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Mathematics · Class 9 · Chapter 8: Quadratic Equation
8 min
Key points
- A quadratic equation is an equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a ≠ 0
- The general form ax² + bx + c = 0 has three methods of solution: factorization, completing the square, and quadratic formula
- The discriminant Δ = b² - 4ac determines the nature of roots
- If Δ > 0, roots are real and distinct; if Δ = 0, roots are real and equal; if Δ < 0, roots are imaginary
- Sum of roots = -b/a and Product of roots = c/a
- Completing the square method converts ax² + bx + c = 0 into perfect square form
- Quadratic formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac))/2a gives roots directly
- Word problems involving quadratic equations often relate to area, age, and number problems
Definitions
- Quadratic Equation
- An equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, c are real numbers and a ≠ 0, is called a quadratic equation in one variable x.
- Discriminant
- The expression b² - 4ac under the square root in the quadratic formula is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0.
- Roots of Quadratic Equation
- The values of x which satisfy the quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0 are called the roots or solutions of the equation.
- Completing the Square
- The method of solving quadratic equation by converting it into perfect square form is called completing the square method.
Worked example
Solve the quadratic equation 2x² - 7x + 3 = 0 using quadratic formula. (6 marks)
The roots are x = 3 and x = 1/2
Common mistakes
- Students forget to check if a ≠ 0 when identifying quadratic equations
- Wrong calculation of discriminant - especially sign errors with negative coefficients
- Not writing ± symbol when taking square root in completing the square method
- Forgetting to verify answers by substituting back into original equation
- Confusing sum and product of roots formulas (writing -c/a instead of c/a for product)
Quick recap
A quadratic equation has standard form ax² + bx + c = 0 where a ≠ 0. It can be solved by factorization, completing square, or quadratic formula x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a. The discriminant b² - 4ac determines nature of roots: positive gives real unequal roots, zero gives real equal roots, negative gives complex roots. Always identify coefficients first and show all calculation steps for full marks.
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