0This formula provides two possible solutions for x, due to the ± sign. The part of the formula under the square root, b² - 4ac, is called the discriminant. The discriminant helps determine the nature of the roots (solutions):
- If the discriminant is positive (b² - 4ac > 0), there are two distinct real roots.
- If the discriminant is zero (b² - 4ac = 0), there is exactly one real root (a repeated root).
- If the discriminant is negative (b² - 4ac < 0), there are two complex roots.
