Solvin g Qu ad ratic s

by Gr aphin g

MATH PRO JECT

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS GRAPH ICALLY  

SOLVING QUADRATIC EQUATIONS USING GRAPHS

The solution of a quadratic equation in one variable x can be solved

or checked graphically with the following steps:

STEP  1 Write the equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0.

STEP  2 Write the related function y = ax 2 + bx + c.

STEP  3 Sketch the graph of the function y = ax 2 + bx + c.

The solutions, or roots, of ax 2 + bx + c = 0 are the x-intercepts.

 Checking a Solution Using a Graph

1 2
Solve x = 8 algebraically. Check your solution graphically.
2

SOLUTION
1 2 Write original equation.
x = 8
2

x 2 = 16 Multiply each side by 2.

x= ± 4 Find the square root of each side.

CHECK Check these solutions using a graph.
Checking a Solution Using a Graph

CHECK Check these solutions using a graph.

1 Write the equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0

1 2
x =8 Rewrite original equation.
2
1 2
x –8=0 Subtract 8 from both sides.
2

2 Write the related function y = ax2 + bx + c.

y = 1 x2 – 8
2
 Checking a Solution Using a Graph

CHECK Check these solutions using a graph.

2 Write the related function

– 4, 0 4, 0
y = ax2 + bx + c.

y = 1 x2 – 8
2

3
1
Sketch graph of y = x2 – 8.
2
The x-intercepts are ± 4, which
agrees with the algebraic solution.
 Solving an Equation Graphically

Solve x 2 – x = 2 graphically. Check your solution algebraically.

SOLUTION

1 Write the equation in the form ax 2 + bx + c = 0

x2 – x = 2 Write original equation.

x2 – x – 2 = 0 Subtract 2 from each side.

2 Write the related function y = ax2 + bx + c.

y = x2 – x – 2
 Solving an Equation Graphically

2 Write the related function y = ax2 + bx + c.

y = x2 – x – 2

3 Sketch the graph of the function

– 1, 0 2, 0
y=x –x–2
2

From the graph, the x-intercepts

appear to be x = –1 and x = 2.
 Solving an Equation Graphically

From the graph, the x-intercepts – 1, 0 2, 0

appear to be x = –1 and x = 2.

CHECK

You can check this by substitution.

Check x = –1: Check x = 2:
x2 – x = 2 x2 – x = 2
? ?
(–1) – (–1) = 2
2 22 – 2 = 2
1+1=2 4–2=2
 USING QUADRATIC MODELS IN REAL LIFE
Comparing Two Quadratic Models

A shot put champion performs an experiment for your math class.

Assume that both times he releases the shot with the same initial
speed but at different angles. The path of each put can be modeled
by one of the equations below, where x represents the horizontal
distance (in feet) and y represents the height (in feet).

Initial angle of 35º: y = – 0.010735x 2 + 0.700208x + 6

Initial angle of 65º: y = – 0.040330x 2 + 2.144507x + 6

Which angle results in a farther throw?

Comparing Two Quadratic Models

SOLUTION

Begin by graphing both models in the same coordinate

plane. Use only positive x-values because x represents
the distance of the throw.

Which angle results in a farther throw?

Comparing Two Quadratic Models

PARABOLIC MOTION  An angle of 45 º produces the maximum

distance when an object is propelled from ground level. An angle
smaller than 45 º is better when the shot is released above the
ground. If the shot is released from 6 feet above the ground, a 43 º
angle produces a maximum distance of 74.25 feet.

65º 45º
4
3
º
35º