SOLUTION: Please help me. I am so clueless with this question. It asks: In the equation ax^2+bx+c=0, the value of b^2-4ac is called the dicriminant of the quadratic equation. What does this

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: Please help me. I am so clueless with this question. It asks: In the equation ax^2+bx+c=0, the value of b^2-4ac is called the dicriminant of the quadratic equation. What does this       Log On


   

Question 131278This question is from textbook structure and method
: Please help me. I am so clueless with this question. It asks: In the equation ax^2+bx+c=0, the value of b^2-4ac is called the dicriminant of the quadratic equation. What does this value tell you about the real roots of the equation?
I tried to solve this, but math is not my best subject. Please help me! Thank You=) This question is from textbook structure and method

Answer by scott8148(6628) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
x=(-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/2a __ this is the quadratic formula for finding the roots

notice that the discriminant is the quantity which has the square root taken

if the discriminant is a positive perfect square, then the roots are rational numbers

if the discriminant is positive (but not a perfect square), the roots are irrational

if the discriminant is zero, then the roots are equal

if the discriminant is negative, the roots are imaginary (not real)