QUADRATIC EQUATION in one unknown has the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 where a, b and c are
real numbers and a ≠ 0.
 To solve a quadratic equation means to find the values of the x or any variable which satisfy the
equation.
Methods of Solving quadratic equations
1. By factoring
2. By square root
3. By completing the square
4. By quadratic formula
Solution by Factoring
 To solve a quadratic equation by factoring, we set the right side of the equation to zero, then use
the following theorem:
  If ab = 0, then a = 0 or b = 0, or both and b are zero.
Examples:
1. x2 + 5x = 2x + 10
         x2 + 5x - 2x - 10 = 0                  Make the right side equal to zero
         x2 + 3x - 10 = 0                     Factor the left side
         (x - 2)(x + 5) = 0                   Equate each factor to zero
         x - 2 = 0; x + 5 = 0                  Solve for x
         x = 2 ; x = -5
Check: x = 2                         x = -5
  22 + 5(2) = 2(2) + 10               52 + 5(-5) = 2(-5) + 10
  4 + 10 = 4 + 10                 25 - 25 = -10 + 10
     14 = 14                       0 =0
The solution set is { -5, 2 } or root of the equation.
2. 6x2 = x + 2
        6x2 - x - 2 = 0
        (3x - 2)(2x + 1) = 0
        3x - 2 = 0; 2x + 1 = 0
        3x = 2 ; 2x = -1
               2      1
          x=     ;x=-
               3      2
                        2 1
The solution set is {    , - } or root of the equation.
                        3 2
     3 x x +4
3.       =                  Take the LCD = x (x + 2)
     x+2   x
     ( x+3 x2 = 4 x+x 2 )(x(x +2))       Multiply both side of the equation by LCD.
     3x2 = (x + 4)(x + 2)            Simplifying the result.
     3x2 = x2 + 6x + 8           Distribute the right side of the equation.
      3x2 - x2 - 6x - 8 = 0          Equate to zero.
      2x2 - 6x - 8 = 0             Simplify
      (2x2 - 6x - 8 = 0) / 2          divide the equation by 2
       x2 - 3x - 4 = 0              Simplify
      (x -4)(x + 1) = 0              factor the equation
      x-4=0;x+1=0
      x=4 ;x=-1
       The solution set is { 4, -1 } or root of the quadratic equation.
Solution by square root
   To solve a quadratic equation by square root, we use the following theorem;
          x = d if and only if x = ± √ d
Examples:
1. x2 - 16 = 0
         x2 = 16
         x = ± √ 16
         x=±4
 The solution set is { 4, -4 }
2. x2 = 5
         x=±√5
 The solution set is { - √ 5 , √ 5 } or it is considered as the root of the equation.
3. (x - 1)2 = 3
          x - 1 = ±√ 3
            x = 1 ±√ 3
  The solution set is { 1 √ 3 ,1 − √ 3 } or it is consider as the root of the equation.
EXPONENTIAL FUNCTION - exponential function is a mathematical function, which is used
in many real world situations. It is mainly used to find the exponential decay or exponential
growth or to compute investments, model populations and so on. Exponential function is in the
form of f(x) = ax, where a > 0 and a is not equal to 1,. x is any real number.
Example:
1. 63x + 1 = 36                original equation
        63x + 1 = 62               change 36 to 62
        3x + 1 = 2                  cancel the equal base to equate the exponent
           3x = 2 - 1              combining like term
                   1
              x=                 solve the value of x.
                   3
     ( ) = 64
          x
      1
2.                            original equation
      4
              4-x = 43            take the reciprocal of left side equation, change 64 to 43 .
               -x = 3             cancel the equal base,then equate the exponent.
               x = -3             solve the value of x.
LOGARITHMIC FUNCTION - logarithmic function with base b is the inverse of the
exponential function,
      y = logb x         if and only if  x = by
Natural Logarithmic function - the natural logarithmic function is the inverse of the natural
exponential function,
      y = ln x        if and only if    x = ey
Example:
a. log2 32 = 5 , logarithmic form   because 25 = 32, exponential form
b. log3 27 = 3            because 33 = 27
              1                     1
c. log4 2 =             because 4 2 = 2
              2
           1                             1
d. log8      = -2       because 8-2 =
          64                            64
e. log4 1 = 0           because 40 = 1