Using the Discriminant

Topics for Today:

The quadratic formula can be used to find the solutions of any quadratic equation that is in standard form.  There is a piece of the formula called the discriminant that is very useful to determine the types of solutions that our equation will have.   Additionally, we can tell if our equation is easily factorable by looking at the discriminant.  If the discriminant is a perfect square, we have an easily factorable equation.

Sections Covered in Textbook:

10-8: Using the Discriminant (pages 554-558)

Resources & Tutorials:

1) What is the discriminant?
2) How do you use the discriminant to find out the number of solutions?