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Elementary Algebra 2e

Key Concepts

Elementary Algebra 2eKey Concepts

Key Concepts

10.1 Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Square Root Property

  • Square Root Property
    If x2=kx2=k, and k≥0k≥0, then x=korx=−kx=korx=−k.

10.2 Solve Quadratic Equations by Completing the Square

  • Binomial Squares Pattern If a,ba,b are real numbers,
    (a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2(a+b)2=a2+2ab+b2
    (a−b)2=a2−2ab+b2(a−b)2=a2−2ab+b2
  • Complete a Square
    To complete the square of x2+bxx2+bx:
    1. Step 1. Identify bb, the coefficient of xx.
    2. Step 2. Find (12b)2(12b)2, the number to complete the square.
    3. Step 3. Add the (12b)2(12b)2 to x2+bxx2+bx.

10.3 Solve Quadratic Equations Using the Quadratic Formula

  • Quadratic Formula The solutions to a quadratic equation of the form ax2+bx+c=0,ax2+bx+c=0, a≠0a≠0 are given by the formula:
    x=−b±b2−4ac2ax=−b±b2−4ac2a
  • Solve a Quadratic Equation Using the Quadratic Formula
     To solve a quadratic equation using the Quadratic Formula.
    1. Step 1. Write the quadratic formula in standard form. Identify the a,b,ca,b,c values.
    2. Step 2. Write the quadratic formula. Then substitute in the values of a,b,c.a,b,c.
    3. Step 3. Simplify.
    4. Step 4. Check the solutions.
  • Using the Discriminant, b2−4acb2−4ac, to Determine the Number of Solutions of a Quadratic Equation
     For a quadratic equation of the form ax2+bx+c=0,ax2+bx+c=0, a≠0,a≠0,
    • if b2−4ac>0b2−4ac>0, the equation has 2 solutions.
    • if b2−4ac=0b2−4ac=0, the equation has 1 solution.
    • if b2−4ac<0b2−4ac<0, the equation has no real solutions.
  • To identify the most appropriate method to solve a quadratic equation:
    1. Step 1. Try Factoring first. If the quadratic factors easily this method is very quick.
    2. Step 2. Try the Square Root Property next. If the equation fits the form ax2=kax2=k or a(x−h)2=ka(x−h)2=k, it can easily be solved by using the Square Root Property.
    3. Step 3. Use the Quadratic Formula. Any other quadratic equation is best solved by using the Quadratic Formula.

10.4 Solve Applications Modeled by Quadratic Equations

  • Area of a Triangle For a triangle with base, bb, and height, hh, the area, AA, is given by the formula: A=12bhA=12bh
  • Pythagorean Theorem In any right triangle, where aa and bb are the lengths of the legs, and cc is the length of the hypothenuse, a2+b2=c2a2+b2=c2
  • Projectile motion The height in feet, hh, of an object shot upwards into the air with initial velocity, v0v0, after tt seconds can be modeled by the formula:
    h=−16t2+v0th=−16t2+v0t

10.5 Graphing Quadratic Equations in Two Variables

  • The graph of every quadratic equation is a parabola.
  • Parabola Orientation For the quadratic equation y=ax2+bx+cy=ax2+bx+c, if
    • a>0a>0, the parabola opens upward.
    • a<0a<0, the parabola opens downward.
  • Axis of Symmetry and Vertex of a Parabola For a parabola with equation y=ax2+bx+cy=ax2+bx+c:
    • The axis of symmetry of a parabola is the line x=−b2ax=−b2a.
    • The vertex is on the axis of symmetry, so its x-coordinate is −b2a−b2a.
    • To find the y-coordinate of the vertex we substitute x=−b2ax=−b2a into the quadratic equation.
  • Find the Intercepts of a Parabola To find the intercepts of a parabola with equation y=ax2+bx+cy=ax2+bx+c:
    y-interceptx-interceptsLetx=0and solve fory.Lety=0and solve forx.y-interceptx-interceptsLetx=0and solve fory.Lety=0and solve forx.
  • To Graph a Quadratic Equation in Two Variables
    1. Step 1. Write the quadratic equation with yy on one side.
    2. Step 2. Determine whether the parabola opens upward or downward.
    3. Step 3. Find the axis of symmetry.
    4. Step 4. Find the vertex.
    5. Step 5. Find the y-intercept. Find the point symmetric to the y-intercept across the axis of symmetry.
    6. Step 6. Find the x-intercepts.
    7. Step 7. Graph the parabola.
  • Minimum or Maximum Values of a Quadratic Equation
    • The y-coordinate of the vertex of the graph of a quadratic equation is the
    • minimum value of the quadratic equation if the parabola opens upward.
    • maximum value of the quadratic equation if the parabola opens downward.
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