Conclusion

This chapter has allowed you to explore how quadratic equations work. A quadratic equation is a second degree equation that generates a parabola. When you generate a parabola using a quadratic equation, three basic possibilities exist with respect to how the parabola relates to the x axis. Both of its arms can intersect the x axis. It’s vertex can lie on the axis, or it can open upward or downward and never intersect with the x axis at all. To help you determine the type of quadratic equation you are dealing with, you can use techniques such as completing the square. You can also apply the quadratic formula. When you apply the quadratic formula, you can determine the type of parabola you are dealing with from the values the discriminant of the formula generates.