Quadratic nightmares

[cjsmith]

How does one solve a quadratic equation quickly? (Without sacrificing accuracy, of course, and without making it more likely that an arithmetic goof will creep in.)

I know how to use the quadratic formula, but I'm slow and methodical. On a test, minutes count. I've been warned that on the upcoming chemistry exam, seconds may count. This one has been announced as "hard" and "if you haven't done all the practice problems three times over, you won't have time to complete the test". It's going to be FULL of this stuff (for equilibrium calculations). I don't have time between now and the test to do all the practice problems three times over, not if I want sleep too.

How do you solve these dang things FAST?

Oooo. Are there calculators that just do this for you, once you've set up the equation? If so, I'd better go get one. If that's what other students have, I'd be a fool to handicap myself.

Comments

[ame-chan.livejournal.com]

Oh, this is good to know. We were not allowed the use of calculators for tests in the class I just finished and I don't think we'll get them for the next one, but it would probably be handy to have one and learn to use it anyway. Chem and ochem and other courses are coming where I might want one.

Having just spent today's final wrestling with #$@#!@ quadratics, I really hear you!!

[cjsmith.livejournal.com]

I guess I'm not too surprised that you're not allowed to use calculators in an algebra or pre-calc class -- the calculators are simply too powerful, so the students wouldn't have to learn algebra. But man, doing that crap by hand is a pain. And it's frustrating as hell to have my grade hinge on being lightning fast with these stupid things when what I'm supposed to be learning is chemistry.