The Discriminant

In the quadratic equation, you refer to the expression as the discriminant. The result of the expression allows you to determine the values that are acceptable as solutions of the quadratic formula:

• If you find that b² – 4ac = 0, then the equation possesses only one real number solution.

• If you find that b² – 4ac > 0, then two real number solutions satisfy the equation.

• If you find that b² – 4ac < 0, then no real number solution exists for the equation.

As mentioned previously, the values you arrive at when you examine the discriminant allow you to determine whether the lines of the parabola the equation generates intersect with the x axis.