Question

What does the discriminant tell you?

Select the correct response:
Whether the parabola opens up or down. How many y-intercepts the parabola has.
How many and what kind of solutions are possible.
O How many x-intercepts a parabola has.
How many and what kind of solutions are possible.
How many y-intercepts a parabola has.
Whether the parabola opens up or down.

Answer 1

Explanation:

The discriminant is a part of the quadratic formula that tells us how many and what kind of solutions are possible for a quadratic equation . It is the expression b^2 - 4ac found under the square root symbol in the quadratic formula .

A positive discriminant indicates that the quadratic equation has two distinct real number solutions . A discriminant of zero indicates that the quadratic equation has a repeated real number solution . A negative discriminant indicates that neither of the solutions are real numbers.

Therefore, the correct response to your question is “How many and what kind of solutions are possible.” The discriminant does not tell you how many x-intercepts or y-intercepts a parabola has or whether the parabola opens up or down.

I hope this helps! Let me know if you have any other questions or if there is anything else I can help you with.