document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=30058>Question 30058</A>: <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> I need to fill in the blank and answer the question, but i have no clue what its asking at all! <BR>\n" );
document.write( "In the equation ax^2+bx+c=0, the value of b^2-4ac is called the________________<BR>\n" );
document.write( "of the quadratic equation. What does this value tell you about the real roots of the equation? </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #16795 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Cintchr><B>Cintchr(481)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-10.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=Cintchr><IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/aboutme-small.gif BORDER=0 alt=\"About Me\" VALIGN=MIDDLE></A>&nbsp;<IMG SRC=http://www.algebra.com/images/nopicture.jpg><BR>You can <A HREF=\"/cgi-bin/embed-solution.mpl?show=1&solution=16795\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> <IMG STYLE=\"max-width:80%;\" SRC=/cgi-bin/plot-formula.mpl?expression=x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+ ALIGN=MIDDLE  ALT=\"x+=+%28-b+%2B-+sqrt%28+b%5E2-4%2Aa%2Ac+%29%29%2F%282%2Aa%29+\"   DISABLED_style= \"max-width:90%; height:auto;\" >  this is the formula they are using .... the portion under the root is called the discriminant.\r<BR>\n" );
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document.write( "When you calculate this portion you will come out with one of three numbers: A positive, a negative or zero.<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if the number is positive, there are two roots (places where the graph crosses the x-axis)<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if the number is zero there is only one solution, and the parabala just touches the x-axis<BR>\n" );
document.write( "if the number is negative, there are no real solutions and the graph does not cross the x-axis </SPAN>\n" );
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