algebra discussion question and 2 student replys.

This discussion has two parts:

1. From the lessons in intermediate algebra, how are your skills on working with quadratics help you solve quadratic equations? Talk about the methods of solving quadratics: taking the square roots of both sides, completing the square, and the quadratic formula.

2. Reply and provide substantive feedback to two classmates.

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Shannon,

When talking about the methods of solving quadratic taking the square roots of both sides and completing the square and the quadratic formula:

1. isolate the radical

2. square or cube each side of the equation

3. solve the equation

4. check your solution.

My skills in the lessons in intermediate algebra on working with quadratic equations have helped me solve quadratic equations because i look at the notes we have taken throughout this course that talk about solving quadratic equations and the lectures i have a better understanding on how to solve quadratic equations and radical equations using the process of isolating the radical, squaring both sides of the equation solving the equation and checking my solution. it has also helped me because when i got to do either the quizzes or the homework i have the knowledge of solving the equations using the skills i have learned in this course. And from the feedback from my professor and my classmates i can take that feedback and apply it to what i have learned throughout this course in my homework assignments and these discussions

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Rodolfo,

From the notes and lecture video’s we learned that to solve a quadratic expression is to square root each side of the problem. The lecture also warned us of that when we do this, the example given: $x^2=10$, we get the absolute value of x when we square root it. That is only part of the answer. We must remember to use the ( $\pm$) the plus and minus sign to get the full answer. The lecture also told us the safest way is to say it is quadratic and set it to equal to 0. And then subtract the 10 from both sides and then do the difference of two squares.

In Completing the square, we can do this when the quadratic equation is in the standard form , $a{x}^2+bx+c=0$, the first step is that we write the equation in the form of $a{x}^2+bx=-c$, this is where we take the constant c- value and put it as negative on the other side. Then we go through the following steps. 2. If there is a leading coefficient, divide both sides by it. 3. cut the number in front of x by half; write the new value on line below. 4.Square the new value and write the product in the blank on the line above. On mine I used a space. Also add this product to the right side of the equation also. 5. Insert x, parenthesis and exponent on the left to complete the square. 6. Add together the values on the right side. 7. Square root each side of the equation. Don’t forget the plus minus sign. 8. Now you can solve for x.

The quadratic formula , $x=\frac{-b\pm \sqrt{b^2}-4ac}{2a}$, if we know the values of a,b, and c, you can substitute them into the formula and solve for the solutions of an equation.

The this lesson , working with the quadratics are helping me solve quadratic equations by showing me there are different methods for the different equations. I found something else out. As I was writing this, I had been having fits working with the first problem on the homework and I feel like a light bulb is going off in my head. At least a little. I think I can figure the first problem out now. At least I hope. I see the different methods now and that is a help.