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This topic solves quadratic equations by factorising, completing the square and the quadratic formula, and interprets the solutions. It's a core topic in GCSE and iGCSE Maths with Edexcel and the other major boards. This free interactive course teaches the method with worked examples and gives instant-feedback practice questions to lock it in.
How you do it
Rearrange so one side is zero. Factorise if you can, then set each bracket equal to zero. If it will not factorise, use the quadratic formula or complete the square. Always expect two solutions and check both make sense in context.
Before you start
Get factorising and expanding brackets straight before you begin. It is Foundation and Higher tier material at GCSE and iGCSE. The same ideas return in completing the square, graphs and the formula. The topic sits within Algebra.
What you learn
A quadratic equation contains an x² term, for example x² + 5x + 6 = 0. We solve it by factorising into two brackets and using the fact that if two things multiply to give 0, one of them must be 0. First factorise the quadratic into two brackets. When you factor out x, one solution is always x = 0. The course works through solving by factorising, quadratics and their graphs and special quadratics. Every section has instant-feedback practice questions matched to Edexcel iGCSE 4MA1 and the other major GCSE boards, and the course finishes with full exam-style questions you mark yourself.
Related Topics
In our GCSE maths courses, Quadratic Equations belongs to Algebra and is met in Foundation tier. You work through 3 concepts and 2 worked examples, testing yourself at 3 points. Nearby topics in the same strand are Quadratic Inequalities, Rearranging Formulae and Sequences. For unlimited practice, the Algebra revision engine builds new questions on demand and records your accuracy.
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