What are the steps to take in solving a quadratic equation?

Question

can you explain to me by using words?

Answer 1

A quadratic equation is in the following form:

ax^2 + bx + c = 0

You can always solve for x using the quadratic formua by plugging in values for a, b, and c:

x = [-b +/- √(b^2 - 4ac)]/2a

You can alternatively use factorization if the quadratic equation doesn't result in irrationals which you wouldn't know until after you solve it. Here, you may have to play around by trial and error.

Answer 2

Step 1:- A quadratic equation is identified from the power of 2.

Step 2:- All the terms must be transferred to one side and equal to 0 (=0).

Step 3:- Factorisation of either: a) 'Taking out the common', b) 'Difference of 2 squares' and c) 'Trinomial'

Step 4:- Seperation of the factors.

Step 5:- Solving linear equation.

I hope I've been of help to you =)

Answer 3

quadratics have the form

Ax^2+bx+c

there are 3 ways you can complete the square, factor or use the quadratic equation

the quadratic equation is the easiest way to explain in words and to use the quadratic equation it has to be equal to 0

quadratic equation is

Ax^2+bx+c <--- this is the form of a quadratic

-b(+ or -)sqrt(b^2-4ac)/(2a)

the a,b and c values are in the form above

i will give you two links to you tube videos to explain completing the square and factoring

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzm-uhj06...

that is completing the square

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N30tN9158...

that is factoring for factoring the equation has to be equal to 0

Answer 4

It would be better if you posted a few questions and then you could follow the working.

I never think that it is a good idea to ask for questions AND answers.

Answer 5

First, change the equation into the standard form of

Ax^2 + Bx + C = 0

You should be able to do this by adding or subtracting the various values from one side of the equation.

Now, if each coefficient (A,B and C) share a common divisor, divide through by this.

Now, you have two different paths you can take...

1) The quadratic formula

( -b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac) ) /2a

Plug the values for A, B and C into this formula to find the roots.  Note that A, B or C could be negative  (x^2 -2x + 1  has coefficients 1, -2 and 1).

2) Factoring

Try to find two expressions that, when multiplied, equal your equation.  You are trying to reverse the procedure of FOIL (First, Outside, Inside, Last).

Here are two examples....

x^2 + 10x - 24 = 0

This is fairly easy, as you need to find two numbers that multiply to -24, and add to 10.

It factors to...

(x + 12)(x - 2) = 0

2x^2 - 5x - 3 = 0

This one is tougher because of the 2

Start with...

(2x + ?)(x + ?) and try to find values

It factors to...

(2x + 1)(x - 3) = 0

If you get stuck on the second method, fall back to the quadratic!