The Algebra of Quadratics
By Nicholas Yiannakis
Topics
Expanding
Factoring
Solving
Completing the Square
Expanding
The definition of polynomials-
Expressions with two numbers or variables added or subtracted together.
Example:
(x+5) (3y-5)
A common method used when expanding quadratic equations is FOIL.
FOIL stands for (First, Outside, Inside, Last)
This method is one of the easiest was to expand a quadratic equation.
Heres and example of expanding a quadratic equation.
( x + 3 ) ( x + 2 )= x2 + 2x + 3x + 6
= x2 + 5x + 6
Common Factoring
If every term of a polynomial is divisible by the same constant, this constant is also called a common factor
A polynomial is not considered to be completely factored until the Greatest Common Factor (GCF) has been factored out
Example
4x+20 = 2(2x+10) -----> Not Completely Factored
4x+20 = 4(x+5)-----> Completely Factored
Complex Factoring ( With Decomposition)
ax2 + bx + c
1. Take A and C and multiply them
2. This will then be you product
3. Then take your middle term and use it as your sum
4. Then find two number that multiply to your product and add to your sum
Completing the Square
X2+6x-2
1. Block of the first two terms(x2+6x)-2
2. Factor out the A if possible
3, Add a 0 (x2+6x)-2=0
4. Take the middle term and divide by two. Then square it x2+6x+9-9-2
5. Bring out the negatives(x2+6x+9)-9-2
You Did it!
Solving
When you have an equation equal to zero you need to find X
Example-
(x – 3)(x – 4) = 0
For the first bracket make x=For the second bracket make x=4