Difference between revisions of "Discriminant"
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The '''discriminant''' of a [[Quadratic Equations | Quadratic Equation]] of the form | The '''discriminant''' of a [[Quadratic Equations | Quadratic Equation]] of the form | ||
| − | <math> | + | <math>a{x}^2+b{x}+{c}=0</math> |
| − | is the quantity <math>b^2-4ac</math>. When <math>a</math>, <math>b</math>, and <math>c</math> are real, this is a notable quantity, because if the Discriminant is positive, the equation has two real [[Roots | roots]]; if the discriminant is negative, the equation has two non-real roots; and if the discriminant is 0, the equation has a real [[Double Root | double root]]. | + | is the quantity <math>b^2-4ac</math>. When <math>{a}</math>, <math>{b}</math>, and <math>{c}</math> are real, this is a notable quantity, because if the Discriminant is positive, the equation has two real [[Roots | roots]]; if the discriminant is negative, the equation has two non-real roots; and if the discriminant is 0, the equation has a real [[Double Root | double root]]. |
== Other resources == | == Other resources == | ||
* [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discriminant Wikipedia entry] | * [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discriminant Wikipedia entry] | ||
Revision as of 09:57, 18 June 2006
The discriminant of a Quadratic Equation of the form
is the quantity 
. When 
, 
, and 
are real, this is a notable quantity, because if the Discriminant is positive, the equation has two real roots; if the discriminant is negative, the equation has two non-real roots; and if the discriminant is 0, the equation has a real double root.
