To be able to easily identify the discriminant when looking at the quadratic formula, and to understand how we use the discriminant to find the number of real solutions to a quadratic equation.
This packet will go over where to find the discriminant and how to use it to find the number of solutions.
Discriminant: The part of the quadratic formula under the square root (radical) sign.. b2 - 4ac..
THE DISCRIMINANT ONLY TELLS US THE NUMBER OF SOLUTIONS... NOT WHAT THE ANSWERS ARE
Use this site for more assistance:
www.mathwarehouse.com/quadratic/discriminant-in-quadratic-equation.php
This video will explain the importance of the discriminant and how to use it to find the number of solutions.
Watch the video first before looking at these graphs. These are the graphs of the 2 sample problems in the video.
Source: www.geogebra.org