Quadratic formula $x = \frac{- (b +\sqrt{b^2- 4ac})}{ \pm2a}$

algebra-precalculus

In the proof of the quadratic formula
$$x = \frac{- b +\sqrt{b^2- 4ac}}{2a}$$
shouldn't there be $\pm 2a$ instead of $2a$, since both can be the square root of $4a^2$?

Best Answer

$$ax^2+bx+c=0,~~~a\neq0$$

$$\begin{align} &\Rightarrow x^2+\frac{b}{a}x+\frac{c}a=0\\ \\ &\Rightarrow\left(x+\frac{b}{2a} \right)^2+\frac{c}{a}-\frac{b^2}{4a^2}=0\\ \\ &\Rightarrow\left(x+\frac{b}{2a} \right)^2=\frac{b^2-4ac}{4a^2}\\ \\ &\Rightarrow\left(x+\frac{b}{2a} \right)=\pm\sqrt{\frac{b^2-4ac}{4a^2}}\\ \\ &\Rightarrow x+\frac{b}{2a} =\pm\frac{\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2|a|}\\ \end{align}$$

Case.(1) $a>0\Rightarrow |a|=a$

$$x+\frac{b}{2a} =\pm\frac{\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a} \Rightarrow x=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$

Case.(2) $a<0\Rightarrow |a|=-a$

$$x+\frac{b}{2a} =\pm\frac{\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{-2a} \Rightarrow x=\frac{-b\mp\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}=\frac{-b\pm\sqrt{b^2-4ac}}{2a}$$

Therefore, no matter what cases, you get the same formula.