In elementary algebra, a quadratic equation is any equation having the form
where represents an unknown, and
represent known numbers such that
is not equal to
.
If , then the equation is linear, not quadratic.
The numbers are the coefficients of the equation, and may be distinguished by calling them, respectively, the quadratic coefficient, the linear coefficient and the constant or free term.
The degree of a quadratic equation is 2.
Examples of quadratic equations:
Roots of Quadratic equations
Every quadratic equation is satisfied by two values say
. These values,
, are said to be the root of the equation.
What this also means is that
Solving Quadratic equations
There are two ways to solve the quadratic equations.
- Factorization Method
- Step 1: Factorize
- Step 2: Equate each linear part to zero.
- Step 3: Hence
- Step 1: Factorize
Using the formula
- Step 1: From the quadratic equation, first identify
.
- Then use the following formula