Introduction
A quadratic equation is one which can be written in the form where , and are numbers, , and is the unknown whose value(s) we wish to find. In this Section we describe several ways in which quadratic equations can be solved.
Prerequisites
- be able to solve linear equations
Learning Outcomes
- recognise a quadratic equation
- solve a quadratic equation by factorisation
- solve a quadratic equation using the standard formula
- solve a quadratic equation by completing the square
- interpret the solution of a quadratic equation graphically
Contents
1 Quadratic equations2 Solution by factorisation
3 Completing the square
4 Solution by formula
5 Engineering Example 1
5.1 Undersea cable fault location
6 Engineering Example 2
6.1 Estimating the mass of a pipe
7 Geometrical representation of quadratics