What if my equation doesn't factorise?

For all quadratic equations, you can use the quadratic formula. Given an equation of the form ax2+bx+c, you can plug those values into this formula:x1, x= (-b +/- sqrt(b- 4ac)) / 2aNote: the term b- 4ac is called the determinant  and must be greater than 0 for your equation to have any solutions.

HM
Answered by Hayden M. Maths tutor

4474 Views

See similar Maths GCSE tutors

Related Maths GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Solve the simultaneous equations 2x - 3y = 24 (1) ; 6x + 2y = -5 (2)


A linear sequence starts: a+2b, a+6b, a+10b, ..., ... The 2nd term has a value of 8. The 5th term has a value of 44. Work out the values of a and b.


Ayo is 7 years older than Hugo. Mel is twice as old as Ayo. The sum of their three ages is 77 Find the ratio of Hugo's age to Ayo's age to Mel's age.


In a stack of CDs, there are 3 types: Rock, Pop and Jazz. There are 2 Rock CDs, x Pop CDs, and (2x+5) Jazz CDs. A CD is chosen at random. If the probability it is Rock is 1/20, work out the probability it is Jazz.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning