Quadratic Equations: Sum & Product of the Roots

The roots of a quadratic equation are its solutions. Graphically, this is

where the curve touches the x-axis.

1. Complete the table below to establish the relationship between the quadratic
equation x2 + bx + c = 0, and the sum & product of its roots.

Solve Sum of the Roots Product of the Roots

2
Eg: x + 7x + 12 = 0
(x + 3)(x + 4) = 0 -3 + -4 = -7 -3 x -4 = 12
Roots are x = -3 or x = -4

x2 - 9x + 20 = 0

x2 – 36 = 0

x2 + bx + c = 0 Sum of the roots = Product of the Roots =

2. Now complete the table below for quadratic equations of the form ax2 + bx + c = 0

Solve Sum of the Roots Product of the Roots

2x2 + 5x + 3 = 0

15x2 - 7x - 4 = 0

ax2 + bx + c = 0
Dividing through by a Sum of the roots = Product of the Roots =
b c
x2 + x + = 0
a a
This is why it works.
ax2 + bx + c = 0 (i) Let 𝛼 and 𝛽 be the roots of the equation (i).
Then x = 𝛼 and x = 𝛽 ⇒ x – 𝛼 and x - 𝛽 = 0
⇒ (x – 𝛼)(x - 𝛽) = 0
⇒x2 – (𝛼+𝛽)x + 𝛼𝛽 = 0 (ii)

Since 𝛼 and 𝛽 are the roots of the equations (i) and (ii), both the equations are identical.
b c
Dividing equation (i) by ‘a’, we get x2 + x+ = 0 (iii)
a a
The equations (ii) & (iii) are identical. Therefore their corresponding terms must be identical.
i.e. Coefficient of x2 = 1
b b b
Coefficient of x, – (𝛼+𝛽) = ⇒ 𝛼+𝛽 = – Sum or roots = 𝛼+𝛽 = –
a a a

c c
Constant term, 𝛼𝛽 = Product of roots = 𝛼𝛽 =
a a
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Example: The roots of equation 2x2 – 12x + p + 2 = 0 are k and k + 2. Find the value of p.
b c
Sum or roots: 𝛼+𝛽 = – Product of roots: 𝛼𝛽 =
a a
−12 p+2
k + (k + 2) = – k(k + 2) =
2 2
2
2k + 2 = 6 2k + 4k = p + 2
k=2 p = 2k2 + 4k - 2
p = 2(2)2 + 4(2) – 2
p = 14
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3. Use the sum and product of roots formulas to answer the questions below:

a) The roots of the equation x 2  kx  k  1  0 are  and 2 . Find the value(s) of k.

b) The roots of the quadratic equation x2 + 6x + c are k and k – 1. Find the value of c.
c) The roots of the quadratic equation 2x2 - 9x + k are m/2 and m – 3. Find the value of k.
d) Find the values of m for which one root of the equation 4x2 + 5 = mx is three times the
other root.
e) One root of the equation 3x2 – 4x + m = 0 is double the other. Find the roots, and the
value of m.
f) The roots of the equation 4 x 2  kx  35  0 differ by one. Find the value of k.

Mixed up solutions

10 3 and 3/2 -4/9, -8/9 and 32/27 ±24 35/4 ±10.3