Calculate the discriminant \(\Delta = b^2 - 4ac\) by substituting the values: \(\Delta = (-3)^2 - 4(3)(-4)\).
Substitute \(a\), \(b\), and the discriminant \(\Delta\) into the quadratic formula: \(x = \frac{-(-3) \pm \sqrt{\Delta}}{2(3)}\).
Simplify the expression under the square root and the entire fraction to express the two possible solutions for \(x\).
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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 the discriminant.
The quadratic formula x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / (2a) provides the solutions to any quadratic equation ax² + bx + c = 0. It uses the coefficients a, b, and c to find the roots, including complex solutions when the discriminant is negative.
Solving Quadratic Equations Using The Quadratic Formula
Discriminant
The discriminant, given by b² - 4ac, determines the nature of the roots of a quadratic equation. If positive, there are two distinct real roots; if zero, one real root; and if negative, two complex conjugate roots.