Question

AP Math

This problem has 2 parts. I have answered the first part but need help in the second...

1. Find the discriminate of y=x^2 -6x-9
Answer: 72
**2. What does this tell you about y=x^2 -6x-9**

Answer 1

The discriminant for a quadratic polynomial gives you information about the polynomial's roots.

Given
`y=ax^2+bx+c`, the discriminant is given by
`\Delta=b^2-4ac`.

There are three possible conclusions you can draw. If
`\Delta>0`, then the quadratic has two distinct real roots. If
`\Delta=0`, then there is one repeated real root. If
`\Delta<0`, then there are two complex (non-real) roots.

Since you found
`\Delta=72>0`, that means that
`y` has two distinct real roots.