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Topic 1 - Discriminants and Roots

The document discusses using the discriminant of a quadratic equation to determine the nature and number of roots. It explains that a positive discriminant gives two real distinct roots, a zero discriminant gives two equal real roots, and a negative discriminant gives no real roots. The sign of the discriminant can also be used to determine if a quadratic graph intersects a straight line or not. Several examples are provided to illustrate using the discriminant to analyze quadratic equations and inequalities.

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Francis Ho Ho
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210 views

Topic 1 - Discriminants and Roots

The document discusses using the discriminant of a quadratic equation to determine the nature and number of roots. It explains that a positive discriminant gives two real distinct roots, a zero discriminant gives two equal real roots, and a negative discriminant gives no real roots. The sign of the discriminant can also be used to determine if a quadratic graph intersects a straight line or not. Several examples are provided to illustrate using the discriminant to analyze quadratic equations and inequalities.

Uploaded by

Francis Ho Ho
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Example 8

Express -2x2+4x+4 in the form


a(x-h)2+k. Hence,
i) Sketch the graph of -2x2+4x+4
, indicating clearly the
coordinates of the turning point
and the y-intercept
ii)Find the exact values of x for
which
-2x2+4x+4 =0

Discriminant and Roots


The quadratic formula involves the expression
which may or may not give a real value.
is called the discriminant and it allows us to
determine the types of roots of a quadratic
equation.

For a quadratic equation ax2+bx+c=0 ,


a) > 0 the roots are real and distinct
(not equal)
b) = 0 the roots are real and equal
c) < 0 the roots are not real
For (a) and (b), the roots are real

Example 9
Find the non-zero values of p for
which the quadratic equation
px2=2x-p has equal roots.

Example 10
Show that the roots of the
equation x2+(1-p)x-p=0 are real
for all values of p

Example 11
Samson threw a ball such that
the height, s metres, of the ball
at time t seconds is given by the
equation s=-4.9t2+vt+1.5, where
v m/s is the speed at which he
threw the ball
Use the discriminant,
i) To determine whether the ball
could reach a height of 15 m if
it is thrown at a speed of
18m/s
ii) To show that v2558.6 if the

Discriminant and Parabola


The nature of the roots to the quadratic
equation ax2+bx+c=0 determines
whether the graph y= ax2+bx+c
intersects the x-axis.

2-4ac > 0
==> two distinct real roots
==> two x-intercepts

=0
<==> two equal real roots
<==> only one x-intercepts and the
x-axis is tangent to the parabola

<0
<==> no real roots
<==> no xintercepts

In case (3), the graphs do not meet the


x-axis. When a > 0, the graph is entirely
above the x-axis and ax2+bx+c is always
positive. When a < 0, the graph is
entirely below the x-axis and ax2+bx+c
is always negative. That is,

< 0 and a > 0 <==> y= ax2+bx+c >


0 for all real values of x.

< 0 and a < 0 <==> y= ax2+bx+c <


0 for all real values of x.

Discriminant and Intersection


The sign of the discriminant also
determines whether a quadratic graph
intersects a straight line.
To determine whether the two graphs
intersect, you need to solve the linear
equation and the quadratic equation
simultaneously, by equating them.
Determine the sign of the discriminant
and hence the number of points of
intersection and the nature of real roots.

The table show the relationship :Points of Nature


intersec of roots
tion
2
Two
distinct
real
roots
1
Two
equal
real
roots
0
No real

Discrimin
ant
>0

=0

<0

Example 12
Determine the number of xintercepts for each of the
following graphs
a) y=x2+6x+9
b) y=(2-x)2+1
c) y=x2-px+(p-1), p>2

Example 13
a) Show that y=x2-2x+4 is
positive for all real values of x
b) Show that y=-2x2+4kx-2k2-1,
where k is a constant is always
negative

Example 14
Find the range of values of m for
which x2-10x+4-m > 0 for all real
values of x

Example 15
a) Determine whether the line
y=2x+3 intersects the curve
y=4x2+7
b) If the line y=2x+3 intersects
the curve x2+xy=k at two
distinct points, find the range
of values of k.

Example 16
If the line y=mx-8 meets the curve
y=x2-5x+m, show that m2+6m-7

Quadratic Inequalities
To solve a quadratic inequality
graphically, follow these steps:
1) Rewrite the inequality such that its
left side is in the form ax2+bx+c where a
> 0, and its right side is zero.
2) Find the roots of ax2+bx+c =0
3) Sketch the quadratic graph, indicating
the two roots.
4) Identify the range of values of x that
satisfies the inequality.

Example 17
Solve the inequality 2x2<5x+3.
Represent its solution on a number
line.

Example 18
Given the curve y=2x2-mx+2, find
the range of values of m
i) For which the equation y=0 has
real roots
ii) If the line y=2-x intersects the
curve at two distinct points

Example 19
Find the range of values of x for
which 0<x2+4x and x2+4x6x+3.

Homework Assignment
Textbook Page 22
Q9, Q12 and Q13

Textbook Page 28
Q7, Q8 and Q12

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