Complete Notes: Quadratic Equations -

Tricks & Identities

Part A: Basic Quadratic Forms and Solution Methods
Quadratic equations are of the form ax² + bx + c = 0 (where a ≠ 0).
Here's how to solve them with three key methods, plus tricks to save
time.

Identity 1: Standard Quadratic Form

Form: ax² + bx + c = 0
Method 1: Factorization Tricks

Find two numbers that fit the equation by splitting the middle term.

●​ Case 1: When a = 1 (i.e., x² + bx + c = 0)​

○​ Look for two numbers that multiply to c and add to b.

○​ If c > 0: Same sign as b (both positive or both negative).
○​ If c < 0: Opposite signs.
●​ Example: Solve x² + 5x + 6 = 0​

○​ Step 1: Find numbers: Product = 6, Sum = 5 → 2 and 3

(since 2 × 3 = 6, 2 + 3 = 5).
○​ Step 2: Factor: (x + 2)(x + 3) = 0.
○​ Step 3: Solve: x + 2 = 0 ⇒ x = -2, x + 3 = 0 ⇒ x = -3.
○​ Solutions: x = -2, -3.
●​ Case 2: When a ≠ 1 (i.e., ax² + bx + c = 0)​

○​ Use the AC Method: Multiply a and c, find two numbers that

multiply to ac and add to b, then split the middle term.
●​ Example: Solve 2x² + 7x + 3 = 0​

○​ Step 1: ac = 2 × 3 = 6. Find numbers: Product = 6, Sum = 7

→ 6 and 1.
 ○​ Step 2: Split: 2x² + 6x + x + 3 = 0.
○​ Step 3: Group: 2x(x + 3) + 1(x + 3) = (2x + 1)(x + 3) = 0.
○​ Step 4: Solve: 2x + 1 = 0 ⇒ x = -1/2, x + 3 = 0 ⇒ x = -3.
○​ Solutions: x = -1/2, -3.

Trick: If numbers don't pop up quickly, switch to the quadratic formula!

Method 2: Completing the Square

Turn the equation into a perfect square to solve it.

Steps:

1.​ Ensure the coefficient of x² is 1 (divide if needed).

2.​ Move the constant term to the right.
3.​ Add (b/2)² to both sides.
4.​ Factor the left as a square and solve.

Example: Solve x² + 6x + 5 = 0

●​ Step 1: Move constant: x² + 6x = -5.

●​ Step 2: Add (6/2)² = 9: x² + 6x + 9 = -5 + 9.
●​ Step 3: Simplify: (x + 3)² = 4.
●​ Step 4: Solve: x + 3 = ±2 ⇒ x + 3 = 2 or x + 3 = -2.
●​ Step 5: x = -1 or x = -5.
●​ Solutions: x = -1, -5.

Trick: Great for understanding graphs—(x + 3)² = 4 shows the vertex!

Method 3: Quadratic Formula

The go-to method when factorization is tricky.

Formula: x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac))/(2a)​

Discriminant (Δ): b² - 4ac

●​ Δ > 0: Two real roots.

●​ Δ = 0: One repeated root.
●​ Δ < 0: No real roots (complex).

Example: Solve 3x² - 5x + 2 = 0

●​ Step 1: Identify a = 3, b = -5, c = 2.

 ●​ Step 2: Compute Δ = (-5)² - 4(3)(2) = 25 - 24 = 1.
●​ Step 3: Apply formula: x = (5 ± √1)/6 = (5 ± 1)/6.
●​ Step 4: Solve: x = 6/6 = 1, x = 4/6 = 2/3.
●​ Solutions: x = 1, 2/3.

Trick: Check Δ first to predict the number of roots!

Part B: Special Quadratic Identities

These are the fun, tricky ones you asked for! I've corrected minor errors
(like "Px" to px²) and included step-by-step solutions with examples.

Identity 2: Fractional Quadratic Form

Form: (ax + b)/(cx + d) = k (assuming a quadratic results)

Method: Cross-multiply to form a quadratic equation.

Example: Solve (2x + 1)/(x - 1) = 3

●​ Step 1: Cross-multiply: 2x + 1 = 3(x - 1).

●​ Step 2: Simplify: 2x + 1 = 3x - 3 ⇒ 1 + 3 = 3x - 2x ⇒ 4 = x.
●​ Step 3: Check: (2(4) + 1)/(4 - 1) = 9/3 = 3, valid (denominator ≠ 0).
●​ Solution: x = 4 (Note: This became linear; expect quadratics in
exams!).

Quadratic Example: Solve 3/x + 2/(x + 1) = 5

●​ Step 1: Multiply by x(x + 1): 3(x + 1) + 2x = 5x(x + 1).

●​ Step 2: Expand: 3x + 3 + 2x = 5x² + 5x.
●​ Step 3: Simplify: 5x² + 5x - 5x - 3 = 0 ⇒ 5x² - 3 = 0.
●​ Step 4: Solve: x² = 3/5 ⇒ x = ±√(3/5).
●​ Solutions: x = ±√(3/5).

Identity 3: Reciprocal Quadratic Form

Form: ax² + 1/x² + b(x + 1/x) + c = 0

Method: Substitute y = x + 1/x, where x² + 1/x² = y² - 2.

Example: Solve x² + 1/x² + 3(x + 1/x) - 4 = 0

●​ Step 1: Let y = x + 1/x, so x² + 1/x² = y² - 2.

●​ Step 2: Substitute: (y² - 2) + 3y - 4 = 0.
●​ Step 3: Simplify: y² + 3y - 6 = 0.
●​ Step 4: Solve: y = (-3 ± √(9 + 24))/2 = (-3 ± √33)/2.
●​ Step 5: For each y: x + 1/x = y ⇒ x² - yx + 1 = 0, then use the
quadratic formula.
●​ Solutions: Real roots exist (solve numerically if needed).

Identity 4: Product Form with Constant

Form: (x + a)(x + b)(x + c)(x + d) + k = 0

Method: Group into pairs or substitute to simplify.

Example: Solve (x + 1)(x + 2)(x + 3)(x + 4) + 1 = 0

●​ Step 1: Pair: (x + 1)(x + 4) = x² + 5x + 4, (x + 2)(x + 3) = x² + 5x +

6.
●​ Step 2: Let y = x² + 5x. Then (y + 4)(y + 6) + 1 = 0.
●​ Step 3: Expand: y² + 10y + 24 + 1 = y² + 10y + 25 = 0.
●​ Step 4: Solve: (y + 5)² = 0 ⇒ y = -5.
●​ Step 5: Then x² + 5x + 5 = 0 ⇒ x = (-5 ± √(25 - 20))/2 = (-5 ± √5)/2.
●​ Solutions: x = (-5 ± √5)/2.

Identity 5: Simple Radical Form

Form: √(ax + b) = cx + d

Method: Square both sides, solve, and check for extraneous roots.

Example: Solve √(2x + 3) = x - 1

●​ Step 1: Domain: 2x + 3 ≥ 0 ⇒ x ≥ -3/2.

●​ Step 2: Square: 2x + 3 = (x - 1)² = x² - 2x + 1.
●​ Step 3: Simplify: x² - 4x - 2 = 0.
●​ Step 4: Solve: x = (4 ± √(16 + 8))/2 = 2 ± √6.
●​ Step 5: Check:
○​ x = 2 + √6: √(2(2 + √6) + 3) = √(7 + 2√6) ≈ 2 + √6, true.
○​ x = 2 - √6: √(7 - 2√6) ≠ 2 - √6, false.
 ●​ Solution: x = 2 + √6.

Identity 6: Quadratic Under Square Root

Form: √(ax² + bx + c) = dx + e

Method: Square both sides and verify solutions.

Example: Solve √(x² + 4x + 3) = x + 1

●​ Step 1: Square: x² + 4x + 3 = (x + 1)² = x² + 2x + 1.

●​ Step 2: Simplify: 4x + 3 = 2x + 1 ⇒ 2x = -2 ⇒ x = -1.
●​ Step 3: Check: √(1 - 4 + 3) = √0 = 0, -1 + 1 = 0, true.
●​ Solution: x = -1.

Identity 7: Sum of Two Square Roots (Equal to Constant)

Form: √(ax + b) + √(cx + d) = e

Method: Isolate one root, square twice if needed.

Example: Solve √(x + 4) + √(x - 1) = 5

●​ Step 1: Domain: x ≥ 1.
●​ Step 2: Isolate: √(x + 4) = 5 - √(x - 1).
●​ Step 3: Square: x + 4 = 25 - 10√(x - 1) + (x - 1).
●​ Step 4: Simplify: 4 = 24 - 10√(x - 1) ⇒ 10√(x - 1) = 20 ⇒ √(x - 1) =
2.
●​ Step 5: Solve: x - 1 = 4 ⇒ x = 5.
●​ Step 6: Check: √9 + √4 = 3 + 2 = 5, true.
●​ Solution: x = 5.

Identity 8: Sum of Two Square Roots (Equal to Another Square Root)

Form: √(ax + b) + √(cx + d) = √(ex + f)

Method: Square both sides twice to remove radicals.

Example: Solve √(x + 1) + √(x + 4) = √(4x + 1)

●​ Step 1: Square: (x + 1) + 2√((x + 1)(x + 4)) + (x + 4) = 4x + 1.

●​ Step 2: Simplify: 2x + 5 + 2√(x² + 5x + 4) = 4x + 1.
●​ Step 3: Isolate: 2√(x² + 5x + 4) = 2x - 4.
 ●​ Step 4: Square: 4(x² + 5x + 4) = (2x - 4)².
●​ Step 5: Expand: 4x² + 20x + 16 = 4x² - 16x + 16 ⇒ 36x = 0 ⇒ x =
0.
●​ Step 6: Check: √1 + √4 = 1 + 2 = 3, √1 = 1 ≠ 3, false.
●​ Solution: No real solutions (extraneous root).

Part C: Advanced Identities and Special Cases

Identity 9: Biquadratic Form

Form: ax⁴ + bx² + c = 0

Method: Let y = x², solve the quadratic in y.

Example: Solve x⁴ - 5x² + 4 = 0

●​ Step 1: Let y = x²: y² - 5y + 4 = 0.

●​ Step 2: Solve: y = (5 ± √(25 - 16))/2 = (5 ± 3)/2 ⇒ y = 4, 1.
●​ Step 3: x² = 4 ⇒ x = ±2, x² = 1 ⇒ x = ±1.
●​ Solutions: x = ±2, ±1.

Identity 10: Equations Reducible to Quadratic

Form: (x² + ax + b)² + c(x² + ax + b) + d = 0

Method: Substitute y = x² + ax + b.

Example: Solve (x² - 3x + 2)² - 5(x² - 3x + 2) + 6 = 0

●​ Step 1: Let y = x² - 3x + 2: y² - 5y + 6 = 0.
●​ Step 2: Solve: y = (5 ± √(25 - 24))/2 = (5 ± 1)/2 ⇒ y = 3, 2.
●​ Step 3:
○​ y = 3: x² - 3x + 2 = 3 ⇒ x² - 3x - 1 = 0.
○​ y = 2: x² - 3x + 2 = 2 ⇒ x² - 3x = 0 ⇒ x(x - 3) = 0 ⇒ x = 0, 3.
●​ Solutions: Solve x² - 3x - 1 = 0 separately for full set.

Identity 11: Irrational Coefficients

Form: x² + (√a + √b)x + √(ab) = 0

Method: Factors as (x + √a)(x + √b) = 0.

Example: Solve x² + (√2 + √3)x + √6 = 0

●​ Step 1: Factor: (x + √2)(x + √3) = 0.

●​ Step 2: Solve: x = -√2, -√3.
●​ Solutions: x = -√2, -√3.

Part D: Quick Solving Tricks

1.​ Sum and Product of Roots:​

○​ For ax² + bx + c = 0: Sum = -b/a, Product = c/a.

○​ Example: 2x² - 3x + 1 = 0: Sum = 3/2, Product = 1/2.
2.​ Vieta's Applications:​

○​ α² + β² = (α + β)² - 2αβ.
○​ |α - β| = √((α + β)² - 4αβ).
3.​ Nature of Roots:​

○​ Both positive: Sum > 0, Product > 0.

○​ Both negative: Sum < 0, Product > 0.
○​ Opposite signs: Product < 0.
4.​ Special Products:​

○​ x² - a² = (x - a)(x + a).
○​ x² + 2ax + a² = (x + a)².

Part E: Common Mistakes to Avoid

1.​ Not checking radical equation solutions (watch for extraneous
roots!).
2.​ Sign errors in the quadratic formula.
3.​ Forgetting domain in radical equations.
4.​ Missing LCM in fractional equations.
 5.​ Ignoring negative discriminants.

Part F: Practice Strategy

●​ Master factorization by practicing daily.
●​ Make completing the square second nature.
●​ Memorize the quadratic formula and Δ rules.
●​ Verify every radical solution.
●​ Spot patterns in identities to solve faster.

Part G: Transformation of Quadratic Equations

Let α and β be the roots of the quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0. Here
are all 11 types of transformations to find new equations with
transformed roots:

Transformation 1: Roots are (α + k) and (β + k)

New roots: α + k, β + k​
Method: Replace x with (x - k)​
New equation: a(x - k)² + b(x - k) + c = 0

Example: If 2x² - 5x + 2 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots α +

3, β + 3

●​ Replace x with (x - 3): 2(x - 3)² - 5(x - 3) + 2 = 0

●​ Expand: 2(x² - 6x + 9) - 5x + 15 + 2 = 0
●​ Simplify: 2x² - 12x + 18 - 5x + 17 = 0
●​ New equation: 2x² - 17x + 35 = 0

Transformation 2: Roots are (α - k) and (β - k)

New roots: α - k, β - k​
Method: Replace x with (x + k)​
New equation: a(x + k)² + b(x + k) + c = 0
Example: If x² - 4x + 3 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots α - 2,
β-2

●​ Replace x with (x + 2): (x + 2)² - 4(x + 2) + 3 = 0

●​ Expand: x² + 4x + 4 - 4x - 8 + 3 = 0
●​ New equation: x² - 1 = 0

Transformation 3: Roots are kα and kβ

New roots: kα, kβ​

Method: Replace x with x/k​
New equation: a(x/k)² + b(x/k) + c = 0, then multiply by k²

Example: If x² - 5x + 6 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots 2α, 2β

●​ Replace x with x/2: (x/2)² - 5(x/2) + 6 = 0

●​ Multiply by 4: x² - 10x + 24 = 0
●​ New equation: x² - 10x + 24 = 0

Transformation 4: Roots are α/k and β/k

New roots: α/k, β/k​

Method: Replace x with kx​
New equation: a(kx)² + b(kx) + c = 0

Example: If 2x² - 6x + 4 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots α/3,

β/3

●​ Replace x with 3x: 2(3x)² - 6(3x) + 4 = 0

●​ Simplify: 18x² - 18x + 4 = 0
●​ New equation: 9x² - 9x + 2 = 0

Transformation 5: Roots are 1/α and 1/β

New roots: 1/α, 1/β​

Method: Replace x with 1/x, then multiply by x²​
New equation: cx² + bx + a = 0

Example: If 3x² - 7x + 2 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots 1/α,

1/β

●​ New equation: 2x² - 7x + 3 = 0 (coefficients reversed)

Transformation 6: Roots are -α and -β

New roots: -α, -β​

Method: Replace x with -x​
New equation: ax² - bx + c = 0

Example: If 2x² + 5x - 3 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots -α, -β

●​ Replace x with -x: 2(-x)² + 5(-x) - 3 = 0

●​ New equation: 2x² - 5x - 3 = 0

Transformation 7: Roots are α² and β²

New roots: α², β²​

Method: Use Sum = (α + β)² - 2αβ, Product = (αβ)²​
New equation: x² - [(α + β)² - 2αβ]x + (αβ)² = 0

Example: If x² - 3x + 2 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots α², β²

●​ α + β = 3, αβ = 2
●​ Sum of squares = 3² - 2(2) = 5
●​ Product of squares = 2² = 4
●​ New equation: x² - 5x + 4 = 0

Transformation 8: Roots are α³ and β³

New roots: α³, β³​

Method: Use α³ + β³ = (α + β)³ - 3αβ(α + β), α³β³ = (αβ)³​
New equation: x² - [α³ + β³]x + α³β³ = 0

Example: If x² - 2x + 1 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with roots α³, β³

●​ α + β = 2, αβ = 1
●​ α³ + β³ = 2³ - 3(1)(2) = 8 - 6 = 2
●​ α³β³ = 1³ = 1
●​ New equation: x² - 2x + 1 = 0

Transformation 9: Roots are (α + β)/α and (α + β)/β

New roots: (α + β)/α, (α + β)/β​

Method: Simplify to 1 + β/α and 1 + α/β​
New equation: Found using sum and product formulas
Example: If x² - 5x + 6 = 0 has roots α, β

●​ α + β = 5, αβ = 6
●​ New roots: 5/α, 5/β
●​ Sum = 5(1/α + 1/β) = 5(α + β)/(αβ) = 5(5)/6 = 25/6
●​ Product = 25/(αβ) = 25/6
●​ New equation: 6x² - 25x + 25 = 0

Transformation 10: Roots are (α - β) and (β - α)

New roots: (α - β), (β - α) = -(α - β)​

Method: Note that sum = 0, product = -(α - β)²​
New equation: x² + (α - β)² = 0

Example: If x² - 6x + 5 = 0 has roots α, β

●​ α + β = 6, αβ = 5
●​ (α - β)² = (α + β)² - 4αβ = 36 - 20 = 16
●​ New equation: x² + 16 = 0

Transformation 11: Roots are |α| and |β|

New roots: |α|, |β|​

Method: Depends on signs of original roots

●​ If both positive: Same equation

●​ If both negative: Replace x with -x
●​ If opposite signs: Product becomes -αβ (positive)

Example: If x² + x - 6 = 0 has roots α, β (which are 2 and -3)

●​ |α| = 2, |β| = 3
●​ Sum = 2 + 3 = 5, Product = 2 × 3 = 6
●​ New equation: x² - 5x + 6 = 0

Part H: Newton's Theorem for Quadratic Equations

Newton's theorem helps us find power sums of roots without actually
finding the roots themselves.
Newton's Identity for Quadratic Equations

For equation ax² + bx + c = 0 with roots α, β:

Power Sums:

●​ S₀ = α⁰ + β⁰ = 2 (number of roots)
●​ S₁ = α + β = -b/a
●​ S₂ = α² + β² = (α + β)² - 2αβ = (-b/a)² - 2(c/a)
●​ S₃ = α³ + β³ = (α + β)³ - 3αβ(α + β)
●​ S = αⁿ + βⁿ

General Newton's Formula: S = -(b/a)S ₋₁ - (c/a)S ₋₂ for n ≥ 2

Step-by-Step Method

Example: Find α⁴ + β⁴ for equation 2x² - 3x + 1 = 0

Step 1: Identify coefficients​

a = 2, b = -3, c = 1

Step 2: Find basic power sums

●​ S₁ = α + β = -(-3)/2 = 3/2
●​ S₂ = α² + β² = (3/2)² - 2(1/2) = 9/4 - 1 = 5/4

Step 3: Use Newton's formula​

S₃ = -(b/a)S₂ - (c/a)S₁​
S₃ = -(-3/2)(5/4) - (1/2)(3/2) = 15/8 - 3/4 = 9/8

Step 4: Continue for S₄​

S₄ = -(b/a)S₃ - (c/a)S₂​
S₄ = -(-3/2)(9/8) - (1/2)(5/4) = 27/16 - 5/8 = 17/16

Answer: α⁴ + β⁴ = 17/16

Applications of Newton's Theorem

1.​ Finding symmetric expressions without solving the equation

2.​ Verification of solutions by checking power sums
3.​ Solving higher-degree problems that reduce to quadratics
4.​ Competition mathematics for quick calculations
Quick Reference Table

For ax² + bx + c = 0:

Power Sum Formula In terms of coefficients

S₁ α+β -b/a

S₂ α² + β² b²/a² - 2c/a

S₃ α³ + β³ -b³/a³ + 3bc/a²

S₄ α⁴ + β⁴ Use Newton's recurrence

Memory Trick: Each S depends on the two previous power sums and
the coefficients!

Practice Problems
1.​ Factor: 3x² - 5x - 2 = 0
2.​ Complete the square: x² - 6x + 7 = 0
3.​ Quadratic formula: 2x² + 4x + 1 = 0
4.​ Radical: √(2x + 1) = x - 1
5.​ Reciprocal: x² + 1/x² + 4(x + 1/x) - 5 = 0
6.​ Transformation: If x² - 4x + 3 = 0 has roots α, β, find equation with
roots 2α + 1, 2β + 1
7.​ Newton's Theorem: For 3x² - 5x + 2 = 0, find α³ + β³
8.​ Mixed: Find equation whose roots are squares of roots of x² - 3x +
1=0