SOLUTION: Please help with this question. Evaluate the discriminant, and predict the type and number of solutions. s^2-5s-8=0

Algebra ->  Equations -> SOLUTION: Please help with this question. Evaluate the discriminant, and predict the type and number of solutions. s^2-5s-8=0      Log On


   

Question 318380: Please help with this question. Evaluate the discriminant, and predict the type and number of solutions.
s^2-5s-8=0
Answer by jim_thompson5910(35256) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!

From s%5E2-5s-8 we can see that a=1, b=-5, and c=-8


D=b%5E2-4ac Start with the discriminant formula.


D=%28-5%29%5E2-4%281%29%28-8%29 Plug in a=1, b=-5, and c=-8


D=25-4%281%29%28-8%29 Square -5 to get 25


D=25--32 Multiply 4%281%29%28-8%29 to get %284%29%28-8%29=-32


D=25%2B32 Rewrite D=25--32 as D=25%2B32


D=57 Add 25 to 32 to get 57


Since the discriminant is greater than zero, this means that there are two real solutions.