QuestionAugust 27, 2025

What method is used for deriving the quadratic formula? square

What method is used for deriving the quadratic formula? square
What method is used for deriving the quadratic formula?
square

Solution
4.0(350 votes)

Answer

Quadratic formula: x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a} Explanation 1. Start with the standard form of a quadratic equation The standard form is ax^2 + bx + c = 0. 2. Divide by 'a' to simplify Divide each term by a: x^2 + \frac{b}{a}x + \frac{c}{a} = 0. 3. Complete the square Add and subtract \left(\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2: x^2 + \frac{b}{a}x + \left(\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2 = \left(\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2 - \frac{c}{a}. 4. Factor the left side Factor as (x + \frac{b}{2a})^2 = \frac{b^2 - 4ac}{4a^2}. 5. Solve for x Take the square root: x + \frac{b}{2a} = \pm \frac{\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}. 6. Isolate x Subtract \frac{b}{2a}: x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}.

Explanation

1. Start with the standard form of a quadratic equation<br /> The standard form is $ax^2 + bx + c = 0$.<br />2. Divide by 'a' to simplify<br /> Divide each term by $a$: $x^2 + \frac{b}{a}x + \frac{c}{a} = 0$.<br />3. Complete the square<br /> Add and subtract $\left(\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2$: $x^2 + \frac{b}{a}x + \left(\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2 = \left(\frac{b}{2a}\right)^2 - \frac{c}{a}$.<br />4. Factor the left side<br /> Factor as $(x + \frac{b}{2a})^2 = \frac{b^2 - 4ac}{4a^2}$.<br />5. Solve for x<br /> Take the square root: $x + \frac{b}{2a} = \pm \frac{\sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$.<br />6. Isolate x<br /> Subtract $\frac{b}{2a}$: $x = \frac{-b \pm \sqrt{b^2 - 4ac}}{2a}$.
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