The Quadratic Formula
Author
Tyler Keane
Last Updated
10 years ago
License
Creative Commons CC BY 4.0
Abstract
This paper will state and prove the quadratic formula.
\documentclass[a4paper]{article}
\usepackage[english]{babel}
\usepackage[utf8]{inputenc}
\usepackage{amsthm}
\usepackage{graphicx}
\usepackage[colorinlistoftodos]{todonotes}
\newtheorem{thm}{Theorem}
\title{The Quadratic Formula}
\author{Tyler Keane}
\date{\today}
\begin{document}
\maketitle
\begin{abstract}
This paper will state and prove the quadratic formula.
\end{abstract}
\section{Introduction}
We have all, at some point, learned the quadratic formula. Usually, we learn how to use it to find solutions of a quadratic equation. We might have seen the proof at this point, but most of us did not commit it to memory since the proof does not help us to use the formula.
\section{The Quadratic Formula}
\label{sec:examples}
\textbf{Theorem 1.} \textit{Let a,b,and c be real numbers.The solutions of a$x^2$+bx+c=}0
\textit{are}
$$x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$
\textit{Proof.} In order to prove the quadratic formula, we use the process of completing the square. Starting with a$x^2$+bx+c=0, arithmetic gives
\begin{center} a$x^2$+bx=-c,
$$x^2+\frac{b}{a}x=-\frac{c}{a},$$
$$x^2+\frac{b}{a}x+\frac{b^2}{4a^2}=-\frac{c}{a}+\frac{b^2}{4a^2},$$
$$(x+\frac{b}{2a})^2=-\frac{4ac}{4a^2}+\frac{b^2}{4a^2},$$
$$x+\frac{b}{2a}=\pm\sqrt{\frac{b-4ac}{4a^2}}$$
$$x= \frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$
\end{center}
\end{document}