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SBI PO Quadratic Equations

Study Material — 16 PYQs (2018–2018) · Concept Notes · Shortcuts

SBI PO Quadratic Equations is a frequently tested subtopic — 16 previous year questions from 2018–2018 papers are included below with concept notes, key rules and shortcut tricks.

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Previous Year Questions

SBI PO Quadratic Equations — Past Exam Questions

16 questions from actual SBI PO papers · all shown free · click option to reveal solution

Exam Q 12018Previous Year Pattern

If the roots of x² + px + 12 = 0 are 3 and 4, find the value of p.

Exam Q 22018Previous Year Pattern

If α and β are roots of x² - 6x + 8 = 0, find the value of α² + β².

Exam Q 32018Previous Year Pattern

If x² - 7x + 12 = 0, find the sum of the roots of the equation.

Exam Q 42018Previous Year Pattern

If one root of the equation x² - 5x + k = 0 is 2, find the value of k.

Exam Q 52018Previous Year Pattern

Find the product of the roots of the equation 2x² - 8x + 6 = 0.

Exam Q 62018Previous Year Pattern

Solve: x² - 9 = 0. What are the roots?

Exam Q 72018Previous Year Pattern

A quadratic equation x² + px + q = 0 has roots that are reciprocals of each other. If one root is 4, find the value of q.

Exam Q 82018Previous Year Pattern

The quadratic equation x² - (a+b)x + ab = 0 has roots that are 3 more than the roots of x² - 5x + 6 = 0. Find the value of (a+b).

Exam Q 92018Previous Year Pattern

If α and β are roots of x² - 6x + 8 = 0, find the value of (α² + β²).

Exam Q 102018Previous Year Pattern

If the roots of 2x² - 8x + k = 0 are equal, find the value of k.

Exam Q 112018Previous Year Pattern

The sum of the squares of the roots of x² - 4x + 3 = 0 exceeds the product of the roots by how much?

Exam Q 122018Previous Year Pattern

If the roots of the quadratic equation x² + px + q = 0 are α and β, and the roots of x² + mx + n = 0 are α² and β², then which of the following is true?

Exam Q 132018Previous Year Pattern

A quadratic equation x² - (a+b)x + ab = 0 has roots that are 3 more than the roots of x² - 7x + 10 = 0. Find the value of (a + b).

Exam Q 142018Previous Year Pattern

The quadratic equation x² + bx + c = 0 has roots r and s. If r² + s² = 13 and rs = 3, then the value of b² - 4c is:

Exam Q 152018Previous Year Pattern

If α and β are roots of x² - 5x + k = 0, and α/β + β/α = 13/6, then the value of k is:

Exam Q 162018Previous Year Pattern

A quadratic equation with integer coefficients has roots (3 + √5) and (3 - √5). If the equation is written as x² + px + q = 0, what is the value of p + q?

Concept Notes

Quadratic Equations— Rules & Concept

Core ConceptRead this first — the foundation of the topic

Quadratic Equations are polynomial equations with the highest degree of 2. They form the backbone of algebra questions in SSC CGL and appear in almost every exam paper. A quadratic equation has the standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, where 'a' cannot be zero. Core Properties and Rules:

Every quadratic equation has exactly two roots (solutions). These roots can be real and equal, real and unequal, or imaginary. The nature of roots depends on the discriminant (b² - 4ac). When discriminant > 0, roots are real and unequal. When discriminant = 0, roots are real and equal. When discriminant < 0, roots are imaginary.

Formula BlockMemorise — at least one formula appears in every paper
Quadratic Formula: x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a
Sum of roots = -b/a
Product of roots = c/a
If roots are α and β, then equation is: x² - (α + β)x + αβ = 0
Exam PatternsWhat examiners ask — read before attempting PYQs

SSC CGL typically asks 2-3 questions on quadratic equations. Common question types include finding roots, determining nature of roots, forming equations from given roots, and word problems leading to quadratic equations. Questions often involve finding maximum/minimum values or solving practical problems.

ShortcutsUse these to save 30–60 seconds per question

#1 - Middle Term Splitting: For ax² + bx + c = 0, find two numbers whose product = ac and sum = b. Split the middle term using these numbers. This method is faster than the quadratic formula for most SSC questions. Shortcut Trick #2 - Perfect Square Recognition: If b² = 4ac, the equation is a perfect square.

The root is -b/2a (repeated twice). This saves calculation time.

Worked ExampleSolve this step-by-step before moving on
1
Step 1

Identify a = 2, b = -7, c = 3

2
Step 2

Find ac = 2 × 3 = 6

3
Step 3

Find two numbers whose product = 6 and sum = -7 These are -6 and -1 (since -6 × -1 = 6 and -6 + (-1) = -7)

4
Step 4

Rewrite: 2x² - 6x - x + 3 = 0

5
Step 5

Factor: 2x(x - 3) - 1(x - 3) = 0

6
Step 6

(2x - 1)(x - 3) = 0

7
Step 7

Roots are x = 1/2 and x = 3 Worked Example 2: Find the equation whose roots are 3 and -2.

1
Step 1

Sum of roots = 3 + (-2) = 1

2
Step 2

Product of roots = 3 × (-2) = -6

3
Step 3

Using x² - (sum of roots)x + (product of roots) = 0

4
Step 4

Required equation: x² - x - 6 = 0 Shortcut Trick #3 - Vieta's Relations: Instead of finding individual roots, use sum and product formulas directly. This is especially useful when questions ask about expressions involving roots without finding the actual roots. Common Trap - The #1 Mistake: Students often forget to check if 'a' equals zero. If a = 0, the equation becomes linear (bx + c = 0), not quadratic. Always verify that the coefficient of x² is non-zero before applying quadratic methods. Another common error is sign mistakes while applying the quadratic formula, especially with the discriminant calculation. Exam Strategy: For SSC CGL, master middle term splitting first as it's faster than the quadratic formula. Practice identifying perfect squares quickly. Word problems often lead to quadratic equations, so focus on translation skills. Time management is crucial - spend maximum 2 minutes per quadratic equation question.

Key Points to Remember

  • Standard form: ax² + bx + c = 0 where a ≠ 0
  • Discriminant = b² - 4ac determines nature of roots
  • Sum of roots = -b/a, Product of roots = c/a
  • Middle term splitting is faster than quadratic formula for most SSC questions
  • If b² = 4ac, equation is perfect square with root = -b/2a
  • Every quadratic equation has exactly two roots
  • Roots can be real unequal, real equal, or imaginary
  • For forming equation from roots: x² - (sum)x + (product) = 0
  • Use Vieta's relations when questions involve expressions of roots
  • Always verify coefficient of x² is non-zero before applying quadratic methods

Exam-Specific Tips

  • Discriminant > 0 means real and unequal roots
  • Discriminant = 0 means real and equal roots
  • Discriminant < 0 means imaginary roots
  • Maximum value of quadratic expression ax² + bx + c occurs at x = -b/2a when a < 0
  • Minimum value of quadratic expression ax² + bx + c occurs at x = -b/2a when a > 0
  • If roots are reciprocals of each other, then a = c
  • If one root is negative of the other, then b = 0
  • Quadratic formula: x = [-b ± √(b² - 4ac)] / 2a

60-Second Revision — Quadratic Equations

  • Formula: Sum = -b/a, Product = c/a, Discriminant = b² - 4ac
  • Remember: Use middle term splitting for faster solutions in SSC
  • Trap: Always check if coefficient of x² is non-zero
  • Shortcut: If b² = 4ac, root is -b/2a (perfect square)
  • Pattern: 2-3 questions appear in every SSC CGL paper
  • Strategy: Master Vieta's relations for expressions involving roots
  • Time limit: Maximum 2 minutes per quadratic equation question
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