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For a quadratic equation of the form y = ax^2 + bx + c where a, b and c are real and a is non-zero, b^2 - 4ac enables you to distinguish between the following three possible outcomes:

  • b^2 - 4ac > 0 => the equation has two real roots which are different,
  • b^2 - 4ac = 0 => the equation has two real root which are coincident,
  • b^2 - 4ac < 0 => the equation has two roots which form a complex conjugate pair.


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Q: Why is b2 -4ac called the discriminant?
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Related questions

How do you tell if a discriminant is positive negative or zero?

With the standard notation, If b2 &lt; 4ac then the discriminant is negative If b2 = 4ac then the discriminant is zero If b2 &gt; 4ac then the discriminant is positive


What is the formula of the discriminant?

b2-4ac.


How do you find the discriminant of a polynomial?

The discriminant of the quadratic equation ax2+bx+c = 0 is the value of b2-4ac When b2-4ac = 0 then there are 2 equal roots. When b2-4ac &gt; 0 then there are 2 different roots. When b2-4ac &lt; 0 then there are no roots at all.


The discriminant in the quadratic formula is the expression?

b2-4ac


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.


What is the equation for finding the discriminant?

The discriminant of the quadratic polynomial ax2 + bx + c is b2 - 4ac.


What is the discriminant of a quadratic function?

The form of the quadratic is ax2+bx+c, so the discriminant is b2-4ac.


When can you say that he discriminant don't have roots?

If the discriminant b2-4ac of a quadratic equation is less than zero then it will have no roots


What is the expression b2 4ac under the radical sign in the quadratic formula?

The discriminant.


What is the value of b2-4ac equal to 0?

It is the value of the discriminant of a quadratic equation.


When the roots are equal of a quadratic equation?

Write the quadratic equation in the form ax2 + bx + c = 0 The roots are equal if and only if b2 - 4ac = 0. The expression, b2-4ac is called the [quadratic] discriminant.


Why if the discriminant is zero is there no solution to the quadratic equation?

But there will be a solution if the discriminant is equal to zero: Real and different roots if b2-4ac &gt; 0 Real and equal roots if b2-4ac = 0 But no real roots if b2-4ac &lt; 0 in other words the graph wont make contact with or intercept the x axis.