The Quadratic Formula and

the Discriminant
College Algebra
1.4 (day3 Notes)
 We have a number of different
ways of finding the roots of a
quadratic equation
#1. Solve by Taking Square Roots
#2. Factoring
#3. Completing the Square
Now a new way that comes from completing
the square.
The Quadratic Formula
 The Quadratic Formula
Solve for x by completing the square.

 b  b  4ac 2
x
2a
 Yes, you can remember this
formula
Pop goes the Weasel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lbABbfU6Zc&fe
ature=related

Gilligan’s Island
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CWTt9QFioY&f
eature=related

This one I can’t explain

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=haq6kpWdEMs&
feature=related
 How does it work
Equation:
3x 2  5 x  1  0
a3
b5
c 1
 b  b 2  4ac
x
2a
 How does it work
Equation:
 5  52  431
3x  5 x  1  0
2
x
23
a3
b5  5  25  12
x
c 1 6

 b  b 2  4ac
x  5  13  5 13
2a x  
6 6 6
 The Discriminant
The number in the square root of the
quadratic formula.

b  4ac
2

Given x  5 x  6  0
2

 52
 416 
25  24  1
The Discriminant
 The Discriminant
The Discriminant can be negative, positive or zero
If the Discriminant is positive,
there are 2 real answers.
If the Discriminant is zero,
there is 1 real answer.
If the Discriminant is negative,
there are 2 complex
answers.
complex answer have i.
 The Discriminant
Discriminant Number of Solutions Type of Solutions
Positive, perfect square Two Real and Rational
(ex: 36 or 81 or 100)
Positive, but not a Two Real and Irrational
perfect square
(ex: 40, 27, 72, 91, …)
Zero One (a double solution) Real and Rational
Negative Two Nonreal complex
(ex: -49, -81, -5, -27, …)
The Discriminant

This proves that the

discriminant is only
useful when a, b and
c are INTEGERS!!!
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x  8 x  33
2
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x  8 x  33
2

x  8 x  33  0
2

  8   8  41 33
2

x
21
Solve using the Quadratic formula
x 2  8 x  33
x 2  8 x  33  0
  8   82  41 33
x
21

8  196 8  14
x 
2 2
8  14 22
x   11
2 2
8  14  6
x   3
2 2
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x  34 x  289  0
2
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x  34 x  289  0
2

  34    34  41289 
2

x
21
Solve using the Quadratic formula
x  34 x  289  0
2

  34    342  41289
x
21
34  1156  1156
x
2

34  0 34
x   17
2 2
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x  6x  2  0
2
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x  6x  2  0
2

  6    6  412 
2

x
21
6  36  8 6  28
x 
2 2
6 2 7
x   3 7
2 2
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x 2  13  6 x
x 2  6 x  13  0
  6    62  4113
x
21
Solve using the Quadratic formula

x 2  13  6 x
x 2  6 x  13  0
  6    62  4113
x
21
6  36  52 6   16
x 
2 2
Solve using the Quadratic formula
x 2  13  6 x
x 2  6 x  13  0
  6    62  4113
x
21
6  36  52 6   16
x 
2 2

6  4i 6 4
x   i
2 2 2

x  3  2i
 Describe the roots
Tell me the Discriminant and the type of roots
x2  6x  9  0
 Describe the roots
Tell me the Discriminant and the type of roots
x2  6x  9  0
0, One rational root
 Describe the roots
Tell me the Discriminant and the type of roots
x2  6x  9  0
0, One rational root
x 2  3x  5  0
 Describe the roots
Tell me the Discriminant and the type of roots
x2  6x  9  0
0, One rational root
x 2  3x  5  0
-11, Two complex roots
 Describe the roots
Tell me the Discriminant and the type of roots
x2  6x  9  0
0, One rational root
x 2  3x  5  0
-11, Two complex roots
x  8x  4  0
2
 Describe the roots
Tell me the Discriminant and the type of roots
x2  6x  9  0
0, One rational root
x 2  3x  5  0
-11, Two complex roots
x  8x  4  0
2

80, Two irrational roots

 Homework
1.4 #72-82 even and 83-91 all