In Exercises 75–82, compute the discriminant. Then determine the number and type of solutions for the given equation.
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Identify the coefficients in the quadratic equation \$2x^2 - 11x + 3 = 0\(. Here, \)a = 2\(, \)b = -11\(, and \)c = 3$.
Recall the formula for the discriminant: \(\Delta = b^2 - 4ac\).
Substitute the values of \(a\), \(b\), and \(c\) into the discriminant formula: \(\Delta = (-11)^2 - 4 \times 2 \times 3\).
Simplify the expression to find the value of the discriminant (do not calculate the final number yet).
Use the value of the discriminant to determine the number and type of solutions: if \(\Delta > 0\), there are two distinct real solutions; if \(\Delta = 0\), there is one real solution; if \(\Delta < 0\), there are two complex solutions.
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Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Quadratic Equation
A quadratic equation is a second-degree polynomial equation in the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants and a ≠ 0. It represents a parabola when graphed and can have zero, one, or two real solutions depending on its coefficients.
The discriminant is the part of the quadratic formula under the square root, given by b² - 4ac. It determines the nature and number of solutions of a quadratic equation: if positive, two distinct real solutions; if zero, one real repeated solution; if negative, two complex solutions.
The solutions of a quadratic equation can be real or complex. Based on the discriminant, the equation may have two distinct real roots, one repeated real root, or two complex conjugate roots. Understanding these types helps in interpreting the behavior of the quadratic function.