HiSET: Math : Quadratic equations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for HiSET: Math

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Quadratic Equations

What is the vertex of the following quadratic polynomial?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Given a quadratic function

the vertex will always be

.

Thus, since our function is 

, and .

We plug these variables into the formula to get the vertex as

.

Hence, the vertex of

is

.

Example Question #2 : Quadratic Equations

Which of the following expressions represents the discriminant of the following polynomial?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The discriminant of a quadratic polynomial

is given by

.

Thus, since our quadratic polynomial is 

,

, and 

Plugging these values into the discriminant equation, we find that the discriminant is

.

Example Question #3 : Quadratic Equations

Which of the following polynomial equations has exactly one solution?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A polynomial equation of the form

has one and only one (real) solution if and only if its discriminant is equal to zero - that is, if its coefficients satisfy the equation

In each of the choices,  and , so it suffices to determine the value of  which satisfies this equation. Substituting, we get

Solve for  by first adding 400 to both sides:

Take the square root of both sides:

The choice that matches this value of  is the equation

Example Question #1 : Quadratic Equations

Give the nature of the solution set of the equation

Possible Answers:

Two irrational solutions

One rational solution

Two imaginary solutions

Two rational solutions

One imaginary solution

Correct answer:

Two rational solutions

Explanation:

To determine the nature of the solution set of a quadratic equation, it is necessary to first express it in standard form 

To accomplish this, first, multiply the binomials on the left using the FOIL technique:

Collect like terms:

Add 6 to both sides:

The key to determining the nature of the solution set is to examine the discriminant . Setting , the value of the discriminant is 

The discriminant is a positive number; furthermore, it is a perfect square, being equal to the square of 11. Therefore, the solution set comprises two rational solutions.

Example Question #2 : Understand And Apply Concepts Of Equations

Which of the following polynomial equations has exactly one solution?

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

A polynomial equation of the standard form

has one and only one (real) solution if and only if its discriminant is equal to zero - that is, if its coefficients satisfy the equation

Each of the choices can be rewritten in standard form by subtracting the term on the right from both sides. One of the choices can be rewritten as follows:

By similar reasoning, the other four choices can be written:

In each of the five standard forms,  and , so it is necessary to determine the value of  that produces a zero discriminant. Substituting accordingly:

Add 900 to both sides and take the square root:

Of the five standard forms, 

fits this condition. This is the standard form of the equation 

,

the correct choice.

Example Question #1 : Understand And Apply Concepts Of Equations

Give the nature of the solution set of the equation

.

Possible Answers:

One rational solution

One imaginary solution 

Two rational solutions 

Two irrational solutions

Two imaginary solutions 

Correct answer:

Two imaginary solutions 

Explanation:

To determine the nature of the solution set of a quadratic equation, it is necessary to first express it in standard form 

This can be done by simply switching the first and second terms:

The key to determining the nature of the solution set is to examine the discriminant  . Setting , the value of the discriminant is 

The discriminant has a negative value. It follows that the solution set comprises two imaginary values.

Example Question #7 : Quadratic Equations

Give the nature of the solution set of the equation

Possible Answers:

One rational solution

Two rational solutions

Two imaginary solutions

Two irrational solutions

One imaginary solution

Correct answer:

Two imaginary solutions

Explanation:

To determine the nature of the solution set of a quadratic equation, it is necessary to first express it in standard form 

This can be done by adding 17 to both sides:

The key to determining the nature of the solution set is to examine the discriminant 

. Setting , the value of the discriminant is 

This value is negative. Consequently, the solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

Example Question #11 : Understand And Apply Concepts Of Equations

Give the nature of the solution set of the equation

Possible Answers:

Two rational solutions

One rational solution

Two imaginary solutions

Two irrational solutions

One imaginary solution

Correct answer:

Two irrational solutions

Explanation:

To determine the nature of the solution set of a quadratic equation, it is necessary to first express it in standard form 

To accomplish this, first, multiply the binomials on the left using the FOIL technique:

Collect like terms:

Now, subtract 18 from both sides:

The key to determining the nature of the solution set is to examine the discriminant . Setting , the value of the discriminant is 

The discriminant is a positive number, so there are two real solutions. Since 73 is not a perfect square, the solutions are irrational.

Example Question #1 : Quadratic Equations

Give the nature of the solution set of the equation

Possible Answers:

One rational solution

Two irrational solutions

One imaginary solution

Two imaginary solutions

Two rational solutions

Correct answer:

Two imaginary solutions

Explanation:

To determine the nature of the solution set of a quadratic equation, it is necessary to first express it in standard form 

To accomplish this, first, multiply the binomials on the left using the FOIL technique:

Collect like terms:

Now, add 18 to both sides:

The key to determining the nature of the solution set is to examine the discriminant . Setting , the value of the discriminant is 

This discriminant is negative. Consequently, the solution set comprises two imaginary numbers.

Example Question #11 : Understand And Apply Concepts Of Equations

Give the nature of the solution set of the equation

Possible Answers:

Two imaginary solutions

Two rational solutions

Two irrational solutions

One rational solution

One imaginary solution

Correct answer:

Two irrational solutions

Explanation:

To determine the nature of the solution set of a quadratic equation, it is necessary to first express it in standard form 

This can be done by switching the first and third terms on the left:

The key to determining the nature of the solution set is to examine the discriminant 

. Setting , the value of the discriminant is

.

The discriminant is a positive number but not a perfect square. Therefore, there are two irrational solutions.

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