Dimitris Charalampidis charalampidisdimitris.

com Quadratics

Discriminant and Roots

We have already learned that one of the methods we can apply to solve a quadratic equation

−b  D
is the one that uses the discriminant formula: x1,2 = , D = b 2 − 4ac
2a
With a deeper interpretation of this formula it can be noticed that there is a connection
between then number of the quadratic equation’s roots (solutions) and the value of the
discriminant.
More precisely:
Case 1: If D  0 , then the quadratic equation will have two distinct real roots.
These, will be taken directly by the above formula and will be in the form

−b + D −b − D
and
2a 2a
−b
Case 2: If D = 0 , then the quadratic equation will have one ‘double’ real root in the form
2a
Case 3: If D  0 , then the quadratic equation will have real roots.
Case 4: If D  0 , then the quadratic equation will not have any real roots.

The understanding of theses cases can prove very helpful in more theoretical exercises.
When you are given a quadratic equation and the number of roots is mentioned in the
exercise’s context, it is most likely that you will need to work with the value of the discriminant
Example

Let the equation x 2 − 2 x + m = 0, m  R . Find the value of m so that that the equation has
two equal roots.
Solution
The given equation is a quadratic one. Based on what we mentioned, it will have two equal
roots if its discriminant D is equal to 0.

D = b 2 − 4ac
D = 0  ( −2 ) − 4 1 m = 0  4 − 4m = 0  4 = 4m  m = 1
2

a = 1 , b = −2 , c = m
Dimitris Charalampidis charalampidisdimitris.com Quadratics

Example

Let the equation x 2 + 2nx + 4(n − 1) = 0, n  R . Prove that the equation has always real
roots
Solution
The given equation is a quadratic one. For this equation to have real roots, its discriminant must
be bigger or equal than 0.
D = ( 2n ) − 4 1  4 ( n − 1) =
2

D0
= 4n 2 − 16 ( n − 1) =
D = b − 4ac
2

= 4n 2 − 16n + 16 =
a = 1 , b = 2n , c = 4 ( n − 1)
= ( 2n + 4 )  0
2