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If the quadratic equation:ax^2 + bx + c has discriminant d

then its roots are x1 = [-b - sqrt(d)]/2a and x2 = [-b + sqrt(d)]/2a


If d > 0 then sqrt(d) is real and non-zero. As a result x1 and x2 are real and distinct.

If d = 0 then sqrt(d) = 0 and so x1 = x2 and both are real.

If d < 0 the sqrt(d) is imaginary so x1 and x2 form a complex conjugate pair.

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Q: Why does a discriminant in a quadratic function work?
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