Summarizing Quadratic Equations

Key Concepts

• Zero Product Property If \(a·b=0\), then either \(a=0\) or \(b=0\) or both. See this lesson
• Solve a quadratic equation by factoring To solve a quadratic equation by factoring: See this lesson.
  1. Write the quadratic equation in standard form, \(a{x}^{2}+bx+c=0\).
  2. Factor the quadratic expression.
  3. Use the Zero Product Property.
  4. Solve the linear equations.
  5. Check.
• Use a problem solving strategy to solve word problems See this lesson.
  1. Read the problem. Make sure all the words and ideas are understood.
  2. Identify what we are looking for.
  3. Name what we are looking for. Choose a variable to represent that quantity.
  4. Translate into an equation. It may be helpful to restate the problem in one sentence with all the important information. Then, translate the English sentence into an algebra equation.
  5. Solve the equation using good algebra techniques.
  6. Check the answer in the problem and make sure it makes sense.
  7. Answer the question with a complete sentence.

Glossary

quadratic equations

are equations in which the variable is squared.

Zero Product Property

The Zero Product Property states that, if the product of two quantities is zero, at least one of the quantities is zero.