Mathematics Specification A - 4MA1 PearsonEdexcel

Quadratic Equations

Overview

Quadratic equations arise whenever a problem involves a squared term: the path of a thrown ball, the area of a resized rectangle, or the profit curve of a business. Learning to solve them unlocks a wide range of real-world applications and appears in almost every Higher-tier exam paper.

You will start with factorisation at Foundation level, then move to the quadratic formula and completing the square at Higher. The topic also covers forming quadratic equations from context and solving systems where one equation is linear and the other quadratic.

Objectives

  1. Solve quadratic equations by factorisation (limited to x^2 + bx + c = 0 at Foundation)
  2. [Higher] Solve quadratic equations by using the quadratic formula or completing the square
  3. [Higher] Form and solve quadratic equations from data given in a context
  4. [Higher] Solve simultaneous equations in two unknowns, one equation being linear and the other being quadratic

Lesson Note

You can measure the area of a square garden by squaring its side length. But what if you know the area and need the side? That question leads to a quadratic equation, and the methods in this topic show you how to solve it.

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Lesson Evaluation

Congratulations on completing the lesson on Quadratic Equations. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.

You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.

  1. Solve x^2 - 9 = 0. A) x = 3 only B) x = -3 only C) x = 3 or x = -3 D) x = 9 Answer: C
  2. How many real solutions does x^2 + 4x + 4 = 0 have? A) 0 B) 1 C) 2 D) 3 Answer: B
  3. Factorise x^2 + 2x - 15. A) (x+5)(x-3) B) (x-5)(x+3) C) (x+15)(x-1) D) (x+3)(x-5) Answer: A
  4. What is the discriminant of 2x^2 + 3x - 1 = 0? A) 1 B) 17 C) 5 D) -1 Answer: B
  5. Solve x^2 - 4x = 0. A) x = 4 only B) x = 0 or x = 4 C) x = 0 or x = -4 D) x = 2 or x = -2 Answer: B

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Available on the Green Bridge App

Download the Green Bridge CBT app on your phone or computer to access full lesson notes, practice questions, and more.

Full lesson notes with diagrams
AI-powered learning assistant
Study offline, anytime, anywhere
Available on Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux

Practice Mock Questions

Want to practice mock questions on Quadratic Equations? Download the Green Bridge CBT app to access mock questions and full practice assessments for this topic.

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