How do you find the discriminant and how many solutions does h(x)=x^2-2x-35h(x)=x2−2x−35 have?

1 Answer
Alan P.
May 10, 2015

Solutions to a quadratic of the form ax^2+bx+c=0ax2+bx+c=0 are given by
the quadratic formula (-b+-sqrt(b^2-4ac))/(2a)−b±√b2−4ac2a

The sub-expression within the square root determines the number (and type) of solutions; this sub-expression is called the "discriminant" and is typically expressed as:
Delta = b^2-4ac
with the conditions
Delta { (< 0 " there are no Real solutions"),(=0" there is 1 Real solution"),(>0" there are 2 Real solutions"):}

Given h(x) = x^2-2x-35

Delta = (-2)^2 -4(1)(-35)
= 4+140 = 144
>0
so there are two Real solutions

Related questions
See all questions in Solutions Using the Discriminant
Impact of this question
2142 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License