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a is the coefficient of the x2 term. If is a = 0, then it is no longer a quadratic - it is just a linear equation, and the quadratic formula will not work to solve it.

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Q: Why can't an equal 0 in a quadratic equation?
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Can you solve 3x2-x equals -1?

Set the equation equal to zero. 3x2 - x = -1 3x2 - x + 1 = 0 The equation is quadratic, but can not be factored. Use the quadratic equation.


Why do quadratic equations where the discriminant is 0 have exactly 1 real solution?

Suppose the quadratic equation is ax^2 + bx + c = 0 and D = b^2 - 4ac is the discriminant. Then the solutions to the quadratic equation are [-b ± sqrt(d)]/(2a). Since D = 0, the both solutions are equal to -b/(2a), a single real solution.


Is 3x4 plus 2x plus 5 equals 0 a quadratic equation?

No. It is a quartic equation. The largest power of x in a quadratic equation must be 2.


The quadratic formula cannot be used to solve an equation if the coefficient of the equation's x2-term is?

The quadratic formula cannot be used to solve an equation if the coefficient of the equation's x2-term is 0.


Which values for a b or c can you not use the quadratic equation?

a = 0. That is because a = 0 implies that there is no quadratic term and so the equation is not a quadratic!There may be some who make claims depending on the value of the discriminant (which is b2-4ac). That is true only for elementary mathematics. In more advanced mathematics (complex analysis), the quadratic equation can be used in all cases except when a = 0: the value of the discriminant is irrelevant.a = 0. That is because a = 0 implies that there is no quadratic term and so the equation is not a quadratic!There may be some who make claims depending on the value of the discriminant (which is b2-4ac). That is true only for elementary mathematics. In more advanced mathematics (complex analysis), the quadratic equation can be used in all cases except when a = 0: the value of the discriminant is irrelevant.a = 0. That is because a = 0 implies that there is no quadratic term and so the equation is not a quadratic!There may be some who make claims depending on the value of the discriminant (which is b2-4ac). That is true only for elementary mathematics. In more advanced mathematics (complex analysis), the quadratic equation can be used in all cases except when a = 0: the value of the discriminant is irrelevant.a = 0. That is because a = 0 implies that there is no quadratic term and so the equation is not a quadratic!There may be some who make claims depending on the value of the discriminant (which is b2-4ac). That is true only for elementary mathematics. In more advanced mathematics (complex analysis), the quadratic equation can be used in all cases except when a = 0: the value of the discriminant is irrelevant.

Related questions

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.


When solving a quadratic equation by factoring what method is used?

Start with a quadratic equation in the form � � 2 � � � = 0 ax 2 +bx+c=0, where � a, � b, and � c are constants, and � a is not equal to zero ( � ≠ 0 a  =0).


How many discriminants does the quadratic equation -4j2 plus 3j - 28 equal 0 have?

Any quadratic equation has one discriminant.


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

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


Where quadratic equation is applicable?

A quadratic equation in its general form of ax2+bx+c = 0 whereas 'a' is equal or greater than 1 is applicable when finding the unknown variable of x by using the quadratic equation formula.


How can you tell how many solutions a quadratic equation will have without solving it?

A quadratic equation can have a maximum of 2 solutions. If the discriminant (b2-4ac) turns out to be less than 0, the equation will have no real roots. If the Discriminant is equal to 0, it will have equal roots. But, if the discriminant turns out to be more than 0,then the equation will have unequal and real roots.


Can you solve 3x2-x equals -1?

Set the equation equal to zero. 3x2 - x = -1 3x2 - x + 1 = 0 The equation is quadratic, but can not be factored. Use the quadratic equation.


What statements must be true of an equation before you can use the quadratic formula to find the solutions?

The equation must be written in the form ( ax^2 + bx + c = 0 ), where ( a \neq 0 ). This is the standard form of a quadratic equation. If the equation is not in this form, you may need to rearrange it before applying the quadratic formula.


How do you know if a equation is a quadratic one?

You know an equation is quadratic by looking at the degree of the highest power in the equation. If it is 2, then it is quadratic. so any equation or polynomial of the form: ax2 +bx+c=0 where a is NOT 0 and a, b and c are known as the quadratic coefficients is a quadratic equation.


How do you solve the quadratic equation -4y2 32y-64?

Do you mean -4y2+32y-64 = 0 otherwise it's not an equation because there's no equal sign If so then by using the quadratic equation formula the values of y both equal 4


What is an equation that can be expressed in the form of the equation y equals ax squared plus bx plus c where the variable 'a' is not equal to 0?

The equation ax2 + bx + c = 0, where a != 0 is called quadratic.


How many real roots exist if the discriminant of the equation plus 0?

If the discriminant of a quadratic equal is zero then it will have two equal roots.