answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

In the quadratic formula, the discriminant is b2-4ac. If the discriminant is positive, the equation has two real solutions. If it equals zero, the equation has one real solution. If the discriminant is negative, it has two imaginary solutions.

This is because you find the square root of the discriminant and add or subtract it from -b and divide the sum or difference by 2a. If the square root is of a positive number, then you get two different solutions, one from adding the discriminant to -b and one from subtracting the discriminant from -b. If the square root is of zero, then it equals zero, and the solution is -b/2a. If the square root is of a negative number, then you have two imaginary solutions because you can't take the square root of a negative number and get a real number. One solution is from subtracting the discriminant from -b and dividing by 2a, and the other is from adding it to -b and dividing by 2a.

The parabola on the left has a positive discriminant. The parabola in the middle has a discriminant of zero. The parabola on the right has a negative discriminant.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is a discriminant and how does help to solve equations?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

Which of the following systems of equations has no solution?

If they are quadratic equations then if their discriminant is less than zero then they have no solutions


If the discriminant of an equation is zero then?

The term "discriminant" is usually used for quadratic equations. If the discriminant is zero, then the equation has exactly one solution.


How does writing equivalent equations help you solve a system of equations?

You can write an equivalent equation from a selected equation in the system of equations to isolate a variable. You can then take that variable and substitute it into the other equations. Then you will have a system of equations with one less equation and one less variable and it will be simpler to solve.


How do you solve two-step equations with fractions?

Equations can be tricky, and solving two step equations is an important step beyond solving equations in one step. Solving two-step equations will help introduce students to solving equations in multiple steps, a skill necessary in Algebra I and II. To solve these types of equations, we use additive and multiplicative inverses to isolate and solve for the variable. Solving Two Step Equations Involving Fractions This video explains how to solve two step equations involving fractions.


How does the zero product rule help you solve quadratic equations?

Factor it! Set each equal to zero! Solve


What does one use a Derivative Calculator for?

Derivative calculators are commonly used to help solve simple differential calculus equations. Generally, they are not able to solve complex calculus equations.


How do you solve 9- 2 equations?

7


What is the discriminant and how does it help in knowing how many solutions a quadratic equations will have?

Put the equation into ax²+bx+c=0 form. The discriminant is b²-4ac. If it is negative, there are no real roots. If it is 0, there is one real root. If it is positive, there are 2 real roots. ■


How did albert Einstein help people?

he helped people solve intricate mathematical equations


How can b.e.d.m.a.s help solve maths equations?

It tells you the order in which the equation needs to be simplified.


What is the equation b squared minus 4ac known as?

the expression "b2-4ac" with respect to quadratic equations is called the discriminant. the discriminant of the equation tells whether or not the roots will be real numbers or not. If the discriminant is negative, then the roots are imaginary.


How do you solve these equations?

Tell me the equations first.