Forming and Solving Quadratic

Equations
Amanda Austin
www.drfrost.org
@DrFrostMaths

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Last modified: 10th April 2024 in England and Wales (no 1194954)
Teacher Notes
Prerequisite Knowledge Future Links
• Expand and simplify the product of two • Completing the square
brackets • Graphs of quadratic functions
• Factorise simple (monic) and non-monic • Solving hidden quadratics
expressions, including the difference of
two squares and with negative
coefficients
• Solve monic and non-monic quadratic
equations by factorising
• Calculate the area of 2D shapes including
rectangles, triangles and trapeziums
• Calculate the volume and surface area of
3D shapes including cuboids, cylinders
and cones
• Form and solve linear equations from a
given context

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Contents
For lessons covering many concepts, please click the below to navigate quickly to
the relevant part of the lesson.

Prerequisite Knowledge Check

Recap: Solving Monic Quadratic Equations

Recap: Solving Complex Quadratic Equations

Recap: Forming Expressions Involving Area

The Big Idea: Forming Quadratic Equations

The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic Equations with Area

The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic Equations with Volume

The Big Idea: Solving Quadratic Equations in Other Contexts

Exercise: Forming and Solving Quadratic Equations

Dr Frost Learning is a registered charity
in England and Wales (no 1194954)
Prerequisite Knowledge Check Show all
solutions

1 1
1 Expand and simplify: 3 Find the area of each of
z z the shapes shown:
( 𝑥+ 4 )( 𝑥 −5) 𝟐
a
𝒙 − 𝒙? −𝟐𝟎 a
?2
cm

cm
b (3 𝑎 −1)(𝑎 +6) 𝟐 ?
𝟑𝒂 +𝟏𝟕𝒂− 𝟔
c ( 4 𝑦 − 3)(2 𝑦 −7) 𝟐 ?
𝟖 𝒚 −𝟑𝟒 𝒚 +𝟐𝟏 cm
d (5 − 2𝑤 )
2
? 𝟐
𝟐𝟓−𝟐𝟎 𝒘+𝟒𝒘 cm
e (6 + 𝑥)(7 − 4 𝑥 )
𝟒𝟐−𝟏𝟕? 𝒙 −𝟒 𝒙 𝟐
b
1 ? 2
cm

cm
2 Factorise:
z
a 𝑦 2+ 3 𝑦 −10 (𝒚 +𝟓)(? 𝒚 − 𝟐) cm
b 2
𝑏 −64 ?
(𝒃+𝟖)(𝒃− 𝟖) c cm

cm
c 2
4 𝑎 − 13 𝑎+ 3 ?
(𝟒 𝒂−𝟏)(𝒂−𝟑)

cm
d 2
6 𝑤 −11 𝑤 − 10 (𝟑𝒘+𝟐)(𝟐 ? 𝒘−𝟓)
cm
e 121 −9 𝑦 2 ?
(𝟏𝟏+𝟑 𝒚)(𝟏𝟏−𝟑 𝒚) ? 2
cm
Recap: Solving Quadratic Equations

Solve

We can use the We need two

zero product ( 𝑦 − 3)( 𝑦 −10)=0 factors of that
property to sum to
solve
quadratic ( 𝑦 − 3)×( 𝑦 − 10)¿ 0
equations
which are
factorised and
equal to zero

( 𝑦 − 3)
Either ( 𝑦or
− 10)
𝒚 =𝟑 or 𝒚 =𝟏𝟎
Quickfire Questions
a Solve b Solve

(𝒘 +𝟓 ) (𝒘 +𝟔)=𝟎
Factorisation? ( 𝒂 −𝟒 ) (𝒂 +𝟐)=𝟎
Factorisation?

or Solutions? or Solutions?

c Solve d Solve

( 𝒅 −𝟏𝟑 ) (𝒅 −𝟐)=𝟎
Factorisation? ( 𝒙 +𝟕Factorisation?
) (𝒙 − 𝟔)=𝟎
or Solutions? or Solutions?
Recap: Solving Complex Quadratics

Solve

We can factorise by splitting the middle term:

2
We can also
factorise by
5 𝑥 −10 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 +8=0 We need two
factors of
inspection if
we prefer… 5 𝑥( 𝑥 −2)− 4 ( 𝑥 − 2)=0 that sum to

(5 𝑥 − 4)( 𝑥 − 2) ¿ 0

(5 𝑥 − 4)
Either or ( 𝑥 − 2)
5 𝑥=4 or 𝒙 =𝟐
𝟒
𝒙=
𝟓
Recap: Solving Complex Quadratics
What is the same and what is different?

Solve Solve

We can factorise by taking out This is the difference of two

common factors squares

𝑥(9 𝑥 − 4)¿ 0 (3)𝑥 − 2)¿ 0

(3 𝑥 +2
𝑥¿ 0 𝑥 − 4)
(9 or (3 𝑥 +2)¿ 0 (3 𝑥or
− 2)

𝒙 =𝟎 or 9 𝑥=4 3 𝑥=− 2 or 3 𝑥=2

𝟒 𝟐 𝟐
𝒙= 𝒙 =− or 𝒙=
𝟗 𝟑 𝟑
Quickfire Questions
a Solve b Solve

or ? or?

c Solve d Solve

or ? or ?
Recap: Forming Expressions involving Area

Find an expression for the area Find an expression for the area
of the rectangle. of the triangle.
cm

cm
cm cm

Area Length Width Area Base

? Height

?
?
?
Same and Different
Find expressions for the areas of each of these rectangles.
What is the same and what is different?
cm

cm
cm cm

Area Length Width Area Length Width

? ?

We are multiplying a numerical length We are multiplying a linear expression

by a linear expression, which gives a by a linear expression, which gives a
linear expression for the area quadratic expression for the area
The Big Idea : Forming Quadratic Equations
We can form quadratic equations from information given
in a geometric or worded problem.
The area of the rectangle shown is cm2.
Show that

cm For geometric problems, start by substituting

algebraic expressions into the relevant formula:

Area Length Width

45=𝑥
45= 𝑥× (𝑥 +12 ))
( 𝑥+12
cm

Now, expand and rearrange to form the

quadratic equation given:
2
𝑥 + 12 𝑥 = 45
𝟐
− 45 ↓ ↓ − 45
𝒙 + 𝟏𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟒𝟓=𝟎
The Big Idea : Forming Quadratic Equations
We can form quadratic equations from information given
in a geometric or worded problem.
Lucy is years old. Lucy’s brother is three years younger than her.
The product of their ages is 154. Show that

For worded problems, start by using the information

given to form an equation:

Lucy’s age: 𝑦
Lucy’s brother’s age: 𝑦 − 3
𝑦
𝑦
×((𝑦𝑦− ¿ 154
−3)
3)
Now, expand and rearrange to form the
quadratic equation given:
2
𝑦 − 3 𝑦 =154
𝟐
−154 ↓ ↓ −154
𝒚 − 𝟑 𝒚 − 𝟏𝟓𝟒=𝟎
Test Your Understanding
The area of the triangle is cm2. Hamza thinks of a number . Jolene
Show that thinks of a number that is ten
more than Hamza’s number. The
product of their numbers is . Show
that
cm

cm
Hamza’s number: 𝑦
base × height
Area= ? 2 ?
Jolene’s number: 𝑦 + 10

𝑥 ( 𝑥 +8 ) 𝑦 ¿ 119
( 𝑦 +10)
=24
2
×2 ↓ ? ↓ ×2 𝑦 2+ 10 𝑦 =119
𝑥 ( 𝑥 + 8 ) =48 −119 ↓ ? ↓ −119
𝟐
2
𝑥 + 8 𝑥 =48 𝒚 +𝟏𝟎 𝒚 −𝟏𝟏𝟗=𝟎
− 48 ↓
𝟐
? ↓ − 48
𝒙 + 𝟖 𝒙 − 𝟒𝟖=𝟎
Example
Given that the ratio is equivalent to the ratio , show that

Start by forming an equation using equivalent ratios:

2
Think about the
𝑥 1 equivalent ratios
= and
3−𝑥 2
×2 ↓ ↓ ×2 We can see that
2
2𝑥
=1
3−𝑥
×(3 − 𝑥) ↓ ↓ ×( 3 − 𝑥)
2
2 𝑥 =3 − 𝑥
+𝑥↓ ↓+ 𝑥
2
2 𝑥 + 𝑥=3
+𝑥↓ ↓+ 𝑥
𝟐 𝒙 𝟐 + 𝒙 −𝟑=𝟎
Example
Minahil buys a painting for . The painting increases in value by and is
now worth .
Show that

Start by forming an equation with percentage multipliers:

New Amount Original Amount Multiplier

The multiplier for a
increase is:
2
𝑦 −50=1.15 × 20 𝑦
2
𝑦 −50= 23 𝑦
−23 𝑦 ↓ ↓ −23 𝑦
𝒚 𝟐 − 𝟐𝟑 𝒚 −𝟓𝟎=𝟎
Test Your Understanding
A population of butterflies has
The ratios is equivalent to the
increased by There are now
ratio .
butterflies.
Show that
Show that

5 𝑥 +2 3
= 2
𝑥
2
?1 𝑛 ×1.2=11
? 𝑛+10
×𝑥 ↓
2
↓×𝑥
2
×5 ↓ ↓ ×5
2 2
5 𝑥+ 2=3 𝑥 𝑛 =55 𝑛+50
6?
?
−5 𝑥 ↓ ↓ −5 𝑥 −55 𝑛 ↓ ↓ −55 𝑛
2 2
2=3 𝑥 −5 𝑥 6 𝑛 −55 𝑛=50
? ?
−2 ↓ ↓ −2 −50 ↓ ↓ −50

𝟎=𝟑 𝒙?𝟐 −𝟓 𝒙 −𝟐 𝟔 𝒏𝟐 −𝟓𝟓?𝒏− 𝟓𝟎=𝟎

Example
Given that the area of
the rectangles are

cm
equal, show that

cm
cm
cm

We can form an equation We can create two expressions

from the information given: for the areas of each shape

¿𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 =5( 𝑥 + 4)
5 𝑥 + 20= 𝑥 − 3 𝑥
2 ¿ 5 𝑥 + 20
𝟎= 𝒙 𝟐 − 𝟖 𝒙 − 𝟐𝟎 𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 𝑥( 𝑥 −3)
2
¿ 𝑥 −3𝑥
Test Your Understanding
Given that the area of the
square is equal to the area of

cm
cm
the rectangle, show that

cm

𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 = 𝑥
2
𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 4( 𝑥 +3)
? ?
¿ 4 𝑥 + 12

¿?𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒
2
? 𝑥 − 12
𝑥 =4

𝒙 𝟐 − 𝟒 𝒙 − 𝟏𝟐=𝟎
?
 Example
Given that the area of the
square is three times the area

cm
cm
of the triangle, show that

cm

We can form an equation We can create two expressions

from the information given: for the areas of each shape:

𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒
¿3 ×𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 =( 𝑥+ 4)( 𝑥 + 4)
2

( )
2 𝑥 +10 𝑥 2 ¿ 𝑥 + 8 𝑥+16
𝑥 + 8 𝑥+16= 3
2
2
2 3 𝑥 + 30 𝑥
𝑥 + 8 𝑥+16= 𝑥( 𝑥 +10 )
2 ¿
2 2
2
2 𝑥 +16 𝑥 +32=3 𝑥 +30 𝑥
𝑥2 +10 𝑥
¿
𝒙 𝟐 + 𝟏𝟒 𝒙 − 𝟑𝟐=𝟎 2
Test Your Understanding
Given that the area of cm
the square is half the
area of the

cm

cm
trapezium, show that

cm

1 𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 = 𝑥 × 𝑥
𝐴𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 ¿? ×𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑧𝑖𝑢𝑚
2 Area of Square?
2
¿ 𝑥
12
𝑥 = ? ( 4 𝑥 +16 )
2

2 ( 𝑥 +10)+(𝑥 − 2)
𝑥 ? 𝑥+ 8
=2 ¿
Area of Trapezium?
2
×4
𝟐 ?
− 𝟐 𝒙 − 𝟖= 𝟎 ¿ 2( 2 𝑥 +8)
¿ 4 𝑥 + 16
Spot the Mistake
cm
The area of the
trapezium is twice the

cm
area of the triangle.

cm
Show that
cm cm

Logan is attempting this question but Logan has

cannot get to the given quadratic. incorrectly
Can you help him? interpreted the
first sentence of
the question –
𝑤 ×(𝑤 +8)
=2 ×
( 𝑤 − 1)+(𝑤 + 9)
×6
?
his equation
2 2 says the triangle
is twice the area
𝑤 ( 𝑤 +8)=12(2 𝑤 +8) of the
2 trapezium!
𝑤 + 8 𝑤= 24 𝑤 + 96
2
𝑤 − 16 𝑤 − 96 =0 ????
Logan
Spot the Mistake
cm
The area of the
trapezium is twice the

cm
area of the triangle.

cm
Show that
cm cm

Thank you 𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑧𝑖𝑢𝑚¿2 ×𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒

for your
help! I’ve (𝑤 −1)+(𝑤 + 9) 𝑤 ×( 𝑤 +8)
started to 2 ?
×6=2 ×
2
correct my
solution, but 3 ( 2 𝑤 + 8?
)= 𝑤 (𝑤 + 8)
can you
finish it? 6 𝑤 + 24?=𝑤 + 8 𝑤
2

𝟐
𝒘 +𝟐 𝒘 − 𝟐𝟒=
? 𝟎

Logan
The Big Idea : Solving Quadratic Equations
Once we have formed quadratic equations from a geometric or
worded problem, we can go on to solve them…
cm
The area of the rectangle shown is cm2.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

As before, we can use the information to

cm
form a quadratic equation:

Area Length Width

45= 𝑥 ( 𝑥 +12 )
2
𝑥 + 12 𝑥 = 45
2
+12 𝑥 − 45 =0 However, if we use our values of to
find the dimensions of the
rectangle, we can see that would
Now, we can solve the equation:
give a negative width. This means
( 𝑥 + 15 ) ( 𝑥 − 3 ) =0 there is only one solution:

or 𝒙 =𝟑
The Big Idea : Solving Quadratic Equations
Once we have formed quadratic equations from a geometric or
worded problem, we can go on to solve them…
Lucy is years old. Lucy’s brother is three years younger than her.
The product of their ages is 154. Use an algebraic method to find
the value of .

As before, we can use the Now, we can solve the equation:

information to form a quadratic
equation: ( 𝑦 − 14 ) ( 𝑦 +11 ) = 0
𝑦 ( 𝑦 − 3)=154 or
2
𝑦 − 3 𝑦 =154 However, Lucy cannot have a
2 negative age! This means there is
𝑦 − 3 𝑦 − 154 = 0 only one solution:

𝒚 =𝟏𝟒
Test Your Understanding
The area of the triangle is cm2. Hamza thinks of a number . Jolene
Use an algebraic method to find thinks of a number that is ten
the value of . more than Hamza’s number. The
product of their numbers is . Use
an algebraic method to find the
cm

value of .

cm
𝑦 ( 𝑦 +10)=119
𝑥 ( 𝑥 +8 )
2
=24 𝑦 2+ 10?𝑦 =119
2
𝑥 ( 𝑥 +?8 ) =48 𝑦 + 10 𝑦 − 119=0

𝑥 2+ 8 𝑥 =48 ( 𝑦 + 17 ) ( 𝑦 − ?
7 )= 0
2
𝑥 + 8 𝑥 − 48=0
? 4)= 0
( 𝑥+ 12)( 𝑥 − or ?
or
?
So
The Big Idea : Solving Quadratics with Area
The area of the rectangle shown is cm2.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

cm
We can form an equation from the
information given:

( 𝑥+ 5)( 𝑥 −3)= 48

cm
2
𝑥 +5 𝑥 − 3 𝑥 − 15= 48
2
𝑥 + 2 𝑥 − 63 =0
However, if we use our values of
Now, solve the quadratic equation: to find the dimensions of the
rectangle, we can see that would
( 𝑥 + 9 )( 𝑥 − 7 )=0 give negative lengths. This means
there is only one solution:
Either or
𝒙 =𝟕
or
Example
The area of the trapezium shown is cm2.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

We can form an equation from the cm

information given:

𝑦 +5 + 𝑦 + 9
× ( 𝑦 − 2)=36

cm
2
( 𝑦 + 7 ) ( 𝑦 − 2 )=36
2
𝑦 + 7 𝑦 − 2 𝑦 − 14 =36 cm
2
𝑦 + 5 𝑦 − 50 =0 However, if we use our values of to
find the dimensions of the trapezium,
Now, solve the quadratic equation: we can see that would give negative
lengths. Therefore:
( 𝑦 +10)( 𝑦 − 5)=0
𝒚 =𝟓
or
Test Your Understanding
The area of the compound shape shown is cm2.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

We can form an equation from the cm

information given:

𝑥 ( 𝑥 + 6 ) + 8 𝑥 = 51 cm
Form Equation?

cm
2
𝑥 + 6 𝑥 + 8 𝑥 = 51

cm
2
𝑥 +14 𝑥 − 51 =0
If we use our values of to find the
Now, solve the quadratic equation: dimensions of the shape, we can see
that would give negative lengths.
Solve
( 𝑥+ 17)(Equation?
𝑥 − 3)=0 Solution?
Therefore:

or 𝒙 =𝟑
 Example
Given that the area of the
square is equal to the area of

cm
cm
the rectangle, find the value
of using an algebraic
method.
cm

We can form an equation from the We can create two expressions

information given: for the areas of each shape

¿𝐴𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒
𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 = 𝑥
2

2
𝑥 = 4 𝑥 − 12 𝐴 𝑟𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 = 4( 𝑥 +3)
𝑥 2 − 4 𝑥 − 12=0 ¿ 4 𝑥 + 12
Now, solve the quadratic equation: Since the lengths must
be positive:
𝑥 − 6 ) ( 𝑥 +2 ) =0
𝒙 =𝟔
or
Test Your Understanding
Given that the area of the
square is three times the

cm
cm
area of the triangle, use
and algebraic method to
find the value of . cm

We can form an equation from the We can create two expressions

information given: for the areas of each shape

𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒
¿3 ×𝐴𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 2
𝐴 𝑠𝑞𝑢𝑎𝑟𝑒 = 𝑥 +8 𝑥+ 16
Form Equation?2 Form Expressions?
2
𝑥 + 8 𝑥+16= 3
𝑥 +10 𝑥
2 ( ) 𝐴 𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑒 =
2
𝑥 +10 𝑥
2
2
𝑥 +14 𝑥 − 32=0

Now, solve the quadratic equation: Since the lengths must

( 𝑥 +Solve
16 )Equation?
( 𝑥 − 2 ) =0 Solution?
be positive:

𝒙 =𝟐
or
The Big Idea : Solving Quadratics with Volume
A cylinder with radius cm and height cm has a volume of cm3.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

Form an equation from the volume: cm

2
𝜋 ×(2 𝑥 −1) ×5=20 𝜋 Volume
of a
5 ( 4 𝑥 2 − 4 𝑥 +1 ) =20

cm
cylinder
2
20 𝑥 − 20 𝑥 +5=20
2
20 𝑥 − 20 𝑥 − 15=0
2
4 𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 3= 0 However, if we use our values of
to find the radius of the cylinder,
Now, solve the quadratic equation: there is only one solution which
gives a positive radius:
(2 𝑥 − 3)( 2 𝑥 +1)=0
𝒙 =𝟏 . 𝟓
Either or
or
Test Your Understanding
A cone with radius cm and slant height cm has a curved surface area of
cm2. Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

We can form an equation from the

surface area formula: Curved

cm
surface
𝜋 × ( 3Form ) × ( 𝑦 + 4 ) =49 𝜋
𝑦 −2Equation? area
2
3 𝑦 +12 𝑦 − 2 𝑦 −8= 49
cm
2
3 𝑦 +10 𝑦 − 57 = 0

Now, solve the quadratic equation: However, if we use our values of to

find the radius and height, only one
(3 𝑦 +19)( 𝑦 − 3)=0 solution produces positive lengths.
Solve Equation? Solution?
Therefore:
or
𝒚 =𝟑
Spot the Mistake
A cuboid which measures cm by cm by cm has a volume of cm3.
Use an algebraic method to find the value of .

Imani is attempting this question but

has made a mistake. Can you spot it
and provide her with a correct

cm
solution?

cm
cm
( 3 𝑥 − 1 ) × ( 𝑥 +5 ) × 2=280
( 3 𝑥 − 1 ) ( 𝑥+ 5 )= 140 Imani has not
checked her
2
3 𝑥 + 15 𝑥 − 𝑥 − 5=140 answers to see if
2
3 𝑥 + 14 𝑥 − 145 =0 ?
they provide
positive lengths.
( 3 𝑥+ 29 ) ( 𝑥 − 5 ) =0 The correct solution
is only.
or

Imani
 The Big Idea: Solving Quadratics in Other Contexts
A right-angled triangle has sides of length cm, cm and cm as
shown. Use an algebraic method to find the value of and hence
the side lengths of the triangle.

Form an equation using Pythagoras’ theorem: cm

2 2 2

cm
𝑎 + 𝑏 =𝑐
2 2 2
( 𝑥 − 1) +( 𝑥+6 ) =( 𝑥+7)
cm
2 2 2
𝑥 − 2 𝑥+ 1+ 𝑥 +12 𝑥+ 36=𝑥 +14 𝑥 + 49
2 2
2 𝑥 +10 𝑥 +37 = 𝑥 + 14 𝑥 + 49
2
𝑥 − 4 𝑥 − 12=0
The triangle has side
( 𝑥 − 6 )( 𝑥 + 2)=0 lengths cm, cm and
or cm

Since the lengths must be positive: 𝒙 =𝟔

Spot the Mistake
Maria is using Pythagoras’ theorem to find a value for in the right-
angled triangle shown but has got stuck! Can you spot any
mistakes she has made and provide her with the correct solution?

Using Pythagoras’ cm
(𝑥−theorem: 2 2
2) +(2 𝑥 +7 ) =( 2 𝑥 +6 )
2

cm
Expand and
2 2
( 𝑥 − 2)
simplify: − 4 𝑥 + 4
= 𝑥 cm
2 2
(2 𝑥+7 ) =4 𝑥 + 28 𝑥 + 49
2 2 Maria has incorrectly used
Mari (2 𝑥+ 6) =4 𝑥 + 24 𝑥+ 36 ? theorem.
Pythagoras’
a Add and solve:
2 2 Her first line should read
5 𝑥 + 24 𝑥+53=4 𝑥 + 24 𝑥+ 36 .
2
𝑥 +17= 0
?
This gives a solution of
Help! I can’t solve
this!!
Exam Question
[CCEA GCSE Summer 2021 M4 Q16]
In a right-angled triangle, the two shorter sides have lengths of
cm and cm. The hypotenuse has length cm. Form an equation to find .
[4 marks]

?
2 2
(3 𝑥 +3) +(2 𝑥 − 1) =(5 𝑥 − 2)2

2 2 ? 2
9 𝑥 +18 𝑥 +9+4 𝑥 − 4 𝑥+1=25 𝑥 −20 𝑥 +4
12 𝑥 −34? 𝑥 − 6=0
2
2
6 𝑥 − 17? 𝑥 −3=0
(6 𝑥 +1)(𝑥
? −3)=0
?or
But must be?positive, so
The Big Idea: Solving Quadratics in Other Contexts
The diagram shows a right-angled triangle.
The perimeter of the triangle is cm. cm

cm
Find the possible values of .
Call this
length
cm

We can form an equation for Finally, we can substitute for

using the perimeter: in the second equation:

𝑦 + 𝑥 +34 = 80 2
( 46 − 𝑥) =1156 − 𝑥
2

𝑦 + 𝑥 =46 2
2116 − 92 𝑥+ 𝑥 =1156 − 𝑥
2

𝑦 =46 − 𝑥 2 𝑥2 − 92 𝑥 + 960 =0
2
We can also form an equation 𝑥 − 46 𝑥 + 480 =0
using Pythagoras’ theorem : ( 𝑥 − 30 ) ( 𝑥 − 16 ) =0
2 2 2
𝑎 + 𝑏 =𝑐 This gives us two
2 2 2 possible values of :
𝑦 + 𝑥 = 34
2 2
𝑦 =1156 − 𝑥 or
Test Your Understanding
The diagram shows a right-angled triangle.
The perimeter of the triangle is cm. cm
Find the possible values of . cm

cm

We can form an equation for Finally, we can substitute for y

using the perimeter: in the second equation:

𝑦Form
+ 𝑥Equation
+26 = using
60 2
(34 − 𝑥 ) = 676 − 𝑥
2

𝑦+ Perimeter?
𝑥 =34 1156 Solve−
Combined
68 𝑥+ 𝑥Equation?
2
= 676 − 𝑥
2

𝑦 =34 − 𝑥2 𝑥2 − 68 𝑥 +480 = 0
2
We can also form an equation 𝑥 − 34 𝑥 +240 = 0
using Pythagoras’ theorem : ( 𝑥 − 24 ) ( 𝑥 − 10 ) =0
Form+
𝑎 Equation
2
𝑏 =𝑐 using
2 2
This gives us two
𝑦 Pythagoras? possible values of :
2 2 2
+ 𝑥 = 26 Solutions?
2 2
𝑦 =676 − 𝑥 or
The Big Idea: Solving Quadratics in Other Contexts
A linear sequence has the nth term . A quadratic sequence has
the first four terms Find the value of for which the nth terms
are equal.

Find the nth term of the quadratic sequence:

6+51118
+7
27
+9
2
+2 +2 second difference: +2 𝑛
6 1118 27 What is the nth term of
+𝟓 +𝟕 +𝟗 +𝟏𝟏 the adjustment?
+2 +2 +2
+2𝑛 +3
1 4 9 16
nth term =
The Big Idea: Solving Quadratics in Other Contexts
A linear sequence has the nth term . A quadratic sequence has
the first four terms Find the value of for which the nth terms
are equal.

Set the nth term of the quadratic sequence

equal to the nth term of the linear sequence:

2
𝑛 + 2 𝑛 + 3= 3 𝑛 + 5
2
𝑛 − 𝑛 − 2=0
(𝑛 − 2)(𝑛+ 1)=0
or

Since is always a positive integer:

𝒏=𝟐
Exercise (Available as a separate worksheet)
Show all
solutions

1 a Given that the area of the rectangle b Given that the area of the triangle
shown is 36 cm2, show that shown is cm2, show that

cm
cm

cm cm

? ?

c Rafi has sweets. Anna has 9 more d Three numbers, , and have a mean
sweets than Rafi. The product of of 20. Show that
the number of sweets they have
is . Show that

?
?
Exercise (Available as a separate worksheet)
Show all
solutions

2 a Given the area of the trapezium is b Given the volume of the cylinder is
cm2, find the value of . cm3, find the value of .
cm cm

? ?
cm

cm
cm

3 a The area of the rectangle is twice b The volume of the cylinder is three
the area of the square. Find the times the volume of the cone. Find
value of . the value of .

cm cm
cm

cm
cm

cm
cm

? ?
or
Exercise (Available as a separate worksheet)
Show all
solutions

4 a The ratio is equal to the ratio . By b Arthur has $ in bonds. The value of
forming a quadratic equation, find the bonds decreases by and is now
the possible values of . worth $. By forming a quadratic
equation, find the value of .

?or ?
or

5 [CCEA GCSE FM Summer 2021 P1 Pure 6 [Edexcel IGCSE May 2013 3H Q20a Edited]
Q4i Edited] The diagram shows a rectangle. The length
The lengths of the sides of a right- of the rectangle is cm. The length of the
angled triangle are 9 cm, 4 cm and diagonal of the rectangle is 8 cm. The
cm as shown in the diagram below. perimeter of the rectangle is 20 cm. Show
Show that , where is an integer to be that , where and are integers to be found.
found.

?
?
Exercise (Available as a separate worksheet)
Show all
solutions

7 [CCEA GCSE Jan 2014 Unit T3 Higher 8 [WJEC GCSE Autumn 2016 H1 Q14b
Q29 Edited] Edited]
The width of a cuboid is cm less than Aled has three concrete slabs. Two of
the length cm. The height is cm. the slabs are square, each with side
The volume of the cuboid is cm3. length of metres. A third slab is
Find the value of . rectangular and measures metre by
metres. The three concrete slabs
cover an area of m2. Find the length
? of each side of the square slabs.

?
Side length = metres

N For what is the th term of the sequence , ... and the

sequence , ... the same?

(you can’t have?the 0.5th term!)