[Math-AA 2.

2] QUADRATICS
SOLUTIONS
Compiled by: Christos Nikolaidis

O. Practice questions

1.
y  x2  1 y  x2  1
table of values table of values
x 0 1 -1 2 -2 x 0 1 -1 2 -2
y 1 2 2 5 5 y -1 0 0 3 3

3  25 3  5
2. (a) (i)   9  16  25 , x   so x  4 or x  1
2 2
OR using factorization: x  3 x  4  ( x  1)( x  4) . So x  4 or x  1
2

x –1 4
For (ii) and (iii) we construct the number line:
  
(ii) 1  x  4 (iii) x  1 or x  4

(b) (i) x 2  3 x  0  x( x  3)  0  x  0 or x  3
x 0 3
For (ii) and (iii) we construct the number line:
  
(ii) 0 x3 (iii) x  0 or x  3

(c) (i) x 2  4  0  x 2  4  x  2
x –2 2
For (ii) and (iii) we construct the number line:
  
(ii) 2  x  2 (iii) x  2 or x  2

1
 24
3. (a)   4  12  16 , x  so x  3 or x  1
2
48
(b)   16  48  64 , x  so x  3 or x  1
4
(c) For f, vertex (1,-4). For g, vertex (1,-8)
(d)

4.
f ( x)  2 x 2  12 x  10 f ( x)  2 x 2  12 x  18 f ( x)  2 x 2  12 x  23

Discriminant   64 0   40

y -intercept 10 18 23

Roots 1, 5 3 (double), No real roots,

Factorisation f ( x )  2( x  1)( x  5) f ( x )  2( x  3) 2 No factorization

axis of symmetry x3 x3 x3

Vertex V(3,-8) V(3,0) V(3,5)

Vertex form
f ( x)  2( x  3) 2  8 f ( x )  2( x  3) 2 f ( x )  2( x  3) 2  5
f ( x )  a ( x  h) 2  k

Solve f ( x )  0 x  1 or x  5 xR xR

Solve f ( x)  0 x  1 or x  5 x  R  {3} xR

Solve f ( x)  0 No solutions
1 x  5 x3
(always positive)
Solve f ( x)  0 No solutions No solutions
1 x  5
(always positive or 0) (always positive)

2
5. (a) (i) x  10 x  20
(ii) y  4( x  10)( x  20)

(b) (i) (15,-100)

(ii) y  4( x  15)  100
2

(iii) x  15
(iv) y min  100

(c) y  800
(d)

6. (a) (i) x  10 x  20
(ii) y  4( x  10)( x  20)
(b) (i) (15, 100)
(ii) y  4( x  15) 2  100
(iii) x  15
(iv) y max  100
(c) y  800
(d)

7. (a) x=4
(b) y = 12 since (8,12) is symmetric to (0,12) about x = 4
(c) y = 5 since (1,5) is symmetric to (7,5) about x = 4

3
8. Let y  ax 2  bx  c
For (0,5): 0  0  c  5
For (1,2): a  b  c  2
For (3,8): 9a  3b  c  8
METHOD A (with GDC)
Use GDC: simultaneous equations in 3 unknowns: Solution a  2 , b  5 , c  5
METHOD B (with or without GDC)
The first relation gives c  5
Then, the next two relations take the form
a  b  5  2  a  b  3
9a  3b  5  8  9a  3b  3  3a  b  1
The solution of this system is a  2 , b  5
Therefore, the quadratic is y  2 x 2  5 x  5

9. Let y  ax 2  bx  c
For (1,6): a  b  c  6
For (2,11): 4a  2b  c  11
For (3,18): 9a  3b  c  18
Use GDC: simultaneous equations in 3 unknowns: Solution a  1 , b  2 , c  3
Therefore, the quadratic is y  x 2  2 x  3

10. (a) We use the factorised form:

y  a ( x  1)( x  3)
Using the point (0,6): 3a  6  a  2
Thus y  2( x  1)( x  3)  2( x 2  4 x  3)  2 x 2  8 x  6
Finally, y  2 x 2  8 x  6
(b) We use the vertex form:
y  a ( x  2) 2  3
Using the point (1,5): a  3  5  a  2
Thus y  2( x  2) 2  3  2( x 2  4 x  4)  3
Finally, y  2 x 2  8 x  11
11.
(a) Expression + – 0 (b) Expression + – 0 (c) Expression + – 0

a – a – a +
c – c 0 c –
b2 – 4ac 0 b2 – 4ac + b2 – 4ac +
b b b
 +  +  +
2a 2a 2a
b + b + b –

4
12. (a) (i) x 2  3 x  4  x  1  x 2  4 x  3  0  x  1 or x  3
Points (1,2) and (3,4) (OR directly obtained by GDC graph)
(ii) x 2  3 x  4  x  x 2  4 x  4  0  x  2
Point (2,2) (OR directly obtained by GDC graph)
(iii) x 2  3 x  4  x  1  x 2  4 x  5  0 no real solution
No Point of intersection
(b)

13. (a)   4 2  4k  16  4k
(b) (i)   0  16  4k  0  16  4k  k  4
(ii)   0  16  4k  0  16  4k  k  4
(iii)   0  16  4k  0  16  4k  k  4
(iv)   0  16  4k  0  16  4k  k  4
(c) That implies that the graph is above the x-axis, hence there are no real solutions.
It is case (b) (iii) above/ Hence k  4

14. (a) For the intersection of the two curves: 2 x 2  7 x  2 k  3 x  k  2 x 2  4 x  k  0

  42  8k  16  8k
(i)   0  16  8k  0  16  8k  k  2
(ii)   0  16  8k  0  16  8k  k  2
(iii)   0  16  8k  0  16  8k  k  2
(b) When k  2 , 2 x 2  4 x  2  0  x 2  2 x  1  0  x  1
Then y  1

A. Exam style questions (SHORT)

15. (a) x2 – 3x – 10 = 0  x = 5 or x = –2
(b) x2 – 3x – 10 = (x – 5)(x + 2)
(c) (i) x 2  3 x  10  0
x –2 5
  
x  2 or x  5

OR using intervals: x ]  , 2]  [5, [

5
16. 2 x 2  5 x  3  0
5  7 1
We find the roots:   25  24  49 , x so x   , x  3
4 2
Number line:
x – 1/2 3
  
1
  x3
2
1
OR using intervals: x  [  , 3]
2
17. (a) x 2  25 x  0
We find the roots: x  25 x  0  x ( x  25)  0  x  0, x  25 ,
2

Number line:
x 0 25
  

x  0 or x  25
OR using intervals: x ]  , 0]  [25, [

(b) x 2  25  0
We find the roots: x  25  0  x  25  x  5, x  5 ,
2 2

Number line:
x -5 5
  

x  5 or x  5
OR using intervals: x ]  , 5]  [5, [

18. (a) 2 x 2  18 x  0
We find the roots: 2 x  18 x  0  2 x( x  9)  0  x  0, x  9 ,
2

Number line:
x 0 9
  
0 x9
OR using intervals: x  [0,9]
(b) 2 x 2  18  0
We find the roots: 2 x  18  0  x  9  x  3, x  3 ,
2 2

Number line:
x -3 3
  

3  x  3
OR using intervals: x  [ 3,3]

6
19.
Expression + – 0 (Justification)
a + concave up
c + y-intercept positive
2
b – 4ac  Two distinct roots
b
  axis of symmetry at negative x
2a
b + deduced from previous line
1
20. (a) p=– , q = 2 or vice versa
2
 1 2 3
(b) By symmetry C is midway between p, q  x-coordinate is 2 
2 4

21. (a) f (x) = 0

1 9
x =,
2
intercepts are (1, 0) and (2, 0) (accept x = 1, x = 2)
x1  x 2 b
(b) xv  OR xv  
2 2a
xv = 0.5
22. (7 – x)(1 + x) = 0 x = 7 or x = –1
7  ( 1)
B: x  3
2
y = (7 – 3)(l + 3) = 16

23. y = (x +2)(x – 3) = x2 – x – 6
Therefore, p = –1, q = –6
OR
0 = 4 – 2p + q
0 = 9 + 3p + q
p = –1, q = –6

24. (a) f(x) = 0  2x(4 – x) = 0  x = 4, x = 0

x-intercepts are at 4 and 0 (accept (4, 0) and (0, 0))
(b) (i) x = 2 (must be equation)
(ii) substituting x = 2 into f(x)  y = 8
25. (b) Vertex is (3, 5)
(a) Directly f (x) = (x – 3)2 + 5
OR f (x) = x2 – 6x + 14 = x2 – 6x + 9 – 9 + 14 = (x – 3)2 + 5

26. (a) 2x2 – 8x + 5 = 2(x2 – 4x + 4) + 5 – 8 = 2(x – 2)2 – 3

OR vertex at (2, –3)  y = 2(x – 2)2 – 3
=> a = 2, p = 2, q = –3
(b) Minimum value of f (x) = –3

7
27. (a) Vertex is (– 0.5, 1.5)
(b) f (x) = 2(x + 0.5)2 + 1.5

28. (a) Vertex is (– 0.5, – 0.75)

(b) f (x) = – (x +0.5)2 – 0.75

29. (a) q = –2, r = 4 or q = 4, r = –2

(b) x = 1 (must be an equation)
4 1
(c) substituting (0, –4) into the equation: –4 = –8p  p =   
8  2
30. (a) Since the vertex is at (3, 1)
h = 3, k = 1
(b) (5, 9) is on the graph  9 = a(5 – 3)2 + 1
 9 = 4a + 1  4a = 8  a = 2
(c) y = 2(x – 3)2 + 1 = 2(x2 – 6x + 9) + 1 = 2x2 – 12x + 19

31. (a) (i) p = 1, q = 5 (or p = 5, q = 1)

(ii) x=3 (must be an equation)
(b) y = (x  1)(x  5) = x2  6x + 5 = (x  3)2  4
OR For x = 3, y =  4  y = (x  3)2  4

32. (a) (i) m = 3 (ii) p = 2

(b) 0 = d(1  3)2 + 2 OR 0 = d(5  3)2 + 2 OR 2 = d(3  1)(3  5)
1
d 
2

33. (a) p  2 q  4 (or p  4, q  2 )

(b) y  a ( x  2)( x  4)
1
8  a (6  2)(6  4)  8  16a  a 
2
1 1 2 1 2
(c) y  ( x  2)( x  4)y  ( x  2 x  8)
y  x x4
2 2 2
1 9
(d) y ( x  1) 2 
2 2

34. (a) f (x) = –10(x + 4)(x – 6)

(b) METHOD 1
Vertex: x = 1, y = –10(1+ 4)(1– 6) = 250, Hence f (x) = –10(x –1)2 + 250
METHOD 2
complete the square f (x) = –10(x2 – 2x – 24)= –10((x –1)2 –1– 24) = –10(x –1)2 + 250
(c) f (x) = –10(x + 4)(x – 6) = –10(x2 – 6x + 4x – 24) = 240 + 20x –10x2
OR
f (x) = –10(x –1)2 + 250 =–10(x2 – 2x +1) + 250 = 240 + 20x –10x2

8
35. (2,-3) and (6,9)

36. (4,-1)

37. no points of intersection

38. (-2,1) and (2,1)

39. 4x2 + 4kx + 9 = 0

Only one solution  b2 – 4ac = 0 16k2 – 4(4)(9) = 0
k2 = 9  k = 3
But given k > 0, k = 3

40. One solution  discriminant = 0

9 1 
32 – 4k = 0  9 = 4k  k =   2 , 2.25 
4 4 
41. (a) (k – 3)2 – 4 × k × 1 = 0, k2 – 10k + 9 = 0  k = 1, k = 9
(b) k = 1, k = 9

9
 1
42. (a)   0,  (–4k)2 – 4(2k)(1) = 0  16k2 – 8k = 0  8k(2k– 1) = 0  k 
2
(b) vertex is on the x-axis  p  0

43. ∆ > 0 (2k)2 – 4 > 0  4k2 – 4 > 0

Solve 4k2 – 4 = 0  4k2 = 4  k2 = 1  k = ±1
THEN k < –1 or k > 1

44. Δ = 9 – 4k > 0  9 > 4k  k < 2.25

crosses the x-axis if k = 1 or k = 2

45. For kx2 – 3x + (k + 2) = 0 to have two distinct real roots then k  0 and 9 – 4k(k + 2) > 0
4k2 + 8k – 9 < 0 , hence –2.803 < k <0.803
Set of values of k is –2.80 < k < 0.803, k  0

46.   4  4 k (3k  2)    12k 2

 8k  4 
Roots: k  1 , k  1/ 3
1
  0, 1  k 
3

47. 100 – 4(1 + 2k)(k – 2) ≥0. Graph

–3 4.5

–3 ≤ k ≤ 4.5 (accept –3 < k < 4.5)

48.   ( k  3) 2  4k ( k  8)  k 2  6k  9  4k 2  32k  3k 2  26k  9

1
Roots: k   , k  9
3

49. For a > 0, f(x) > 0 for all real values of x if and only if   0 (no real roots)
(2 – k)2 – 4k2 < 0  4 – 4k + k2 – 4k2 < 0  3k2 – 4k – 4 > 0
2
 (3k – 2)(k + 2) > 0  k > , k < –2
3
50. m(x +1)  x2  x2 – mx – m  0
Hence  = b2 – 4ac  0  m2 + 4m  0
Now using a sketch of quadratic (or otherwise): –4  m  0

51. For intersection: mx + 5 = 4 – x2 or x2 + mx + 1 = 0.

For tangency: discriminant = 0
Thus, m2 – 4 = 0 , so m = 2

52. 2x2  2x 1  x2  m  x2  2x  m 1  0 .
  0  4  4( m  1)  0  8  4 m  0  m  2

10
B. Exam style questions (LONG)

53. (a) Vertex is (4, 8)

(b) Substituting 10 = a(7  4)2 + 8  a = 2
(c) For y-intercept, x = 0, y = 24
(d) 2( x  4) 2  8  0  2( x  4) 2  8  ( x  4) 2  4  x  4  2
 x  6 or x  2
OR by expanding and then solve, x  6 or x  2
(e)

54. (a) substituting (–4, 3)

3 = a(–4)2 + b(–4) + c  16a – 4b + c = 3
(b) 3 = 36a + 6b + c
–1 = 4a – 2b + c
(c) a = 0.25, b = –0.5, c = –3 (accept fractions)
2
f (x) = 0.25x – 0.5x – 3
(d) f(x) = 0.25(x – 1)2 – 3.25 (accept h = 1, k = –3.25, a = 0.25, or fractions)

55. (a) Δ = 0  q2  4(4)(25) = 0  q2 = 400  q = 20, q = 20

(b) x = 2.5
(c) (0, 25)
(d)

11
56. (a) line and graph intersect when 3 x 2  x  4  mx  1  3x 2  (1  m) x  3  0 .

  (1  m) 2  36

(i) The line is tangent when   0  (1  m) 2  36  1  m  6  m  5 , m  7

(ii) Two points of intersection when   0  m  7 , m  5

(iii) No points of intersection when   0  7  m  5 .

(b) When m  5 , 3 x 2  6 x  3  0  x 2  2 x  1  0  x  1 . Then y  6 . Point (1,6).

When m  7 , 3 x 2  6 x  3  0  x 2  2 x  1  0  x  1 . Then y  8 . Point (–1,8).

b   b  
57. (a) x1  , x1 
2a 2a
 b    b    2b b
(i) x1  x2    
2a 2a 2a a

b    b   2  
(ii) x2  x1    
2a 2a 2a a

b   b   ( b) 2   b 2  b 2  4ac 4 ac c
(iii) x2 x1     2 
2a 2a 4a 2 4a 2 4a a
10
(b) x1  x2    10
1
k 
(c) (i) x1 x2  k (ii) x2  x1  
1 a
(d) It must be   0 (two distinct roots)
  0  100  4k  0  k  25
(i) both negative: S  0 (it is anyway!) and P  0  k  0
Hence 0  k  25
(iI) one positive, one negative P  0  k  0
Hence k  0

58. (a) Let A(a,a2) and B(b,0) be the points on the graph and on x-axis respectively. Then
ab a2  0
 5 and  2 , hence a  2 and a  8 or 12 respectively.
2 2
Therefore, A(2,4), B(8,0), or A(-2,4), B(12,0).

(b) Let C(c,c2) be on the graph .

(c  5) 2  (c 2  2) 2  23 2  c  5 or c  4.78 .
Therefore, C(5,25) or C(-4.78,22.8)

12