Question

Consider the derivation of the quadratic formula below. What is the missing radicand

in Step 6?

Answer 1

`(b^2 - 4ac)/(4a^2)`

Explanation:

Given

See attachment for complete question

Required:

Complete step 6

At step 5, we have:

`(x + (b)/(2a))^2 = (b^2)/(4a^2) - (4ac)/(4a^2)`

Take LCM

`(x + (b)/(2a))^2 = (b^2 - 4ac)/(4a^2)`

Take square roots of both sides to get step 6

`x + (b)/(2a) = \±\sqrt{(b^2 - 4ac)/(4a^2)}`

Hence, the missing radicand is:
`(b^2 - 4ac)/(4a^2)`