Question 199114: how many solutions exist for a quadratic equation?
Answer by actuary(112)   (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website! A quadratic equation may have 0,1,or 2 REAL solutions. REAL solutions refers to real numbers as compared to COMPLEX numbers.
To determine the number of REAL solutions, you need to calculate the amount under the radical arising from the application of the quadratic formula, i,e b^2-4ac.
b^2-4ac is called the determinant. If the determinant = 0, the quadratic equation has one REAL solution. If the determinant > 0, the quadratic equation has 2 REAL solutions. If the determinant < 0, there are 0 REAL solutions.
Larry
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