Math 9

Characterizing the Roots

of a Quadratic Equation
using the Discriminant
QUADRATIC FORMULA :

− 𝑏 ± √ 𝑏 − 4 𝑎𝑐
2
𝑥=
2𝑎

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

 DISCRIMINANT
The value of the expression is called the
discriminant of the quadratic equation This value
can be used to describe the nature of the roots of
a quadratic equation. It can be zero, positive and
perfect square, positive but not perfect square, or
negative.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

I. When or discriminant is equal to zero, then the
roots are real numbers and are equal.

Example: x2 – 4x + 4 = 0

a=1 b=-4 c=4

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

• Substitute these values of a, b, and c in
the expression .

=
= 16 – 16
=0
• The discriminant is 0.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

To check:
x2 – 4x + 4 = 0 → (x – 2)(x – 2) = 0
(x – 2) = 0 (x – 2) = 0
x–2+2=0+2 x–2+2=0+2
x=2 x=2
The roots of the quadratic equation x2 – 4x + 4 = 0
are real numbers and are equal.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

II. When or discriminant is greater than zero and
a perfect square, then the roots are rational
numbers but are not equal.
Example: x2 + 7x + 10 = 0

a=1 b=7 c = 10

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

• Substitute these values of a, b, and c in
the expression .

=
= 49 – 40
=9

• The discriminant is 9.
Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant
To check:
x2 + 7x + 10 = 0 → (x + 5)(x + 2) = 0
(x + 5) = 0 (x + 2) = 0
x+5–5=0–5 x+2–2=0–2
x=-5 x=-2
The roots of the quadratic equation x2 + 7x + 10 =
0 are rational numbers but are not equal.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

III. When or discriminant is greater than zero but
not a perfect square, then the roots are irrational
numbers and are not equal.
Example: x2 + 6x + 3 = 0

a=1 b=6 c=3

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

• Substitute these values of a, b, and c in
the expression .

=
= 36 – 12
= 24

• The discriminant is 24.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

To check:

The roots of the quadratic equation x2 + 6x + 3 = 0

are irrational numbers and are not equal.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

IV. When or discriminant is less than zero, then
the equation has no real roots,
Example: x2 + 2x + 5 = 0

a=1 b=2 c=5

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

• Substitute these values of a, b, and c in
the expression .

=
= 4 – 20
= - 16

• The discriminant is – 16.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

To check:

The roots of the quadratic equation x2 + 2x + 5 = 0

are not real numbers.

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

Activity 1
Solve for the discriminant () of the following quadratic
equations.
1. x2 + 3x + 1 = 0 5. a2 + 8a – 2 = 0
2. y2 + 7y + 6 = 0 6. 3x2 + 2 = 5x
3. p2 – 10p + 12 = 0 7. 2x2 – x + 5 = 0
4. r2 + 4r – 12 = 0 8. m2 – 13m + 9 = 0

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

Answers
Quadratic Equations Discriminant
1. x2 + 3x + 1 = 0 5
2. y2 + 7y + 6 = 0 25
3. p2 – 10p + 12 = 0 52
4. r2 + 4r – 12 = 0 64
5. a2 + 8a – 2 = 0 72
6. 3x2 + 2 = 5x 1
7. 2x2 – x + 5 = 0 - 39
8. m2 – 13m + 9 = 0 133

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

Activity 2: Solve for the discriminant and determine the characteristics
of the roots of the given quadratic equations.
Quadratic Equation Discriminant Characteristics
2. r2 + 9r + 14 = 0 25
3. x2 – 5x – 4 = 0 Irrational and not equal
4. a2 – 6a + 9 = 0 0
5. m2 – m + 7 = 0 No real roots/not real numbers
6. n2 + 2n + 5 = 0 - 16
7. 2b2 + 8b + 7 = 0 Irrational and not equal
8. g2 + 4g + 6 = 0 -8
9. e2 + 10e + 25 = 0 Real numbers and equal
10. y2 – 25 = 0 Rational but not equal

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

Answers
Quadratic Equation Discriminant Characteristics
2. r2 + 9r + 14 = 0 25 Rational but not equal
3. x2 – 5x – 4 = 0 41 Irrational and not equal
4. a2 – 6a + 9 = 0 0 Real numbers and equal
5. m2 – m + 7 = 0 - 27 No real roots/not real numbers
6. n2 + 2n + 5 = 0 - 16 No real roots/not real numbers
7. 2b2 + 8b + 7 = 0 8 Irrational and not equal
8. g2 + 4g + 6 = 0 -8 No real roots/not real numbers
9. e2 + 10e + 25 = 0 0 Real numbers and equal
10. y2 – 25 = 0 100 Rational but not equal

Characterizing the Roots of a Quadratic Equation using the Discriminant

 Thank you,
Grade 9 learners!