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3.9

Precalculus

Skip to 0 minutes and 10 secondsHello. Let us consider the first exercise of the quadratic polynomials in practice step. We want to write both these two quadratic polynomials in this form. Let us start with the first one. Then the first thing that we have to do is just to collect the 2, and we get 2 times x squared plus 2x minus 15. And now we try to write this quadratic polynomial as x plus b times x plus q. How can I do it? x squared plus 2x minus 15-- the idea is to consider these two terms as the beginning of the quadratic of a binomial. You see, this is the square of x plus 2 times x times 1.

Skip to 1 minute and 40 secondsNow I complete the expansion of the quadratic of this binomial, adding 1 and subtracting 1. In such a way, I have again the same beginning, and then minus 15. Now you see, this is equal to what?

Skip to 2 minutes and 13 secondsThe first part is exactly x plus 1 squared, and then you have minus 16.

Skip to 2 minutes and 28 secondsNow you have the difference between two squares, and therefore, this is equal exactly to x plus 1 minus 4, times x plus 1, plus 4, which is x minus 3 times x plus 5. Therefore, we get that our initial polynomial-- 2 x squared plus 4x minus 30-- is equal to 2 times x minus 3 times x plus 5. And now consider the other polynomial. The idea is exactly the same. 3 x squared plus 7x minus 6 is equal to 3 times x squared plus 7 over 3 x minus 2. And now this polynomial can be written in such a way again. This can be considered as the initial part of the expansion of the square of a binomial.

Skip to 4 minutes and 3 secondsIndeed, this is equal to x squared plus-- when you have the expansion of the quadratic of a binomial, you have the square, the first term. Then you have two times the first term by the second term. And for this reason, let me write this in such a way. 2 times 7/6 times x plus-- now you'll see 7/6 to the square and minus 7/6 to the square. You see, this gives us no contribution. And then we have minus 2. You see what I have realized. This part is the square of a binomial. Indeed, you have the square of x plus the square of 7/6 plus 2 times 7/6 times x. Then this is equal to what?

Skip to 5 minutes and 19 secondsTo x plus 7/6 squared minus this quantity, which is minus 49/36 minus 2, which is x plus 7/6 squared minus--

Skip to 5 minutes and 51 secondsand I have a 36 here, 49 here, plus 72, which is equal to x plus 7/6 squared minus-- and we have 72 plus 50 would be 122, plus 49 will be 121, over 36. And here again, you have the difference between two squares. This is then equal to x plus 7/6 plus the root square-- the square root of this fraction, which is 11/6, times x minus-- x plus 7/6 minus 11/6.

Skip to 7 minutes and 5 secondsTherefore, we get that our polynomial-- 3 x squared plus 7 times 6 minus 6-- is equal to 3 times x plus 18/6, which is x plus 3, times x plus 7/6 and minus 11/6. 7/6 minus 11/6 is minus 4/6, which is minus 2/3.

Skip to 7 minutes and 51 secondsAnd we have got our final result. Ciao.

The following exercises are solved in this step.

We invite you to try to solve them before watching the video.

In any case, you will find below a PDF file with the solutions.

Exercise 1.

Write the following polynomials in the form $$a(x+p)(x+q)$$:

i) $$2x^2+4x-30$$;

ii) $$3x^2+7x-6$$.

Exercise 2. [Solved only in the PDF file]

Compute the roots of the polynomial $$4x^2+7x-12$$.

Exercise 3. [Solved only in the PDF file]

Do the graphs of $$f$$ and $$g$$ intersect, if

i) $$f:x\mapsto x^2-3x+7$$ and $$g:x\mapsto 2x-3$$?

ii) $$f:x\mapsto x^2-3x+7$$ and $$g:x\mapsto 2x+13$$?

Exercise 4. [Solved only in the PDF file]

Determine the maximum value of $$-2x^2+3x-7$$.

Get a taste of this course

Find out what this course is like by previewing some of the course steps before you join:

• Alberto and Carlo explain the course structure
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Alberto and Carlo explain the course structure

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Integers

• Rational numbers
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Rational numbers

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Real numbers

• Absolute value
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Absolute value

• An induction proof
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An induction proof

• The function concept
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The function concept

• The graph of a function
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The graph of a function

• Integer powers
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Integer powers

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• Rational powers
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Rational powers

• Polynomial and identities
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Polynomial and identities

• Roots of polynomials
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Roots of polynomials

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• The Euclidian division algorithm
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The Euclidian division algorithm

• Finding roots
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Finding roots

• Binomial coefficients
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Binomial coefficients

• Introduction: types of equations
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Introduction: types of equations

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Equivalence

• Polynomial equations
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Polynomial equations

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• Equations with absolute values
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Equations with absolute values

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Systems

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• Polynomial inequalities
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Polynomial inequalities

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• Inequalities with absolute values
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Inequalities with absolute values

• Lines in the plane
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Lines in the plane

• Systems of linear inequalities
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Systems of linear inequalities