SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS BY FACTORISATION
This very important result is used for solving quadratic equations. If a × b = 0thena = 0orb = 0
1 Solve factorise check:0 2 – 3 × 0 = – 3 × 3 = 0
2 Solve factorise check: × 0 = 0 (−5) × (−5) = 0
3 Solve factorise check:2 2 − 5 × = − 5 × = 0
4 Solve factorise check:(−7) × (−7) − 14 = 0 (2) × 2 − 14 = 0
5 Solve factorise check:2 × (½) × (½) − 3 = 0 2 ×(−3) × (−3) − 3 = 0
Problems involving quadratic equations
1 The two rectangles have the same area. Find x. factorise x + 1 x + 3 x 2x + 2 x must be positive, so x = area = 24 area = 24 check:
2 The triangle is right-angled. Find x. factorise x − 1 2x2x 2x + 1 x must be positive, so x = 6 using Pythagoras check: