AlgebraLab

Algebra I Recipe: The Discriminant

By G Redden

Discriminant – the (b² - 4ac) in the quadratic formula
The value of (b² - 4ac) tells how many solutions or x-intercepts the quadratic equation will have.


  • If (b² - 4ac) > 0, there are two real solutions or x-intercepts.
  • If (b² - 4ac) = 0, there is one real solution or x-intercept.
  • If (b² - 4ac) < 0, there are no real solutions or x-intercepts.
x² - 6x + 10 = 0
x² - 6x + 9 = 0
x² - 6x + 8 = 0

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