GCSE quadratic equations: choose a method and check it
The GCSE quadratic equations drill has 7 practice questions, each with a worked answer.
Question 1 of 7
Pick an answer
Your result
Your mock plan, in three taps
Questions people ask
Which method should I use to solve a quadratic equation?
Try factorising first. If it will not factorise, or the question asks for decimals, use the formula. If it asks for surds or a turning point, complete the square.
What is the quadratic formula?
For ax² + bx + c = 0, x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a. It is not on the GCSE formula sheet, so learn it.
Why must the equation equal zero?
Factorising works because if two brackets multiply to 0, one of them must be 0. That is only true for 0, so rearrange first.
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How we work this out
What it does
Decide whether to factorise, complete the square or use the formula, then check both roots.
Edexcel GCSE Maths algebra: solving quadratic equations by factorising, completing the square and the quadratic formula (Higher), and turning points. Every equation is original.
Method
- Each answer is worked exactly, and decimals are rounded to 2 decimal places as GCSE questions ask.
- Wrong choices are the usual slips: sign errors, dividing by a instead of 2a, losing the negative root, or not rearranging to = 0 first.