Question 131470This question is from textbook structure and method
: Please help me! I tried answering this, I can't seem to grasp it. It asks: In the equation ax^2+bx+c=0, the value of b^2-4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation. What does this value tell you about the real roots of the equation?
Please help me THank you=)
This question is from textbook structure and method
Answer by stanbon(75887)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! Please help me! I tried answering this, I can't seem to grasp it. It asks: In the equation ax^2+bx+c=0, the value of b^2-4ac is called the discriminant of the quadratic equation. What does this value tell you about the real roots of the equation?
Please help me THank you=)
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The quadratic formula tells you the answer to
y = ax^2+bx+c is
x = [-b +- sqrt(b^2-4ac)]/2a
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Look at it carefully and you will see the following:
If b^2-4ac is zero, x = -b/2a, so the two solutions will be Real and equal
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If b^2-4ac is positive x will have two Real solutions that are different
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If b^2-4ac is negative x will have two Complex solutions that are different.
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Cheers,
Stan H.
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