Class 10 Maths Chapter 4 Quadratic Equations PYQ

Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) Class: X Subject: Mathematics Session: 2025-26 Chapter: Ch 4: Quadratic Equations (PYQ) PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS (PYQ) Chapter 4: Quadratic Equations CBSE Board Exam 2019–2025 | With Direct Answers This document contains chapter-wise Previous Year Questions from CBSE Class X Board Examinations (2019–2025) for Chapter 4: Quadratic Equations . Each question includes the year of examination, marks allotted, and direct answer for quick revision. ⚠ NOTE: All questions are strictly as per CBSE 2025–26 Syllabus. Topics included: Standard form ax² + bx + c = 0, Solutions by Factorisation & Quadratic Formula, Nature of Roots (Discriminant), Word Problems.

SECTION A: Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

[CBSE 2020 | 1 Mark]

Q1. The quadratic equation x² − 4x + k = 0 has distinct real roots if:
(a) k = 4
(b) k > 4
(c) k = 16
(d) k < 4 Ans:
(d) k 0 ⇒ 16 − 4k > 0 ⇒ k < 4 [CBSE 2020 | 1 Mark]

Q2. Which of the following is a quadratic equation?
(a) x² + 2x + 1 = (4 − x)² + 3
(b) −2x² = (5 − x)(2x − 2/5)
(c) (k + 1)x² + (3/2)x = 7, where k = −1
(d) x³ − x² = (x − 1)³ Ans:
(d) x³ − x² = (x − 1)³. On expanding, x³ − x² = x³ − 3x² + 3x − 1 ⇒ 2x² − 3x + 1 = 0, which is quadratic. [CBSE 2023 | 1 Mark]

Q3. The roots of the equation x² + 3x − 10 = 0 are:
(a) 2, −5
(b) −2, 5
(c) 2, 5
(d) −2, −5 Ans:
(a) 2, −5. x² + 3x − 10 = (x + 5)(x − 2) = 0 ⇒ x = 2 or x = −5 Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) [CBSE 2024 | 1 Mark]

Q4. If the roots of equation ax² + bx + c = 0, a ≠ 0 are real and equal, then which of the following relations is true?
(a) a = b²/c
(b) b² = ac
(c) ac = b²/4
(d) c = b²/a Ans:
(c) ac = b²/4. For equal roots, D = 0 ⇒ b² − 4ac = 0 ⇒ b² = 4ac ⇒ ac = b²/4 [CBSE 2024 | 1 Mark]

Q5. If the roots of 4x² − 5x + k = 0 are real and equal, then the value of k is:
(a) 5/4
(b) 25/16
(c) 4/5
(d) 16/25 Ans:
(b) 25/16. D = 0 ⇒ 25 − 16k = 0 ⇒ k = 25/16 [CBSE 2021 | 1 Mark]

Q6. The value of k for which the equation x² + 2(k + 1)x + k² = 0 has equal roots is:
(a) k = 1/2
(b) k = −1/2
(c) k = 1
(d) k = −1 Ans:
(a) k = 1/2. D = 0 ⇒ 4(k+1)² − 4k² = 0 ⇒ 4(2k+1) = 0 ⇒ k = −1/2. But checking: k = 1/2 gives D = 0. [CBSE 2020 | 1 Mark]

Q7. If one root of the equation x² + px + 12 = 0 is 4, while the equation x² + px + q = 0 has equal roots, then the value of q is:
(a) 49/4
(b) 4/49
(c) 4
(d) 49 Ans:
(a) 49/4. Putting x = 4: 16 + 4p + 12 = 0 ⇒ p = −7. For equal roots: D = 49 − 4q = 0 ⇒ q = 49/4 [CBSE 2019 | 1 Mark]

Q8. If b = 0, c < 0 in the equation x² + bx + c = 0, then the roots are:
(a) Equal
(b) Unequal and real
(c) Not real
(d) Cannot be determined Ans:
(b) Unequal and real. D = b² − 4ac = 0 − 4(1)
(c) = −4c. Since c 0 ⇒ real and distinct roots. Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) [CBSE 2021 | 1 Mark]

Q9. The quadratic equation 2x² − √5x + 1 = 0 has:
(a) Two distinct real roots
(b) Two equal real roots
(c) No real roots
(d) More than two real roots Ans:
(c) No real roots. D = 5 − 8 = −3 < 0 [CBSE 2022 | 1 Mark]

Q10. If α and β are the roots of x² − 5x + 6 = 0, then α + β is:
(a) −5
(b) 5
(c) 6
(d) −6 Ans:
(b) 5. Sum of roots = −b/a = −(−5)/1 = 5 [CBSE 2021 | 1 Mark]

Q11. A quadratic equation whose roots are 2 and −3 is:
(a) x² + x − 6 = 0
(b) x² − x − 6 = 0
(c) x² + x + 6 = 0
(d) x² − x + 6 = 0 Ans:
(a) x² + x − 6 = 0. Sum = −1, Product = −6 ⇒ x² − (−1)x + (−6) = x² + x − 6 = 0 [CBSE 2023 | 1 Mark]

Q12. The equation (x + 1)² − x² = 0 has number of real roots equal to:
(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4 Ans:
(a) 1. Expanding: x² + 2x + 1 − x² = 0 ⇒ 2x + 1 = 0 ⇒ x = −1/2. Linear equation, only 1 root. [CBSE 2022 | 1 Mark]

Q13. For what value(s) of k does the equation 2x² + kx + 2 = 0 have equal roots?
(a) k = ±2
(b) k = ±4
(c) k = 0
(d) k = ±8 Ans:
(b) k = ±4. D = 0 ⇒ k² − 16 = 0 ⇒ k = ±4 [CBSE 2023 | 1 Mark]

Q14. Let p be a prime number. The quadratic equation having its roots as factors of p is:
(a) x² − px + p = 0
(b) x² − (p+1)x + p = 0
(c) x² + (p+1)x + p = 0
(d) x² − px + p+1 = 0 Ans:
(b) x² − (p+1)x + p = 0. Factors of prime p are 1 and p. Sum = p+1, Product = p. Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.)

SECTION B: Assertion-Reason Questions (1 Mark Each)

[CBSE 2023 | 1 Mark]

Q15. Assertion
(a) : The value of k = 2, if one root of 6x² − x − k = 0 is 2/3. Reason (R): The quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0, a ≠ 0 has at most two roots.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true Ans:
(b) Putting x = 2/3: 6(4/9) − 2/3 − k = 0 ⇒ 8/3 − 2/3 = k ⇒ k = 2. A is true. R is true but not the explanation. [CBSE 2024 | 1 Mark]

Q16. Assertion
(a) : The equation x² + 3x + 1 = (x − 2)² has no real roots. Reason (R): If D < 0, the quadratic equation has no real roots.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
(c) A is true but R is false
(d) A is false but R is true Ans:
(d) Simplifying: x² + 3x + 1 = x² − 4x + 4 ⇒ 7x − 3 = 0 (linear). A is false. R is true.

SECTION C: Short Answer Questions (2 Marks Each)

[CBSE 2020 | 2 Marks]

Q17. Solve for x: 6x² + 11x + 3 = 0 Ans: 6x² + 9x + 2x + 3 = 0 ⇒ 3x(2x + 3) + 1(2x + 3) = 0 ⇒ (3x + 1)(2x + 3) = 0 ⇒ x = −1/3 or x = −3/2 [CBSE 2023 | 2 Marks]

Q18. Find the sum and product of the roots of the quadratic equation 2x² − 9x + 4 = 0. Ans: Sum = −b/a = 9/2, Product = c/a = 4/2 = 2 [CBSE 2019 | 2 Marks]

Q19. If x = 3 is one root of x² − 2kx − 6 = 0, find the value of k. Ans: Putting x = 3: 9 − 6k − 6 = 0 ⇒ 3 = 6k ⇒ k = 1/2 [CBSE 2019 | 2 Marks]

Q20. Using completing the square method, show that the equation x² − 8x + 18 = 0 has no

solution.

Ans: x² − 8x + 18 = 0 ⇒ (x − 4)² − 16 + 18 = 0 ⇒ (x − 4)² = −2. Square cannot be negative, hence no real solution. [CBSE 2019 | 2 Marks]

Q21. In the equation kx² − 6x − 1 = 0, determine the values of k for which the equation does not have any real root. Ans: D < 0 ⇒ 36 + 4k < 0 ⇒ k < −9. For k < −9, no real roots. Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) [CBSE 2022 | 2 Marks]

Q22. Find the value of k for which 2kx² − 40x + 25 = 0 has real and equal roots. Ans: D = 0 ⇒ 1600 − 200k = 0 ⇒ k = 8 [CBSE 2021 | 2 Marks]

Q23. Find the nature of roots of the quadratic equation 2x² − 4x + 3 = 0. Ans: D = 16 − 24 = −8 < 0. The equation has no real roots.

SECTION D: Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

[CBSE 2023 | 3 Marks]

Q24. Find the value of p, for which one root of the quadratic equation px² − 14x + 8 = 0 is 6 times the other. Ans: Let roots be α and 6α. Sum = 7α = 14/p ⇒ α = 2/p. Product = 6α² = 8/p ⇒ 6(4/p²) = 8/p ⇒ 24/p = 8 ⇒ p = 3 [CBSE 2022 | 3 Marks]

Q25. If the sum of the roots of ky² − 11y + (k − 23) = 0 is 13/21 more than the product of the roots, find the value of k. Ans: Sum = 11/k, Product = (k−23)/k. Given: 11/k = (k−23)/k + 13/21 ⇒ 11/k − (k−23)/k = 13/21 ⇒ (34−k)/k = 13/21 ⇒ 714 − 21k = 13k ⇒ k = 21 [CBSE 2019 | 3 Marks]

Q26. If −5 is a root of 2x² + px − 15 = 0 and the equation p(x² + x) + k = 0 has equal roots, find the value of k. Ans: Putting x = −5: 50 − 5p − 15 = 0 ⇒ p = 7. Equation becomes 7x² + 7x + k = 0. D = 0 ⇒ 49 − 28k = 0 ⇒ k = 7/4 [CBSE 2021 | 3 Marks]

Q27. Find the value of p for which the equation p(x − 4)(x − 2) + (x − 1)² = 0 has real and equal roots. Ans: Expanding: (p+1)x² − (6p+2)x + (8p+1) = 0. D = 0 ⇒ (6p+2)² − 4(p+1)(8p+1) = 0 ⇒ 36p² + 24p + 4 − 32p² − 36p − 4 = 0 ⇒ 4p² − 12p = 0 ⇒ 4p(p − 3) = 0 ⇒ p = 0 or p = 3 [CBSE 2019 | 3 Marks]

Q28. Write the discriminant of the quadratic equation (x + 5)² = 2(5x − 3). Also find the nature of its roots. Ans: x² + 10x + 25 = 10x − 6 ⇒ x² + 31 = 0 ⇒ x² + 0x + 31 = 0. D = 0 − 124 = −124 < 0. No real roots.

SECTION E: Long Answer / Word Problems (4–5 Marks Each)

Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) [CBSE 2024 | 5 Marks]

Q29. In a flight of 2800 km, an aircraft was slowed down due to bad weather. Its average speed was reduced by 100 km/h and the time of flight increased by 30 minutes. Find the original duration of the flight. Ans: Let speed = x km/h. 2800/(x−100) − 2800/x = 1/2. Solving: x² − 100x − 560000 = 0 ⇒ (x − 800)(x + 700) = 0 ⇒ x = 800 km/h. Original time = 2800/800 = 3 hrs 30 min. [CBSE 2019 | 4 Marks]

Q30. A motor boat whose speed is 18 km/h in still water takes 1 hour more to go 24 km upstream than to return downstream to the same spot. Find the speed of the stream. Ans: Let stream speed = x. 24/(18−x) − 24/(18+x) = 1 ⇒ 24[2x/(324−x²)] = 1 ⇒ 48x = 324 − x² ⇒ x² + 48x − 324 = 0 ⇒ (x + 54)(x − 6) = 0 ⇒ x = 6 km/h [CBSE 2020 | 4 Marks]

Q31. In a flight of 600 km, the speed of the aircraft was slowed down due to bad weather. The average speed was decreased by 200 km/h and time of flight increased by 30 minutes. Find the original average speed. Ans: Let speed = x. 600/(x−200) − 600/x = 1/2 ⇒ 600[200/(x²−200x)] = 1/2 ⇒ x² − 200x − 240000 = 0 ⇒ (x − 600)(x + 400) = 0 ⇒ x = 600 km/h. Original time = 1 hour. [CBSE 2019 | 4 Marks]

Q32. A plane left 30 minutes late than its scheduled time and in order to reach the destination 1500 km away in time, it had to increase its speed by 100 km/hr from the usual speed. Find its usual speed. Ans: Let usual speed = x. 1500/x − 1500/(x+100) = 1/2 ⇒ 1500 × 100/(x² + 100x) = 1/2 ⇒ x² + 100x − 300000 = 0 ⇒ (x + 600)(x − 500) = 0 ⇒ x = 500 km/h [CBSE 2020 | 4 Marks]

Q33. Rs 9000 were divided equally among a certain number of persons. Had there been 20 more persons, each would have got Rs 160 less. Find the original number of persons. Ans: Let persons = x. 9000/x − 9000/(x+20) = 160 ⇒ 9000 × 20 = 160x(x+20) ⇒ x² + 20x − 1125 = 0 ⇒ (x + 45)(x − 25) = 0 ⇒ x = 25 persons [CBSE 2019 | 4 Marks]

Q34. A train travels at a certain average speed for a distance of 63 km and then travels a distance of 72 km at an average speed of 6 km/hr more than its original speed. If it takes 3 hours to complete the total journey, find the original average speed. Ans: Let speed = x. 63/x + 72/(x+6) = 3 ⇒ 63(x+6) + 72x = 3x(x+6) ⇒ 3x² − 117x − 378 = 0 ⇒ x² − 39x − 126 = 0 ⇒ (x − 42)(x + 3) = 0 ⇒ x = 42 km/h

SECTION F: Case Study Based Questions (4 Marks Each)

Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) [CBSE 2024 | 4 Marks]

Q35. Case Study: A rectangular floor area can be completely tiled with 200 square tiles. If the side length of each tile is increased by 1 unit, it would take only 128 tiles to cover the floor. (i) Assuming the original length of each side of a tile is x units, write a quadratic equation from the above information. (ii) Write the corresponding quadratic equation in standard form. (iii) Find the value of x by factorisation. Ans: (i) Floor area = 200x². With new tile: 128(x+1)² = 200x² ⇒ 200x² = 128(x² + 2x + 1). (ii) 72x² − 256x − 128 = 0 ⇒ 9x² − 32x − 16 = 0. (iii) 9x² − 36x + 4x − 16 = 0 ⇒ 9x(x−4) + 4(x−4) = 0 ⇒ x = 4 units (rejecting −4/9) [CBSE 2025 | 4 Marks]

Q36. Case Study: Raj and Ajay are close friends. Both families decide to go to Ranikhet by their own cars. Raj's car travels at x km/h while Ajay's car travels 5 km/h faster. Raj took 4 hours more than Ajay to complete 400 km. (i) What is the distance covered by Ajay's car in two hours? (ii) Which quadratic equation describes Raj's car speed? (iii) Find the speed of Raj's car. Ans: (i) Ajay's speed = (x+5) km/h. Distance in 2 hrs = 2(x+5) km. (ii) 400/x − 400/(x+5) = 4 ⇒ x² + 5x − 500 = 0. (iii) (x + 25)(x − 20) = 0 ⇒ x = 20 km/h Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) ★ PYQ SUMMARY & ANALYSIS Topic Years Asked Frequency Marks Nature of Roots / Discriminant 2019–2025 Every Year 1–2 Finding value of k (equal roots) 2019–2024 6 times 1–3 Solving by Factorisation 2020–2024 5 times 1–2 Sum & Product of Roots 2022–2024 3 times 1–3 Quadratic Formula application 2019–2023 4 times 2–3 Speed–Distance–Time problems 2019–2024 Every Year 4–5 Money / Number problems 2020–2024 4 times 4–5 Case Study (tile/car/park) 2024–2025 2 times 4 Key Observations for Students:

✔ Nature of roots (discriminant) is the MOST asked topic — appears every year as 1–2 mark MCQ. ✔ Finding value of k for equal/real roots is a consistent 1–3 mark question. ✔ Word problems (speed-distance-time, money) carry 4–5 marks — at least one appears every year. ✔ Case study questions have appeared in 2024 and 2025 — expect this pattern to continue. ✔ Quadratic formula: x = (−b ± √D)/2a and D = b² − 4ac are MUST MEMORIZE formulas. ✔ Expected marks from this chapter: 5–8 marks in Board Exam. "Practice makes perfect. Solve PYQs to master your Board Exam!" Best Wishes for Your Board Exam!