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MAT122 :: Lecture Note :: Week 12
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Overview
Assignment(s):

Quote of the Week {Furman.edu:: Mathematical Quotations Server}
Although he may not always recognize his bondage,
modern man lives under a tyranny of numbers.

-- Nicholas Eberstadt (?????-) { political scientist/economist; more... } [numbers] [log]
BARS of the Week {NASA.gov:: Astronomy Picture of the Day}
Kingman AZ | US Hwy-2 VT | US Hwy-136 IL [log]


Quadratic Equations

A quadratic equation, in standard form, is a 2nd-degree polynomial set equal to zero.

    ax^2 + bx + c = 0

    where a, b, c are coefficients and a ≠ 0
    [if a = 0, then it's a linear equation]

    a is the quadratic coefficient 
    b is the linear coefficient 
    c is the constant coefficient

Many of us think "four" when we see the word "quad." For example, a quadrilateral is a four-sided polygon. Therefore, it is not obvious as to why quadratics are called quadratics. The word quadratus is Latin for "square" and the variable in the 1st term of a quadratic expression is squared. [Note: squares have four sides.]

Remembering the quadratic formula is non-trivial.

   x = (-b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)) / (2a)

   ...or...

   x = (-b +- (b^2 - 4ac)^(1/2)) / (2a)

The expression inside the square-root is called the discriminant. According to Merriam-Webster online, a discriminant is a "mathematical expression providing a criterion for the behavior of another more complicated expression, relation, or set of relations."

The solutions to the equation are called the roots of the equation or the zeros of the function.

   let d stand for discriminant

   if d > 0, then two distinct real roots
   if d = 0, then one distinct real root
   if d < 0, then two distince complex roots

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola whose major axis is parallel to the y-axis.

As |a| increases, the parabola becomes narrower; as |a| decreases, the parabola becomes wider.

   If a, b, and c are real numbers and the domain of f is the set 
   of real numbers, then the zeros of f are exactly the x-coordinates 
   of the points where the graph touches the x-axis.

   It follows from the above that, if the discriminant is positive, 
   the graph touches the x-axis at two points, if zero, the graph 
   touches at one point, and if negative, the graph does not touch 
   the x-axis.

The turning point for a parabola is called its vertex.

   given f(x) = ax^2 + bx + c
   vertex for f(x) is (-b/(2a), f(-b/(2a)))

Every parabola has an axis of symmetry which is the line that runs down its center. This line divides the graph into two perfect halves and it passes through the vertex.

   equation of the axis of symmetry:  x = -b/(2a)

MathBabbler is not sure about the following being the "simplest."

   "Often, the simplest way to solve 'ax^2 + bx + c = 0' for the 
    value of x is to factor the quadratic, set each factor equal 
    to zero, and then solve each factor."
   9x^2 - 6x = 0
   3x(3x - 2) = 0         # factor out greatest common factor 3x
   3x = 0 ... 3x - 2 = 0  # set each linear equation to zero
   x = 0      x = 2/3     # solve each linear equation for x

This might be useful when having to solve a problem by hand; however, once you have a program all you have to do is input the coefficients and the program will output the roots.

MathBabbler copied the following from the web.

   "This formula is as important and widely used as the Pythagorean 
    Theorem. Teachers do not have mercy on students who do not remember 
    the quadratic formula, unless they can help themselves by completing 
    the square instead!"

Hmmm... completing-the-square...

   multiply each term by the multiplicative inverse of the 
            quadratic coefficient

   add 1/2 of the linear coefficient to both sides

1728.com and Math.Lamar.edu and Dizzy over Lizzie and QuadraticEquation.org

From the DoD (Department of Duh)...

   "Part of the problem is that we are less apt to remember things 
    that we aren't doing on a regular basis. If you aren't using the 
    Quadratic Equation each day, you are going to be less apt to 
    remember it when you do need it. This is something that many 
    people find to be true as time goes on."

There are lots of "quadratic songs" on YouTube... The Quadratic Song

Books.Google.com::Homework Helpers: Algebra

Exercises
(1)  Simple interest formula:  V = P(1 + r)^t
     $5,000 invested for 2 years grows to $5,618.
     What was the simple interest rate?
   5618 = 5000(1 + r)^2              # perform substitutions
   5618/5000 = (1 + r)^2             # divide both sides by 5000
   1.1236 = (1 + r)^2
   sqrt(1.1236) = sqrt((1 + r)^2)    # square-root both sides
   1.06 = 1 + r
   1.06 - 1 = r                      # subtract 1 from both sides
   0.06 = r       
   0.06 * 100(%) = 6%                # convert into a percentage
   
   # re-do this problem using the quadratic formula

   5618 = 5000(1 + r)^2              # perform substitutions
   5618 = 5000(1 + r)(1 + r)         # expand the exponent
   5618 = 5000(1 + r + r + r^2)      # FOIL
   5618 = 5000(1 + 2r + r^2)         # combine like terms
   5618 = 5000 + 10000r + 5000r^2    # distribute the 5000
   0 = -618 + 10000r + 5000r^2       # subtract 5618 from both sides
   a=5000  b=10000  c=-618           # identify a,b,c values

   # substitute into the quadratic formula and evaluate
   r = (-10000 + sqrt(10000^2 - 4(5000)(-618))) / (2(5000))
   r = 0.06
   0.06 * 100(%) = 6%

   r = (-10000 - sqrt(10000^2 - 4(5000)(-618))) / (2(5000))
   r = -2.06    
   # real number solution is correct, but the negative answer 
   # doesn't make sense in the context of this problem
(2)  A rectangle having an area of 52 cm^2 has a length that 
     is 1 cm more than 3 times its width. What is its perimeter?
     [area = l * w; perimeter = 2l + 2w]
   A = l * w                
   l = 3w + 1               # 1 more than 3 times width
   52 = (3w + 1) * w        # substitute into Area formula
   52 = 3w^2 + w            # distribute w on the rhs
   0 = 3w^2 + w - 52        # subtract 52 from both sides
   a=3  b=1  c=-52          # identify a,b,c values

   # substitute into the quadratic formula and evaluate
   w = (-1 + sqrt(1^2 - 4(3)(-52))) / (2(3))
   w = 4

   w = (-1 - sqrt(1^2 - 4(3)(-52))) / (2(3))
   w = -4.3
   # negative width doesn't make any sense... solution is discarded

   l = 3(4) + 1            # compute the length using the width
   l = 13

   # substitute length and width into Perimeter formula and evaluate
   P = 2l + 2w
   P = 2(13) + 2(4)        
   P = 26 + 8
   p = 34 cm

Education.Yahoo.com::Quadratic Equations

{TopOfPage} {101Science} {NameThatFunction} { TI-83} { Factors} {MathWords}


Primer: Quadratic Equations and Functions

Quadratic equation in standard form: ax^2 + bx + c = 0

   ax^2 + bx + c = 0          [2nd-degree polynomial]
   where a, b, c are coefficients and a ≠ 0
   [if a = 0, then it's a linear equation]

   a is the quadratic coefficient 
   b is the linear coefficient 
   c is the constant coefficient

Quadratic equations can always be solved by using the quadratic formula.

   x = (-b +- sqrt(b^2 - 4ac)) / (2a)

   b^2 - 4ac  is called the discriminant (d)
   if d > 0, then two distinct real roots
   if d = 0, then one distinct real root
   if d < 0, then two distince complex roots

The graph of a quadratic function is a parabola.

   f(x) = ax2 + bx + c

   a > 0  implies the parabola opens up
   a < 0  implies the parabola opens down

   when |a| increases, the parabola becomes narrower
   when |a| decreases, the parabola becomes wider

   the high (a < 0) and low point (a > 0) of a parabola is its vertex
   x-coordinate of the vertex:  x = -b/(2a)
          vertex ordered-pair:  (x, f(x)) or (-b/(2a), f(-b/(2a)))
           vertical intercept:  (0, c)
             axis of symmetry:  x = -b/(2a)

   domain:  (-INF, INF)
    range:  if vertex is (h, k) 
            [k, INF) when a > 0   and   (-INF, k] when a < 0

Hmmm... completing-the-square...

   1)  multiply each term by the multiplicative inverse 
       of the quadratic coefficient

   2)  add 1/2 of the linear coefficient to both sides

   f(x) = a(x - h)^2 + k, vertex is (h, k)

{TopOfPage} {101Science} {NameThatFunction} { TI-83} { Factors} {MathWords}


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