Solving Quadratics

Front

What is a quadratic equation?

Back

A quadratic equation is a polynomial equation of the form ax² + bx + c = 0, where a, b, and c are constants and a ≠ 0.

Front

What is the standard form of a quadratic equation?

Back

The standard form of a quadratic equation is y = ax² + bx + c.

Front

What does the 'a' value represent in a quadratic equation?

Back

The 'a' value determines the direction of the parabola: if a > 0, the parabola opens upwards; if a < 0, it opens downwards.

Front

What is the vertex of a parabola?

Back

The vertex is the highest or lowest point of the parabola, depending on the direction it opens.

Front

What is the axis of symmetry in a quadratic function?

Back

The axis of symmetry is a vertical line that divides the parabola into two mirror-image halves, given by the formula x = -b/(2a).

Front

What is the discriminant in a quadratic equation?

Back

The discriminant is the part of the quadratic formula under the square root, given by b² - 4ac, which determines the nature of the roots.

Front

What does a positive discriminant indicate?

Back

A positive discriminant indicates that the quadratic equation has two distinct real solutions.

Front

What does a zero discriminant indicate?

Back

A zero discriminant indicates that the quadratic equation has exactly one real solution (a repeated root).

Front

What does a negative discriminant indicate?

Back

A negative discriminant indicates that the quadratic equation has no real solutions, only complex solutions.

Front

How do you solve a quadratic equation by factoring?

Back

To solve by factoring, rewrite the equation in the form (x - p)(x - q) = 0, then set each factor to zero: x - p = 0 or x - q = 0.