1. Questions

Algebra Question

Quadratic equations can be solved by graphing, using the quadrat completing the square, and factoring. What are the pros and cons these methods? When might each method be most appropriate?

  1. 👍
  2. 👎
  3. 👁
pj

  1. Factoring is quickest and best if simple integer factors are possible
    The quadratic equation and completing the square are the same thing as far as I am concerned. This is the way to go if you have a calculator handy and the numbers are too nasty for factoring.
    Use a graph if you want to see how the function is behaving as well as its zeros.

    1. 👍
    2. 👎
    Damon

  2. If the numbers are reasonably small the first thing I try is factoring

    If the coefficient of the square term is 1, and the middle term is even, then completing the square works great

    For all other cases I simply use the quadratic formula, knowing that it always works.

    One of my favourite questions when I was still teaching was to give 3 different quadratic equations, using a different method for each.
    (The trick was that there was only one that factored, so it you used the quadratic formula for that one, you were out of options for the factoring type.)

    1. 👍
    2. 👎
    Reiny

Respond to this Question

First Name

Your Response

Similar Questions

  1. Algebra

    1.Solve the system of equations. y = 2x^2 - 3 y = 3x - 1 a. no solution b. (-1/2, 5), (2, -5/2) c. (-1/2, -5/2), (2,5) d. (1/2, 5/2), (2, 5) 2.how many real number solutions does the equation have 0 = -3x^2 + x - 4 a. 0 b. 1 c. 2

  2. Math

    Lesson 8: Systems of Linear and Quadratic Equations Check my work 1. Solve the system of equations. y = 2x^2 - 3 y = 3x - 1 a. no solution b. (-1/2, 5), (2, -5/2) c. (-1/2, -5/2), (2,5)*** d. (1/2, 5/2), (2, 5) 2.how many real

  3. Algebra

    Which of the following statements is true? A. Any quadratic equation can be solved by completing the square. B. Completing the square always gives two distinct solutions. C. You can’t complete the square if there is no constant

  4. Math

    Consider the general quadratic equation ax^2 + bx + c = 0, where a is not equal to 0. Solve for x by completing the square.

  1. Algebra

    What method(s) would you choose to solve the equation? Explain your reasoning. 4x^2-48=0 a. Quadratic formula, graphing; the equation cannot be factored easily since the numbers are large. Selected:b. Square roots; there is no

  2. linear systems

    The statement that is false is A. A system of quadratic-quadratic equations can have exactly one solution. B. A system of quadratic-quadratic equations has no solutions if the graphs do not intersect. C. It is impossible for a

  3. Algebra 1

    Which method is the best method for solving the equation 8x^2-123x+3=0 square roots factoring graphing quadratic formula my answer is quadratic formula

  4. math help plsss plsss

    Decide which part of the quadratic formula tells you whether the quadratic equation can be solved by factoring. −b b^2 − 4ac 2a Use the part of the quadratic formula that you chose above and find its value, given the following

  1. Math, Algebra, Graphing Systems of Linear Equation

    I'm confused about graphing or solving the linear equations for slope/intercept. Here is what I solved: 3x+2y=-6 X-4y=-16 2y= -3x-6 -4y=1x-16 Y=-3/2+3 Y=+1/4+4 ------------- My answer for graphing the systems for the lines to

  2. Algebra

    Find the number of the solutions to each system. a. 4x-y+1=0 4x-y+3=0 b. 2x-y+4=0 4x-2y+8=0 Write a question that can be solved using a system of linear equations. Solve the following system of equations by graphing: y=x+3 and

  3. MATH

    Which method of solving quadratic equations should be used when only an estimated solution is necessary? factoring quadratic formula graphing MY GUESS GRAPHING?

  4. Pre-Calculus (Check)

    Please tell me what I'm doing wrong... The side lengths of tops of three squares tables can be described as three consecutive integers. The combined area of the table tops is 677 sq in. Algebraically, determine the roots of the

You can view more similar questions or ask a new question.