Factorising quadratics

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Educational level: this is a secondary education resource.

Quadratic equations are equations of the form where a, b and c are constants, and is a variable. In other words, a quadratic equation has at least one term of the variable, say , raised to the exponent , e.g.

Subject classification: this is a mathematics resource.

Arranging terms[edit | edit source]

Arrange the quadratic into order: first the squared number ax2, then the number times x, bx, finally the constant value c.

Factorising quadratics[edit | edit source]

Form of quadratics:

To factorise:

  1. split the middle term so it adds to the original number, e.g., let b = (AD + BC), and
  2. multiplies to the constant times the first term, e.g., Ax times Bx equals ABx2, then a = AB,
  3. then bracket so the pronumeral (letter) is like this, e.g., (Ax + C)(Bx + D).

Checking[edit | edit source]

Multiplying the two terms: and with each other becomes:

which rearranges to:

The final constant

Examples[edit | edit source]

To check it, re-expand the answer to see if we get back to where we started from:

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

Further reading[edit | edit source]

External links[edit | edit source]

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