Nature of roots

Introduction
▪ The roots or solutions of an equation are the values that satisfy the equation.
▪ For example, −4 and 5 are the roots of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 20 = 0.
▪ If you substitute 𝑥 in the equation with −4 or 5 and then simplify, the left-hand
side and the right-hand side will evaluate to the same value.
▪ The roots of any quadratic equation (𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0) can be determined by
using a formula called the quadratic formula.
▪ The quadratic formula is as follows:
−𝑏 ± √𝑏2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎

Standard form of a quadratic equation

✓ A quadratic equation is in standard form if it is in the form 𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0.
✓ The parameter 𝑎 is the coefficient of 𝑥 2 , in other words, the value behind 𝑥 2 .
✓ The parameter 𝑏 is the coefficient of 𝑥, in other words, the value behind 𝑥.
✓ The parameter 𝑐 is the constant value, or the value without a variable.
✓ For instance, in the equation 6𝑥 2 + 10𝑥 − 8 = 0: 𝑎 = 6, 𝑏 = 10 and 𝑐 = −8.
✓ In the equation 6𝑥 2 + 7𝑚𝑥 − 5𝑚2 = 0: 𝑎 = 6, 𝑏 = 7𝑚 and 𝑐 = −5𝑚2 .
✓ In the equation 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥: 𝑎 = 1, 𝑏 = −2 and 𝑐 = 0.
Example
Determine the roots of the following equations:
1. 𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 = 0
2. 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 12 = 0
3. 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
Solutions
1. Analysis:
✓ The given equation is quadratic in nature and is in standard form:
𝑥 2 − 4𝑥 + 4 = 0
✓ We can then factorise the left-hand side of the equation:
(𝑥 − 2)(𝑥 − 2) = 0
✓ We can the apply the zero product rule and solve for the variables:
𝑥−2=0 or 𝑥−2=0
𝑥=2 or 𝑥=2
✓ Therefore, the roots of the equation are 2 and 2.
2. Analysis:
✓ The given equation is quadratic in nature and it is in standard form:
𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 12 = 0
✓ We can then factorise the left-hand side of the equation:
(𝑥 − 4)(𝑥 − 3) = 0
1
 ✓ We can then apply the zero product rule and solve for the variables:
𝑥−4=0 or 𝑥−3=0
𝑥=4 or 𝑥=3
✓ Therefore, the roots of the equation are 4 and 3.
3. Analysis:
✓ The given equation is quadratic in nature and is in standard form:
2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
✓ We can try to factorise the left-hand side of the equation.
✓ The left-hand side seems a bit difficult to factorise, so we will resort to using
the quadratic formula:
−𝑏 ± √𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
𝑥=
2𝑎
✓ We will start by identifying the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 of the equation:
𝑎=2 𝑏=4 𝑐=3
✓ We will then substitute the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 into the formula:
−4 ± √(4)2 − 4(2)(3)
𝑥=
2(2)
✓ We can then simplify the formula further:
−4 ± √16 − 24
𝑥=
4
−4 ± √−8
𝑥=
4
✓ There is no square root of a negative number and we can then conclude that
the equation does not have any roots.
Example
Prove that −2 is a root of the quadratic equation 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 = 0.
Solution
✓ To prove whether a value is a root of the equation or not, we substitute the
relevant variable of the equation with the value.
✓ We will then simplify both sides of the equation and check if they are equal or
not.
✓ If the right-hand and left-hand sides are equal, then the value satisfies the
equation and is therefore a root of the equation.
✓ If the right-hand and left-hand sides are not equal, then the value does not
satisfy the equation and is therefore not a root of the equation.
✓ In this case, we have been given the following equation:
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 8 = 0
✓ We will then substitute the variable 𝑥 with −2, the supposed root:
(−2)2 − 2(−2) − 8 = 0
✓ We can then simplify the left-hand side of the equation:
4+4−8=0
2
 0=0
✓ Since the left-hand and right-hand sides are equal, we can say that −2 is a root of
the equation.
Example
Determine the value(s) of 𝑘 if 𝑘 is a root of the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 − 8 = 0.
Solution
✓ If a value is a root of an equation, then we can substitute it into the relevant
variable of the equation.
✓ Therefore, in this case, we can substitute the variable 𝑥 in the equation with 𝑘 :
𝑥 2 + 𝑘𝑥 − 8 = 0
(𝑘)2 + 𝑘(𝑘) − 8 = 0
✓ We can then simplify the resulting equation further:
𝑘2 + 𝑘2 − 8 = 0
2𝑘 2 − 8 = 0
✓ We can then go ahead and determine the values of 𝑘 :
2𝑘 2 8 0 (𝑘 − 2)(𝑘 + 2) = 0
− =
2 2 2 𝑘 − 2 = 0 or 𝑘 + 2 = 0
𝑘2 − 4 = 0 𝑘=2 or 𝑘 = −2
Example
Given: 𝑘𝑥 2 + 3𝑘𝑥 + 9 = 0. Calculate the value of 𝑘 if −6 is a root of the equation.
Solution
✓ If a value is a root of an equation, we can substitute it into the relevant variable
of the equation.
✓ Therefore, we can substitute the variable 𝑥 in the equation with −6:
𝑘𝑥 2 + 3𝑘𝑥 + 9 = 0
𝑘(−6)2 + 3𝑘(−6) + 9 = 0
✓ We can then simplifying the resulting equation further:
𝑘(36) − 18𝑘 + 9 = 0
36𝑘 − 18𝑘 + 9 = 0
18𝑘 + 9 = 0
✓ We can then determine the value of 𝑘 :
18𝑘 = −9 1
𝑘=−
18𝑘 −9 2
=
18 18

Example
If 𝑥 = −1 is a root of 2𝑘𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 𝑘 = 0, determine the value of 𝑘 .
Solution
✓ If a value is a root of an equation, we can substitute it into the relevant variable
of the equation
3
✓ In this case, we can therefore substitute the value −1 into the variable 𝑥:
2𝑘𝑥 2 − 3𝑥 − 𝑘 = 0
2𝑘(−1)2 − 3(−1) − 𝑘 = 0
✓ We can then simplify the resulting equation further:
2𝑘(1) + 3 − 𝑘 = 0 2𝑘 − 𝑘 + 3 = 0
2𝑘 + 3 − 𝑘 = 0 𝑘+3=0
✓ We can then determine the value of 𝑘 :
𝑘 = −3
Example
Given: 2𝑥 = 𝑥 2 . The given equation has three real roots. By means of inspection,
determine two of these roots which are integer values.
Solution
✓ By means of inspection usually means that we do not use any known procedural
method to solve the problem.
✓ Instead, we try to solve the problem through insight or in a trial and error
manner.
✓ In this case, we can try to substitute 𝑥 in the equation with basic integer values.
✓ We will then simplify the equation and look for values which result in both sides
of the equation being equal.
✓ For a start, we can try the values 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 first:
2𝑥 = 𝑥 2 2𝑥 = 𝑥 2 2𝑥 = 𝑥 2 2𝑥 = 𝑥 2
21 = (1)2 22 = (2)2 23 = (3)2 24 = (4)2
2≠1 4=4 8≠9 16 = 16
✓ We can then conclude that two of the roots of the equation are 2 and 4.
✓ Needless to say, there was no need to substitute the value 5 since we had already
discovered two roots.
Nature of roots
▪ The nature of roots of a quadratic equation can be described without solving the
equation, that is, without determining the roots.
▪ The nature of the roots of a quadratic equation can be determined by the part
inside the square root sign of the quadratic formula.
▪ The part inside the square root sign on the quadratic formula is 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 .
▪ The part 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 is called delta or the discriminant.
▪ Delta or the discriminant is represented by this symbol: ∆.
▪ Therefore, we can say that ∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐.
Conditions for the nature of roots
▪ Given the value of the discriminant, corresponding conditions for the nature of
roots of a quadratic equation are as follows:
4
 Discriminant Nature of roots
∆≥0 Roots are real
∆<0 Roots are non-real or imaginary
∆=0 Roots are equal
∆>0 Roots are unequal
∆ = perfect square Roots are rational
∆ ≠ perfect square Roots are irrational
Determining nature of roots
▪ If you are asked to determine the nature of roots of a quadratic equation, do not
solve the equation or calculate the values of the roots.
▪ To determine the nature of roots, follow the guidelines below:
✓ Write the quadratic equation in standard form (𝑎𝑥 2 + 𝑏𝑥 + 𝑐 = 0).
✓ Identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 of the quadratic equation.
✓ Determine or calculate the value of the discriminant (∆= 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐).
✓ State the nature of roots using the table above as a guideline.
▪ When stating the nature of roots, we suggest following the order below:
✓ First, state whether the roots are real or unreal.
✓ Then state whether the roots are equal or unequal.
✓ Then state whether the roots are rational or irrational.

Example
Determine the nature of roots of the following equation: 𝑥 2 − 7𝑥 + 12 = 0.
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the quadratic equation in standard form.
✓ However, the given quadratic equation is already in standard form.
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to calculate the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=1 𝑏 = −7 𝑐 = 12
✓ Then we can determine the value of the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 49 − 48
∆ = (−7)2 − 4(1)(12) ∆=1
✓ Then we can state the nature of the roots:
The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ > 0, therefore the roots are unequal.
The ∆ = perfect square, therefore the roots are rational.
Example
Determine the nature of roots of the following equation: 𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 15.

5
Solution
✓ First, we have to ensure that the quadratic equation is in standard form:
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 = 15
𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 15 = 0
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to calculate the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=1 𝑏 = −2 𝑐 = −15
✓ Then we can determine the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 4 + 60
∆ = (−2)2 − 4(1)(−15) ∆ = 64
✓ Then we can state the nature of roots:
The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ > 0, therefore the roots are unequal.
The ∆ = perfect square, therefore the roots are rational.
Example
Describe the nature of the roots of the following equation: 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = 0.
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the quadratic equation in standard form.
✓ However, the given equation is already in standard form:
2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 3 = 0
✓ We have to determine the discriminant to describe the nature of roots.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=2 𝑏=4 𝑐=3
✓ Then we can determine the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 16 − 24
∆ = (4)2 − 4(2)(3) ∆ = −8
✓ Then we can state the nature of the roots:
The ∆ < 0, therefore the roots are non-real.
✓ If the roots are non-real, then they do not exist. Therefore, they cannot have any
additional properties.
Example
Given: 25 = 10𝑥 − 𝑥 2 . Describe the nature of the roots without solving the equation.
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the equation in standard form:
25 = 10𝑥 − 𝑥 2
25 − 10𝑥 + 𝑥 2 = 0
𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 + 25 = 0
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to determine the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
6
 𝑎=1 𝑏 = −10 𝑐 = 25
✓ Then we can determine the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 100 − 100
∆ = (−10)2 − 4(1)(25) ∆=0
✓ Then we can state the nature of roots:
The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ = 0, therefore the roots are equal.
The ∆ is a perfect square, therefore the roots are rational.
Example
Determine the nature of roots of 3𝑥 2 = 4 − 5𝑥.
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the equation in standard form:
3𝑥 2 = 4 − 5𝑥
3𝑥 2 − 4 + 5𝑥 = 0
3𝑥 2 + 5𝑥 − 4 = 0
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to determine the discriminant.
✓ Therefore we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=3 𝑏=5 𝑐 = −4
✓ Then we can determine the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 25 + 48
∆ = (5)2 − 4(3)(−4) ∆ = 73
✓ Then we can state the nature of roots:
The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ > 0, therefore the roots are unequal.
The ∆ is not a perfect square, therefore the roots are irrational.
Example
Determine the nature of the roots of the equation 10𝑥 2 − 𝑥 − 2 = 0 without solving it.
Solution
✓ The first step is to write the equation in standard form.
✓ However, the given equation is already in standard form.
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to calculate the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎 = 10 𝑏 = −1 𝑐 = −2
✓ We can then determine the value of the discriminant:

∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 1 + 80
∆ = (−1)2 − 4(10)(−2) ∆ = 81
✓ Then we can state the nature of the roots:
7
 The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ > 0, therefore the roots are unequal.
The ∆ is a perfect square, therefore the roots are rational.
Example
Show that there is no real number 𝑥 that satisfies the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 = −1.
Solution
✓ The instruction in this question is to prove that there is no real number that
satisfies the equation.
✓ This means that we have to show that the equation does not have any solutions
or roots.
✓ If an equation does not have any roots, then its discriminant will be less than 0.
✓ Therefore, we have to calculate the discriminant of the given equation.
✓ The first step is to write the equation in standard form:
𝑥 2 + 𝑥 = −1
𝑥2 + 𝑥 + 1 = 0
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to calculate the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=1 𝑏=1 𝑐=1
✓ Then we can determine the value of the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆=1−4
∆ = (1)2 − 4(1)(1) ∆ = −3
✓ The ∆ < 0, therefore the roots of the equation are non-real.
✓ In other words, the given quadratic equation does have any roots.
Example
Determine, without solving the equation, the nature of roots of:
3
𝑥+1=
𝑥
Solution
✓ The first step is to write the equation in standard form:
3
𝑥+1=
𝑥
✓ We can multiply all terms in the equation by 𝑥 to get rid of the fraction:
3
(𝑥)(𝑥) + (1)(𝑥) = ( )(𝑥)
𝑥
𝑥2 + 𝑥 = 3
✓ We can then take all terms to one side of the equation:
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 3 = 0
✓ To determine the nature of roots, we have to calculate the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=1 𝑏=1 𝑐 = −3

8
✓ Then we can determine the value of the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 1 + 12
∆ = (1)2 − 4(1)(−3) ∆ = 13
✓ Then we can state the nature of roots:
The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ > 0, therefore the roots are unequal.
The ∆ is not a perfect square, therefore the roots are irrational.
Example
The discriminant of a quadratic equation is 5𝑚2 − 21. For the following values of 𝑚,
determine whether the roots are rational, irrational or non-real:
1. 𝑚 = √20
2. 𝑚 = −2
Solutions
1. Analysis:
✓ The discriminant of the equation is said to be as follows:
∆ = 5𝑚2 − 21
✓ To determine the numerical value of the discriminant, we will substitute the
variable 𝑚 with the value √20:
∆ = 5(√20)2 − 21
✓ We will then simplify the discriminant further:
∆ = 5(20) − 21
∆ = 100 − 21
∆ = 79
✓ The ∆ is not a perfect square, therefore the roots are irrational.
2. Analysis:
✓ The discriminant of the equation is said to be as follows:
∆ = 5𝑚2 − 21
✓ To determine the numerical value of the discriminant, we will substitute the
variable 𝑚 with the value −2:
∆ = 5(−2)2 − 21
✓ We will then simplify the discriminant further:
∆ = 5(4) − 21
∆ = 20 − 21
∆ = −1
✓ The ∆ < 0, therefore the roots are non-real.
Example
The discriminant of a quadratic equation is ∆ = 𝑝2 − 4 where 𝑝 = 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4.
For which value(s) of 𝑝 will the roots of the equation be:
1. Equal?
2. Non-real?
9
Solution
1. Analysis:
✓ The discriminant of the equation is said to be as follows:
∆ = 𝑝2 − 4
✓ For the equation to have equal roots, then the discriminant must be 0.
✓ From the given values of 𝑝, and by inspection, the value that will lead to
discriminant becoming 0 is 2:
∆ = 𝑝2 − 4 ∆=4−4
∆ = (2)2 − 4 ∆=0
✓ Therefore, in this case, the value of 𝑝 must be 2.
2. Analysis:
✓ The discriminant of the equation is said to be as follows:
∆ = 𝑝2 − 4
✓ For the equation to have non-real roots, then the discriminant must be
negative or less than 0.
✓ From the given values of 𝑝, by inspection, the values that will lead to a
discriminant having a negative value are 0 and 1:
∆ = 𝑝2 − 4 ∆ = 𝑝2 − 4
∆= (0)2
−4 ∆ = (1)2 − 4
∆=0−4 ∆=1−4
∆ = −4 ∆ = −3
✓ Therefore, in this case, the values of 𝑝 must be 0 and 1.
Example
The roots of a quadratic equation are 𝑥 = 5 ± √2𝑝 − 1.
1. Determine the values of 𝑝 for which the roots are real.
2. Give one value of 𝑝 for which the roots are rational.

Solution
1. Analysis:
✓ The roots of this quadratic equation have a square root sign on them.
✓ This is a clear indication that the quadratic equation was solved by means of
a quadratic formula.
✓ In a quadratic formula, whatever is inside the square root sign represents
the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, the discriminant of this quadratic equation is as follows:
∆ = 2𝑝 − 1
✓ For the roots to be real, the discriminant must be greater than or equal to 0:
∆≥0
✓ We will then substitute the ∆ with the discriminant:
2𝑝 − 1 ≥ 0
10
 ✓ We can then determine the values of 𝑝 in the inequality:
2𝑝 ≥ 1 1
𝑝≥
2𝑝 1 2
≥
2 2
2. Analysis:
✓ We have already established that the discriminant of the equation in hand is
as follows:
∆ = 2𝑝 − 1
✓ For the roots of the equation to be rational, the discriminant must be a
perfect square.
✓ Examples of numerical perfect squares are 0, 1, 4, 9, 16 and so on.
✓ We can then equate our discriminant to any of the values above.
✓ In this case, we will equate the discriminant to 0 and then solve for 𝑝:
2𝑝 − 1 = 0 2𝑝 1
=
2𝑝 = 0 + 1 2 2
1
2𝑝 = 1 𝑝=
2
✓ We could also have equated the discriminant to 1 and then solve for 𝑝:
2𝑝 − 1 = 1 2𝑝 2
=
2𝑝 = 1 + 1 2 2
2𝑝 = 2 𝑝=1

Example
3±√4−8𝑝
The solutions to a quadratic equation is 𝑥 = 4
.

Determine the value(s) of 𝑝 such that the roots of the equation are equal.
Solutions
✓ The solutions of this quadratic equation have a square root sign on them.
✓ This is a clear indication that the quadratic equation was solved by means of a
quadratic formula.
✓ In a quadratic formula, whatever is inside the square root sign represents the
discriminant.
✓ Therefore, the discriminant of this quadratic equation is as follows:
∆ = 4 − 8𝑝
✓ For the roots to be equal, the discriminant must be equal to 0:
∆=0
✓ We will then substitute the ∆ with the discriminant:
4 − 8𝑝 = 0
✓ We can then determine the value of 𝑝:

11
 4 − 8𝑝 = 0 −8𝑝 −4
=
−8𝑝 = 0 − 4 −8 −8
1
−8𝑝 = −4 𝑝=
2

Example
Consider the following equation: 2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑘 = 0. Determine the value(s) of 𝑘 for
which the equation will have real roots.
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the equation in standard form.
✓ The given equation is already in standard form:
2𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑘 = 0
✓ For the roots to be real, the discriminant has to be greater than or equal to 0:
∆≥0
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ≥ 0
✓ To determine the discriminant, we have to determine the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=2 𝑏=4 𝑐=𝑘
✓ We can substitute the identified values into the derived inequality:
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ≥ 0
(4)2 − 4(2)(𝑘) ≥ 0
✓ We can then simplify the inequality and solve for 𝑘:
16 − 8𝑘 ≥ 0 16 8𝑘
≥
16 ≥ 8𝑘 8 8
2≥𝑘

Example
For which values of 𝑘 will the equation 𝑥 2 + 𝑥 = 𝑘 have no real roots?
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the equation in standard form:
𝑥2 + 𝑥 = 𝑘
𝑥2 + 𝑥 − 𝑘 = 0
✓ For the roots to be unreal, the discriminant has to be negative:
∆<0
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0
✓ To determine the discriminant, we have to identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=1 𝑏=1 𝑐 = −𝑘
✓ We can substitute the identified values into the derived inequality:
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0
(1)2 − 4(1)(−𝑘) < 0
✓ We can the simplify the inequality and solve for 𝑘 :
1 + 4𝑘 < 0 4𝑘 −1
<
4𝑘 < −1 4 4
1
𝑘<−
4
12
Example
Show that the roots of 3𝑥 2 + (𝑘 + 2)𝑥 = 1 − 𝑘 are real and rational for all values of 𝑘 ?
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the equation in standard form:
3𝑥 2 + (𝑘 + 2)𝑥 = 1 − 𝑘
3𝑥 2 + (𝑘 + 2)𝑥 − 1 + 𝑘 = 0
3𝑥 2 + (𝑘 + 2)𝑥 + 𝑘 − 1 = 0
✓ Then we can determine the values of a, b and c:
𝑎=3 𝑏 =𝑘+2 𝑐 =𝑘−1
✓ Then we can find the discriminant of the equation:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆ = 𝑘 2 − 8𝑘 + 16
∆ = (𝑘 + 2)2 − 4(3)(𝑘 − 1) ∆ = (𝑘 − 4)(𝑘 − 4)
∆ = 𝑘 2 + 4𝑘 + 4 − 12𝑘 + 12 ∆ = (𝑘 − 4)2
∆ = 𝑘 2 + 4𝑘 − 12𝑘 + 4 + 12
✓ The ∆ will always be ≥ 0 for all values of 𝑘 , therefore the roots are real.
✓ The ∆ is also a perfect square; therefore the roots are rational.
Example
Given: 5𝑥(𝑥 − 2) = 2. Prove that the equation does not have rational roots.
Solution
✓ First, we have to write the equation in standard form.
✓ Therefore, we need to multiply out and take the 2 to the left side:
5𝑥(𝑥 − 2) = 2
5𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 = 2
5𝑥 2 − 10𝑥 − 2 = 0
✓ To prove that the roots are not rational, we have to determine the discriminant.
✓ Therefore, we need to first identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=5 𝑏 = −10 𝑐 = −2
✓ Then we can determine the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
∆ = (−10)2 − 4(5)(−2)
∆ = 140
✓ The discriminant is not a perfect square; therefore the roots are not rational.
Example
Prove that the roots of 𝑎2 𝑥 2 + 𝑎𝑏𝑥 + 𝑏 2 = 0 are non-real for all real values of 𝑎 and 𝑏,
𝑎 ≠ 0 and 𝑏 ≠ 0.

Solution
✓ To prove that the roots are non-real, we have to calculate the discriminant.
✓ The equation is already in the required standard form,
✓ Then we can identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :

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 𝑎 = 𝑎2 𝑏 = 𝑎𝑏 𝑐 = 𝑏2
✓ Then we can calculate the value of the discriminant:
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 ∆= 𝑎2 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎2 𝑏 2
∆ = (𝑎𝑏)2 − 4(𝑎2 )(𝑏 2 ) ∆= −3𝑎2 𝑏 2
✓ The values of 𝑎2 and 𝑏 2 will always be positive.
✓ Therefore, the outcome of multiplying 𝑎2 𝑏 2 by −3 will be negative.
✓ The discriminant will thus be negative (∆ < 0).
✓ Therefore, the roots will be non-real for all values of 𝑎 and 𝑏.
Example
The discriminants of the equations 3𝑥 2 − 2𝑥 − 2 = 0 and 3𝑥 2 + 4𝑥 + 𝑚 = 0 are equal
to each other.
1. Determine the value(s) of 𝑚.
2. Describe the nature of roots of the equations in 1.

Solutions
1. Analysis:
✓ It has been indicated that the discriminant of both equations are equal.
✓ We can then calculate the discriminant of both equations and then equate
them.
✓ Both quadratic equations are already in standard form.
✓ We can start by determining the discriminant of the first equation:
𝑎=3 𝑏 = −2 𝑐 = −2
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
∆ = (−2)2 − 4(3)(−2)
∆ = 4 + 24
∆ = 28
✓ We can then determine the discriminant of the second equation:
𝑎=3 𝑏=4 𝑐=𝑚
∆ = 𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐
∆ = (4)2 − 4(3)(𝑚)
∆ = 16 − 12𝑚
✓ We can then equate the discriminants and determine the values of m:
28 = 16 − 12𝑚 12𝑚 −12
=
12𝑚 = 16 − 28 12 12
12𝑚 = −12 𝑚 = −1

2. Analysis:
✓ We established from the question above that the discriminant is as follows:
∆ = 28
✓ We can then state the nature of the roots:
The ∆ ≥ 0, therefore the roots are real.
The ∆ > 0, therefore the roots are unequal.
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 The ∆ is not a perfect square, therefore the roots are irrational.
Example
Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 4𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 𝑝
1. Determine the values of 𝑝 if 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 has non-real roots.
2. If 𝑝 is an integer, determine the smallest value of 𝑝 for which 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 will have
non-real roots.
Solutions
1. Analysis:
✓ If 𝑓(𝑥) = 0, then it becomes the following quadratic equation:
4𝑥 2 − 6𝑥 + 𝑝 = 0
✓ If the equation has non-real roots, its discriminant will be less than 0:
∆<0
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 < 0
✓ We can then identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 :
𝑎=4 𝑏 = −6 𝑐=𝑝
✓ We can then substitute the values into the discriminant inequality:
(−6)2 − 4(4)(𝑝) < 0
✓ We can then simplify further and solve for the values of 𝑝:
36 − 16𝑝 < 0 9
𝑝>
−16𝑝 < −36 4
−16𝑝 −36
<
−16 −16
2. Analysis:
✓ From the question, we determined the values of 𝑝 as follows:
9
𝑝>
4
✓ The inequality below could be simplified as follows:
𝑝 > 2.25
✓ Since the inequality is a greater than, then we have to move forward to find
the next values.
✓ Therefore, the next value after 2.25 which will be an integer is 3.
✓ Therefore, the smallest value of 𝑝 for which 𝑓(𝑥) = 0 will have non-real roots
is 3.
Example
Given: 𝑓(𝑥) = 𝑥 2 − 5𝑥 + 𝑘
Determine the value of 𝑘 if it is given that the roots of 𝑓(𝑥) are given by:
5 ± √41
𝑥=
2

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Solution
✓ Given that the roots have a square root sign on them, it is clear that the
quadratic equation was solved by means of a quadratic formula.
✓ In a quadratic formula, whatever is inside the square root sign represents the
discriminant.
✓ Therefore, the discriminant of the quadratic equation is as follows:
∆ = 41
✓ In the given quadratic equation, 𝑘 is actually the value of 𝑐 .
✓ The values of 𝑎 and 𝑏 can be identified from the given quadratic equation:
𝑎=1 𝑏 = −5
✓ Therefore, we can use the discriminant to determine the value of 𝑘 :
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 41 −4𝑘 = 16
(−5)2 − 4(1)(𝑘) = 41 −4𝑘 16
=
25 − 4𝑘 = 41 −4 −4
−4𝑘 = 41 − 25 𝑘 = −4

Example
The equation 𝑥 2 + 3𝑥 − 𝑘 = 0 has only real root. Determine the value of 𝑘 .
Solution
✓ A quadratic equation must, at the very least, have two solutions or roots.
✓ When a quadratic equation is said to have one root, it is actually two roots that
are just equal.
✓ Therefore, in this case, the given quadratic equation has two equal roots.
✓ If a quadratic equation has two equal roots, then the discriminant is equal to 0:
∆=0
𝑏 2 − 4𝑎𝑐 = 0
✓ We can then identify the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 of the equation:
𝑎=1 𝑏=3 𝑐 = −𝑘
✓ We can then substitute the values of 𝑎, 𝑏 and 𝑐 into the discriminant:
(3)2 − 4(1)(−𝑘) = 0
✓ We can then simplify the resulting equation and determine the value of 𝑘 :
9 + 4𝑘 = 0 4𝑘 −9
=
4𝑘 = 0 − 9 4 4
4𝑘 = −9 9
𝑘=−
4

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