Lesson 3
Solving Quadratic Equations by Reasoning
Problem 1
Consider the equation \(x^2=9\).
- Show that 3, -3, \(\sqrt{9}\), and \(\text-\sqrt{9}\) are each a solution to the equation.
- Show that 9 and \(\sqrt{3}\) are each not a solution to the equation.
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
Problem 2
Solve \((x-1)^2 = 16\). Explain or show your reasoning.
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
Problem 3
Here is one way to solve the equation \(\frac59 y^2 = 5\). Explain what is done in each step.
\(\begin{align}\frac59y^2 &= 5 &\quad &\text{Original equation}\\5y^2&=45 &\quad &\text{Step 1} \\\\y^2&=9 &\quad& \text{Step 2} \\\\y=3 \qquad &\text{or} \qquad y=\text-3 &\quad& \text{Step 3} \end{align}\)
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
Problem 4
Diego and Jada are working together to solve the quadratic equation \((x-2)^2 = 100\).
Diego solves the equation by dividing each side of the equation by 2 and then adding 2 to each side. He writes:
\(\displaystyle \begin{align} (x-2)&=50\\ x&=52\\ \end{align}\)
Jada asks Diego why he divides each side by 2 and he says, “I want to find a number that equals 100 when multiplied by itself. That number is half of 100.”
- What mistake is Diego making?
- If you were Jada, what could you say to Diego to help him realize his mistake?
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
Problem 5
As part of a publicity stunt (an event designed to draw attention), a TV host drops a watermelon from the top of a tall building. The height of the watermelon \(t\) seconds after it is dropped is given by the function \(h(t) = 850-16t^2\), where \(h\) is in feet.
- Find \(h(4)\). Explain what this value means in this situation.
- Find \(h(0)\). What does this value tell us about the situation?
- Is the watermelon still in the air 8 seconds after it is dropped? Explain how you know.
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
(From Unit 7, Lesson 1.)Problem 6
A zoo offers unlimited drink refills to visitors who purchase its souvenir cup. The cup and the first fill cost $10, and refills after that are $2 each. The expression \(10+2r\) represents the total cost of the cup and \(r\) refills.
- A family visited the zoo several times over a summer. That summer, they paid $30 for one cup and multiple refills. How many refills did they buy?
- A visitor has $18 to spend on drinks at the zoo today and buys a souvenir cup. How many refills can they afford during the visit?
- Another visitor spent $10 on this deal. Did they buy any refills? Explain how you know.
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
(From Unit 7, Lesson 2.)Problem 7
Here are a few pairs of positive numbers whose sum is 15. The pair of numbers that have a sum of 15 and will produce the largest possible product is not shown.
Find this pair of numbers.
first number |
second number |
product |
---|---|---|
1 | 14 | 14 |
3 | 12 | 36 |
5 | 10 | 50 |
7 | 8 | 56 |
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
(From Unit 6, Lesson 1.)Problem 8
Clare is 5 years older than her sister.
- Write an equation that defines her sister's age, \(s\), as a function of Clare’s age, \(c\).
- Write an equation that defines Clare’s age, \(c\), as a function of her sister's age, \(s\).
- Graph each function. Be sure to label the axes.
- Describe how the two graphs compare.
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
(From Unit 4, Lesson 15.)Problem 9
The graph shows the weight of snow as it melts. The weight decreases exponentially.
-
By what factor does the weight of the snow decrease each hour? Explain how you know.
- Does the graph predict that the weight of the snow will reach 0? Explain your reasoning.
- Will the weight of the actual snow, represented by the graph, reach 0? Explain how you know.
Solution
Teachers with a valid work email address can click here to register or sign in for free access to Formatted Solution.
(From Unit 5, Lesson 5.)