Quadratic Equations : Discriminants and Solving
For the equation 24x^2 + 68x + 28 = 0
a) Find the discriminant
b) If the discriminant tells you that you can factor, do so.
c) Solve the equation by completing the square(HINT: at some point during the process, you will come to a point which looks like (x+(17/12))^2 = (121/144)
d) solve the equation by using the quadratic formula.
https://brainmass.com/math/basic-algebra/quadratic-equations-discriminants-solving-10947
Solution Preview
a) The discriminant of a polynomial like ax^2+bx+c=0 is:
D=(b^2-4ac)
Therefore here we have:
D= (68^2-4*24*28)=1936>0
b) Because the discriminant is positive, we can factor the polynomial over the real domain. To do so we can say:
24x^2+68x+28= 24x^2+56x+12x+28=
2x(12x+28)+(12x+28)=
(2x+1)(12x+28)
Of course that is not ...
Solution Summary
A discriminant is found and quadratic equations are solved. The equation is solved by completing the square.