Question 204136:  What is a discriminant value ? What does that mean? 
 Answer by RAY100(1637)      (Show Source): 
You can  put this solution on YOUR website! With  a  typical  quadratic,,,,ax^2 +bx+c=0. 
. 
The  Discriminant (D)  is:  (b^2 -4ac) 
. 
The  rule  of  Discriminants  is: 
. 
if  D=0,,one  solution,  curve  intercepts  the  x  axis  in  one  location 
. 
if  D>0,  two solutions,  curve  intercepts  the  x  axis  in  two  locations 
. 
if  D<0,, no  REAL  solutions,  curve  does  not  intercept  the  x  axis 
. 
Note  this  form  is  used  in  the  QUADRATIC FORMULA,  except as  a  square root
 
 
  | 
 
  
 
 |   
 
 |