1. Jan 21, 2008

### MathsIsPoo

In college we have been given an exercise about Quadratic Equations, before the actual assignment.

We have been told that we need to use three different methods for three different equations. The methods are: The Quadratic Formula, Factorization and Graphical.

We have been given three formulas for practice before the actual work, I was hoping possibly somebody could demonstrate how to do them because I do not fully understand them. These are the formulas:

X=2x² - 3x – 20

X=2x² - 6x – 5

X=2.5x² - 7.9x + 1.341

All help would appreciated, if someone could complete the equations for a demonstration would be very much appreciated.

Thanks.

2. Jan 21, 2008

### Feldoh

First off I'd like to say that when you use any of these three methods you're finding values of x where the function crosses the x-axis.

An example of factorization would be this:
f(x)= x^2+4x+4

If we set this equal to 0 (because this means the function is on the x-axis) we get:
0 = x^2+4x+4

To factor this we are just looking for a way to essentially make it easier to find the zero's or x-intercepts.

This particular equation factors into (x+2)(x+2) so we have
0 = x^2+4x+4 = (x+2)(x+2)

So the value of x where this quadratic will cross the x-axis happens when x= -2

Because then we get 0 = (-2+2)(-2+2)

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If we use the quadratic formula for the same problem f(x)=x^2+4x+4 we will indeed get the same answer.

The quadratic formula itself goes like this:
For some function f(x) = ax^2+bx+c

$$x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$

So we can go back to our problem f(x) = x^2+4x+4 and we get

$$x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{4^2-4(1)(4)}}{2(1)}$$

$$x = \frac{-4 \pm \sqrt{0}}{2}$$

$$x = \frac{-4}{2} = -2$$ Which is exactly what we got above by factoring.

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To find the zeros graphing requires a graphing calculator.

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Now see if you can solve those three equations you posted. I'll give you a hint: the first can be factored and the quadratic formula would be really easy to use on the second problem, and the third you can graph.

Last edited: Jan 21, 2008
3. Jan 21, 2008

### symbolipoint

Why is each expression equated to X ?

You already learned about factoring trinomials quadratic expressions (unless you are being taught things out of order in introductory algebra). Try that on each of the three equations, but you might find the last equation difficult to factor.

for graphing, you can simply create tables for points (x, X) (why are you using capital X on the left side?); and from the table, plot points on cartesian system. Finding the zeros might be difficult this way, but if you have the factorization, then set 0=binomial*binomial, and find the x value fow which each binomial is 0.

For quadratic equation, Feldoh gave you the right method, so just reread that.