Solving Quadratic Equations and Sequences
Quadratic equations are like puzzles where you're hunting for the mystery values of x that make everything equal zero. The standard form ax² + bx + c = 0 might look scary, but it follows a reliable three-step process: rearrange, factorise, then solve.
Once you've factorised your equation into something like x−4x−2 = 0, you're nearly there. Since anything multiplied by zero equals zero, either x-4 = 0 or x-2 = 0, giving you x = 4 or x = 2.
Sequences are number patterns that follow rules, and they're everywhere in maths. Linear sequences increase by the same amount each time (the common difference), while quadratic sequences have a constant second difference when you look at how the gaps between terms change.
Quick Check: For any quadratic sequence, find the first differences, then the second differences - if the second differences are constant, you've got a quadratic sequence!
Finding the nth term lets you calculate any term in the sequence without writing out hundreds of numbers. For linear sequences, use the format an + b, and for quadratic sequences, use an² + bn + c. The key is methodically working through the differences and checking your answer works.