Algebra II : Solving Quadratic Equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for Algebra II

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Example Questions

Example Question #61 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle 2x^2-8x+1=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=8.57\text{ and }x=6.43\)

\(\displaystyle x=2.91\text{ and }x=0.09\)

\(\displaystyle x=3.87\text{ and }x=0.13\)

\(\displaystyle x=1.37\text{ and }x=5.63\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=3.87\text{ and }x=0.13\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 2x^2-8x+1=0\)

Start by subtracting \(\displaystyle 1\) from both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle 2x^2-8x=-1\)

Next, divide everything by the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x^2\) term.

\(\displaystyle x^2-4x=-\frac{1}{2}\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2-4x+4=-\frac{1}{2}+4\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x-2)^2=\frac{7}{2}\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x-2=\pm \sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=2+\sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}=3.87\)

\(\displaystyle x=5-\sqrt{\frac{7}{2}}=0.13\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

 

Example Question #62 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle 3x^2-5x-10=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=2.84\text{ and }x=-1.17\)

\(\displaystyle x=3.69\text{ and }x=-2.31\)

\(\displaystyle x=7.08\text{ and }x=-3.92\)

\(\displaystyle x=4.09\text{ and }x=1.91\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=2.84\text{ and }x=-1.17\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 3x^2-5x-10=0\)

Start by adding \(\displaystyle 10\) to both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle 3x^2-5x=10\)

Next, divide everything by the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x^2\) term.

\(\displaystyle x^2-\frac{5}{3}x=\frac{10}{3}\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2-\frac{5}{3}x+\frac{25}{36}=\frac{10}{3}+\frac{25}{36}\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x-\frac{5}{6})^2=\frac{145}{36}\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x-\frac{5}{6}=\pm \sqrt{\frac{145}{36}}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{5}{6}+\sqrt{\frac{145}{36}}=2.84\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{5}{6}-\sqrt{\frac{145}{36}}=-1.17\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

 

Example Question #63 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle x^2-10x-12=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=12.36\text{ and }x=2.36\)

\(\displaystyle x=-3.46\text{ and }x=-16.46\)

\(\displaystyle x=20.75\text{ and }x=8.75\)

\(\displaystyle x=11.08\text{ and }x=-1.08\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=11.08\text{ and }x=-1.08\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x^2-10x-12=0\)

Start by adding \(\displaystyle 12\) to both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2-10x=12\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2-10x+25=12+25\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x-5)^2=37\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x-5=\pm \sqrt{37}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=5+\sqrt{37}=11.08\)

\(\displaystyle x=5-\sqrt{37}=-1.08\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

Example Question #64 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle x^2+18x-20=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=3.39\text{ and }x=-18.39\)

\(\displaystyle x=1.05\text{ and }x=-19.05\)

\(\displaystyle x=9.21\text{ and }x=1.21\)

\(\displaystyle x=6.12\text{ and }x=-0.12\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=1.05\text{ and }x=-19.05\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x^2+18x-20=0\)

Start by adding \(\displaystyle 20\) to both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+18x=20\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+18x+81=20+81\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x+9)^2=101\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x+9=\pm \sqrt{101}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=-9+\sqrt{101}=1.05\)

\(\displaystyle x=-9-\sqrt{101}=-19.05\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

Example Question #65 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle 8x^2-2x-1=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{8}\text{ and }x=-\frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{5}{8}\text{ and }x=-\frac{7}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{4}\text{ and }x=-\frac{3}{8}\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{2}\text{ and }x=-\frac{1}{4}\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{2}\text{ and }x=-\frac{1}{4}\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 8x^2-2x-1=0\)

Start by adding \(\displaystyle 1\) to both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle 8x^2-2x=1\)

Next, divide everything by the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x^2\) term.

\(\displaystyle x^2-\frac{1}{4}x=\frac{1}{8}\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2-\frac{1}{4}x+\frac{1}{64}=\frac{1}{8}+\frac{1}{64}\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x-\frac{1}{8})^2=\frac{9}{64}\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x-\frac{1}{8}=\pm \sqrt{\frac{9}{64}}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{8}+\frac{3}{8}=\frac{1}{2}\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{8}-\frac{3}{8}=-\frac{1}{4}\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

Example Question #66 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle x^2+16x+50=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=-1.51\text{ and }x=-10.49\)

\(\displaystyle x=-3.18\text{ and }x=-8.82\)

\(\displaystyle x=-6.68\text{ and }x=-10.32\)

\(\displaystyle x=-4.26\text{ and }x=-11.74\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=-4.26\text{ and }x=-11.74\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x^2+16x+50=0\)

Start by subtracting \(\displaystyle 50\) from both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+16x=-50\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+16x+64=-50+64\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x+8)^2=14\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x+8=\pm \sqrt{14}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=-8+\sqrt{14}=-4.26\)

\(\displaystyle x=-8+\sqrt{14}=-11.74\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

Example Question #67 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle x^2+20x+50=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=-3.07\text{ and }x=-18.93\)

\(\displaystyle x=-2.93\text{ and }x=-17.07\)

\(\displaystyle x=-6.27\text{ and }x=-18.73\)

\(\displaystyle x=-4.73\text{ and }x=-20.27\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=-2.93\text{ and }x=-17.07\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle x^2+20x+50=0\)

Start by subtracting \(\displaystyle 50\) from both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+20x=-50\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+20x+100=-50+100\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x+10)^2=50\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x+10=\pm \sqrt{50}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=-10+\sqrt{50}=-2.93\)

\(\displaystyle x=-10+\sqrt{50}=-17.07\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

Example Question #68 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle 3x^2+4x-6=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=6.31\text{ and }x=10.81\)

\(\displaystyle x=-9.37\text{ and }x=5.08\)

\(\displaystyle x=2.22\text{ and }x=-8.09\)

\(\displaystyle x=0.90\text{ and }x=-2.23\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=0.90\text{ and }x=-2.23\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 3x^2+4x-6=0\)

Start by adding \(\displaystyle 6\) to both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle 3x^2+4x=6\)

Next, divide everything by the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x^2\) term.

\(\displaystyle x^2+\frac{4}{3}x=2\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2+\frac{4}{3}x+\frac{4}{9}=2+\frac{4}{9}\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x+\frac{2}{3})^2=\frac{22}{9}\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x+\frac{2}{3}=\pm \sqrt{\frac{22}{9}}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=-\frac{2}{3}+\sqrt{\frac{22}{9}}=0.90\)

\(\displaystyle x=-\frac{2}{3}-\sqrt{\frac{22}{9}}=-2.23\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

 

Example Question #69 : Completing The Square

Solve for \(\displaystyle x\) by completing the square.

\(\displaystyle 10x^2-5x-6=0\)

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle x=3.51\text{ and }x=0.51\)

\(\displaystyle x=27.66\text{ and }x=-2.66\)

\(\displaystyle x=1.06\text{ and }x=-0.56\)

\(\displaystyle x=2.95\text{ and }x=1.05\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle x=1.06\text{ and }x=-0.56\)

Explanation:

\(\displaystyle 10x^2-5x-6=0\)

Start by adding \(\displaystyle 6\) to both sides so that the terms with the \(\displaystyle x\) are together on the left side of the equation.

\(\displaystyle 10x^2-5x=6\)

Next, divide everything by the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x^2\) term.

\(\displaystyle x^2-\frac{1}{2}x=\frac{3}{5}\)

Now, look at the coefficient of the \(\displaystyle x\)-term. To complete the square, divide this coefficient by \(\displaystyle 2\), then square the result. Add this term to both sides of the equation.

\(\displaystyle x^2-\frac{1}{2}x+\frac{1}{16}=\frac{3}{5}+\frac{1}{16}\)

Rewrite the left side of the equation in the squared form.

\(\displaystyle (x-\frac{1}{4})^2=\frac{53}{80}\)

Take the square root of both sides.

\(\displaystyle x-\frac{1}{4}=\pm \sqrt{\frac{53}{80}}\)

Now solve for \(\displaystyle x\).

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{4}+\sqrt{\frac{53}{80}}=1.06\)

\(\displaystyle x=\frac{1}{4}-\sqrt{\frac{53}{80}}=-0.56\)

Round to two places after the decimal.

Example Question #70 : Completing The Square

Which number completes the following square equation: 

\(\displaystyle x^{2}+6x+\)___

Possible Answers:

\(\displaystyle 36\)

\(\displaystyle 9\)

\(\displaystyle 3\)

\(\displaystyle 6\)

\(\displaystyle 12\)

Correct answer:

\(\displaystyle 9\)

Explanation:

In order to complete the square, you half the middle number and square it. 

\(\displaystyle x^{2}+6x+\)__________

          \(\displaystyle \downarrow\)              \(\displaystyle \uparrow\)

          \(\displaystyle \left(\frac{6}{2}\right)^2=(3)^2=9\)

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