The discriminant (10/23/12)

How do we apply our quadratic knowledge to real world situations? 

The quadratic equation :

Underneath the radical of the quadratic equation above, lies The Discriminant 
B^2- 4ac
Rules of the discriminant :
b^2-4ac>0 - you'll get 2 solutions
b^2-4ac=0 - you'll get 1 solution
b^2-4ac<0 - you get 0 solutions

For example:  x ^2 + 6x +9=0
label the letters to solve using the discriminant:
a=1
b=6
c=9
now plug it into the equation:
6^2-4(1)(-9) = 72
- referring back to the rules of the discriminant , the solution is greater than 0 so it has two solutions

-If b^2-4ac is a perfect square the two roots will be rational when you graph them
For example: x^2 +6x+8
a=1
b=6
c=8
plug into the formula : 6^2-4(1)(8)
the result is 4, since its a perfect square its rational

Next example: x^2 +3x-1
a=1
b=3
c=-1
plug into the formula :3^2-4(1)(-1)
this becomes: 9-4(1)(-1)
the result is 13 , since its not a perfect square its irrational


















Cited works :
Let's be clear,http://paulpietrzak.blogspot.com/2011/01/solving-quadratic-equations-quadratic.html