Algebra · Guided Practice

Quadratics

22 questions with answers and video solutions. Try each one before revealing the answer.

1
The point (2,−20)\displaystyle (2,-20) lies on the graph of a parabola with equation y=kx2\displaystyle y=kx^2
Find the value of k.\displaystyle k.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

2
The point (−1,9)\displaystyle (-1,9) lies on the graph with equation y=(x+a)2+b.\displaystyle y=(x+a)^2+b.
The equation of the axis of symmetry of the parabola is x ⁣= ⁣− ⁣3\displaystyle x\!=\!-\!3
Find the values of a\displaystyle a and b.\displaystyle b.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

3
Find the turning point and the equation of the axis of symmetry of the graph of y=−2(x+3)2−1\displaystyle y=-2(x+3)^2-1

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

4
A parabola has turning point (2,5)\displaystyle (2,5) and passes through the point (−1,32).\displaystyle (-1,32).
Determine its equation.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

5
Solve: (2x+1)(3x−10)=0\displaystyle (2x+1)(3x-10)=0

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

6
2018 P1 Q5
2 Marks

Solve x2−11x+24=0.\displaystyle x^{2}-11x+24=0.

7
2014 P1 Q13
(4, 3)7 Marks

The diagram below shows the path of a small rocket which is fired into the air. The height, h\displaystyle h metres, of the rocket after t\displaystyle t seconds is given by h(t)=16t−t2.\displaystyle h(t)=16t-t^2.

Rocket trajectory diagram

(a)  After how many seconds will the rocket first be at a height of 60 metres?

(b)  Will the rocket reach a height of 70 metres? Justify your answer.

8
2021 P1 Q19

Solve the equation by factorising: 6x2+13x−5=0\displaystyle 6x^2+13x-5=0

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

9
The sum of a negative number and its square is 110\displaystyle 110
Use an algebraic method to find the number.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

10
Solve 3x2−4x−2=0\displaystyle 3x^2-4x-2=0
Give the solutions correct to 2 decimal places.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

11
Determine the nature of the roots of the function f(x)=x2−x+3.\displaystyle f(x)=x^2-x+3\small.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

12
2016 P1 Q6
2 Marks

Determine the nature of the roots of the function f(x)=7x2+5x−1\displaystyle f(x)=7x^{2}+5x-1.

13
Determine the nature of the roots of the function f(x)=x2−6x+9.\displaystyle f(x)=x^2-6x+9\small.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

14
2023 P1 Q5
2 Marks

Determine the nature of the roots of the function f(x)=4x2+6x−1.\displaystyle f(x)=4x^2+6x-1.

15
2013 Spec P2 Q12

Find the range of values of p\displaystyle p such that the equation px2−2x+3=0, p≠0,\displaystyle px^2-2x+3=0\small,\normalsize\ p\neq 0\small, has no real roots.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

16
A function f\displaystyle f is defined by f(x)=ax2+bx+c,\displaystyle f(x)=ax^2+bx+c\small, where a ⁣≠ ⁣0.\displaystyle a\!\neq\!0\small.
The graph of y=f(x)\displaystyle y=f(x) has a turning point at (5,0).\displaystyle (5,0)\small.
State the value of b2−4ac.\displaystyle b^2-4ac\small.

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

17
2023 P2 Q14
(2, 4)6 Marks

A storage unit, built in the shape of a cuboid, is shown.

Cuboid storage unit with dimensions

It has length (x+7)\displaystyle (x+7) metres, breadth x\displaystyle x metres and height 2\displaystyle 2 metres.
The volume of this unit is 45\displaystyle 45 cubic metres.
(a)  Show that 2x2+14x−45=0\displaystyle 2x^2+14x-45=0
(b)  Calculate x,\displaystyle x, the breadth of the storage unit.
Give your answer correct to 1 decimal place.

18
2024 P2 Q8
3 Marks

Solve the equation 3x2+8x+1=0.\displaystyle 3x^2+8x+1=0.
Give your answers correct to 2 decimal places.

19
Find the roots of y=x2+4x−1\displaystyle y=x^2+4x-1

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

20
What is the nature of the roots of
2x2+5x−1=0\displaystyle 2x^2+5x-1=0?

No hints on this one — its full written solution is with the answer.

21
2025 P1 Q9
(1, 1)2 Marks

The diagram shows a parabola with equation of the form y=(x+a)2+b\displaystyle y=(x+a)^{2}+b.

Parabola with turning point (-3,-5)

(a)  State the value of a.\displaystyle a.
(b)  State the value of b.\displaystyle b.

22
2026 P1 Q14
3 Marks
Solve the equation by factorising
10x2+11x−6=0.\displaystyle 10x^{2}+11x-6=0.

Keep practising

More quadratics questions

New questions, modelled on past paper questions and checked against their marking instructions. Not reprints — you have not seen these before.

Practice questions courtesy of Maths.scot. Full written solutions are on his site — the links above go straight to them.