SOLUTION: When using the quadratic formula to solve a qadratic equation ax(squared)+bx+c=0, the discriminant is b(squared)-ac. This discriminant can be positive, zero, or negative.(When the

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas -> SOLUTION: When using the quadratic formula to solve a qadratic equation ax(squared)+bx+c=0, the discriminant is b(squared)-ac. This discriminant can be positive, zero, or negative.(When the       Log On


   

Question 85396This question is from textbook College Algebra
: When using the quadratic formula to solve a qadratic equation ax(squared)+bx+c=0, the discriminant is b(squared)-ac. This discriminant can be positive, zero, or negative.(When the discriminant is negative, then we have the square root of a negative number. This is called an imaginary number, sqrt(-1)=1.)Also, explain what the value of the discriminant means to the graph of y = ax(squared)+bx +c. Thank you for your help. This question is from textbook College Algebra

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The discriminant indicates how many real solutions the quadratic equation in question will have. Graphically, this translates to the number of x-intercepts the graph will have. A positive discriminant indicates 2 real solutions and 2 x-intercepts. A discriminant of 0 indicates 1 real solution and 1 x-intercept. A negative discriminant indicates no real solutions and no x-intercepts.