Maths GCSE Quadratic Equations

Quadratic Equations

The title sounds vague, but just most of the topic in one pack :)

Basic stuff

 2x + 3 = 6 <-- This is a simple, linear equation. Easy to solve and to work with in general.

 The number infront of 'x' is the x-coefficient. This just means x multiplied by the number. Anything we do to one side, we MUST do to the other side of the =. Always, when it changes the value. (So not when factorising or simplifying)

In this equation:

2x = 3  [-3 from both sides]

 x = 1.5  [divide both sides by 2]

So that stuff is simple enough. Now for it to get a little more tricky...

Quadratic Equations:- Factorisation

If we're given an expression such as: x^2 + 3x + 2  [x^2 means x squared, in case you wondered]  it can seem quite mammoth really. But it isn't that hard.

I'm sure by now that you have seen factorisation:

4x + 2

2(x + 1)  <-- take a common factor out of the expression

So, given x^2 + 3x + 2, we know we have to try and factorise it.

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