Lesson 19
Deriving the Quadratic Formula
Problem 1
- The quadratic equation \(x^2 + 7x + 10 = 0\) is in the form of \(ax^2 + bx + c = 0\). What are the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\)?
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Some steps for solving the equation by completing the square have been started here. In the third line, what might be a good reason for multiplying each side of the equation by 4?
\(\displaystyle \begin {align}\\ x^2 + 7x + 10 &= 0 &\hspace{0.1in}& \text {Original equation}\\\\ x^2 + 7x &= \text-10 &\hspace{0.1in}& \text {Subtract 10 from each side}\\\\ 4x^2 + 4(7x) &= 4(\text-10) &\hspace{0.1in}& \text {Multiply each side by 4}\\\\ (2x)^2 + 2(7)2x + \underline{\hspace{0.3in}}^2 &= \underline{\hspace{0.3in}}^2 - 4(10) &\hspace{0.1in}& \text {Rewrite } 4x^2 \text{ as } (2x)^2\\ &\text{} &\hspace{0.1in}& \text{and }4(7x) \text{ as } 2(7)2x\\\\ (2x+\underline{\hspace{0.3in}})^2 &= \underline{\hspace{0.3in}}^2 - 4(10)\\\\ 2x+\underline{\hspace{0.3in}} &= \pm \sqrt { \underline{\hspace{0.3in}}^2 - 4(10)}\\\\ 2x &= \underline{\hspace{0.3in}} \pm \sqrt { \underline{\hspace{0.3in}}^2 - 4(10)}\\\\ x &=\\ \end {align}\)
- Complete the unfinished steps, and explain what happens in each step in the second half of the solution.
- Substitute the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) into the quadratic formula, \(\displaystyle x = {\text-b \pm \sqrt{b^2-4ac} \over 2a}\), but do not evaluate any of the expressions. Explain how this expression is related to solving \(x^2+7x+10=0\) by completing the square.
Solution
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Problem 2
Consider the equation \(x^2-39=0\).
- Does the quadratic formula work to solve this equation? Explain or show how you know.
- Can you solve this equation using square roots? Explain or show how you know.
Solution
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Problem 3
Clare is deriving the quadratic formula by solving \(ax^2+bx+c=0\) by completing the square.
She arrived at this equation.
\((2ax+b)^2=b^2-4ac\)
Briefly describe what she needs to do to finish solving for \(x\) and then show the steps.
Solution
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Problem 4
Tyler is solving the quadratic equation \(x^2 + 8x +11=4\).
Study his work and explain the mistake he made. Then, solve the equation correctly.
\(\displaystyle \begin{align} x^2 + 8x+11&= 4\\ x^2+8x+16&=4\\(x + 4)^2 &= 4\\ x = \text-8 \quad &\text { or } \quad x = 0\\ \end{align}\\\)
Solution
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(From Unit 7, Lesson 12.)Problem 5
Solve the equation by using the quadratic formula. Then, check if your solutions are correct by rewriting the quadratic expression in factored form and using the zero product property.
- \(2x^2-3x-5=0\)
- \(x^2-4x=21\)
- \(3-x-4x^2=0\)
Solution
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(From Unit 7, Lesson 16.)Problem 6
A tennis ball is hit straight up in the air, and its height, in feet above the ground, is modeled by the equation \(f(t) = 4 + 12t - 16t^2\), where \(t\) is measured in seconds since the ball was thrown.
- Find the solutions to \(6 = 4 + 12t - 16t^2\) without graphing. Show your reasoning.
- What do the solutions say about the tennis ball?
Solution
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(From Unit 7, Lesson 17.)Problem 7
Consider the equation \(y=2x(6-x)\).
- What are the \(x\)-intercepts of the graph of this equation? Explain how you know.
- What is the \(x\)-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of this equation? Explain how you know.
- What is the \(y\)-coordinate of the vertex? Show your reasoning.
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Sketch the graph of this equation.
Solution
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(From Unit 6, Lesson 11.)