 To solve quadratic equations the Babylonians would

basically use the quadratic formula. They thought of

quadratic equations where b and c were not inevitably
integers but c was always positive
 FORMULA:
𝑏 2 𝑏
x = - b/2 + + 𝑐 and x = + b/2 + ( )^2 + 𝑐
2 2
Notice that in each case this is the positive root from the two
roots of the quadratic and the one which will make sense in
solving "real" problems.

For example problems which led the Babylonians to

equations of this type often concerned the area of a rectangle.
For example if the area is given and the amount by which the
length exceeds the breadth is given, then the breadth satisfies
a quadratic equation and then they would apply the first
version of the formula above.
 EXAMPLE:
Babylonian Method Using the Modern
O The area of the rectangle is Method
35 and its length exceed its By Factoring
breath by 2
X2 + 2x = 35
O x2+ 2x = 35
X^2 + 2x -35 = 0
2 2
O x = - 2/2 +
2
+ 35 and x (x+7)(x-5)=0
2 2 X=-7; x= 5
= 2/2 + 35
2
O x = -1 + 36 and x = 1+ 36
O -1+6=5 and 1+6=7
O Answer is 5 or 7
 Let’s Compare….
O As you notice the Babylonian method is
much longer than modern method.
O Babylonian method has 2 ways in solving it
while the modern way has only one way of
solving it and you can get the answer easily.
GEOMETRIC
SOLUTION
 x² + bx + c = 0 x² – sx + p = 0

Given the quadratic equation

 x^2 − sx + p = 0

 the circle in the coordinate plane having the

line segment joining the points A(0, 1) and B(s,
p) as a diameter is called the Carlyle circle of
the quadratic equation.
 The defining property of the Carlyle circle can
be established thus: the equation of the circle
having the line segment AB as diameter is
 x(x − s) + (y − 1)(y − p) = 0.
 The abscissas of the points where the circle
intersects the x-axis are the roots of the
equation (obtained by setting y = 0 in the
equation of the circle)
 x2 − sx + p = 0.
 (-5,6) 6

5
EXAMPLE:
4
(-2 ½ , 3 ½ )
3

1
(0,1)

-8 -7 -6 -5 -4 -3 -2 -1

The square of a number reduced by

five times the number
added to six is equal to zero.

• The solution of x^2 - 5x +

6=0 are - 1 and -5
 Let’s compare…
O Carlyle’s method might be useful but it’s
much more complicated since it has many
ways before you get the answer but in our
method today it is much more easier since
we can get the two answer easily using
factoring.
 PYTHAGOREAN
GEOMETRIC SOLUTION
• In mathematics, the Pythagorean theorem—or Pythagoras'
theorem—is a relation in Euclidean geometry among the three
sides of a right triangle
• It states that the square of the hypotenuse (the side opposite the
right angle) is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two
sides. The theorem can be written as an equation relating the
lengths of the sides a, b and c, often called the Pythagorean
equation:
a2 + b2 = c2
• if c denotes the length of the hypotenuse and a and b denote
the lengths of the other two sides, the Pythagorean theorem can
be expressed as the Pythagorean equation:
a2 + b2 = c2
• If the length of both a and b are known, then c can be
calculated as
c = \sqrt{a2 + b2}.
• If the length of the hypotenuse c and of one side (a or b) are
known, then the length of the other side can be calculated as
a = \sqrt{c2 - b2}
or
b = \sqrt{c2 - a2}.
• The Pythagorean equation relates the sides of a right triangle
in a simple way, so that if the lengths of any two sides are
known the length of the third side can be found. Another
corollary of the theorem is that in any right triangle, the
hypotenuse is greater than any one of the other sides, but less
than their sum.
 EXAMPLE:
O A 35ft ladder is leaning against the side of the building
and is positioned such that the base of the ladder is
21ft from the base of the building. How far above the
ground is the point where the ladder touches the
building.
O a² +b² = c²
O a² + 21² = 35²
O a² +441 = 1225
O minus 441 in both sides
O a² + 441 = 1225
-441 -441
O And square both sides
O 𝑎2 = 784
O A= 28ft
*