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Section A.3 Chapter 3 Quadratic Models

Subsection A.3.1 Extraction of Roots

Subsubsection A.3.1.1 Evaluate quadratic expressions

When squaring a negative number, don’t forget to enclose it in parentheses. For example, if x=4, then
x2=(4)2=(4)(4)=16
If we write 42, then only the 4 is squared, so we have
42=(4)(4)=16
Example A.3.1.
Evaluate for x=6.
  1. 2x2
  2. 2x2
  3. (2x)2
  4. (2x)2
Solution.
Enclose 6 in parentheses, and follow the order of operations.
  1. Square first, then multiply by 2:   2x2=2(6)2=2(36)=72
  2. Square first, then subtract from 2:   2x2=2(6)2=236=34
  3. Multiply by 2 first, then square:   (2x)2=[2(6)]2=[12]2=144
  4. Subtract from 2 first, then square:   (2x)2=[2(6)]2=[8]2=64
Example A.3.2.
Make a table of values for y=x2+2x8, and graph the equation.
Solution.
We plot the points from the table and connect them with a smooth curve.
x y 0000
5 7 (5)2+2(5)8=25108
4 0 (4)2+2(4)8=1688
3 5 (3)2+2(3)8=968
2 8 (2)2+2(2)8=448
1 9 (1)2+2(1)8=128
0 8 (0)2+2(0)8=0+08
1 5 (1)2+2(1)8=1+28
2 0 (2)2+2(2)8=4+48
3 7 (3)2+2(3)8=9+68
parabola y=xsqd+2x-8
Checkpoint A.3.3.
Evaluate for w=9
  1. (2w)2
  2. 36(2w)2
  3. 2(4w)2
  4. 2w2
Answer.
  1. 324
  2. 288
  3. 338
  4. 79
Checkpoint A.3.4.
Evaluate for a=3, b=4
  1. ab2
  2. ab2
  3. (ab2)2
  4. ab(a2b2)
Answer.
  1. 48
  2. 19
  3. 361
  4. 84
Checkpoint A.3.5.
Evaluate for h=2, g=5
  1. h22hg+g2
  2. (hg)2
  3. h2g2
  4. (hg)(h+g)
Answer.
  1. 9
  2. 9
  3. 21
  4. 21
Checkpoint A.3.6.
Make a table of values for y=x2x6, and graph the equation.
x y
3 0000
2 0000
1 0000
0 0000
1 0000
2 0000
3 0000
4 0000
5 0000
grid
Answer.
x y
3 6
2 0
1 4
0 6
1 6
2 4
3 0
4 6
5 14
parabola

Subsubsection A.3.1.2 Use square roots

The simplest quadratic equations have the form
ax2+c=0
They are missing a linear term, bx, and are not difficult to solve.
Example A.3.7.
Solve  3y240=35  by extraction of roots.
Solution.
We isolate the quadratic term, y2, and then extract roots.
3y240=35Add 40 to both sides.3y2=75Divide both sides by 3.y2=25Take the square root of both sides.y=±25Simplify.y=±5Remeber that a positive number has two square roots.
The solutions are 5 and 5.
Checkpoint A.3.8.
Solve by extraction of roots.
  1. 98=2a2
  2. 0=3n215
  3. 144+h29=169
  4. 125v2=2
Answer.
  1. ±7
  2. ±5
  3. ±15
  4. ±2

Subsubsection A.3.1.3 Use geometric formulas

It may seem difficult to measure the inside of a round object like a sphere or a cone in cubic units, but you can imagine filling the object with liquid and then pouring the liquid into a box to measure its volume.
solids
Example A.3.9.
A cone is 16 cm tall and its volume is 500 cm3. What is the radius of the base of the cone?
Solution.
We substitute h=16 and V=500 into the formula for the volume of a cone, and solve for r.
13πr2(16)=500Multiply both sides by 3.16πr2=1500Divide both sides by 16π.r2=29.842Take the square root of both sides.r=5.46
The radius of the cone is 5.46 cm.
Checkpoint A.3.10.
A cylindrical syringe holds 100 cc (cubic centimeters) of fluid. If the syringe is 10 centimeters long, what is its radius?
Answer.
1.78 cm
Example A.3.11.
The diameter of a spherical wax candle is 5 inches. What is the volume of wax in the candle?
Solution.
The radius of the candle is half its diameter, or 2.5 inches. The volume of the candle is
V=43πr3=43π(2.5 in)3=65.45 in3
Checkpoint A.3.12.
Find the volume of a cylindrical water tank whose diameter is 20 feet and whose height is 20 feet.
Answer.
6283.2 cubic feet
Checkpoint A.3.13.
The diameter of the Earth is about 7920 miles. Find its volume.
Answer.
About 260,120,000,000 cubic miles

Subsubsection A.3.1.4 Use the Pythagorean theorem

If a and b are the lengths of the legs of a right triangle and c is the length of the hypotenuse, then
a2+b2=c2
Note that the theorem is true only for right triangles -- ones that have a 90 angle.
Example A.3.14.
Find the unknown side in the right triangle.
right triangle
Solution.
The unknown side is the hypotenuse, so we apply the Pythagorean theorem with c=z, a=12, and b=35.
a2+b2=c2122+352=z2Simplify the left side.1369=z2Take the square root of both sides.±37=z
The length of the hypotenuse is a positive number, so z=37.
Example A.3.15.
A 25-foot ladder is placed against a wall so that its foot is 7 feet from the base of the wall. How far up the wall does the ladder reach?
Solution.
We make a sketch and label the known dimensions, calling the unknown height h. The ladder forms the hypotenuse of a right triangle, so we apply the Pythagorean theorem, substituting 25 for c, 7 for b, and h for a.
a2+b2=c2h2+72=252
ladder
We solve the equation by extraction of roots:
h2+49=625Subtract 49 from both sides.h2=576Extract roots.h=±576Simplify the radical.h=±24
The height must be a positive number, so the ladder reaches 24 feet up the wall.
Checkpoint A.3.16.
A baseball diamond is a square whose sides are 90 feet long. Find the straight-line distance from home plate to second base.
  1. Make a sketch of the situation and label a right triangle.
  2. Write an equation and solve.
Answer.
  1. baseball diamond
  2. 127.28 ft
Checkpoint A.3.17.
How long a wire is needed to stretch from the top of a 40-foot telephone pole to a point on the ground 20 feet from the base of the pole?
  1. Make a sketch of the situation and label a right triangle.
  2. Write an equation and solve.
Answer.
  1. telephone pole and wire
  2. 44.72 ft

Subsection A.3.2 Intercepts, Solutions, and Factors

In this lesson we review the skills we need to solve quadratic equations by factoring.

Subsubsection A.3.2.1 Multiply binomials

Example A.3.18.
Expand the product  (2x3)(x6) .
Solution.
Multiply each term of the first binomial be each term of the second binomial. This gives four multiplications, often denoted by "FOIL," which stands for First terms, Outside terms, Inside terms, and Last terms.
(2x+3)(x6)=2xx + 2x(6) + (3)x + (3)(6)FOIL=2x212x3x+18        Combine like terms.=2x215x+18
Example A.3.19.
Expand the product  2(3x4)(3x5).
Solution.
First, multiply the binomial factors together.
(3x4)(3x5)=9x227x+20
Then use the distributive law to multiply the result by the monomial factor, 2.
2(9x227x+20)=18x2+54x40
Checkpoint A.3.20.
Expand the product  (2x+1)(3x2).
Answer.
6x2x2
Checkpoint A.3.21.
Expand the product  (2t+5)(2t+5).
Answer.
4t2+20t+25
Checkpoint A.3.22.
Expand the product  4(a3)(3a5).
Answer.
12a256a+60
Checkpoint A.3.23.
Expand the product  3(2b3)(5b+1).
Answer.
30b2+39b+9

Subsubsection A.3.2.2 Factor quadratic trinomials

To factor the trinomial x2+bx+c, we look for two numbers p and q whose product pq is the constant term and whose sum p+q is the coefficient of the middle term.
(x+p)(x+q)=x2+qx+px+pq=x2+(p+q)x+pq=x2+bx+c
Sign Patterns for Quadratic Trinomials.
Assume that b, c, p and q are positive integers. Then
  1. x2+bx+c=(x+p)(x+q)
    If all the coefficients of the trinomial are positive, then both p and q are positive.
  2. x2bx+c=(xp)(xq)
    If the middle term of the trinomial is negative and the other two terms are positive, then p and q are both negative.
  3. x2±bxc=(x+p)(xq)
    If the constant term of the trinomial is negative, then p and q have opposite signs.
Example A.3.24.
Factor  t2+7t+12  as a product of two binomials,
t2+7t+12=(t+p)(t+q)
Solution.
The constant term is 12, so we look for two numbers p and q whose product is 12. There are three possibilities:
1  and  12,    2  and  6,    or    3  and  4
Because the middle term is 7t, we must have p+q=7. We check each possibility and find that p=3 and q=4. Thus,
t2+7t+12=(t+3)(t+4)
Example A.3.25.
Factor  x212x+20 .
Solution.
For this example we must find two numbers p and q for which pq=20 and p+q=12. These two conditions tell us that p and q must both be negative. We start by listing all the ways to factor 20 with negative factors:
1  and  20,    2  and  10,    4  and  5
We check p+q for each possibility to see which one gives the correct middle term. Because 2+(10)=12, the factorization is
x212x+20=(x2)(x10)
Example A.3.26.
Factor  x2+2x15 .
Solution.
This time the product pq must be negative, so p and q must have opposite signs, one positive and one negative. There are only two ways to factor 15, either 1 times 15 or 3 times 5. We just "guess" that the second factor is negative, and check p+q for each possibility:
115=14      or      35=2
The middle term we want is 2x, not 2x, so we change the signs of p and q: we use 3 and +5. The correct factorization is
x2+2x15=(x3)(x+5)
Checkpoint A.3.27.
Factor  x2+8x+15
Answer.
(x+3)(x+5)
Checkpoint A.3.28.
Factor  y2+14y+49
Answer.
(y+7)(y+7)
Checkpoint A.3.29.
Factor  m210m+24
Answer.
(m4)(m6)
Checkpoint A.3.30.
Factor  m211m+24
Answer.
(m3)(m8)
Checkpoint A.3.31.
Factor  t2+8t48
Answer.
(t+12)(t4)
Checkpoint A.3.32.
Factor  t28t48
Answer.
(t12)(t+4)

Subsubsection A.3.2.3 Write algebraic expressions

Example A.3.33.
Ralph and Wanda together weigh 320 pounds. If Ralph weighs x pounds, how much does Wanda weigh?
Solution.
We subtract Ralph’s weight from the total; the remainder is Wanda’s weight: 320x pounds
Example A.3.34.
Delbert and Francine live 24 miles apart on Route 30. They meet at a cafe between their houses. If Delbert drove d miles, how far did Francine drive?
Solution.
We subtract Delbert’s distance from the total; the remainder is Francine’s distance: 24d miles
Example A.3.35.
Three eggs and two slices of buttered toast contain 526 calories. If one egg contains c calories, how many calories are in a slice of buttered toast?
Solution.
We subtract the calories in three eggs from the total; the remainder is the number of calories in two slices of toast, so one slice has half that many calories:  12(5263c)
Example A.3.36.
The perimeter of a large rectangular playground is 124 yards. If its width is w yards, what is its length?
Solution.
We subtract twice the length from the perimeter; the remainder is twice the width, so the width is half that:  12(1242w)=62w yards
Checkpoint A.3.37.
Garth and Taylor together made $86,000 last year. If Garth made d dollars, how much did Taylor make?
Answer.
86,000d dollars
Checkpoint A.3.38.
Six coffees and four pastries cost the office manager $21. If a pastry costs x dollars, how much does a coffee cost?
Answer.
16(214x) dollars
Checkpoint A.3.39.
The vertex angle of an isosceles triangle is v degrees. What is the measure of each of the two base angles?
Answer.
12(180v) degrees
Checkpoint A.3.40.
The perimeter of a rectangular swimming pool is 260 feet. If the length of the pool is L feet, what is its width?
Answer.
12(2602L) feet

Subsection A.3.3 Graphing Parabolas

Subsubsection A.3.3.1 Find the average of two numbers

The average of two numbers lies half-way between them on a number line. To find their average, we take one-half of their sum. That is, the average of p and q is
12(p+q)    or    p+q2
Example A.3.41.
The average of 4 and 9 is
12(4+9)=12(13)=132,  or  612
Example A.3.42.
The average of 8 and 4 is
12(8+4)=12(4)=2
Example A.3.43.
The average of 52 and 34 is
12(5234)=12(10434)=12(104)=78
Checkpoint A.3.44.
Find the average of 12 and 7.
Answer.
192
Checkpoint A.3.45.
Find the average of 4 and 12.
Answer.
74
Checkpoint A.3.46.
Find the average of 32 and 92.
Answer.
3
Checkpoint A.3.47.
Find the average of 94 and 34.
Answer.
34

Subsubsection A.3.3.2 Solve quadratic equations

Example A.3.48.
Solve  3x2=48
Solution.
We use extraction of roots. We first divide by 3 to isolate the squared expression.
x2=16Take square roots.x=±4
The solutions are x=4 and x=4.
Example A.3.49.
Solve  3x2=12x
Solution.
We solve by factoring. First, we get zero on one side of the equation.
3x212x=0Factor the left side.3x(x4)=0Set each factor equal to zero.3x=0,    x4=0
The solutions are x=0 and x=4.
Example A.3.50.
Solve  3x210x8=0
Solution.
We solve by factoring. We factor the left side.
(x4)(3x+2)=0Set each factor equal to zero.x4=0,    3x+2=0Solve each equation.x=4,    x=23
The solutions are x=0 and x=23.
Checkpoint A.3.51.
Solve  5x230=0
Answer.
x=±6
Checkpoint A.3.52.
Solve  13(x2)2=8
Answer.
x=2±24
Checkpoint A.3.53.
Solve  x25x=300
Answer.
x=20, x=15
Checkpoint A.3.54.
Solve  4x2+13x12=0
Answer.
x=34, x=4

Subsubsection A.3.3.3 Find the coordinates of points on a parabola

To find the x-coordinate of a point on a parabola, we usually need to solve a quadratic equation.
Example A.3.55.
Find the y-coordinate of the point on the graph of  y=2x23x+5  with x-coordinate 3.
Solution.
Substitute x=3 into the equation, and evaluate.
y=2(3)23(3)+5=18+9+5=32
The y-coordinate is 32, and the point is (3,32).
Example A.3.56.
Find the x-coordinates of all points on the graph of  y=203x2  with y-coordinate 28.
Solution.
Substitute y=28 into the equation, and solve.
28=203x2Subtract 20 from both sides.48=3x2Divide both sides by 3.16=x2Extract roots.±4=x
The points are (4,28) and (4,28).
Checkpoint A.3.57.
Find the y-coordinate of the point on the graph of  y=x2+6x+2  with x-coordinate 2.
Answer.
14
Checkpoint A.3.58.
The x-coordinate of the vertex of  y=2x26x+1  is 32. Find the y-coordinate of the vertex.
Answer.
72
Checkpoint A.3.59.
Find the x-coordinates of all points on the graph of  y=x22x+5  with y-coordinate 8.
Answer.
1, 3
Checkpoint A.3.60.
Find the x-intercepts of the graph of  y=14x25x+24 .
Answer.
(8,0), (12,0)

Subsection A.3.4 Completing the Square

Subsubsection A.3.4.1 Squares of binomials

To solve a quadratic equation by completing the square, we create the square of a binomial:
(x+p)2=x2+2px+p2
Example A.3.61.
Write each trinomial as the square of a binomial.
  1. x2+6x+9
  2. x25x+254
Solution.
  1. In the formula above, note that the coefficient of x is 2p and the constant term is p2. In this example, 2p=6 and p2=9, so p=3, and
    x2+6x+9=(x+3)2
  2. The coefficient of x is 2p=5 and the constant terms is p2=254, so p=52, and
    x25x+254=(x52)2
Checkpoint A.3.62.
Write  x2+12x+36  as the square of a binomial.
Answer.
(x+6)2
Checkpoint A.3.63.
Write  x226x+169  as the square of a binomial.
Answer.
(x13)2
Checkpoint A.3.64.
Write  a29a+814  as the square of a binomial.
Answer.
(a92)2
Checkpoint A.3.65.
Write  t243t+49  as the square of a binomial.
Answer.
(t23)2
To solve a quadratic equation by completing the square, we often have to work with fractions.

Subsubsection A.3.4.2 Multiply fractions

To multiply two fractions together, we multiply their numerators together, and multiply their denominators together. We can divide out any common factors in numerator and denominator before we multiply.
Example A.3.66.
Multiply  3865
Solution.
We can divide out a factor of 2.
3865=324235=920
Example A.3.67.
Multiply  ab63a2b
Solution.
We divide out common factors before multiplying.
ab63a2b=ab233a2b=a24
Checkpoint A.3.68.
Multiply.
  1. 2357
  2. 671415
Answer.
  1. 1021
  2. 45
Checkpoint A.3.69.
Multiply.
  1. 12x16y1827xy
  2. 9c210c25cd12d2
Answer.
  1. 12y2
  2. 15c28d

Subsubsection A.3.4.3 Add fractions

To add or subtract unlike fractions.
  1. Find the LCD for the fractions.
  2. Build each fraction to an equivalent one with the LCD as its denominator.
  3. Add or subtract the numerators. Keep the same denominator.
Example A.3.70.
Add.
  1. 710+56
  2. 6+49
Solution.
  1. Step1: Find the LCD. Factor each denominator.
    10=256=23
    The LCD is  235=30.
    Step2: Build each fraction to a denominator of 30. The building factor for the first fraction is 3, and 5 for the second fraction.
    71033=2130    and    5655=2530
    Step 3: Add the two like fractions, and reduce.
    710+56=2130+2530=4630=223215=2315
  2. Step1: The LCD is 9.
    Step 2: Build the whole number to a denominator of 9.
    6199=549
    Step 3: Add the two like fractions.
    6+49=549+49=589
Checkpoint A.3.71.
Add or subtract.
  1. 58+112
  2. 334
Answer.
  1. 1724
  2. 94
Checkpoint A.3.72.
Add or subtract.
  1. 5253
  2. 4+38
Answer.
  1. 56
  2. 358
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