Equations Reducible To Quadratic Equations: Book 4B Chapter 8

Book 4B Chapter 8
Equations Reducible to
Quadratic Equations
They include
Some the following
equations types.
that are not in
1. Fractional Equations
the quadratic form can be
2. reduced
Equationsto of Higher Degree
quadratic equations.
3. Equations with Square Root Signs
4. Exponential Equations
5. Logarithmic Equations
Fractional Equations
6 2 3
e.g. – x = 5 and + =2
x x –1 x
The two given equations are

fractional equations. They can be
solved by first reducing them to
quadratic equations.
6
Solve – x = 5 .
x
Step 1 Reduce the fractional equation to a

quadratic equation.
6
–x =5  Note that x ≠ 0.
x
6 – x2 = 5x  Multiply both sides by x.
2
x + 5x – 6 = 0
6
Solve – x = 5 .
x
Step 2 Solve the quadratic equation obtained.

x  5x  6  0
2
2
( x  1)( x  6)  0
x  1
∴ x  1∴or xx  1 oror x  
6 x  66
Remember to check whether

the answers obtained satisfy
the original equation.
2 3
Solve + =2.
x –1 x
2 3

  22  Note that x ≠ 0 and x ≠ 1.
xx 
1 1 xx
2 x  3( x  1)  2 x ( x  1)  Multiply both sides by
the L.C.M. of x – 1
25 x  33  2 x 22  2 x and x, i.e. x(x – 1).
∴  2
2 x 2 x
2 x 771xx 
 x3
3 0
2
0
((22xx13 )((xx 31)) 
02 x ( x  1)
2 x  1)( x  3)  0
5 x  3  21 1 x  2x
2
∴ xx 
 or or xx 33
2 x  7 x  3  02
2
2
(2 x  1)( x  3)  0
Follow-up question
 3
Solve  2  |(1  x )  2 .
 x
 3
 2  |(1  x )  2  Note that x ≠ 0.
 x
3
2   2 x  3  2  Expand the expression on the L.H.S.
x
3
2x  7   0
x
2x 2  7 x  3  0  Multiply both sides by x.
(2 x  1)( x  3)  0
1
∴ x  or x  3  Check whether the answers obtained
2 satisfy the original equation.
Equations of Higher Degree
Some equations of higher degree

can be solved by reducing them to
quadratic equations, for example
x4 – 6x2 – 27 = 0 and
8x6 – 7x3 – 1 = 0.
Solve ax2n + bxn + c = 0, Solve x4 – 6x2 – 27 = 0.
where a 0 and n is a a=1 n=2
positive number.
Step 1
Substitute xn = u into the By substituting x2 = u into the
equation to obtain quadratic equation x4 – 6x2 – 27 = 0, we
equation in u, have
au + bu + c = 0.
2 xxu424  66xxu22  27
27  00
x4 = u2 u
Solve ax2n + bxn + c = 0, Solve x4 – 6x2 – 27 = 0.
where a 0 and n is a
positive number.
Step 2
Solve au2 + bu + c = 0 to u2 – 6u – 27 = 0
find the value(s) of u. (u – 9)(u + 3) = 0
u = 9 or u = –3
Step 3 Since x2 = u, we have

Solve xn = u to find the x2 = 9 or x2 = –3 (rejected)
value(s) of x. x = ±3
∴ x = ±3
Solve 8x6 – 7x3 – 1 = 0.
By substitute x3 = u into the equation 8x6 – 7x3 – 1 = 0,
we have
 x6 = (x3)2 = u2
(8u + 1)(u – 1) = 0
1
u =– or u = 1
8
Since x3 = u, we have
1
x =–
3 or x3 = 1
We must8 not stop here since
we 1 solving for x, not u.
are
x =– or x = 1
2
1
∴ x =– or x = 1
2
Follow-up question
Solve x5 – 17x3 + 16x = 0. Remember not to cancel the
x5 – 17x3 + 16x = 0 factor x, otherwise we will miss
one of the solutions, x = 0.
x(x4 – 17x2 + 16) = 0
x = 0 or x4 – 17x2 + 16 = 0 ......(1)
By substituting x2 = u into (1), we have
u2 – 17u + 16 = 0
(u – 1)(u – 16) = 0
u = 1 or u = 16
Since x2 = u, we have
x2 = 1 or x2 = 16
x = ±1 or x = ±4
∴ x = 0 or x   1 or x   4
Equations with square root signs
Let me show you how to

solve x  x  5  1 .
Solve x  x  5  1.
Step 1 Group the terms without square root

signs on the same side.
x  x 5 1
x 1 x  5
Step 2 Square both sides to eliminate the
square root sign.
2
( x  1) 2  ( x  5 )
x 2  2x  1  x  5
x  3x  4  0
2
Step 3 Solve the quadratic equation obtained.
x 2  3x  4  0
( x  1)( x  4)  0
x  1 or x  4
Squaring both sides of an

equation in step 2 may create
unwanted roots. Hence, we
need to do the following step.
Step 4 Check whether the results satisfy
the original equation.
Checking:
When x = –1, x  x  5   1   1  5
 3
1
Hence, –1 is not a solution of the equation x  x  5  1.
When x = 4, x  x  5  4  4  5
 1
∴ The solution of the equation is x = 4.
Follow-up question
Solve 2x  x  1 .
2x  x 1
2x  1  x  Group the terms without square root signs
on one side.
( 2 x  1) 2  ( x ) 2  Square both sides.
4x 2  4x  1  x
4x 2  5x  1  0
( 4 x  1)( x  1)  0
1
x or x  1
4
Checking:
1  1  1
When x  , 2 x  x  2 | 
4 4 4
 0
1
1
Hence, is not a solution of the equation 2 x  x  1.
4
When x = 1, 2 x  x  2(1)  1
1
∴ The solution of the equation is x = 1.
Alternative Solution
By substituting x  u into the equation 2 x  x  1 ,

we have
2u2 – u = 1  x  ( x )2  u 2
2u2 – u – 1 = 0
(u – 1)(2u + 1) = 0
1
u = 1 or u =–
2
Since x  u , we have
1
x = 1 or x =– (rejected)  xis always
2 non-negative.
∴ x=1
Both exponential equations and
logarithmic equations can sometimes
be reduced to quadratic equations by
substitution, and be solved.
Exponential Equations
Let look at an example of solving the

exponential equation 22x + 2(2x) – 3 = 0
first.
Solve 22x + 2(2x) – 3 = 0.
22x + 2(2x) – 3 = 0
(2x)2 + 2(2x) – 3 = 0 ......(1)
By substitute 2x = u into (1), we have
u2 + 2u – 3 = 0
(u – 1)(u + 3) = 0
u = 1 or u = –3
Since 2x = u, we have
2x = 1 or 2x = –3 (rejected)  2x is always positive.
2x = 20
∴ x=0
Follow-up question
Solve 22x – 5(2x+1) + 16 = 0.
22x – 5(2x+1) + 16 = 0
(2x)2 – 5(2)(2x) + 16 = 0
(2x)2 – 10(2x) + 16 = 0 ......(1)
By substituting 2x = u into (1), we have
u2 – 10u + 16 = 0
(u – 2)(u – 8) = 0
u = 2 or u = 8
Since 2x = u, we have
2x = 2 or 2x = 8
2x = 21 or 2x = 23
∴ x=1 or x=3
Logarithmic Equations
Now, let us solve the logarithmic

equations (log x)2 + 2 log x – 3 = 0.
Solve (log x)2 + 2 log x – 3 = 0.
By substitute log x = u into the equation

(log x)2 + 2 log x – 3 = 0, we have
Since log x = u, we have

log x = 1 or log x = –3
x = 101 or x = 10–3
1
∴ x = 10 or x=
1000
Follow-up question
Solve (log x)2 – log x2 – 8 = 0.
(log x)2 – log x2 – 8 = 0
(log x)2 – 2log x – 8 = 0 ......(1)
By substitute log x = u into (1), we have
u2 – 2u – 8 = 0
(u – 4)(u + 2) = 0
u = 4 or u = –2
Since log x = u, we have
log x = 4 or log x = –2
x = 104 or x = 10–2
1
∴ x = 10 000 or x=
100

Equations Reducible To Quadratic Equations: Book 4B Chapter 8

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Equations Reducible To Quadratic Equations: Book 4B Chapter 8

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Book 4B Chapter 8

The two given equations are

Step 1 Reduce the fractional equation to a

Step 2 Solve the quadratic equation obtained.

Remember to check whether

Some equations of higher degree

Step 3 Since x2 = u, we have

Let me show you how to

Step 1 Group the terms without square root

Squaring both sides of an

By substituting x  u into the equation 2 x  x  1 ,

Let look at an example of solving the

Now, let us solve the logarithmic

By substitute log x = u into the equation

Since log x = u, we have

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