What is the discriminant of 8x^2+5x+6=0 and what does that mean?

1 Answer
Gió
Jul 18, 2015

The discriminant Delta can be:
Delta>0 => your equation has 2 distinct Real solutions;
Delta=0 => your equation has 2 coincident Real solutions;
Delta<0 => your equation does not have Real solutions.

Explanation:

The discriminant Delta is a number that characterizes the solutions of a second degree equatin and is given as:
Delta=b^2-4ac
Your equation is in the form ax^2+bx+c=0 with:
a=8
b=5
c=6
So Delta=25-4(8*6)=25-192=-167<0
A negative discriminant means that your equation does not have Real solutions!

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