Chapter 1: Problem 13
Given \(a x^{2}+b x+c=0(a \neq 0)\), write the quadratic formula.
Short Answer
Expert verified
The quadratic formula is \(x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}\).
Step by step solution
01
- Understand the Quadratic Equation
The general form of a quadratic equation is given by: \[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \] where \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) are constants and \(a eq 0\).
02
- Recall the Quadratic Formula
The quadratic formula is used to find the roots of the quadratic equation. The formula is: \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
03
- Apply the Formula
To solve the quadratic equation \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\), substitute the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) from the given equation into the quadratic formula: \[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
quadratic equation
A quadratic equation is a type of polynomial equation of degree 2. It is generally written in the form \br\br \br\br \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). In this form, the highest power of the variable \( x \) is 2, making it a quadratic. The coefficients \( a \), \( b \), and \( c \) are constants, where \( a eq 0 \). If \( a \) were 0, the equation would be linear, not quadratic.\br\br Quadratic equations can have different types of roots, which are the solutions to the equation. A quadratic equation can have:\br\br
- Two distinct real roots
- One real root (when the roots are repeated)
- No real roots (if the roots are complex)
solving equations
Solving a quadratic equation involves finding the values of \( x \) that satisfy the equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). There are several methods to solve quadratic equations:\br\br
- Factoring
- Completing the Square
- Using the Quadratic Formula
roots of quadratic equations
The roots of a quadratic equation are the solutions to the equation \( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \). Based on the discriminant, \( \Delta = b^2 - 4ac \), the roots can be classified as:
These roots can be found using the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
For instance, if \( \Delta > 0 \), there will be two different values for \( x \) because of the \( \pm \) sign in the formula. If \( \Delta = 0 \), both values of \( x \) will be the same, and we will have a repeated root. If \( \Delta < 0 \), the values of \( x \) will be complex numbers, which include an imaginary component.
- Real and distinct: if \( \Delta > 0 \)
- Real and repeated: if \( \Delta = 0 \)
- Complex (not real): if \( \Delta < 0 \)
These roots can be found using the quadratic formula:
\[ x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} \]
For instance, if \( \Delta > 0 \), there will be two different values for \( x \) because of the \( \pm \) sign in the formula. If \( \Delta = 0 \), both values of \( x \) will be the same, and we will have a repeated root. If \( \Delta < 0 \), the values of \( x \) will be complex numbers, which include an imaginary component.
general form of quadratic equation
The general form of a quadratic equation is written as:
\[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]
where \( a eq 0 \). Each term in this equation has a specific role:
A quadratic equation can be solved for its roots, which are the values of \( x \) that make the equation true. Understanding the general form helps in recognizing and solving these equations efficiently.
\[ ax^2 + bx + c = 0 \]
where \( a eq 0 \). Each term in this equation has a specific role:
- \( ax^2 \) is the quadratic term, affecting the parabolic shape of the graph
- \( bx \) is the linear term, influencing the slope of the parabola
- \( c \) is the constant term, which moves the parabola up or down on the graph
A quadratic equation can be solved for its roots, which are the values of \( x \) that make the equation true. Understanding the general form helps in recognizing and solving these equations efficiently.