Final answer:
The statement is false; the discriminant pertains to quadratic equations and can only result in 0, 1, or 2 roots (real or complex), not 3.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'The discriminant allows you to find 1, 2, or 3 roots.' is false. The discriminant, specifically from the quadratic formula, is a part of the formula under the square root sign: b^2 - 4ac. It determines the nature and number of roots of a quadratic equation (ax^2 + bx + c = 0).
- If the discriminant is positive, there are two distinct real roots.
- If the discriminant is zero, there is exactly one real root (also called a repeated or double root).
- If the discriminant is negative, there are no real roots, but two complex roots.
Quadratic equations can only have 0, 1, or 2 roots when considering real and complex numbers. Also, it's worth noting that in physical problems where quadratic equations are derived from data, only the positive real roots might have practical significance when graphing in two-dimensional (x-y) space.