SOLUTION: Can you explain "discriminant" and help me with the following problem? "Compute the discriminant of the equation x^2-8x+7=0. What does the discriminant indicate about the kinds

Algebra ->  Quadratic Equations and Parabolas  -> Quadratic Equations Lessons  -> Quadratic Equation Lesson -> SOLUTION: Can you explain "discriminant" and help me with the following problem? "Compute the discriminant of the equation x^2-8x+7=0. What does the discriminant indicate about the kinds      Log On


   

Question 42348: Can you explain "discriminant" and help me with the following problem?
"Compute the discriminant of the equation x^2-8x+7=0. What does the discriminant indicate about the kinds of solutions?"
Thank You!!
Answer by Nate(3500) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
Discriminant: b%5E2+-+4ac
x%5E2+-+8x+%2B+7+=+0
a=1 b=-8 c=7
b%5E2+-+4ac
64+-+28
36
Since the disciminant is positive, there are two real solutions.
+graph%28+600%2C+600%2C+-10%2C+10%2C+-10%2C+10%2C+x%5E2+-+8x+%2B+7%2C+0%29+
x%5E2+-+8x+%2B+7+=+0
%28x+-+7%29%28x+-+1%29+=+0
x+=+7 and x+=+1