Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations

7.1 Solving Quadratics by Graphing

Review from Chapter 6:

A quadratic function written in standard form is:

y= ax2 + bx + c

where a ≠ 0. This function has a degree of 2. The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola.

A quadratic equation is also an equation of degree 2 written in the standard form where one
side of the equation is set to 0.

0 = ax2 + bx + c

Quadratic function: y = 2x2 + 4x − 3 vs Quadratic equation: 0 = 2 x2 + 4 x − 3

Quadratic equations that are not in standard form can be re-written so that one side of the
equation is equal to zero. It is preferred to have the a-value positive.
• Example: Change quadratic equation 0 = −2 x2 + 3x + 1 so that it has an a  0

Classroom discussion: why can we change the sign? Why doesn’t it impact my solutions?

Solving Equations
When solving a quadratic equation (also called determining the roots or zeros) there are two
situations:
1. There are two functions given on either side of the equal sign.
a. For these questions (when solving graphically), we will look for the x-values of
the intersection point(s) between two functions.
b. Example: 2 x2 + 3x − 5 = 2x + 1 (Desmos)

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 2. There is an 0 on one side of the equal sign and a function on the other side.
a. Example: 0 = 2 x2 + 3x − 5 (Desmos)

Calculator Information

Example 1
Graphically solve the following quadratic equations, if possible. Round the roots to the nearest
tenth, if necessary.

a) 2 x2 + 4 x − 3 = x + 1 b) x2 + 5x + 6 = 0 c) x2 − 4 x − 2 = 0

*d) 3x2 + 6x + 5 = 2x(4 − x) e) 4 x2 + 7 x − 2 = 0 f) 4x2 + 9x + 2 = −2x2 + 2x

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Example 2
The flight time for a long-distance water ski jumper depends on the initial velocity of the jump
and the angle of the ramp. For one particular jump, the ramp has a vertical height of 5.0 m above
water level. The height of the ski jumper in flight, h(t), in meters, over time, t, in seconds can be
modelled by the following function:

h(t ) = 5.0 + 24.46t − 4.9t 2

• How long does this water ski jumper hold

his pose? What do I need to look for on the
graph to determine this?

• At what times does that ski jumper reach 20 m in height? How do you solve for this?

• What does the h-intercept represent?

• Sketch the graph on the right-hand side and label all important coordinates.

Example 3
Solve the following quadratic equation 4 x2 + 3x − 2 = −2 x2 + 5x + 1 using the two methods
described below:
• Graph the expressions on both sides of equation and determine the solutions of the
equation to the nearest tenth.

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 • Rewrite the quadratic equation in standard form, graph the corresponding function, and
determine the zeros, to the nearest tenth.

• Which method do you prefer? Explain.

How many solutions are possible?

Remember that solutions to these problems are just the number of intersection points between
two functions, or the number of x-intercepts for one function.

Take a second and discuss this with your table mates around you. Draw some possible solutions
on the graphs in the space below to support your conclusions!

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A parabola may have zero, one, or two x-intercepts (solutions). Below are some possible
scenarios and the applicable a and c values for these situations (reminder that a quadratic
function in standard form is y = ax2 + bx + c )
• Case 1:
• Case 1: zero x-intercepts
o Positive a-value
o Positive c-value
• Case 2:
o Negative a-value
o Negative c-value
• Case 2: one x-intercept • A and c value (and b-
value) need to result in
only 1 intercept.

• Case 3: two x-intercepts • Case 1:

o Positive a-value
o Negative c-value
• Case 2:
o Negative a-value
o Positive c-value

Assignment – Solving Quadratic Equations by Graphing

1. Solve the equation 2 x2 − 5x − 3 = 0 by graphing the corresponding function and

determining the zeroes.

2. Solve the equation 0.5x2 = −2 x + 3 by graphing the corresponding function and

determining the zeroes.

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 5

 3. Rewrite the equation 2 p2 + 3 p = 1 − 2 p in standard form. Then solve the equation in
standard form by graphing.

4. A ball is thrown into the air from a bridge that is 14 m above a river. The function that
models the height, h(t ) , in meters, of the ball over time, t, in seconds is
h(t ) = −4.9t 2 + 8t + 14
a. When is the ball 16 m above the water?

b. When is the ball 12 m above the water? Explain your process for determining this.

c. Is the ball ever 18 m above the water? Explain how you know.

d. When does the ball hit the water?

Additional Questions: Pg. 403 #8bd, 10

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 6

7.2 Solving Quadratics Equations by Factoring

To algebraically solve an equation, or to determine the "roots" of a quadratic equation, means to

find the x-values that make the quadratic equation true (ie. x-intercepts/zeros).
• All solutions can be verified by substituting the roots back into the quadratic equation.
• If the values on the left and right side are equal, the roots are correct, and the solutions
have been verified.

Factoring Review
• Always check for a Greatest Common Factor (GCF) first
o Look for the highest coefficient and variable that divide evenly into each option
o Remember to include GCF in your answer as you progress down!
• Complete Area Method factoring
o Fill in areas and determine “side lengths” that make it complete
• Difference of Squares
o A special type of factoring where two terms that are perfect squares are
subtracted from each other
o a2 − b2 = (a + b)(a − b)
o Examples: x2 − 9 = ( x + 3)( x − 3) or x2 − 9 = ( x + 3)( x − 3)

Remember: when determining solutions, we need to set our factors equal to zero!!
• Example:
( x + 3)( x − 3) = 0 (2x + 3)(2x − 3) = 0

Why is it that we set both factors equal to zero?

Example 1
Determine the solutions to the following equations by factoring. Verify your solutions.
a) 2 x2 + 10 x = 0 b) x2 − 8x + 12 = 0 c) 2 x2 − 9 x − 5 = 0

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 7

 d) 4 x2 −12 x + 9 = 0 e) x2 − 16 = 0 f) 25a2 − 49 = 0

g) −2x2 + 50 = 0 h) x2 − 12 x + 20 = 0 i) 3x2 − 5x − 2 = 0

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 8

Example 2
Solve the following equations by factoring.
• Write equation in standard form first and then solve.
a) 3x( x − 2) = 4x2 − 7 x − 6 b) 4(m2 − 4m + 6) = 3(2m2 + 8) c) 2 x2 + 5x + 3 = 7 x2 − 9 x

Example 3
• Pedro solved a quadratic equation by graphing. He determined that the roots of the
equation were -3 and 4. Determine an equation, in factored form, that he might have
solved.

• The graph of a quadratic function has x-intercepts at -5 and 7. Write a quadratic equation
that has these roots.

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 Assignment – Solving Quadratic Equations by Factoring

1. Solve by factoring. Verify minimum one of each solution.

a) x2 −11x + 28 = 0 b) 2 y 2 + 11y + 5 = 0

c) x2 − 121 = 0 d) 3 y 2 − 48 y = 0

2. The graph of a quadratic has x-intercepts of 2 and -3. Write a quadratic equation that has
these roots.

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 10

 3. Identify and correct the errors in this solution:
4r 2 − 9r = 0
(2r − 3)(2r + 3) = 0
2r − 3 = 0 2r + 3 = 0
2r = 3 2r = −3
3 3
r = = 1.5 r = − = −1.5
2 2

Additional questions: Pg. 411 #1bd, 2ce

7.3 Solving with Quadratic Formula

7.4 Problems Involving Quadratic Equations

When a quadratic equation in the form 0 = ax2 + bx + c, where a ≠ 0, cannot be solved using any
of the factoring methods, use the quadratic formula:

−b  b2 − 4ac
x=
2a
There can be up to two answers/roots:

−b + b2 − 4ac −b − b2 − 4ac
x= and x=
2a 2a

* Note: if the question asks for an exact value, you must keep your answer in a simplified radical
form! Remember simplifying radicals! *

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Example 1
Solve by using the quadratic formula and give exact answers. Verify by graphing.
• Remember that equation must be in standard form.

a) 2 x2 − 5x + 1 = 0 b) x2 + 7 x = 5

c) x2 + 3x −18 = 0 d) 4 x2 + 9 x + 2 = 0

Example 2
The path of a water slide can be modelled by the quadratic function h(d ) = −d 2 − d + 12 , where h
is the height above the surface of the water and d is the horizontal distance the slider travels, both
measured in feet. Algebraically determine the horizontal distance Aisha travels before
dropping into the pool.

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Example 3
Sylvia dives from a tower into a pool of water. Her dive can be modelled by the function
h(t ) = −4.9t 2 + 1.5t + 10 , where h(t) represents her height above the water, in metres, and t
represents time from the start of her dive, in seconds. Algebraically determine how long it
takes Sylvia to enter the water, to the nearest tenth of a second?

Example 4
Student council is holding a raffle to raise money. The profit function for the raffle is
p(c) = −25c2 + 500c − 350 , where p(c) is the profit and c is the price of each ticket, both in
dollars. What ticket price will result in the student council breaking even on the raffle?

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 Assignment – Solving Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

1. Determine the solution to each equation using the quadratic formula. Verify you solution
by graphing.

a) x2 − 5x + 6 = 0 b) 2 x2 + 5x + 1 = 0

c) 2 x2 − 4 x + 3 = 0 d) 6 x − 3 = 2 x2

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 14

Assignment – Problems Involving Quadratic Equations

1. Akpatok Island in Nunavut is surrounded by steep cliffs along the coast. Bubbles and
Ricky are walking along one of the cliffs is 125 m above sea level. Ricky accidentally
dislodged a stone from the edge of the cliff and it fell into the water. The height of the
stone, h(t), in meters, after t, in seconds, can be represent by the function
h(t ) = −4.9t 2 + 4t + 125 .
a. Algebraically determine how long it takes for the stone to hit the surface of the
water, to the nearest tenth of a second.

b. Confirm your answer by checking graphically.

Additional Practice: Pg. 420 #10

Mathematics 20-2 Chapter 7 – Quadratic Equations 15