Discriminant (b2 4ac)

Nature of the roots

= 0

Roots are real and equal

> 0 (Positive)

Roots are real and distinct

< 0 (negative)

Roots are imaginary

Example 1 : Determine the nature of the roots of the equation 2x2 5x 1 = 0.

Consider the equation 2x2 5x 1 = 0
This is in form of
ax2 + bx + c = 0
The co-efficient are a = 2, b = 5, c = 1
= b2 4ac
= (5)2 4(2) (1)
= 25 + 8
= 33

> 0

Roots are real and distinct

the roots of the equation 4x2 4x + 1 = 0
4x2 4x + 1 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a = 4, b = 4, c = 1
= b2 4ac
= (4)2 4 (4) (1)
= 16 16
= 0
Roots are real and equal

Example 2 : Determine the nature of

Consider the equation
This is in the form of
The co-efficient are

Example 3 : For what values of m roots of the equation x2 + mx + 4 = 0 are

(i) equal (ii) distinct
Consider the equation x2 + mx + 4 = 0
This is in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0
the co-efficients are a = 1, b = m, c = 4
= b2 4ac
= m2 4(1) (4)
= m2 16
1) If roots are equal = 0
m2 16 = 0
m2 = 16
m =

16
144

m = 4

2) If roots are distinct

> 0
m2 16 > 0
m2 > 16
m2 > 16
m > 4
Example 4 : Determine the value of k for which the equation kx2 + 6x + 1 = 0 has
equal roots.
kx2 + 6x + 1 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a = k, b = 6, c = 1

Consider the equation

This is in the form
the co-efficients are

= b2 4ac

b2 4ac = 0
(6)2 4(k)(1) = 0
36 4k = 0
4k = 36

since the roots are equal,

( = 0)

36
= 9
4
k=9

k =

Example 5 : Find the value of p for which the equation x2 (p + 2) x + 4 = 0 has

equal roots.
x2 (p + 2) x + 4 = 0
ax2 + bx + c = 0
a = 1, b = (p + 2), c = 4

Consider the equation

This is in the form
Coefficients are

=0
b2 4ac = 0
[(p + 2)]2 4(1)(4) = 0
(p + 2)2 16 = 0

since the roots are equal

p + 2 = 16
p+2= 4
p + 2 = + 4 or
p = 4 2 or
or
p=2
145

p + 2 = 4
p = 4 2
p = 6

Exercise : 5.6
A.

Discuss the nature of roots of the following equations

2) x2 2x + 3 = 0
3) 2n2 + 5n 1 = 0
1) y2 7y + 2 = 0
4) a2 + 4a + 4 = 0
5) x2 + 3x 4 = 0
6) 3d2 2d + 1 = 0

B.

For what positive values of m roots of the following equations are

1) equal 2) distinct 3) imaginary
2) x2 mx + 9 = 0
1)
a2 ma + 1 = 0
3)
r2 (m + 1) r + 4 = 0
4) mk2 3k + 1 = 0

C.

Find the value of p for which the quadratic equations have equal roots.
1) x2 px + 9 = 0
2) 2a2 + 3a + p = 0
3) pk2 12k + 9 = 0
5) (p + 1) n2 + 2(p + 3) n + (p + 8) = 0
4) 2y2 py + 1 = 0
6) (3p + 1)c2 + 2 (p + 1) c + p = 0

7.

Relationship between the roots and co-efficient of the terms of the quadratic
equation.
If m and n are the roots of the quadratic equation ax2 + bx + c = 0 then
b + b2 4ac
m =
,
2a

b + b2 4ac
+
2a

m+n =

m + n =

b b2 4ac
2a

b + b 2 4ac b b 2 4ac
2a

m + n =

m + n =

2b
2a

( b) 2

If m and n are the roots of the

quadratic equation

-b
a

ax2 + bx + c = 0

b + b2 4ac

mn =

2
a

mn =

b b2 4ac
n =
2a

b b2 4ac

2
a

( b 4ac )
2

4a 2

146

Sum of the roots =

Product of roots =

b
a
+c
a

mn =

b 2 b 2 4ac
4a 2

mn =

b 2 b 2 + 4ac
4a 2

mn =

c
4ac
2 =
a
4a

mn =

c
a

Example 1 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation x2 + 2x + 1 = 0

x2 + 2x + 1 = 0
This is in the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

The coefficients are

a = 1, b = 2, c = 1

Let the roots be m and n

i)

Sum of the roots

m + n =

b
2
=
a
1

m + n = 2

ii)

Product of the roots mn =

c
1
=
a
1

mn = 1

Example 2 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation 3x2 + 5 = 0
3x2 + 0x + 5 = 0
This is in the form

ax2 + bx + c = 0

The coefficients are

a = 3, b = 0, c = 5

Let the roots are p and q

i)

Sum of the roots

p + q =

b
0
=
a
3

p+q = 0

ii)

Product of the roots pq =

147

c
5
=
a
3

pq =

5
3

Example 3 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation 2m2 8m = 0
2m2 8m + 0 = 0
The coefficients are
a = 2, b = 8, c = 0
Let the roots be and
b
a

+ =

i)

Sum of the roots

ii)

Product of the roots =

(8)
= 4
2

c
0
=
= 0
a
2

Example 4 : Find the sum and product of the roots of equation x2 (p+q)x + pq = 0
x2 (p + q) x + pq = 0
The coefficients are
a = 1, b = (p + q), c = pq
i)

Sum of the roots

m + n =
m + n =

b
a
[ (p + q )]
1

m + n = (p + q)

ii)

Product of the roots mn =

c
pq
=
a
1

mn = pq

Exercise : 5.7
Find the sum and product of the roots of the quadratic equation :
1) x2 + 5x + 8 = 0
2) 3a2 10a 5 = 0
3) 8m2 m = 2
4) 6k2 3 = 0
8.

5) pr2 = r 5

6) x2 + (ab) x + (a + b) = 0

To form an equation for the given roots

Let m and n are the roots of the equation
x = m or x = n
i.e., x m = 0, x n = 0
(x m) (x n) = 0
x2 mx nx + mn = 0
x2 (m + n) x + mn = 0
148

If m and n are the roots then the Standard form of the equation is
x2 (Sum of the roots) x +
Product of the roots
=
0
x2 (m + n) x + mn = 0
Example 1 : Form the quadratic equation whose roots are 2 and 3
Let m and n are the roots
m = 2, n = 3
Sum of the roots
=m+n = 2+3
m+n = 5
Product of the roots = mn
= (2) (3)
mn = 6
2
Standard form
x (m + n) x + mn = 0
x2 (5)x + (6) = 0
x2 5x + 6 = 0
Example 2 : Form the quadratic equation whose roots are

2
5
and
5
2

Let m and n are the roots

m =

2
5

and n =

5
2

Sum of the roots = m + n

m+n =

Product of the roots = mn =

Standard form

x2 (m + n) x + mn = 0
x2

29
x+1=0
10

10x2 29x + 10 = 0
149

2 5
x
5 2

4 + 25
10

2
5
+
=
5
2
29
10

mn = 1

Example 3 : Form the quadratic equation whose roots are 3 + 2 5 and 3 2 5

Let m and n are the roots
m = 3 + 2 5 and n = 3 2 5
Sum of the roots
= m+n

= 3+2 5 +32 5
m+n = 6
Product of the roots = mn

= (3 + 2 5 ) (3 2 5 )
= (3)2 (2 5 )2
= 9 20
mn = 11
2
x (m + n) x + mn = 0
x2 6x 11 = 0
Example 4 : If m and n are the roots of equation x2 3x + 1 = 0 find the value
1 1
+
m n
Consider the equation
x2 3x + 1 = 0
This is in the form
ax2 + bx + c = 0
The coefficients are
a = 1, b = 3, c = 1
Let m and n are the roots

of (i) m2n + mn2 (ii)

b
=
a
m + n = 3

i)

Sum of the roots

ii)

Product of the roots mn =

c
a

mn =

1
1

(i) m2n + mn2

(3)
= 3
1

m + n =

mn = 1

= mn (m + n)
= 1(3) = 3

(ii)

1
1
+
m
n

n+m
m+n
=
=
mn
mn

1
1
+
= 3
m
n
150

3
1

Example 5 : If m and n are the roots of equation x2 3x + 4 = 0 form the

equation whose roots are m2 and n2.
x2 3x + 4 = 0

Consider the equation

The coefficients are

a = 1, b = 3, c = 4

Let m and n are the roots

i) Sum of the roots =

m + n =

b
(3)
=
a
1

m + n = 3

ii) Product of the roots =

mn =

c
4
=
a
1

mn = 4

If the roots are m2 and n2

= (m + n)2 2mn
Sum of the roots m2 + n2
= (3)2 2(4)
= 9 8
2
m + n2 = 1
Product of the roots m2n2

= (mn)2
= 42
m2n2 = 16

x2 (m2 + n2) x + m2n2 = 0

x2 (1)x + (16) = 0
x2 x + 16 = 0

Example 6 : If one root of the equation x2 6x + q = 0 is twice the other, find the
value of q
Consider the equation x2 6x + q = 0
This is in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0
The coefficients are a = 1, b = 6, c = q
Let the m and n are the roots
b
(6)
=
a
1
m+n=6

i) Sum of the roots

m+n =

151

c
q
=
a
1
mn = q

ii) Product of the roots

mn =

If one root is (m) then twice the root is (2m)

m = m and n = 2m
m+n = 6
m + 2m = 6
3m = 6
m =

We know that q
q
q
q
q

=
=
=
=
=

6
3
mn
m(2m)
2m2
2(2)2
8

m = 2

q = 8

Example 7 : Find the value of k so that the equation x2 2x + (k + 3) = 0 has one

root equal to zero.
Consider the equation
x2 2x + (k + 3) = 0
The coefficients are
a = 1, b = 2, c = k + 3
Let m and n are the roots
Product of the roots = mn
mn =

mn =

c
a
k +3
1

mn = k + 3

Since m and n are the roots, and one root is zero then
m = m and n = 0
mn = k + 3
m(0) = k + 3
0 = k + 3
k = 3
152

Exercise : 5.8
A. Form the equation whose roots are
1) 3 and 5

2) 6 and 5

3) 2 and

5) 2 + 3 and 2 3

3
2

4)

2
3
and
3
2

6) 3 + 2 5 and 3 2 5

B.
1) If m and n are the roots of the equation x2 6x + 2 = 0 find the value of
i) (m + n) mn

ii)

1
1
+
m
n

2) If a and b are the roots of the equation 3m2 = 6m + 5 find the value of
i)

a b
+
b a

ii) (a + 2b) (2a + b)

3) If p and q are the roots of the equation 2a2 4a + 1 = 0 Find the value of
i) (p + q)2 + 4pq

ii) p3 + q3

4) Form a quadratic equation whose roots are

p
q
and
q
p

5) Find the value of k so that the equation x2 + 4x + (k + 2) = 0 has one root equal
to zero.
6) Find the value of q so that the equation 2x2 3qx + 5q = 0 has one root which
is twice the other.
7) Find the value of p so that the equation 4x2 8px + 9 = 0 has roots whose
difference is 4.
8) If one root of the equation x2 + px + q = 0 is 3 times the other prove that 3p2 = 16q
Graphical method of solving a Quadratic Equation
Let us solve the equation x2 4 = 0 graphically,
x2 4 = 0
x2 = 4
let y = x2 = 4
y = x2

and y = 4
153

Step 1: Form table of

corresponding values
of x and y

y = x2
x=0
x=1
x=2
x = 1
x = 2

Satisfying the equation

y = x2
Step 2: Choose the scale on
x axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit.

y = 02
y = 12
y = 22
y = (1)2
y = (2)2

y=0
y=1
y=4
y=1
y=4

Step 3: Plot the points (0, 0);

(1, 1); (1, 1); (2, 4)
and (2, 4) on graph
sheet.
Step 4: Join the points by a
smooth curve.
Step 5: Draw the straight line
y = 4 Parallel to x-axis
Step 6: From the intersecting
points of the curve and
the line y = 4, draw
perpendiculars to the
x axis
Step 7: Roots of the equations are

x = +2

or

x = 2

The graph of a quadratic polynomial is a curve called parabola

Example 1 : Draw a graph of y = 2x2 and find the value of 3 , using the graph.
Step 1: Form the table of
corresponding values of
x and y satisfying the
equation y = 2x2
x
0
1
1
2
2
3
Step 2: Choose the scale on x
y
0
2
2
8
8
6
axis, 1 cm = 1 unit and
(x, y) (0, 0) (1, 2)
(1, 2) (2, 8) (2, 8) ( 3 ,6)
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
Step 3: Plot the points (0, 0);
(1, 2) (1, 2); (2, 8) and
(2, 8) on graph sheet.
154

Step 4: Join the points by a

smooth curve
Step 5: Draw the straight line
y = 6 Parallel to x-axis.
Step 6: From the intersecting
points of the curve and
the line y = 6, draw
perpendiculars to the
x-axis.
Step 7: Value of

3 = 1.7
x = 1.7

or

x = + 1.7

Example 2 : Draw a graph of y = x2 and y = 2-x and hence solve the equation
x2 + x 2 = 0
Step 1: Form the table of
corresponding values of
x and y satisfying the
equation y = x2

(0, 0)

(1, 1)

(1, 1)

(2, 4)

(2, 4)

Step 2: Form the table of

corresponding values of
x and y satisfying the
equation y = 2 x.

(0, 2)

(1, 1)

(1, 3)

(2, 0)

(2, 4)

(x, y)

(x, y)

Step 3: Choose the scale on x

axis 1 cm = 1 unit and
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit.
Step 4: Plot the points (0, 0);
(1, 1); (1, 1); (2, 4)
and (2, 4) on the graph
sheet.
Step 5: Join the points by a
smooth curve.
Step 6: Plot the points (0, 2) ;
(1, 1); (1, 3); (2, 0)
and (2, 4) on graph
sheet
155

Step 7: Join the points to get a line.

Step 8: From the intersecting
Curve and the line, draw
perpendiculars to the
x-axis
Step 9: Roots of the equation are

x = 1

Example 3 : Solve the equation

Method I : x2 x 2 = 0
Split the equation
y = x2 and y = 2 + x
Step 1: Form the table of
corresponding values x
and y satisfying the
equation y = x2
Step 2: Form the table of
corresponding values x
and y satisfying the
equation y = 2 + x
Step 3: Choose the scale on
x axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
y axis, 1 cm = 1 unit
Step 4: Plot the points (0, 0);
(1, 1); (1, 1); (2, 4)
and (2, 4) on the graph
sheet.
Step 5: Join the points by a
smooth curve
Step 6: Plot the points (0, 2);
(1, 3) (2, 4); (1, 1) and
(2, 0) on the graph
sheet.
Step 7: Join the points to get a
straight line
Step 8: From the intersecting
points of Curve and the
line, draw the perpendiculars to the x-axis.
Step 9: Roots of the equation are

x = 2

(0, 0)

(1, 1)

(1, 1)

(2, 4)

(2, 4)

(0, 2)

(1, 3)

(2, 4)

(x, y)

(x, y)

x = 1
156

or

or

(1, 1) (2, 0)

x = 2

Method II :

Step 1: Form the table of

corresponding values of
x and y satisfying
equation y = x2 x 2.

(x, y)

(0, 2) (1, 2) (1, 0)

(2, 0) (2, 4)

Step 2: Choose the scale on x

axis 1 cm = 1 unit and
y axis 1 cm = 1 unit.
Step 3: Plot the points (0, 2);
(1 2); (1, 0); (2, 0)
and (2, 4) on the graph
sheet.
Step 4: Join the points to form
a smooth curve
Step 5: Mark the intersecting
points of the curve and
the x axis.
Step 6: Roots of the equations are

x = 1

or

x = 2

Exercise : 5.9
A.

B.

1)

Draw the graph of y = x2 and find the value of

2)

Draw the graph of y = 2x2 and find the value of

3)

Draw the graph of y =

1)

Draw the graph of y = x2 and y = 2x + 3 and hence solve the equation

x2 2x 3 = 0
Draw the graph of y = 2x2 and y = 3 x and hence solve the equation
2x2 + x 3 = 0
Draw the graph of y = 2x2 and y = 3 + x and hence solve the equation
2x2 x 3 = 0

2)
3)
C.

Solve graphically
1) x2 + x 12 = 0
4) x2 + x 6 = 0

7
3

1 2
x and find the value of 10
2

2) x2 5x + 6 = 0
5) 2x2 3x 5 = 0

157

3) x2 + 2x 8 = 0
6) 2x2 + 3x 5 = 0