Maths — Introduction to Quadratic Equations + 6 more topics

A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the second degree. This means the highest power of the unknown variable (usually x) is 2. The general form is:

ax² + bx + c = 0

Here, a, b, and c are real numbers, and a cannot be zero. If a were zero, it would no longer be a quadratic equation, but a linear one (bx + c = 0).

• ax² is the quadratic term.
• bx is the linear term.
• c is the constant term.

The square root method is perfect for quadratic equations in the form $ax^2 + c = 0$ or $(x+k)^2 = d$. It's not suitable for equations that have an "x" term (like $bx$) because you can't easily isolate the squared part.

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When you're reviewing, you're actively revisiting material. This isn't just rereading notes; it's about making sure you can actually do the math. Assessment is then the test of whether your review worked and where the gaps still are.

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When you're faced with quadratic equations that have a squared term and no simple 'x' term (like $ax^2 + c = 0$ or $(ax+b)^2 = c$), the Square Root Method is your go-to. It's especially useful when your equation involves perfect squares.

The goal is to get the squared term by itself, then take the square root of both sides.