document.write( "<A HREF=/cgi-bin/jump-to-question.mpl?question=85396>Question 85396</A>This question is from textbook <A HREF=http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0132191415/algebrahomeworkh>College Algebra</A><BR>\n" );
document.write( ": <I><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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. </SPAN>\n" );
document.write( "</I><HR><TABLE width=100%><TR><TD><B><A HREF=http://www.algebra.com/>Algebra.Com's</A> Answer #61563 by </B><A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scianci><B>scianci(186)</B></A><img src=\"/images/stars/stars-09.gif\" alt=\"\" >&nbsp;<A HREF=/tutors/aboutme.mpl?userid=scianci><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=61563\">put this solution on YOUR website!</A><BR><SPAN STYLE=\"word-break: break-all;\"> 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. </SPAN>\n" );
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