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Understanding Quadratic Discriminants

The discriminant is a component of the quadratic formula represented by D = b² - 4ac, which indicates the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. If D is zero, there is one real root; if positive, there are two real roots; if negative, the roots are imaginary. The document provides examples demonstrating how to calculate the discriminant and determine the nature of the roots for various quadratic equations.

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Escudero, Mae Feliz
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8 views2 pages

Understanding Quadratic Discriminants

The discriminant is a component of the quadratic formula represented by D = b² - 4ac, which indicates the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. If D is zero, there is one real root; if positive, there are two real roots; if negative, the roots are imaginary. The document provides examples demonstrating how to calculate the discriminant and determine the nature of the roots for various quadratic equations.

Uploaded by

Escudero, Mae Feliz
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Discriminant

Discriminant – is part of the quadratic formula. This is the radicand b 2 – 4ac.


The discriminant of a quadratic equation tells us whether there are two roots,
one root, or no root.
Formula:
D = b2 – 4ac, means that if;
D is zero, then there is 1 real root.
D is positive, then there are 2 real roots.
D is negative, then the roots are imaginary.
Example: Find the value of the discriminant and describe the nature of the
roots.
1. x2 + 5x – 6 = 0
a = 1; b = 5; c = -6
D = b2 – 4ac
D = (5)2 – 4(1)(-6)
D = 25 + 24
D = 49--- the discriminant is positive, therefore there are 2 real roots.
Now let us find the roots of x2 + 5x – 6 = 0 using any method in solving
quadratic equation, to prove if there are really 2 real roots.
x2 + 5x – 6 = 0
( x + 6 )( x – 1 ) = 0
x+6=0;x–1=0
x = -6 ; x = 1
-6 and 1 are the 2 real roots.

2. x2 – 8x + 16 = 0
a = 1; b = -8; c = 16
D = b2 – 4ac
D = ( -8 )2 – 4(1)(16)
D = 64 – 64
D = 0 --- the discriminant is zero, therefore there is 1 real root.
Let’s solve the equation:
x2 – 8x + 16 = 0
(x – 4)2 = 0
x–4=0
x = 4 --- 1 real root

3. x2 – x + 2 = 0
a = 1; b = -1; c = 2
D = b2 – 4ac
D = (-1)2 – 4(1)(2)
D= 1 – 8
D = -7 --- the discriminant is negative, therefore the roots are imaginary.

Let’s check:

−b ± √ b2−4 ac
x=
2a
1± √ 1−4(2)
x=
2
1± √−7
x=
2
1± i √ 7
x= ----- imaginary root
2

Your Turn:
Find the value of the discriminant and describe the nature of the roots.
1. x2 + 5x + 2 = 0
2. x2 – 6x + 7 = 0
3. 2x2 + x – 9 = 0
4. x2 = 3x – 5
5. 4x2 + 4x + 1 = 0

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