THE QUADRATIC

FORMULA
Unit Topic: Quadratics
Math 4
Mr. Wolfe
Lecture Objectives &
CA Content Standards
■ Lecture Objective: Students will be able to accurately determine
when and how to use the Quadratic
Formula
■ Common Core State Standards:
– CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.HSA.REI.B.4.B
Solve quadratic equations by inspection (e.g., for x2 = 49),
taking square roots, completing the square, the quadratic
formula and factoring, as appropriate to the initial form of the
equation. Recognize when the quadratic formula gives complex
solutions and write them as a ± bi for real numbers a and b.
Notice and Wonder

■ What do you notice

about the image below
and what do you
wonder?
– Quietly think to
yourself for the first
30 seconds and we
will discuss
observations as a
class after.
Question Time!

■ Discuss with your neighbor :

– will the basketball go
through the hoop?
– Will it hit the ground?
– How do you know this?

– Hint: What math ideas

have we learned that can
model the balls behavior.
The Quadratic Equation

■ The Standard form of a

Quadratic Equation is:
– Ax^2 + Bx + C =
0, where A ≠ 0.
Why?
■ The graph looks like
→
– Green Graph: First
A is changed, then
B, then C
– Blue Graph: No
change
Click Play on Graph
Solutions of a Quadratic
Equation
■ So far, you’ve seen how to find
solutions for Quadratic Equations
using the X Method, However, as we
know, that method doesn’t always
work.
■ Then it’s natural to have the
question:
– How do we solve for the solutions
of a Quadratic Equation if the X
Method doesn’t work?
Question Time!
■ Work with a neighbor and solve the two problems below.
1. Solve for x^2 + 9x + 20 = 0 2. Solve for 8x^2 =
15 – 14x

Show your workStep

and1 write out all of the steps on the following flow
Step 2
chart found on your Guided Notes. Step 3
 Which problem was
harder:
#1 or #2?
1. Solve for x^2 + 9x + 20 = 0 2. Solve for 8x^2 = 15 – 14x
Review the solutions of #1

■ 1. Solve for x^2 + 9x + 20 = 0

Step 1
Step 2
Write in Standard
Form (given) Step 3
Find two numbers
that add to be 9 Rewrite your two
and multiply to be found numbers in
(20*1) = 20 factored form
taking place for a
and b for (x-a)(x-b)
Review the solutions of #2

■ 2. Solve for 8x^2 = 15 – 14x

– based on your experience working with your neighbor, you
know by now that this problem is much tougher and we need
another method for solving quadratic equations.

■ We will return……..
Introduction of the Quadratic
Formula
■ The Quadratic Formula is a
formula that takes the
coefficients of a Quadratic
Equation in Standard Form
and finds the equations
solutions.
■ Recall: Standard Form is
Ax^2 + Bx + C = 0, where A ≠
0.
■ The Quadratic Formula →
Recall

■ Recall that Solving for a Quadratic Equation

means that you are identifying the equations
Roots (Other names = Solutions, Zeros)
■ So, no matter how you solve the problem you
will be finding the same thing
■ For instance, if I were able to solve a quadratic
function using the X-Method or Quadratic
Formula, I would still get x = 1 and 4
Time to apply the Quadratic
Formula
■ Ex.
– Solve for the Quadratic Equation 2x^2 + 14x -16 using
the Quadratic Formula:

Plug a,b,c
Find a,b,c Simplify
into formula
 Now you try!

■ Solve the Quadratic Equation

4x^2 + 8x + 12

using the Quadratic formula

Walk Through the Problem

■ Solve the Quadratic Equation 4x^2 + 8x + 12 using the

Quadratic formula.
 Revisit
■ Now that we have learned what the Quadratic Formula is and
seen two examples on how to use it, we can apply what we
know to #2 on slide 10.
■ 2. in
Rewrite Solve for 8x^2
Standard = 15 – 14x
Form
and find a, b, and c.

Plug a, b, and c into the

Quadratic Formula

Simplify
Notice!

■ Notice on both slide 13

and 15 there was a key
word in the explanation. Slide 13 || Slide 15

– That word was

Discriminant
– Discriminant refers to
the value with in the
Square Root sign of
the Quadratic
Formula
Discriminant_-b± (b^2 –
4ac)^(1/2)
2a

b^2 – 4ac

When b^2−4ac= When b^2−4ac When b^2−4ac

0 >0 <0

There is 1 Real There are 2 Real There are no

Root Roots Real Roots
Now you try!

■ Determine how many Real Roots are in each of the following

two quadratic equations.

1. 2x^2 -3x +17 2. –x^2 -4x -12

Compare & Contrast

■ Now that you have been introduced to the Quadratic Formula

and the X Method, Compare & Contrast the two method for
solving a Quadratic Equation.
Quadratic Bot X – Method
Formula
h