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A quadratic equation is any equation that can be expressed as ax2 + bx + c = 0.
Note that the a, b and c are specified, x is the only unknown.
Example:
x2 - 10x - 24 = 0
a, b, c are the coefficients of each term.
Now x2 appears not to have a coefficient, but remember x2 is the same thing as 1x2 so the coefficient is 1. So a = 1.
The second term has a coefficient of -10 because it has a minus, not plus sign in front of it so b = -10.
Likewise for c, the third term. C = -24.
So you have your terms.
There are two popular ways of solving this.
You can factorise the equation, or use the Quadratic Formula.
I prefer to use the Quadratic Formula, as it is very straightforward, you just need to practise it.
The quadratic formula is x = (-b±√(b2-4ac))/2a
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What is the quadratic formula for?
The quadratic formula is used to solve the quadratic equation. Many equations in which the variable is squared can be written as a quadratic equation, and then solved with the quadratic formula.
The quadratic formula cannot be used to solve an equation if the coefficient of the equation's x2-term is?
The quadratic formula cannot be used to solve an equation if the coefficient of the equation's x2-term is 0.
Why do you use square roots to solve quadratic equations?
Because it's part of the quadratic equation formula in finding the roots of a quadratic equation.
The quadratic formula can be used to solve an equation only if the highest degree in the equation is?
The quadratic formula can be used to solve an equation only if the highest degree in the equation is 2.
Why can't an equal 0 in a quadratic equation?
a is the coefficient of the x2 term. If is a = 0, then it is no longer a quadratic - it is just a linear equation, and the quadratic formula will not work to solve it.
