2 210 212 { 2102 2 { 210

= # =
4 2 2 2
 Section 8.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 487

CONCEPT CHECK
For the quadratic equation x2 = 7, which substitution is correct?
a. a = 1, b = 0, and c = -7
b. a = 1, b = 0, and c = 7
c. a = 0, b = 0, and c = 7
d. a = 1, b = 1, and c = -7

1 2 1
EXAMPLE 3 Solve: m - m + = 0.
4 2
1 1
Solution We could use the quadratic formula with a = , b = -1, and c = .
4 2
Instead, we find a simpler, equivalent standard form equation whose coefficients are
not fractions.
Multiply both sides of the equation by the LCD 4 to clear fractions.

4a m 2 - m + b = 4 # 0
1 1
4 2
m 2 - 4m + 2 = 0 Simplify.
Substitute a = 1, b = -4, and c = 2 into the quadratic formula and simplify.
-1 -42 { 21 -42 2 - 4112122 4 { 216 - 8
m = =
2#1 2
4 { 28 4 { 222 212 { 222
= = =
2 2 2
= 2 { 22
The solutions are 2 + 22 and 2 - 22.
PRACTICE
1 2 1
3 Solve: x - x - 2 = 0.
8 4

EXAMPLE 4 Solve: x = -3x2 - 3.

Solution The equation in standard form is 3x2 + x + 3 = 0. Thus, let a = 3, b = 1,
and c = 3 in the quadratic formula.

-1 { 212 - 4132132 -1 { 21 - 36 -1 { 2-35 -1 { i235

x = # = = =
2 3 6 6 6

-1 + i235 -1 - i235
The solutions are and .
6 6
PRACTICE

4 Solve: x = -2x2 - 2.

CONCEPT CHECK
What is the first step in solving -3x2 = 5x - 4 using the quadratic formula?

1
Answer to Concept Checks:
In Example 1, the equation 3x2 + 16x + 5 = 0 had 2 real roots, - and -5.In Example 4,
3
a the equation 3x2 + x + 3 = 0 (written in standard form) had no real roots. How do their
Write the equation in standard form. related graphs compare? Recall that the x-intercepts of f 1x2 = 3x2 + 16x + 5 occur
488 CHAPTER 8 Quadratic Equations and Functions

where f1x2 = 0 or where 3x2 + 16x + 5 = 0. Since this equation has 2 real roots, the
graph has 2 x-intercepts. Similarly, since the equation 3x2 + x + 3 = 0 has no real roots,
the graph of f1x2 = 3x2 + x + 3 has no x-intercepts.
2 x-intercepts y y

20 7
6
15
5
10
4
(5, 0) 5 3
f (x)  3x 2  x  3
x 2
7 6 5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3
5 1
10 (a, 0) x
5 4 3 2 1 1 2 3 4 5
15 1
2
f (x)  3x 2  16x  5 20 3
no x-intercept

OBJECTIVE

2 Using the Discriminant

-b { 2b2 - 4ac
In the quadratic formula, x = , the radicand b2 - 4ac is called the
2a
discriminant because, by knowing its value, we can discriminate among the possible
number and type of solutions of a quadratic equation. Possible values of the discrimi-
nant and their meanings are summarized next.

Discriminant
The following table corresponds the discriminant b2 - 4ac of a quadratic equation of
the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 with the number and type of solutions of the equation.

b2 ⴚ 4ac Number and Type of Solutions

Positive Two real solutions

Zero One real solution
Negative Two complex but not real solutions

E X A M P L E 5 Use the discriminant to determine the number and type of

solutions of each quadratic equation.
a. x2 + 2x + 1 = 0 b. 3x2 + 2 = 0 c. 2x2 - 7x - 4 = 0
Solution
a. In x2 + 2x + 1 = 0, a = 1, b = 2, and c = 1. Thus,
b2 - 4ac = 22 - 4112112 = 0
Since b2 - 4ac = 0, this quadratic equation has one real solution.
b. In this equation, a = 3, b = 0, c = 2. Then b2 - 4ac = 0 - 4132122 = -24. Since
b2 - 4ac is negative, the quadratic equation has two complex but not real solutions.
c. In this equation, a = 2, b = -7, and c = -4. Then
b2 - 4ac = 1 -72 2 - 41221 -42 = 81
Since b2 - 4ac is positive, the quadratic equation has two real solutions.
PRACTICE

5 Use the discriminant to determine the number and type of solutions of each
quadratic equation.
a. x2 - 6x + 9 = 0 b. x2 - 3x - 1 = 0 c. 7x2 + 11 = 0
 Section 8.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 489

The discriminant helps us determine the number and type of solutions of a quadratic
equation, ax2 + bx + c = 0. Recall from Section 5.8 that the solutions of this
equation are the same as the x-intercepts of its related graph f(x2 = ax2 + bx + c.
This means that the discriminant of ax2 + bx + c = 0 also tells us the number of
x-intercepts for the graph of f 1x2 = ax2 + bx + c or, equivalently, y = ax2 + bx + c.

Graph of f 1 x2 ⴝ ax 2 ⴙ bx ⴙ c or y ⴝ ax 2 ⴙ bx ⴙ c

b2  4ac  0, b2  4ac  0, b2  4ac  0,

f (x) has two x-intercepts f (x) has one x-intercept f (x) has no x-intercepts
y y y

x x x

OBJECTIVE

3 Solving Problems Modeled by Quadratic Equations

The quadratic formula is useful in solving problems that are modeled by quadratic
equations.

EXAMPLE 6 Calculating Distance Saved

At a local university, students often leave the sidewalk and cut across the lawn to save
walking distance. Given the diagram below of a favorite place to cut across the lawn,
approximate how many feet of walking distance a student saves by cutting across the
lawn instead of walking on the sidewalk.

50 ft

x x  20

Solution
1. UNDERSTAND. Read and reread the problem. In the diagram, notice that a
triangle is formed. Since the corner of the block forms a right angle, we use the
Pythagorean theorem for right triangles. You may want to review this theorem.
2. TRANSLATE. By the Pythagorean theorem, we have

In words: 1leg2 2 + 1leg2 2 = 1hypotenuse2 2

Translate: x2 + 1x + 202 2 = 502

3. SOLVE. Use the quadratic formula to solve.

x2 + x2 + 40x + 400 = 2500 Square 1x + 202 and 50.

2x2 + 40x - 2100 = 0 Set the equation equal to 0.
x + 20x - 1050 = 0
2
Divide by 2.
490 CHAPTER 8 Quadratic Equations and Functions

Here, a = 1, b = 20, c = -1050. By the quadratic formula,

-20 { 2202 - 41121 -10502
x =
2#1
-20 { 2400 + 4200 -20 { 24600
= =
2 2
-20 { 2100 46
# -20 { 10246
= =
2 2
= -10 { 5246 Simplify.
4. INTERPRET
Check: Your calculations in the quadratic formula. The length of a side of a triangle
can’t be negative, so we reject -10 - 5246. Since -10 + 5246 ⬇ 24 feet, the
walking distance along the sidewalk is
x + 1x + 202 ⬇ 24 + 124 + 202 = 68 feet.
15 ft State: A student saves about 68 - 50 or 18 feet of walking distance by cutting across
the lawn.
x PRACTICE

x3 6 Given the diagram, approximate to the nearest foot how many feet of walking
distance a person can save by cutting across the lawn instead of walking on the sidewalk.

EXAMPLE 7 Calculating Landing Time

An object is thrown upward from the top of a 200-foot cliff with a velocity of 12 feet
per second. The height h in feet of the object after t seconds is
h = -16t 2 + 12t + 200
How long after the object is thrown will it strike the ground? Round to the nearest
tenth of a second.

200 ft

Solution
1. UNDERSTAND. Read and reread the problem.
2. TRANSLATE. Since we want to know when the object strikes the ground, we
want to know when the height h = 0, or
0 = -16t 2 + 12t + 200
3. SOLVE. First we divide both sides of the equation by -4.
0 = 4t 2 - 3t - 50 Divide both sides by -4.

Here, a = 4, b = -3, and c = -50. By the quadratic formula,

-1 -32 { 21 -32 2 - 41421 -502
t =
2#4
3 { 29 + 800
=
8
3 { 2809
=
8
 Section 8.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 491

4. INTERPRET.
Check: We check our calculations from the quadratic formula. Since the time won’t
be negative, we reject the proposed solution

3 - 2809
.
8
State: The time it takes for the object to strike the ground is exactly

3 + 2809
seconds ⬇ 3.9 seconds .
8
PRACTICE

7 A toy rocket is shot upward from the top of a building, 45 feet high, with an
initial velocity of 20 feet per second. The height h in feet of the rocket after t seconds is
h = -16t 2 + 20t + 45
How long after the rocket is launched will it strike the ground? Round to the nearest
tenth of a second.

Vocabulary, Readiness & Video Check

Fill in each blank.
1. The quadratic formula is .
2. For 2x + x + 1 = 0, if a = 2, then b =
2
and c = .
3. For 5x - 5x - 7 = 0, if a = 5, then b =
2
and c = .
4. For 7x - 4 = 0, if a = 7, then b =
2
and c = .
5. For x + 9 = 0, if c = 9, then a =
2
and b = .
5 { 1022
6. The correct simplified form of is .
5
a. 1 { 1022 b. 222 c. 1 { 222 d. {522

Martin-Gay Interactive Videos Watch the section lecture video and answer the following questions.
OBJECTIVE

1 7. Based on Examples 1–3, answer the following.

a. Must a quadratic equation be written in standard form in order to
use the quadratic formula? Why or why not?
b. Must fractions be cleared from an equation before using the
OBJECTIVE
quadratic formula? Why or why not?
2 8. Based on Example 4 and the lecture before, complete the following
statements. The discriminant is the ________ in the quadratic formula
See Video 8.2 and can be used to find the number and type of solutions of a quadratic
equation without ________ the equation. To use the discriminant, the
OBJECTIVE
quadratic equation needs to be written in ________ form.
3 9. In Example 5, the value of x is found, which is then used to find the
dimensions of the triangle. Yet all this work still does solve the problem.
Explain.
492 CHAPTER 8 Quadratic Equations and Functions

8.2 Exercise Set

Use the quadratic formula to solve each equation. These equations x2 9
have real number solutions only. See Examples 1 through 3. 30. - 3 = - x
2 2
1. m 2 + 5m - 6 = 0 31. 10y 2 + 10y + 3 = 0
2. p + 11p - 12 = 0
2

3. 2y = 5y 2 - 3 32. 3y 2 + 6y + 5 = 0

4. 5x 2 - 3 = 14x 33. x16x + 22 = 3

5. x - 6x + 9 = 0
2
34 . x17x + 12 = 2
6. y 2 + 10y + 25 = 0
2 2 1 3
7. x 2 + 7x + 4 = 0 35. y + y + = 0
5 5 5
8. y 2 + 5y + 3 = 0
1 2 5
36. x + x + = 0
9. 8m 2 - 2m = 7 8 2

10. 11n2 - 9n = 1 1 2 1
37. y = y -
2 2
11. 3m 2 - 7m = 3
2 2 20 100
38. x - x = -
12. x 2 - 13 = 5x 3 3 6

39. 1n - 22 2 = 2n
1
13. x 2 - x - 1 = 0
2
1 2 1 1 2
40. ap - b =
14. x + x + = 0 p
6 3 2 2
2 1 3
15. y 2 + y = Use the discriminant to determine the number and types of solutions
5 5 5
1 2 5 of each equation. See Example 5.
16. x + x =
8 2 41. x 2 - 5 = 0
1 2 1 42. x 2 - 7 = 0
17. y = y +
3 6 43. 4x 2 + 12x = -9
1 2 1 44. 9x 2 + 1 = 6x
18. y = y +
2 2
45. 3x = -2x 2 + 7
19. x + 5x = -2
2
46. 3x 2 = 5 - 7x
20. y - 8 = 4y
2
47. 6 = 4x - 5x 2
21. 1m + 2212m - 62 = 51m - 12 - 12 48. 8x = 3 - 9x 2
22. 7p1p - 22 + 21p + 42 = 3 49. 9x - 2x 2 + 5 = 0
50. 5 - 4x + 12x 2 = 0
MIXED PRACTICE
Solve. See Examples 7 and 8.
Use the quadratic formula to solve each equation. These equations
have real solutions and complex but not real solutions. See 51. Nancy, Thelma, and John Varner live on a corner lot. Often,
Examples 1 through 4. neighborhood children cut across their lot to save walking
distance. Given the diagram below, approximate to the near-
23. x 2 + 6x + 13 = 0 est foot how many feet of walking distance is saved by cutting
across their property instead of walking around the lot.
24. x 2 + 2x + 2 = 0
25. 1x + 521x - 12 = 2
36 ft
26. x1x + 62 = 2

27. 6 = - 4x 2 + 3x
x x8
28. 2 = -9x 2 - x

x2 5
29. - x =
3 3
 Section 8.2 Solving Quadratic Equations by the Quadratic Formula 493

52. Given the diagram below, approximate to the nearest foot 60. Christi and Robbie Wegmann are constructing a rectangular
how many feet of walking distance a person saves by cutting stained glass window whose length is 7.3 inches longer than
across the lawn instead of walking on the sidewalk. its width. If the area of the window is 569.9 square inches,
find its width and length.
40 ft 61. The base of a triangle is four more than twice its height. If
the area of the triangle is 42 square centimeters, find its base
x  10 and height.
x
x

62. If a point B divides a line segment such that the smaller por-
53. The hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is 2 centime- tion is to the larger portion as the larger is to the whole, the
ters longer than either of its legs. Find the exact length of whole is the length of the golden ratio.
each side. (Hint: An isosceles right triangle is a right triangle
x (whole)
whose legs are the same length.)
1 x1
54. The hypotenuse of an isosceles right triangle is one meter A B C
longer than either of its legs. Find the length of each side.
The golden ratio was thought by the Greeks to be the most
55. Bailey’s rectangular dog pen for his Irish setter must have pleasing to the eye, and many of their buildings contained
an area of 400 square feet. Also, the length must be 10 feet numerous examples of the golden ratio. The value of the
longer than the width. Find the dimensions of the pen. golden ratio is the positive solution of
x - 1 1
=
? 1 x
?
Find this value.

The Wollomombi Falls in Australia have a height of 1100 feet.

A pebble is thrown upward from the top of the falls with an initial
velocity of 20 feet per second. The height of the pebble h after t sec-
onds is given by the equation h = -16t 2 + 20t + 1100 . Use this
equation for Exercises 63 and 64.
56. An entry in the Peach Festival Poster Contest must be rect-
angular and have an area of 1200 square inches. Further-
more, its length must be 20 inches longer than its width. Find
the dimensions each entry must have.
57. A holding pen for cattle must be square and have a diagonal
length of 100 meters.
a. Find the length of a side of the pen.
b. Find the area of the pen.
63. How long after the pebble is thrown will it hit the ground?
58. A rectangle is three times longer than it is wide. It has a Round to the nearest tenth of a second.
diagonal of length 50 centimeters.
64. How long after the pebble is thrown will it be 550 feet from
a. Find the dimensions of the rectangle. the ground? Round to the nearest tenth of a second.
b. Find the perimeter of the rectangle. A ball is thrown downward from the top of a 180-foot building
with an initial velocity of 20 feet per second. The height of the ball
h after t seconds is given by the equation h = -16t 2 - 20t + 180.
50 cm Use this equation to answer Exercises 65 and 66.
65. How long after the ball is
59. The heaviest reported door in the world is the 708.6 ton radia- thrown will it strike the
tion shield door in the National Institute for Fusion Science at ground? Round the result
Toki, Japan. If the height of the door is 1.1 feet longer than its to the nearest tenth of a
width, and its front area (neglecting depth) is 1439.9 square feet, second.
find its width and height [Interesting note: the door is 6.6 feet
thick.] (Source: Guiness World Records)
180 ft
Institute for Fusion Science,
Copyright © 2011 National

50 ft
Japan
494 CHAPTER 8 Quadratic Equations and Functions

66. How long after the ball is thrown will it be 50 feet from 82. Between which days of the week was there the greatest in-
the ground? Round the result to the nearest tenth of a crease in the low temperature?
second. 83. Which day of the week had the lowest low temperature?
84. Use the graph to estimate the low temperature on Thursday.
REVIEW AND PREVIEW
Solve each equation. See Sections 6.6 and 7.6.
Notice that the shape of the temperature graph is similar to the
67. 25x - 2 = 3 68. 2y + 2 + 7 = 12 curve drawn. In fact, this graph can be modeled by the quadratic
1 2 7 10 5 1 function f 1x2 = 3x 2 - 18x + 56, where f(x) is the temperature in
69. + = 70. = - degrees Fahrenheit and x is the number of days from Sunday. (This
x 5 x z z 3
graph is shown in blue.) Use this function to answer Exercises 85
Factor. See Section 5.7. and 86.
71. x 4 + x 2 - 20 85. Use the quadratic function given to approximate the temper-
ature on Thursday. Does your answer agree with the graph?
72. 2y 4 + 11y 2 - 6
86. Use the function given and the quadratic formula to find
73. z 4 - 13z 2 + 36
when the temperature was 35° F. [Hint: Let f 1x2 = 35 and
74. x 4 - 1 solve for x.] Round your answer to one decimal place and
interpret your result. Does your answer agree with the graph?
CONCEPT EXTENSIONS 87. The number of college students in the United States
For each quadratic equation, choose the correct substitution for a, can be modeled by the quadratic function f 1x2 = 22x 2 +
b, and c in the standard form ax 2 + bx + c = 0. 274x + 15,628, where f 1x2 is the number of college students
in thousands of students, and x is the number of years after
75. x 2 = - 10 2000. (Source: Based on data from the U.S. Department of
a. a = 1, b = 0, c = - 10 Education)
b. a = 1, b = 0, c = 10 a. Find the number of college students in the United States
c. a = 0, b = 1, c = -10 in 2010.
d. a = 1, b = 1, c = 10 b. If the trend described by this model continues, find the
year after 2000 in which the population of American
76. x 2 + 5 = -x
college students reaches 24,500 students.
a. a = 1, b = 5, c = - 1
88. The projected number of Wi-Fi-enabled cell phones in the
b. a = 1, b = - 1, c = 5
United States can be modeled by the quadratic function
c. a = 1, b = 5, c = 1 c1x2 = - 0.4x 2 + 21x + 35, where c(x) is the projected
d. a = 1, b = 1, c = 5 number of Wi-Fi-enabled cell phones in millions and x is the
77. Solve Exercise 1 by factoring. Explain the result. number of years after 2009. Round to the nearest million.
(Source: Techcrunchies.com)
78. Solve Exercise 2 by factoring. Explain the result.
a. Find the number of Wi-Fi-enabled cell phones in the
United States in 2010.
Use the quadratic formula and a calculator to approximate each
b. Find the projected number of Wi-Fi-enabled cell phones
solution to the nearest tenth.
in the United States in 2012.
79. 2x 2 - 6x + 3 = 0 c. If the trend described by this model continues, find the
80. 3.6x 2 + 1.8x - 4.3 = 0 year in which the projected number of Wi-Fi-enabled cell
phones in the United States reaches 150 million.
The accompanying graph shows the daily low temperatures for
89. The average total daily supply y of motor gasoline (in
one week in New Orleans, Louisiana.
thousands of barrels per day) in the United States for the
60 period 2000–2008 can be approximated by the equation
y = - 10x 2 + 193x + 8464, where x is the number of years
Degrees Fahrenheit

50
after 2000. (Source: Based on data from the Energy Infor-
40 mation Administration)
30 a. Find the average total daily supply of motor gasoline in
20 2004.
10 b. According to this model, in what year, from 2000 to 2008,
was the average total daily supply of gasoline 9325 thou-
0
sand barrels per day?
Fri. Sat.
Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thu. c. According to this model, in what year, from 2009 on, will
81. Between which days of the week was there the greatest de- the average total supply of gasoline be 9325 thousand
crease in the low temperature? barrels per day?
 Section 8.3 Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods 495

90. The relationship between body weight and the Recom- Use the quadratic formula to solve each quadratic equation.
mended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for vitamin A in chil-
93. 3x 2 - 212x + 1 = 0
dren up to age 10 is modeled by the quadratic equation
y = 0.149x 2 - 4.475x + 406.478, where y is the RDA for (Hint: a = 3, b = - 212, c = 1)
vitamin A in micrograms for a child whose weight is x 94. 5x 2 + 220x + 1 = 0
pounds. (Source: Based on data from the Food and Nutri-
tion Board, National Academy of Sciences–Institute of 95. x 2 + 22x + 1 = 0
Medicine, 1989)
a. Determine the vitamin A requirements of a child who 96. x 2 - 22x + 1 = 0
weighs 35 pounds.
b. What is the weight of a child whose RDA of vitamin A 97. 2x 2 - 23x - 1 = 0
is 600 micrograms? Round your answer to the nearest
pound.
98. 7x 2 + 27x - 2 = 0
The solutions of the quadratic equation ax + bx + c = 0 are
2
99. Use a graphing calculator to solve Exercises 63 and 65.
- b + 2b2 - 4ac - b - 2b2 - 4ac
and . 100. Use a graphing calculator to solve Exercises 64 and 66.
2a 2a
-b Recall that the discriminant also tells us the number of x-intercepts
91. Show that the sum of these solutions is .
a of the related function.
c
92. Show that the product of these solutions is . 101. Check the results of Exercise 49 by graphing
a y = 9x - 2x 2 + 5.
102. Check the results of Exercise 50 by graphing
y = 5 - 4x + 12x 2.

8.3 Solving Equations by Using Quadratic Methods

OBJECTIVE

OBJECTIVES 1 Solving Equations That Are Quadratic in Form

In this section, we discuss various types of equations that can be solved in part by using
1 Solve Various Equations That the methods for solving quadratic equations.
Are Quadratic in Form. Once each equation is simplified, you may want to use these steps when deciding
2 Solve Problems That Lead to which method to use to solve the quadratic equation.
Quadratic Equations.
Solving a Quadratic Equation
Step 1. If the equation is in the form 1ax + b2 2 = c, use the square root property
and solve. If not, go to Step 2.
Step 2. Write the equation in standard form: ax2 + bx + c = 0.
Step 3. Try to solve the equation by the factoring method. If not possible, go to Step 4.
Step 4. Solve the equation by the quadratic formula.

The first example is a radical equation that becomes a quadratic equation once we
square both sides.

EXAMPLE 1 Solve: x - 2x - 6 = 0.
Solution Recall that to solve a radical equation, first get the radical alone on one side
of the equation. Then square both sides.
x - 6 = 2x Add 2x to both sides.
1x - 62 2 = 1 2x 2 2
Square both sides.
x2 - 12x + 36 = x
x2 - 13x + 36 = 0 Set the equation equal to 0.
1x - 921x - 42 = 0
x - 9 = 0 or x - 4 = 0
x = 9 x = 4
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