We have learned three different methods of solving quadratic .
situation and on the equation we have to solve.
The first means that can be used to solve a quadratic equation is .
factoring. Factoring only works in certain cases, but is by far the easiest .
and fastest to use. When factoring it is much easier if the term with the .
power of two has a coefficient of one. This is due to the fact that when .
factoring it is easier to multiply by one than a higher number. Secondly, it .
is necessary that the last term without a variable has two multipliers that .
will add to give us our second term in the equation.
The second way you can solve a quadratic equation is by using the .
completion of the square method. It is simplest to use when the term with .
a variable with the power of one is divisible by two. This is only due to .
the fact that when dividing this term by two, it is easier to work without .
fractions, and if it is divisible by two it accomplishes that. If you have to .
work with fractions, I found this method to be the most successful. While .
solving when there are fractions involved, it is easy to compare .
denominators near the final step to see if they are the same. This is an easy .
way to check and see if you did the problem correctly, because if the .
denominators are different you messed up somewhere earlier in the .
problem.
The final method we learned to solve a quadratic equation is using .
the quadratic formula. This method seems to have fewer steps than .
completion of the square. Before plugging numbers into the formula, it is .
necessary to make sure that all of the terms have a denominator of one. .
Then all that you need to do is assign and plug in the numbers that .
represent the letters a, b, and c.
After working with all three methods of solving the quadratic .
equation, I find it easiest to factor when possible. After this it all depends .
on the situation and the directions. .
