Calculate the discriminant from the Quadratic Formula.
E
e
The graph is written in graphing form, which allows us to determine its vertex.
F
f
The graph is written in graphing form, which allows us to determine its vertex.
A
a
Real roots
B
b
Complex roots
C
c
Complex roots
D
d
Real roots
E
e
Real roots
F
f
Complex roots
Practice makes perfect
a
Let's have a look at the parent graph to all quadratics, y=x^2.
As we can see, the graph of y=x^2 intersects the x-axis once at the origin which means this solution is a double root. Now, let's think about the function y=x^2-6. This is a vertical translation of y=x^2 by 6 units down.
As we can see, the given function intersects the x-axis twice, which means it has two real roots.
b
From Part A we know that the parent function to quadratics has a double root at the origin. The function y=x^2+6 shows a vertical translation of the parent function by 6 units up.
As we can see, this graph does not intersect the x-axis at all, which means it does not have any real roots, so it must have complex roots.
c
We can use the discriminant in the Quadratic Formula to tell whether the function has real roots or not.
x=b ±sqrt(b^2-4ac)/2aThe following applies for the number of roots in a quadratic equation.
Complex Roots: b^2-4ac<0
One Real Root: b^2-4ac=0
Two Real Roots: b^2-4ac>0
In our equation, we see that a= 1, b= - 2 and c= 10. By substituting these values into the discriminant, we can determine if the function has real or complex roots.
Since the discriminant is positive, the equation has two real solutions.
e
Examining the equation, we notice that it is written in graphing form. In this form, the vertex is easy to identify.
Graphing Form:& y=a(x- h)^2+ k
Vertex:& ( h, k)Notice that the value of a determines whether the vertex is a maximum or a minimum. A positive a gives a minimum, and a negative a gives a maximum. Examining the equation, we can identify the vertex and what type of vertex it is.
Graphing Form:& y=(x- 3)^2+( -4)
Vertex:& ( 3, - 4)
Type of vertex:& a>0 → minimum
Since the function's vertex is a minimum at (3,- 4), which is a point that is below the x-axis, the graph must have two real roots.
f
Like in Part E, we have a quadratic function written in graphing form.
graphing form:& y=(x- 3)^2+ 4
vertex:& ( 3, 4)
type of vertex:& a>0 → minimum
Since the function's vertex is a minimum at (3,4), which is a point that is above the x-axis, the graph has complex roots.
