Chapter 10

Quadratic
Equations and
Functions
Section 3
Solving Equations
Quadratic in Form
Sullivan, III & Struve, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 10.3 - 2 Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
Section 10.3 Objectives
1 Solve Equations That Are Quadratic in Form
Sullivan, III & Struve, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 10.3 - 3 Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
Equations Quadratic in Form
If a substitution u transforms an equation into one of the form
au
2
+ bu + c = 0
then the original equation is called an equation quadratic in form.
Solving Equations Quadratic in Form
Step 1: Determine the appropriate substitution and write the
equation in the form au
2
+ bu + c = 0.
Step 2: Solve the equation au
2
+ bu + c = 0.
Step 3: Solve for the variable in the original equation using the
value of u found in Step 2.
Step 4: Check. Verify your solutions.
Sullivan, III & Struve, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 10.3 - 4 Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
Equations Quadratic in Form
Example: Solve: x
4
11x
2
+ 18 = 0
u
2
11u + 18 = 0 Replace x
4
with u
2
and x
2
with u.
(u 9)(u 2) = 0 Factor.
Set each equation equal to zero.
u = 9 Solve for u.
u 9 = 0 or u 2 = 0
u = 2
x
2
= 9 Replace u with x
2
. x
2
= 2
Solve for x. = 3 x
= 2 x
Continued.
Sullivan, III & Struve, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 10.3 - 5 Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
Equations Quadratic in Form
Example continued:
= 3 x
= 2 x
x
4
11x
2
+ 18 = 0 Check:
(3)
4
11(3)
2
+ 18 = 0

= 3 x
= 2 x
81 11(9) + 18 = 0
81 99 + 18 = 0
0 = 0
( 3)
4
11( 3)
2
+ 18 = 0

81 11(9) + 18 = 0
81 99 + 18 = 0
0 = 0

2
( )
4
11 2
( )
2
+18 = 0

4 11(2) +18 = 0
4 22 18 0 + =
0 0 =

2
( )
4
11 2
( )
2
+18 = 0
4 11(2) 18 0 + =
4 22 18 0 + =
0 0 =
Sullivan, III & Struve, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 10.3 - 6 Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
Equations Quadratic in Form
Example: Solve: 2x
1/2
x
1/4
1 = 0
2u
2
u 1 = 0 Replace x
1/2
with u
2
and x
1/4
with u.
(2u + 1)(u 1) = 0 Factor.
Set each equation equal to zero.
Solve for u.
2u + 1 = 0 or u 1 = 0
Replace u with x
1/4
.
Solve for x.
1
=
2
u =1 u
1/4
1
=
2
x
1/4
=1 x

x
1/ 4
( )
4
=
1
2
|
\

|
.
|
4

x
1/ 4
( )
4
=1
4
1
=
16
x =1 x
Continued.
Sullivan, III & Struve, Elementary and Intermediate Algebra 10.3 - 7 Copyright 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
Equations Quadratic in Form
Example continued:
1
=
16
x =1 x
Check:
1/2 1/4
2 1= 0 x x

2
1
16
|
\

|
.
|
1/ 2

1
16
|
\

|
.
|
1/ 4
1= 0

2
1
4
|
\

|
.
|

1
2
1= 0
1 1
1 = 0
2 2

1 0 =
1/2 1/4
2 1= 0 x x
( ) ( )
1/2 1/4
1 2 = 1 1 0
( )
2 1 1 1 = 0
0 = 0
The solution set is {1}.
2 1 1= 0
is an
extraneous root.
1
=
16
x