Quadratic Equations

This interactive resource, produced by the University of Leicester, is designed to enable students to explore what is meant by a quadratic equation, the meaning of the coefficients of a quadratic equation and to be able to solve quadratic equations. An introduction page gives examples of where quadratic equations can be found which is useful for class discussion. There follows an explanation of the first task in which students have to investigate how changing the coefficients a, b and c in the function f(x) =a(x+b)²+c affect the graph. The second activity requires students to change the values of a, b and c so that the green graph matches the blue graph on the screen. The third activity asks students to form equations to match the paths shown on the screen. The fourth activity explores the roots of a quadratic equation. This is followed by pages of notes explaining the nature of quadratic equations including the formula for solving quadratic equations, the determinant, factorising a quadratic and completing the square. The final exercise asks students to solve a series of quadratic equations.