Flashcard 18 - Mathematics: Algebraic Reasoning Flashcard Set for the TSIA2

one real root (zero)

The quantity \(b^2 - 4ac\) is known as the discriminant and it helps us find the nature of roots of a quadratic function.

If the discriminant \(\lt 0\), there are no real roots of the quadratic.

If the discriminant \(= 0\), there is one real root of the quadratic.

If the discriminant \(\gt 0\), there are two real roots of the quadratic.