Whether the graph has 0, 1 or 2 points at which it crosses (touches) the x-axis.
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If the discriminant = 0 then the graph touches the x axis at one point If the discriminant > 0 then the graph touches the x axis at two ponits If the discriminant < 0 then the graph does not meet the x axis
Discriminant = 116; Graph crosses the x-axis two times
With the standard notation, If b2 < 4ac then the discriminant is negative If b2 = 4ac then the discriminant is zero If b2 > 4ac then the discriminant is positive
In this case, the discriminant is less than zero and the graph of this parabola lies above the x-axis. It never crosses.
The discriminant is the expression under the square root of the quadratic formula.For a quadratic equation: f(x) = ax2 + bx + c = 0, can be solved by the quadratic formula:x = (-b +- sqrt(b2 - 4ac)) / (2a).So if you graph y = f(x) = ax2 + bx + c, then the values of x that solve [ f(x)=0 ] will yield y = 0. The discriminant (b2 - 4ac) will tell you something about the graph.(b2 - 4ac) > 0 : The square root will be a real number and the root of the equation will be two distinct real numbers, so the graph will cross the x-axis at two different points.(b2 - 4ac) = 0 : The square root will be zero and the roots of the equation will be a real number double root, so the graph will touch the x-axis at only one points.(b2 - 4ac) < 0 : The square root will be imaginary, and the roots of the equation will be two complex numbers, so the graph will not touch the x-axis.So by looking at the graph, you can tell if the discriminant is positive, negative, or zero.