Quadratic Equations

An equation involving one variable

An equation involving one variable with maximum index 2 and all indices as whole numbers is called a quadratic equation. Its general form is ax^2 + bx

A polynomial of degree 2

A polynomial of degree 2 is quadratic, while a polynomial of degree 1 is linear. Zero constant term does not stop a polynomial from being quadratic, a

If p(a) = 0 for

If p(a) = 0 for a polynomial p(x), then (x - a) is a factor of p(x), and a is a root or solution of p(x) = 0. Trial values must be checked carefully b

First find linear factors of

First find linear factors of the quadratic polynomial. Then use the zero product property: if the product of two numbers is zero, at least one of them

Rewrite the quadratic expression as

Rewrite the quadratic expression as a square of a binomial plus or minus a constant. For example, x^2 + 10x + 2 becomes (x + 5)^2 - 23, which can then