Free Quadratic Equations 02 Practice Test - 10th Grade 

Question 1

Find the value of k for which x24x+k=0 has coincident roots.

A.

0

B.

-2

C.

4

D.

-4

SOLUTION

Solution : C

On comparing x24x+k=0 with standard form ax2+bx+c=0, we get

a = 1, b = -4 and c = k

Now, discriminant, D = b24ac
D=(4)24(1)k=164k

The roots of quadratic equation are co-incident only when D=0.

 164k=0

 k=4

Question 2

The product of 2 consecutive natural numbers is 56. Solve this problem using completing the square method of quadratic equation. Write the equation obtained after completing the square and also write the smaller of the 2 numbers.

A.

7, (x+12)22254=0

B.

8, (x+12)22254=0

C.

7, (x12)22254  = 0

D.

8, (x12)22254=0

SOLUTION

Solution : A

Let the smaller number be x. Then the larger number will be x+1.

Their product is x(x+1).

x(x+1)=56 

x2+x56=0

x2+x+(12)2(12)256=0

(x+12)22254=0

x+12=152,152

x=7,8  

The required number is 7 as -8 is not a natural number.

Question 3

The nature of roots of x23x+2=0 will be:

A.

Two distinct real roots.

B.

Two equal real roots.

C.

No real roots.

D.

None of these.

SOLUTION

Solution : A

We have, x23x+2=0 

D=b24ac

(3)24×1×2>0

1>0 

Since, D>0, roots are distinct and real.

Question 4

During a practice match, a softball pitcher throws a ball whose height can be modeled by the equation h=16t2+24t+1, where h = height in feet and t = time in seconds. How long does it take for the ball to reach a height of 6 feet?

A.

2.2 and 3.8 secs

B.

5.4 and 6.2 secs

C.

0.25 and 1.25 secs

D.

7 and 5 secs

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Given Height = 6
16t2+24t+1=6

16t224t+5=0

16t24t20t+5=0

16t24t20t+5=0

4t(4t1)5(4t1)=0

(4t1)(4t5)=0

t=14,54 or 0.25, 1.25

So, at time  0.25 secs and 1.25 secs, the ball will be at a height of 6 feet.

Question 5

One leg of a right angled triangle exceeds the other leg by 4 inches. The hypotenuse is 20 inches. Find the length of the shorter leg of the triangle.

A.

12 inches

B.

7 inches

C.

20 inches

D.

14 inches

SOLUTION

Solution : A

Let the length of the legs of the triangle be x and x+4  inches.

Applying Pythagoras' theorem,

x2+(x+4)2=(20)2x2+x2+8x+16=4002x2+8x384=0x2+4x192=0

Solving the quadratic equation,x2+16x12x192=0x(x+16)12(x+16)=0(x+16)(x12)=0x=16 & 12

Length can't be negative, hence
x=12 inches

The shortest side(leg) is 12 .

Question 6

If the roots of equation x2+4x+c=0 are real then c4.

A.

True

B.

False

SOLUTION

Solution : B

Given, x2+4x+c=0

Value of discriminant, Δ=b24ac=424c=164c

The roots of quadratic equation are real then Δ0164c04c164c16
(The inequality changes when the equation is multiplied by ve 

c4

Question 7

Solve the following quadratic equation using quadratic formula .

 9x29(a+b)x+(2a2+5ab+2b2)=0

A.

The roots are 2a+b3 and a+2b3

B.

The roots are 2a+b3 and a2b3

C.

The roots are 5a+b3 and a+2b3

D.

The roots are 2a+b3 and a2b4

SOLUTION

Solution : A

We have,

9x29(a+b)x+(2a2+5ab+2b2)=0

Comparing this equation with Ax2+Bx+C=0, we have

A=9,B=9(a+b) and C=2a2+5ab+2b2

D=B24AC

D=81(a+b)236(2a2+5ab+2b2)

D=81(a2+b2+2ab)(72a2+180ab+72b2)

D=9a2+9b218ab

D=9(a2+b22ab)

D=9(ab)20

D0

So, the roots of the given equation are real and are given by

α=B+D2A=9(a+b)+3(ab)18=12a+6b18=2a+b3

and, β=BD2A=9(a+b)3(ab)18=6a+12b18=a+2b3

Question 8

Determine the value of k so that the two roots of the equation x2 − kx + 36 = 0 are equal.

A. k = 12
B. k = -12
C. k = 4
D. k = 6

SOLUTION

Solution : A and B

We know that roots of the quadratic equation is equal when D = 0
b24ac=0
So, from the equation x2 − kx + 36 = 0
a = 1, b = -k and c = 36
k24(ac)=0
     k24(36)=0
     k2=144 
k = 12 or -12

Question 9

11 years from now, the age of Peter will be half the square of the age he was 13 years ago. Calculate the current age of Peter.

A.

21 years

B.

7 years

C.

27 years

D.

25 years

SOLUTION

Solution : A

Let Peter's current age  = x years
Age 13 years ago  =  (x13) years
Age 11 years later  = (x+11) years

According to the given statement
11 years later , the age of Peter = Half the square of the age he was 13 years ago
  (x+11) = (x13)22
  2x+22=x226x+169
x228x+147=0
x2(21+7)x+147=0
 x221x7x+147=0
x(x21)7(x21)=0
x=21 or x=7

Since Peter's age can't be 7 years
His current age = 21 years

Question 10

A takes 6 days less than the time taken by B to finish a piece of work. If both A and B together can finish it in 4 days, find the time taken by B alone to finish the work.
 

A.

B alone can finish the work in 9 days

B.

B alone can finish the work in 8 days

C.

B alone can finish the work in 12 days

D.

B alone can finish the work in 5 days

SOLUTION

Solution : C

Suppose B alone can takesx days to finish the work.
Then A alone can finish it in (x6) days.
B's 1 day's work = 1x.
A's 1 day's work = 1x6.
(A+B)'s 1 day's work = 14
1x+1x6=14
x6+xx(x6)=14
8x24=x26x
x214x+24=0
x212x2x+24=0
(x12)(x2)=0
x=12  or  x=2
But x cannot be less than 6.
x=12
Hence, B alone can finish the work in 12 days